The Tower of London
Trip Over to London
Indulging my passion for history and bringing back memories, I hadn’t been to visit the Tower of London since I went on a school excursion a very long, long time ago!! Not to mention my great fascination for standing in places where some historical figure stood centuries before me, albeit, Anne Boleyn was getting her head lopped off, and fortunately I wasn’t. Being in a building that was built 1000 years ago and learning all about what has gone on there in in the past thousand years is unbelievably interesting.
The White Tower, the main tall building that once dominated the London skyline, was built in 1078, by William the Conqueror and was extended and added to for the next few hundred years. Throughout its life it has been used as a palace, an armoury, a zoo, the Royal Mint, and a prison right up until 1952.
To get to the Tower catch the Circle or District tube lines to Tower Hill, then follow the signs to the Tower. As you leave the station you will see a huge chunk of the old city walls from the original Roman city of Londinium, built 2000 years ago. I love an old wall, and this is a serious wall, 3 metres thick, now being guarded by a bronze statue of the Emperor Trajan.
As you walk through the tunnel under the road there are modern art works depicting various London scenes, then you emerge on to the path that leads you around outside the Tower walls with many photo opportunities, then down the hill to the entrance at the West Gate. Having become a member of the Historic Royal Palaces, I was able to avoid the queues for tickets, but did have to join the bag checking queue. A sad reality of life these days, where a few lunatics have made it so these airport style safety checks are necessary everywhere.
Look for the meeting point for the Yeoman Warders Tours, we used to call these guys Beefeaters, no one knows exactly why – maybe they ate the beef??? Now they prefer to be called Yeoman Warders, except on their birthday when, I have heard, they are presented with a bottle of Beefeater Gin. Once you join the group, these tours are free and run every 30 minutes, they start by telling stories of the history of the Tower.
Our Warder was telling a very interesting story about a few chaps called Simon, who were all beheaded at the tower. Simon Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, it took a rather gruesome, eight blows to his neck to get the job done in 1381. Then there was Simon Fraser, the 11th Lord Lovat, he was the last person to be beheaded at the Tower, beheaded for treason in 1747 at the Tower. There were so many people who came to view this beheading that the viewing platform collapsed killing 20 of them! The story was just getting to the part where it doesn’t pay to be called Simon in England, which I found very amusing as I have a good friend in England called Simon……………when the tour was suddenly called off…………
Tour tip – Don’t put your umbrella up!! While the Warder was in full flight telling fantastic stories there were a few drops of rain, people started getting their umbrellas ready, then there were a few more drops of rain and a few of us (yes, I was one of them…) put our umbrellas up. Straight away the Warder called off the tour, saying he always does that as soon as umbrellas start going up…..so we were on our own now……..everything is fairly well signposted, so you know what you are looking at and there is plenty of information telling you all about each section of the Tower, but the Yeoman Warders do add that extra touch with very animated stories.
The Yeoman Warders and their families live on site in rooms and houses in the walls of the Tower. They have their own pub, The Keys, which is not open to the public, only the Warders and their invited guests can go there. They have their own community within the Tower walls, but I believe some have houses elsewhere to go to, to get some time away from the never ending hordes of visitors to the Tower.
The queue to get in to see the Crown Jewels was huge, snaking around the queuing area and then going for a further 200 metres down the hill – nothing could make me join that queue. This is one of the advantages of becoming a member of the Historic Royal Palaces – members don’t pay to enter the Tower of London, so I decided to come back another day to see the Crown Jewels. But I can understand if you only have a one day ticket you want to make the most of it, maybe leave half your group in the queue while half goes off to see everything, then swap places……….or just forget it!! I went back the following week and there was no queue at all – the luck of the draw.
St John’s Chapel on the 3rd floor of the White Tower, is the oldest surviving chapel of the Norman era and they still hold services there on Sunday mornings. Henry lll had the Chapel redecorated in 1240 with the addition of stained glass windows. The Knights of Bath held an all-night vigil in the Chapel on the eve of Henry lV’s coronation, and this ceremony continued to be held until 1559 for the coronation of Elizabeth l.
There are various art installations around the Tower grounds. The Historic Royal Palaces commissioned artist, Kendra Haste, to create wire sculptures to commemorate some of the many animals gifted to the Tower – lions, a polar bear, baboons, even an elephant. These exotic animals made up London’s first zoo, from the 1200s to the 1800s. Any surviving animals were moved to what is now London’s Zoo in Regent’s Park.
