We all know London has history – ask little Johnny at school and he can tell you the countless times he has nodded off in the classroom listening to Mrs Butler’s monologue on a sunny Thursday afternoon. Wouldn’t it have been good if he could have seen history happening first-hand?

Countinuing on with 020’s look at London attractions let’s take a peak first-hand at The Tower of London – watch out for the arrows.

Age & beauty

The Tower of London has been sitting pretty since the 11th Century when men were men who didn’t mind wearing a pair of girlie tights. Plenty of stuff to learn from men in tights surely.

All about change

Kevin McCloud of Grand Designs would certainly be impressed with the renovations which have taken place in the Tower over the past 10 centuries. There has been addition after addition. Under a new rule, a death, a revolt, there has aways been an excuse for a renovation.

The jewellery

The Tower is made up of a number of areas to explore, each appealing to a period of history. You’ll get a look at The Crown Jewels, weaponry, watch short documentaries on London history including The Fire of London and listen to talks from Yeoman Warders. The Yeoman Warders are often known as Beefeaters – that’s what I have always known them as.

Best of all, you’ll have a fantastic view of the Thames from the Tower, make sure you bring along your camera. And some good walking shoes as you could be walking around for a fair few hours.

Prices

Adult: ?15.00
Concession: ?12.00
Child: ?9.50
Under 5s: Free
Family Ticket: ?43.00

Opening times

1st March to 31st October
Tuesday – Saturday : Opens 0900 hrs last admission 1700 hrs
Monday and Sunday : Opens 1000 hrs last admission 1700 hrs

Getting there

Tube: Tower Hill
Train: Fenchurch Street
DLR: Tower Gateway

Tips

  • The morning of our tour of The Tower of London we went to The London Dungeon to jump-start our hearts. After The London Dungeon we took a walk of about 15-20 minutes along the Thames to arrive at The Tower. We finished off our day by heading to the Icebar in the West End (Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus).