Yesterday when Paul and I were up and going we decided to visit the Tower of London - the owner of the apartment said it was a 10 minute walk away. I walk pretty quickly but there is no way that walk was 10 minutes - more like 20.
We paused outside the Tower to snap shots of Tower Bridge.
One of the things I really enjoy about London is the juxtaposition of the old and the new.
The Tower of London is one of the most important landmarks in England, and has played a significant role in shaping the country's history. Since being built in the 11th century, it has been used as an armory, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public record office, the home of the Crown Jewels of England, and perhaps most famously, as a prison that held (as well as tortured, sentenced, and executed) notable figures such as Anne Boleyn and Guy Fawkes.
Today, the UNESCO-designated site of the Tower of London is one of the most visited places in the United Kingdom, and with such a far-ranging background, it's easy to understand why.
This is one of London's busiest tourists spots so my advice is start early - head to the Crown Jewels first and then enjoy the other parts in the complex that the crowds don't go to as they race from site to site. Honestly though, there is so much to do at the Tower that you could spend all day there.
One of the highlights for most is the Crown Jewels, a unique collection of royal regalia which are still regularly used by the Queen in important national ceremonies. The amazing collection includes the biggest cut diamond in the world. Almost equally impressive were the entry doors, or should I say vaults, which are made of some type of heavy duty, nuclear-proof steel that you only see in Hollywood films. Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to take any photos but here are some official pictures to give you an idea of the beauty that awaits inside.
The Royal Ravens are one of the most famous sights at the Tower, and legend has it that if they ever leave the Tower, the kingdom will fall! The birds all have their own names and very different personalities – you can meet them next to their lodgings on the South Lawn.
There are other 'beasts' around the site. For more than a thousand years various royals kept exotic beasts within the castle grounds as a way if impressing visiting nobility, ambassadors, and showing their might to the royal subjects. You'll spot plenty of evidence of these 'guests' throughout the site.
There was one primary purpose of the White Tower – to intimidate and unnerve invaders – and it served its purpose incredibly well! Built by William the Conqueror in the 1080s, the White Tower is the most recognizable tower in the Tower of London. The tower was a castle keep, the strongest part of a medieval castle, and was, in fact, known to be one of the strongest military holds in the Christian World.
Today, it holds the Royal Armouries Collection, including the Line of Kings exhibition. You will also find an incredible Romanesque Chapel inside known as St. Johns’ Chapel. The White Tower also has a macabre history – the top floor of the tower has an 18th century executioner block with an axe! The tower’s basement also has witnessed gore, including the torture of Guy Fawkes and the Jesuit priest John Gerard.
When most people think of the Tower of London, they recall its use as a prison and the site of the beheading of such famous folks as Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, but this was not its primary purpose when it was built in the 11th century. After the Norman Conquest of England, the castle was built on this site as a royal residence and was protected as such.
After touring the tower for about four hours we headed out. Paul wanted to visited a nearby Marks and Spencers so we did that - I bought stuff, he did not. :-)
Soon we were back at the apartment for a nap before heading out the the theatre.
I had bought tickets last June to see the play Hamilton. I am glad that I bought when I did as it is a tough show to get in to. This must be the number one show on the planet right now. Normally I am predisposed to dislike shows when they are wrapped in a huge cloak of hype but this one was amazing. I laughed, I cried, and I was left with plenty to think about.
All in all it was a fabulous day in London!
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