As you walk around the battlements you will come across metal sculptures of Guards defending the Tower with various weapons – not to mention a few actors dressed up ready to re-enact some of the goings on at the Tower.
In 2006 a memorial to those who lost their heads at Tower Green was unveiled near the execution site, designed by British artist, Brian Catling, a circular piece of glass with a glass pillow in the centre. A peaceful place to reflect on what a brutal society we once were……..
The Armoury in the White Tower houses a gleaming display of armour and weaponry. It seemed quite a laborious task to get both man and horse were kitted out for battle. There is an enormous dragon sculpture there made from all manner of bits and pieces from the armoury, shields, helmets, guns, ammunition, etc.
When you have had enough of the torture and violence, head over to St Thomas’s Tower and see the far more relaxing recreation of Edward l’s bedchamber.
Last, but by no means least – The jet black ravens that live at the Tower are, according to legend, holding the whole thing together. The legend being that if the ravens every leave the Tower and the Kingdom will fall, so by Royal Decree there must be a minimum of six ravens on site, but the Raven Keeper does have a few extras, just in case! Seems to be working, so far……
While in London you might like to take a walk from Camden Town along Regent’s Canal, or if you are in London at the right time of year, visiting the Chelsea Flower Show or Kew Gardens is very inspirational, even for a non-gardener like me!
If you feel like a long walk through London’s History or for aleisurely day out, catch a boat up the Thames to Hampton Court
Read the PostCards I wrote on my recent Trip Over to London, shorter stories and pictures of places I visited.
Itinerary for my Trip Over to London
Flew from Sydney to London Heathrow via Singapore, with Qantas on QF1, then QF2 to come home.
Stayed at the Royal Overseas League in St James’s.
Picked up at Heathrow by Naz from Black Lane Limos.
Travelled around London using a Visitor Oyster Card.
Decided to escape the heat in Sydney🔥 for the cold, and a cozy London Christmas🎄☃️ ❄️❄️❄️ ✨️And London has delivered with a lovely 4 degree (and falling ❄️❄️❄️) evening to start things off.
Merry Christmas to everyone 🎄☃️❄️🎄☃️❄️🥂!!
#solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #merrychristmas #londonforchristmas #christmaslights
More sculptures in the streets, and I found another one of the minitures that are dotted all over the city. It`s hard to tell what it is, but perched on the wall near the castle, the little guy in the last photo is looking through his telecope at the city below!!
#streetsculptures #budapest #artinthe streets #solotravel
A day trip from Palermo to Sicily`s south coast took me to Agrigento, to visit the Valley of the Temples, an ancient Greek archeological park ✨️The Temple of Concordia is the most complete of these ancient ruins, with it`s very own Fallen Angel!!
#agrigento #valleyofthetemples #templeofconcordia #solotravelinsicily #daytripfrompalermo
Panoramic views from the medieval city of Erice, gazing out towards Palermo, far away and over the hills, across the north coast of Sicily. ✨️ My thoughts are with those in Sicily, Malta, and southern Italy who have lost so much due to Cyclone Harry.
#ericesicily #solotravelinsicily #viewfromthetop #medievalsicily
It was a lovely sunny London day to walk through Kensington Gardens from South Kensington to Baystwater Rd. Kensington Palace was all locked up for the Christmas break.
#kensingtonpalace #kensingtongardenslondon #london #solotravelinlondon #traveltheworldwithme
Vienna`s Easter markets are in full swing now, with beautifully decorated eggs and plenty of food and drink. Great to amble around in the sun, even though it was a bit chilly!!
#solotravel #vienna #eastermarkets #traveltheworldwithme
On a chilly Budapest morning, but the blue sky was a nice touch ✨️. I was planning to visit the Hungarian Parliament Building today... but Saturday crowds got the best of me! The exterior of this building is stunning, can`t wait to explore the inside.
#solotravel #hungarianparliamentbuilding #budapest #budapestarchitecture
Discovering Segesta`s Doric Temple, built in 420BC ✨️, and the adjacent Greek Theatre on a hillside. On this Palermo daytrip, we covered Segesta, Trapani, and Erice (previous posts have more). Apparently, some believe the temple remained unfinished, evident from the unfluted columns and remaining construction blocks.
