Tower of London for Crown Jewels, Beefeater / Tower Bridge.

The Tower of London was built to house those who had committed treason or threatened the throne. The conditions in general were appalling and some prisoners were tortured before meeting a violent death on Tower Hill. Around forty Beefeaters, the Yeoman Warders guard the Tower of London and the priceless Crown Jewels. The Tower is also home to a number of ravens. The legend is that should they desert the Tower, the Kingdom will fall. To visit the Tower of London, tourists should take the London Underground to either Tower Hill or the Embankment.

The Tower of London is steeped in history and contains several buildings. The White Tower was the tallest building in London on completion around 1097, standing 90 foot high. It was subsequently white washed in 1241.

Tower of London

White Tower London

Beauchamp House is where the high ranking prisoners were held, often looked after by their own servants. Tower Green is where the arisocratic prisoners including two of Henry VIII's wives were executed, sparing them the crowds of onlookers on Tower Hill.

Wakefield Tower is part of the Medieval Palace, which was built by Henry III in 1220. It was later enlarged by his son Edward I who added Traitors' Gate, where prisoners entered the Tower by boat from the river Thames. St Thomas's Tower contains the arched mouth of Traitors' Gate, which is still visible from the Embankment. Bloody Tower is where the two princes, sons and heirs of Edward IV were held, neither were seen again!

Waterloo Barracks contains the Jewel House, home to the Crown Jewels, the regalia of crowns, scepters, orbs and swords used at Coronations and other state occasions. Most of the Crown Jewels date from 1661 and because of the Royal connection are thought to be priceless. The imperial state crown made for the Coronotion of Queen Victoria in 1837 contains more than 2,800 diamonds, 273 pearls as well as other gems. The Jewel House also contains an elaborate collection of gold and silver plates, as well as Elizabeth II's own crown with the famous Koh-I-Noor diamond.

Other parts of the Tower of London include the Chapel of St John, a romanesque chapel, the Queen's House, the official residence of the Tower's governor, St Peter ad Vincula church and the Martin and Salt Towers.

Tower Bridge London

Tower Bridge was built in London in 1894. This great gothic bridge began opening for the tall ships sailing up and down the river Thames in 1894, an operation still carried out several times a week! Tower Bridge is the most famous bridge in the world, where you can experience stunning views of London from the high level walkways. Visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition to learn of the construction history and see the beautifully restored victorian engine rooms housing the original steam engines.