Before I started working in tours, I didn't know the depth of the legends and history that occurred at The Tower of London. Then I visited with a local expert. My first reaction was, "How have I never heard of this?"
Because despite the name, it isn't just a tower. It's a 1,000-year-old fortress that has served as a royal palace, prison, treasury, and home to the Crown Jewels.
It's the castle you imagine as a kid.
What surprised me most wasn't the battlements or the jewels. It was realizing how many of England's biggest stories played out inside these walls.
Kings plotting. Queens imprisoned. Political rivals disappearing from public life.
The sort of drama that makes modern headlines look a little tame.
The challenge is that once you're inside, there's far more to see than most people expect. Between the Crown Jewels, the White Tower, the medieval armor, and the famous Beefeaters who still live and work there today, it can be surprisingly difficult to know where to start.
That's why I always recommend visiting with an expert.
The buildings are impressive.
Knowing what happened inside them is what you'll remember.
Cheers,
|