#segestatemple #daytripfrompalermo #sicily #solotravelinsicily #sicilianhistory
Perched atop a hill in western Sicily lies the medieval city of Erice ✨️. Most of the current structures, including churches, castles, and the main entrance, date back to the 1100s. And yes, the ice cream is a more modern delight, made fresh that very day!!
#ericesicily #sicily #solotravelinsicily #medievalsicily #sicilianicecream
The best part of the day trip from Vienna to Bratislava was the boat trip back to Vienna on the Danube!! The hydofoiling catamaran was fast, about 90 minutes, the crew were great. It was freezing cold and windy outside, but I couldn`t help myself, I just had to keep going out to take photos, then running back in to sip my wine 🥂!!!
Great for solo travelers, I met so many other travellers onboard.
#cruisingonthedanube #twinliner #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme
Yesterday evenings stroll to walk off my enormous Christmas lunch ✨️ past Fortnum & Mason, up Bond St, past the Royal Arcade, then past all the fashion shops dressed up to the nines. Chanel was my favourite 💖 Then Oxford St and back down Regent St to Piccadilly. Londin really knows how to do Christmas lights 🥂✨️💖
#londonatchristmastime #christmaslights #streetsoflondon #bondstreetlondon #regentstreetlondon
At this time every year Sydney Harbour is filled with light for Vivid Sydney.
#vividsydney #sydneyoperahouse #sydneyharbour #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
After visiting the Easter Markets at Schonbrunn Palace , I went for a walk up through the gardens, all the way up to the `Gloriette` at the top of the hill way off in the distance.
The Gloriette was built in 1775 for no other reason than the view - when the Habsburgs were sitting on the balcony of their summer Schloss, they wanted something nice to look at, so they had the Gloriette built along with a few ponds and fountains. The world became a better place!!
#schönbrunnpalace #schönbrunnschloss #solotravel #habsburgfamilyresidence #vienna
Wandering through Palermo in search of the bus to Monreale in the hills, I stumbled upon Porta Nuova, the ancient gate to Palermo. Which was a good find as it was the land mark I needed to make sure I was heading in the right direction.
#palermo #portanuovapalermo #solotravelinsicily #sicilytravel
The beautiful streets of Valletta, some of the hills and steps are not for the faint hearted!! But it is such an interesting place you just press on regardless.
✨️To read more about my solo adventure to Malta, click the link to my website in the bio - happy travels!
#solotravelinmalta #valletta #malta #soloadventures #sreetsofvalletta
Finally a sunny day in Budapest, strolling on Margrit Island, great weather, no complaints, perfect!
#margritisland #budapest #soloadventure #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
A quick ferry trip across the Grand Harbour from Valletta to the area known as the Three Cities. Grab a seat up on the top deck forthe best views. Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua are all worth exploring on foot, cobbled streets, little parks, the maritime museum just near where the ferry arrives, and the Knights of St John HQ at the amazing Fort St Angelo, not to mention the harbour full of yachts of all shapes and sizes.
Read more about my solo 10 day trip over to Malta by clicking the link to my website in the bio.
#malta #valletta #threecitiesmalta #solotravelinmalta #solotravelwoman
.....further to my previous post. I walked past Hochstrahlbrunne, a fountain built in 1873 to celebrate the opening of Vienna`s high pressure water system. Then once I arrived at Schloss Belvedere, I found that this was not the place to be at Easter. There was one long queue to buy a ticket to stand in one of 3 other long queues to get in!!! Even one of the staff on crowd control said he had never seen it like this - I`ll go back after the Easter weekend crowds have left.
#vienna #viennaeaster #soloteavel #changeofplans
Vienna is magnificent to just wander around aimlessly, the buildings, the parks, everything, just perfect.
#vienna #solotravel #solotrip #traveltheworldwithme
Sunrise on my last day in London, after a few very cold, cloudy days, today we are going with a freezing 2 degrees, and sunshine ❄️❄️❄️
#sunriseinlondon #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #londonlife #coldmornings❄️ #solotrip
I spent 10 fantastic days exploring Malta 💖 A great place for solo travellers who love history and endless exploring.
✨️ Read about the places I visited by clicking the link to my website in the bio.
1. St Ursula St, Valletta
2. Victoria Gate, Valletta.
3. Upper Barraka Gardens, Valletta
4. The view from my hotel over The Grand Harbour
5. Victoria Gate, Valletta
6. Valletta street scene
#malta #solotravelinmalta #solotravelwoman #valletta #historylovers neverstopexploring
Discover the serene Botanic Gardens, just a short stroll down Via Lincoln from Palermo Centrale Station.✨️ A perfect haven from the city`s hustle and bustle. And check out this fashionista lizard! 🦎 While reptiles aren`t my thing, and green isn`t my colour, he pulls it off nicely! While you might be thinking I was brave to get this close, the camera zoom made the magic happen 😜!!
