Tower of London

The Chairlift at the Dockyards

This mornings reflections from our room

 Today we hit the streets of London and went to see Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. The Crown Jewels, one of the highlights of the Tower of London are such a sight and it is unimaginable the sums of money that have been spent on these items. Of course no photos were allowed of the crown jewels.

Byward Tower 1280

Beauchamp Tower 1280 in Mint Street

St Thomas's Tower 1275-1279

23,578 gems that make up the Crown Jewels, including the world’s most famous diamonds in the Jewel House are located in the Waterloo Block.

The Waterloo Block housing the Crown Jewels

Queens House on Tower Green

Traitor's Gate

Bloody Tower 1225

Edward's I's Hall & Bedchamber

Henry VI died here 21-5-1471

The White Tower built by William the Conqueror, one of the most important historic buildings in the world, houses displays from the Royal Armouries’ collection.

White Tower

View of the Shard

View of City Hall

Lantern Tower 1220-1238

Cradle Tower 1348-1355

View of Tower Bridge

The extraordinary prisoner graffiti in the Beauchamp Tower dates back to 1500's this by New Draper the Astrologer this carving from 1561. Execution inside the Tower was a privilege for those of high rank. There have been prisoners at the Tower almost since it was built.

Draw Arrow Tower 1240

Martin Tower 1240

Military Museum

Cast Iron 12 Pound Gun

The longest running visitor attraction from 1652 the Horse Armoury featuring a line of heroic English Kings wearing armour on life size carved wooden horses. The exhibition has changed several times over the last 300 years however everything we saw today was once part of the historic displays.

Armur of Henry VIII from 1540

Henry Stuart The Lost Prince 

William the Conqueror

The Dwarf & The Giant

Replica Ampulla

Replica Coronation Spoon used to anoint the monarch at the coronation ceremony

Coat of Arms of the Bannester Family 1573

1586

1553

Moored just a short walk from Tower Bridge, this unique reminder of Britain's naval heritage is a veteran of the World War II Normandy landings and the final battle with the German Warship Scharnhorst. HMS Belfast is a museum ship, originally a Royal Navy light cruiser, permanently moored in London on the River Thames and operated by the Imperial War Museum.

 

After touring the Tower of London we walked along The Queen Walk to Tower Bridge a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name. Height of 65 mtrs it is the most famous Bridge in the world. Within the Bridge's iconic structure are the magnificent Victorian Engine rooms. Touring the bridge you can walk along the high level Walkways, 42 metres above the River Thames with stunning panoramic views of London. The original lifting machinery in the Victorian Engine Rooms, complete with sounds and smells that transport you back in time to the Bridge's origins are seen at the end of the bridge.

The Greenwich Observatory is in the centre of the four high rise buildings - the small white building

City Hall left and the Shard the tallest building in Europe centre

St Paul's Cathedral

30 St Mary Avenue 'The Gherkin' just right of centre

The Shard

The Engine Room

Accumulator

Looking back to the Tower Of London

The Traitor's Gate from the river

The Belfast

Hay's Galleries the old 'Larder of London' the docks some 150 years ago

London Bridge

Sir Christopher Wren's flame-topped monument to the Great Fire of London offers one of the best views over the City. The monument stands some 160ft high and consists of 311 steps.

The oldest church in the City of London, dating back to 675 A.D. All Hallows was the best located to receive the bodies of traitors executed at the Tower. Although surviving the Great Fire of London, it was less fortunate during World War II when a bomb raid destroyed all but the Tower and walls. 

Ten Trinity Square in Trinity Square Gardens

The sunset over The Gherkin on the way home