Step back in time at the Tower of London
The Tower has a horrible past. In decades past, the enemies of the monarch and political prisoners in the UK were detained and tortured here. Guy Fawkes, a fervent Catholic who came dangerously close to blowing up the Houses of Parliament in 1605, was its most well-known prisoner. Every November 5th, Guy Fawkes Night (also known as Bonfire Night) is held in his honor.
The monarch's most priceless state jewels, the Crown Jewels, are also stored here. The Yeoman Guards, its designated guardians, are also referred to as Beefeaters. They continue to wear the distinctive red uniform of the 16th century. Keep an eye out for the kept ravens on the property. Their attention and presence are intended to allay a Tudor-era prophecy that the monarchy would perish if the ravens ever departed the Tower.
The Tower of London is an excellent site to start a trip to London since it is a strikingly contained world of English eccentricity from the eleventh century. The tower is not just an architectural marvel, but it also houses the largest diamond in the world, a glittering collection of armor, and a strong sense of old history everywhere you look.
You will need at least half a day for exploration because there is simply so much to see. It is well worth arriving early. To avoid waiting in line, arrive as soon as the doors are unlocked and proceed directly to the Crown Jewels. After that, take a Yeoman Warder's tour to get a fascinating and up-close look at the grim history of this fortress-palace.