For more on my solo Malta and Sicily adventures, visit my website - link in bio.
#palermo #palermosicily #palermobotanicalgarden #sicilianreptile #greenreptile #welldressedlizard #walkinthepark #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens
Went to the stangest market in Vienna at Rathausplatz. Every one of the stalls sold wine, a few sold food, there were people everywhere in national dress, some holding, but no one playing, musical instruments......and Verstappen`s F1 car!!???
#traveltheworldwithme #eastermarkets #vienna #viennaeaster
Popped into Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly yesterday evening ✨️ mainly to have a look at the new double helix staircase built up the middle of the store. Disappointed that they had no feature decorations hanging down the centre of it!!
The lower floors were absolutely packed with people, if one person moved, they all had to. I took a few pics and made a run for it!!
#fortnums #shoppinginlondon #doublehelixstaicase #londonlife #solotravel
It`s a museum kind of day in Vienna, 2 to 5 degrees, we`ve had a bit of snow, a bit of sleet, a bit of rain and a lot of cold ❄️❄️❄️
The Furniture Museum is a collection of furnture and other items from the Imperial Palaces, including a display of the toilets from the day.
The museum holds huge stores of furniture that they lend out for movies, plays and other events needing furnishings from that era.
#viennafurnituremuseum #coldday❄️ #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme
Perched in the hills behind Palermo, Sicily, lies the charming town of Monreale. Easily accessible by bus from Palermo`s Porta Nuova, it makes for a delightful day trip.
1. Monreale Cathedral
2. A couple of well dress Sicilian police men.
3 & 4. The streets of Monreale
#monreale #monrealecathedral #italianpolice #solotravelinsicily #traveltheworldwithme
Getting out for a walk after sitting on a plane for 24 hours✨️ I did a lap of Piccadilly and St James`s to see the Christmas lights. All rugged up in a coat, scarf, hat and gloves, I was loving the bracing 3 degree temperature❄️❄️❄️ Then back to @royaloverseaslondon for mulled wine and mince pies💖🎄☃️
#londonatchristmastime #christmaslights #piccadillyarcade #burlingtonarcade #jermynstreet
Home sweet home in London, arriving @royaloverseaslondon ✨ lights on and ready for Santa🎄☃️❄️🥂!!
#londonatchristmastime #royaloverseasleague #christmaslights #christmastree #traveltheworldwithme
Dinner at the Parisi Passage, a historic gem from the 1800s inspired by Parisian arcades, it withstood bombing raids but faced neglect post-war, now revived as a stunning hotel with an incredible restaurant and bar.
#solotravel #parisipassage #parisipassagebudapest #párisipassagecaféandbrasserie
At the top of Wenceslas Square stands the National Museum in Prague, an impressive building with breathtaking views from the Cupola.
#praguenationalmuseum #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
St Paul`s Cathedral dome as seen from the top of 1 New Change, the shopping centre across the road. I walked down Ludgate Hill, Fleet St and The Strand, coming across the Royal Exchange, Australia House, the dragon marking the boundary of London City. Every building along this street has incredible history.
#stpaulscathedral #royalexchange #australiahouse #londondragon #historiclondon
Beautiful day to have another amble around the gardens at Schonbrunn Palace after exploring the Imperial Apartments, in another month these gardens will be in full bloom☀️☀️☀️
#schönbrunnpalace #schönbrunnschloss #palacegardens #solotrip
The fairytale world of Castle District, perched high above the Danube on the Buda side. Hours of leisurely strolling are a must!!
My solo adventures in Budapest continue...
#budapestcastledistrict #budapest #solotrip
In Erice, I stumbled upon Sicily`s ultimate pastry haven, but what should I try??? The struggle to resist buying it all was very real😋 I was not disappointed with my choice!!
#ericesicily #grammaticomaria #solotravelinsicily
On a day trip to Agrigento from Palermo, I had about 2 hours or more to wander around the ancient Greek ruins in the Valley of Temples ✨️Is it just me, or do you love walking around places knowing that others have been walking there for more than 2000 years too?
