Tower of London, brutal history, sparkling jewels (Tower of London)

Member Name: logberg

Product:	Tower of London
Date:	24/08/05 (169 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Living history, priceless jewels, great day out

Disadvantages: NONE

Nearly 1000 years ago William the Conqueror started building what is now the Tower of London.

It's featured strongly in the political life of the country's capital, brutal executions, ghastly incarcerations and many have gone in via the Traitors Gate,never to come out alive.

Sir Walter Raliegh lived his last years there, in the company of his family and with special privileges, two little royal brothers went in and history records no further knowledge of them; and hundreds of others suffered ghastly fates in The Tower of London.

Nowadays it is a complete, living history of some gouhlish acts but it also has the most stunning collection of Crown Jewels in the Jewel House.

You may well have to queue for a while there but if you do there are information panels as you weave your way along; by the time you get to the extremely well guarded and thick vault, you know plenty about what you are going to see.

There is an impressivea array of court gear, gilden and jewelled swords, orbs and other fabulous pieces.

People movers make sure you don't tarry long as you go beside the treasures, then you go into the vault to see most fantastic jewels, gold and silver tableware and generally the best in gilded craftsmanship of jewels I have ever seen.


Security here is understandably heavy, big-time. I couldn't help wondering what a headache it would be to protect the pieces if any of the royal family fancied wearing something from the collection.

In the White Tower there are several floors of weaponry and heavy armoury, as well as some ghastly torture stuff to turn the stomach.

All around the Tower of London you'll meet and be able to talk to the Beefeaters or Yeoman Warders. They live in a section on the outer wall of the fortress.

I guess they will be one of the most photographed 'culture' icons of London. They are pretty impressive.

The Tower of London is known for its political intrigue, it's been the most secure and feared prison, it's seen three queens incarcerated there.

In fact, an interesting royal story: the black ravens are actually protected here. There is a saying that if there are less than six black ravens living at The Tower of London the monarchy will fall.

Now to ensure such a fate doesn't come upon the house of Windsor, the ravens have a warder specially assigned to make sure they are fed well, protected and generally don't mind living life with their wings clipped!

The Tower of London is nearby Tower Bridge, on the banks of the Thames, it is easy to get to using the tube and buses.

When I went the second time, ealier this year, I think the entrance fees were: GBP14.50 adults,GBP9.50 children, GBP11 seniors and students, GBP41 families - 2 adults and 3 children.

If you go to http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode.home.asp you will find booking on line is cheaper. Once in the site,click on Planning your Visit and you will find opening times, and all entry fees are listed.

The Tower of London is a place which I have been to 3 times and each time I learn and find new things I missed the other times.

I'm pleased to say I left with my head.... lots haven't.

Summary: History on show, cultural show, great jewel house