The Tower of London is a fascinating, educational place to go. It has played an important part in British history, from a group of rebels besieging it during the Peasants revolt to the arrest of Sir Walter Raleigh. It's a traditional British tourist resort with family activities and events.
I really enjoyed it, it told every story of every event in the history of Britain. Plus when I went they had a Punch and Judy show on which really entertained the children and some adults. The Tower of London also has got a surprisingly interesting history with the animals its kept, e.g. They used to keep the first elephant in Britain, lions, leopards, and many more including flightless ravens which are still there to this day.
~Things to see~
* The Crown Jewels The jewel house is located in the Waterloo Barracks in the Inner Ward. Once you are inside you pass a series of jewels, which gives you a brief history of the crown jewels. You have to go on a conveyer belt, which takes you past the Crown Jewels, displayed in tremendously to bring out their beauty. You can also see Charles II and Mary II coronation balls, 4 of the Consort's sceptres and a number of spectacular and priceless diamonds, including the largest in the world, the First Star of Africa, which weighs over 530 carats.
* The White Tower This is the oldest medieval building at the Tower of London, dating back to William the Conqueror's reign (1066-1087). The rectangular building now contains a vast range of Armour and weapons. The White Tower has got 3 floors and a basement, 1 of the floors being a chapel.
* Medieval Palace The entrance of the Medieval Palace is besides Traitor's gate, the Medieval Palace consists of 3 towers, The Lanthorn Tower, The Wakefield Tower & St Thomas' Tower. St Thomas Tower during Edward I reign, it was built for 2 reasons, accommodation for the king and a Watergate, now known as traitor's gate (because of the traitor's who passed through, e.g. Anne Boleyn). The Wakefield tower is the second largest tower within the Tower of London, built in Henry III reign. It was a strong defensive tower alongside containing Henry III private bedchamber. The Lanthorn Tower was built in Henry III reign aswell, it now contains artefacts from Edward I reign. It was originally built as accommodation for the Queens.
* The Western Entrance Built in Edward I reign, the Western Entrance is the maid entrance to the Tower and was a main part in its defence. It is joined to another 4 towers through Water Lane, the Cradle Tower, The Bell Tower, The Byward Tower and The Middle Tower. The Cradle Tower was used as a Watergate and to hold prisoners. The Middle Tower was originally a drawbridge, but now holds royal armouries. The Bell Tower's present bell date back to 1651 and has rung since then. The Byward Tower was used as another drawbridge and protection.
* The Wall Walk The Walk is a walk on the East side of the tower, consisting of 8 wall towers including, The Broad Arrow Tower, The Salt Tower and The Martin Tower. The towers were used to hold prisoners including Sir Everard Digby, who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot.
* Tower Green The Tower Green is surrounded by such buildings like, The Bloody Tower, in which Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned and the Princes in the Tower were held, The Scaffold Site, where Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey and others were beheaded. Also The Queens house, where Guy Fawkes was questioned and tortured, and the Beauchamp Tower, where Elizabeth I was held for 2 months during Mary I reign.
* The Fusilier's Museum The museum holds royal guns from such wars as The Boer War, Napoleonic Wars, 1st &2nd World Wars and many others.
How to get there Trains leave Kings Cross every 5 minutes, however you need to walk a bit to get there and you need to get the bus if you get 1 of them. Go on journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk to plan how you will get there.
Prices Adult £13.50 Under 16 £9 Concession £10.50 Family Ticket (2 adults 3 children) £37.50 Under 5s free
Although the prices are expensive and like most places so is the gift shop, it's a very interesting place to go. With a lot of winding narrow staircases I don't think disabled people could get around the Tower.
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Good
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Good
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