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Rated: 13+ · Photo Album · Travel · #2328784
a photographic memoir of my visit to the infamous Tower of London - 4/6/24
For the Tower of London Journal

*Countrygb*



I had always wanted to visit The Tower of London  Open in new Window., but kept putting it off (#procrastinationqueen). However, one fine day, while sitting in a crowded bus, for some weird reason, I went wandering to their website, took one look, and bam! I purchased tickets for the very next day. *Facepalm*

Needless to say, I immediately began regretting my decision, when all the logistics woes began to run through my mind, and figured I could do a quick refund and plan this better, but alas, I read the fine print which in summary said 'Whoops! Your money is now officially in our pockets, Missy. Sorry!'

So, this gal had no other option but to turn up on a blistering hot morning with, seemingly, a million other like-minded individuals who also wanted to see the place. What did that mean? Crowded spaces, long lines, and having to rush through things. *Cry*

Hay fever symptoms and aching leg woes aside, it was a fascinating place, and if you ever do decide to visit, I'd highly recommend adding it to your itinerary (just go on a quiet day with not many people around...especially rowdy school groups with either yelping preschoolers or mischievous teens who can't be quiet)

*Castle*ighlights:

1. The walk across the Tower Bridge was awesome
2. The site itself is amazing and you can really feel the history there
3. They must have been super skinny back in the day because the steps, within the towers, were super narrow
4. Those ravens are super smart and quite polite actually
5. The crown jewels are fantabulous. My gosh! No wonder they don't allow photography in there. Your camera lens might shatter at all the shiny.
6. The yeomen, and soldiers on duty, were top notch; entertaining and patient with all the shenanigans, we tourists, bombarded them within.
7. I am going back again...when it's off-peak season, and when I get there my to-do-list will include visiting:

*Announce* The White Tower
*Announce* Mint Street
*Announce* Fusilier's Museum
*Announce* Tower Hill Memorial
*Announce* Bloody Tower

So, below is my humble attempt at creating a video of most of the pictures I was able to capture. I would recommend watching on a full screen as there are some shots with interesting text/history of the sites. Also suggest pausing if you want to read them:



If my version leaves you less than impressed, here's a rather lengthy, but quite detailed video of what the location looks like from a more dedicated and through traveler. Hah!


Yes, there are shorter ones out there, but this person really makes you feel like you're walking those very roads/rooms yourself.



*CastleRight* ---- *Castle* ---- *CastleLeft*


However, if you cannot watch the video, below are just a sample of my humble attempts to capture as much as I could with my camera. Click on the images for more information.



The Tower Bridge ~ Built between 1886 and 1894, it crosses the River Thames close to the Tower of London and is one of five London bridges owned and maintained by the City Bridge Foundation. ( Fun Fact: If you end up using the bus to get there (well, depending on which side of the city you come from), you will be dropped off at the top right section of the photo - with the modern buildings - it forces you to have to walk across the Tower Bridge to get to the Tower of London. What better excuse to see the bridge in all its glory, eh? *Wink*) Read more about its history here: [Link: 'The Tower Bridge History']...
The Moat ~ In summer 2022, to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the moat transformed from a barren, flat lawn into a haven for bees, butterflies and other pollinators in the heart of the city. The moat was filled with wildflowers, grown from 20 million seeds.
Yeoman Tour Guide ~ If you wish, you can get a guided tour from the Tower's yeoman (or Beefeaters as they were once called), at the starting point within 'The Moat'. On this day, our yeoman was quite knowledgeable and fun (with his little quips and stories). The tour is about 45 minutes, but be ready to keep up or you might get lost and lose the guy. Also try to listen in as best as possible, especially when it gets super crowded.
Traitor's Gate ~ Formerly St. Thomas's Tower's gate, this is supposedly the entrance where prisoners accused of treason arrived. The vibrations from a water-engine in the basin behind caused the building's partial collapse. It was removed during Salvin's 1860 restoration.
Traitor's Gate ~ View from inside the grounds of the tower. Boats would come in from there and the prisoners marched up the stone steps. Formerly St. Thomas's Tower's gate, this is supposedly the entrance where prisoners accused of treason arrived. The vibrations from a water-engine in the basin behind caused the building's partial collapse. It was removed during Salvin's 1860 restoration.
Traitor's Gate Steps ~ Closer view of the steps (just imagining all the prisoners that walked up there still gives me chills)
The White Tower ~ Unfortunately, I was unable to go inside. By the time I was done with the other sites (thanks to the endless line to get into the Crown Jewels), this section was closed for the day. *Sob* The great stone keep, begun by William the Conqueror, was completed around 1100 and painted white in 1240 to make it more imposing. The top storey was added in 1490, and the onion shaped turret roofs under Henry VIII. Most of the windows were enlarged in the 17th and 18th centuries, and Salvin restored the chapel windows in a Norman style....
The Medieval Palace ~ Throne Room within Cradle Tower - it was built for Edward III as a private watergate to his own lodgings. A fine 14th century stone vault survives inside. The upper storey was rebuilt in 1868-9 by Anthony Salvin.
Cradle Tower - King's Private Lodgings ~ Bedroom within Cradle Tower - it was built for Edward III as a private watergate to his own lodgings. A fine 14th century stone vault survives inside. The upper storey was rebuilt in 1868-9 by Anthony Salvin.
Salt Tower ~ The upper storeys of this 1230 tower were built as luxurious accommodation, with a large fireplace and a decorative window. Used as a prison for centuries, the first floor has many fine examples of prisoners' graffiti
Salt Tower - Prisoners ~ The upper storeys of this 1230 tower were built as luxurious accommodation, with a large fireplace and a decorative window. Used as a prison for centuries, the first floor has many fine examples of prisoners' graffiti
Salt Tower - Graffiti ~ The upper storeys of this 1230 tower were built as luxurious accommodation, with a large fireplace and a decorative window. Used as a prison for centuries, the first floor has many fine examples of prisoners' graffiti
The King's House ~ Begun as the 'Lieutenant's Lodgings' in 1540, it was constructed on the site of a 14th century Constable's residence. Parts of this medieval stone building survive beneath the Tudor timer-framed lodgings. The name of the building changes according to whether the monarch is king or queen.
Scaffold Site and Memorial ~ Today, the site of the private scaffold where several well-known prisoners, including Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, were executed is marked by a contemporary sculpture by artist Brian Catling.
Beauchamp Tower ~ Built by Edward 1 and completed in 1281, this was one of the first buildings in England since Roman times to use brick on a large scale.
Beauchamp Tower - Interior ~ Although not originally designed as a prison, Beauchamp Tower was named after Thomas Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, who was imprisoned there in the 14th century. Many of the graffiti (as seen in photo) were from all the prisoners (mostly political and religious) kept there from the 16th to 17th centuries.
Home of the Crown Jewels ~ When I say the line to see this was endless, I mean it was endless . It's one of the main reasons I was unable to see most of the other sites because I was literally in line for over an hour. To make things worse, when you do get in there, the traffic is so much, you barely get a minute to truly admire the jewels until you're shoo'd away by others waiting impatiently behind you. *Frown* No photography allowed inside, and in a way, it's good because the brilliance of the jewels and everyone trying to take pictures would become too distracting. Really a place worth visiting, when you can truly savor and enjoy it without in...
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