The Tower of London

 

The Tower of London is located right on the edge of the river and next to the Tower Bridge. Steeped in great English history it was a must do on the list. We headed here after St Pauls and The Monument. The grassed area in the picture below was the old moat that surrounded the building. Inside the walls is a living community where Beefeaters still live and work and where the crown jewels are kept.

 



 

The first thing we came across when we arrived is a pair of guys acting out scenes and showing the kids how people used to fight, what weapons they would have used and what clothes were worn. It was pretty entertaining and something to do while we waited for our tour to start.

 

 

 

What a fantastic tour guide, a real life Beefeater. He was great and quite funny. A very entertaining tour.

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately we didn't get to go in there as the lines were a mile long and we just didn't want to wait in any more lines after such a big day. But we did see the Queen's Coronation gown and jewels earlier in our trip was a just as good.

 

 

The above picture shows three holes. If you were a baddie and got yourself past the first row of guards and over the bridge then you could quite possibly have been hit by either boiling water, hot oil or hot tar which were poured through the holes and if you weren't quick enough then the sharp spikes from the door would get you. Don't think I would have bothered trying to get in uninvited !!

 

Carts for carrying the gold around.

After the tour we were allowed to look around ourselves. There was plenty to see, could have stayed all day if you wanted to.

 

The King's Room.

 

 

 

 

 

At one stage the moat area was transformed into a zoo. There were a lot of these mesh animal figures around the place but the monkey ones were quite life like from a distance.

 

 

 

One of the buildings contained the armour and weapons of all the kings and soldiers over the years. Very interesting place to be. Lots and lots of silver wear !! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The perfect picture to end such a long and fantastic day. My legs and feet hate me from all the steps but what an adventure and the views were AMAZING.