from Princeton to Oxford: The Tower of London

Saturday, 19th August 2017

This was our most spontaneous London trip yet. Up until an hour before we left, we thought we would drive... then changed our minds at the last minute and bought train tickets (money WELL spent!). Up until we arrived at Tower Hill Station, we thought we were going to Greenwich and the Prime Meridian site... but we decided to check out the Tower instead, and it captivated us for the whole day.

So, we traveled by train to Paddington Station, and took the Underground to Tower Hill. The kids were psyched about the long Tube ride.

We were surprised by how much there was to do and see at the Tower. The site is fairly large, with the iconic "White Tower" in the centre of a larger fortress and medieval wall. The White Tower was constructed in 1075-9 by William the Conqueror. Most of the additional buildings and defensive walls were constructed in the 13th century.

We started off by getting in line to see the Crown Jewels. Luckily, the line moved quickly. Seeing the jewels and other Royal treasures was fascinating. It was well-presented, with a moving walkway taking visitors past the main attraction - the dazzling Royal crowns, orbs and scepters. No photography allowed :)

Then we walked through the White Tower. It was originally home for the monarchs, but was used as a munitions storehouse from the 14th to 19th centuries. Now it houses artifacts, including the "Line of Kings." The Line is a display of statues, carvings and armor of the Royal monarchs. We enjoyed seeing Henry VIII's armor, as well as some child-size armor.

We continued our walk around the complex, and climbed along the battlements and into towers along the defensive wall. We spoke with a Yeoman Warder and learned that the 37 Warders still live in the Tower complex.

We learned about the menagerie of animals that once resided in the Tower. Exotic animals like lions and monkeys were often gifts from far-off lands.

We also visited the ravens - six or seven ravens have resided at the Tower ever since Charles II protected them there, and the legend says that if the ravens leave, the Tower and kingdom will fall.