#agrigento #valleyofthetemples #solotravelinsicily #daytripfrompalermo #sicily
Another short bus trip from Palermo in Sicily, up the coast to Mondello Beach✨️ lovely to walk along the promenade, but I have never had so many Indian market stall holders trying to sell me a sarong, and this was a quiet day in early spring, peak summer must be horrendous!!! I was hoping to have lunch at Alle Terrazze, a beautiful castle like restaurant just off the beach, but sadly they were closed for a private event, but further along I found a lovely seafood restaurant🥂
#solotravelinsicily #journeywoman #traveltheworldwithme #mondellobeach #sicily
Cefalu`s Duomo, a masterpiece that took 100 years to build and opened its doors in 1240 ✨️. The exterior belies the intricate interior design, with delicate carvings and stunning mosaics everywhere.
#Sicily #cefalù #cefalusicily #duomodicefalù #cefalucathedral #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #soloadventureinsicily #traveltheworldworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #historicsicily
After visiting the Duomo di Cefalu, I followed the path behind the Duomo, which leads to the path to walk up Rocca di Cefalu. The giant rocky headland that promises amazing views and remains of old castles. By the time I was at the half way point, my knees were saying `nope, we`re good, here is enough`!! No need to go further up, I went back down to sea level and continued to explore the beautiful town of Cefalu.
#cefalù #cefalucathedral #roccadicefalù #amazingviews #oceanviews #historicsicily #solotravelinsicily #solotrip #traveltheworldworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #exploretheworld #traveladdict
Budapest`s streets are full of art✨️ apparently there are mini sculptures scattered everywhere, and I`ve found one of them so far!!
The hunt continues.....
#artinthestreets #budapest #solotrip #neverstopexploring
The Hungarian Parliament Building from across the Danube at night ❄️ It was a freezing cold evening, but a quick trip under the Danube on the Metro to get a few photos is just what needs to he done!
#hungarianparliamentbuilding #budapest #soloteavel #traveltheworldwithme
London at Christmas time goes over the top with decorations ✨️ if it can be decorated it is ☃️
🎄 Leadenhall Market
🎄 Covent Garden
🎄 Liberty of London
🎄 Burlington Arcade
🎄 The Ritz
A crowd gathers every hour to watch the Astronomical Clock in Prague put on a show 😂 Then some people clap and cheer, and some people laugh in an `is that it` kind of way.
#prague #astronomicalclockprague🏰 #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
After visiting Monreale Cathedral and marveling at all the gold✨️ I enjoyed a serene walk around town. With most people still attending the service, I had the place almost to myself.
#monreale #monrealecathedral #solotravelinsicily #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring
Even if Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly is too packed with people to fit inside, the outside of the building and the window displays are worth seeing.
#fortnums #piccadilly #londonatchristmastime #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme
Exploring Erice ✨️ a medieval city perched high on a hill in western Sicily. It`s a beautiful spot to wander around for a few hours. The city has roots in the pre-Roman era, but most of the structures standing today date back to the Normans in 1148.
I was going to make my own way there on the train from Palermo to Trapani, then up to Erice on the cable car, but I found a small group tour that went to Erice, Trapani Salt Pans and Segesta so joined that instead. It meant I missed spending time in Trapani town centre, but I wouldn`t have been able to get to the Temple of Segesta by myself. You win some, you lose some!!
That just means one day I`ll have to go back to Sicily again 💖🥂!!
#erice #ericesicily #sicily #solotravelinsicily #medievalsicily
In the London Bridge area on the south side of the Thames, after visiting the Versace exhibition at The Arches, I walked down past The Shipwrights Arms across to Hay`s Galleria....used to be Hay`s Wharf....now shops, restaurants, Christmas stalls, and a giant Christmas Tree.
In search of somewhere to have lunch, I walked down from Piazza del Duomo in the heart of Cefalu, there were many restaurants to choose from. I settled into a lovely place with a deck surrounded by the waves crashing over the rocks and a delicious meal, before continuing to explore the lovely town of Cefalu.
#cefalu #cefalucathedral #cefalusicily #piazzadelduomo #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #tableforone #visitcefalu #crashingwaves #exploretheworld #solotravelinsicily #SoloTravelMagic
Quattro Canti, or Piazza Vigliena, is a stunning Baroque square at the heart of Palermo`s historic centre. Located where Via Maqueda meets Corso Vittorio Emanuele, each corner symbolises one of the city`s ancient districts, built in 1620. Via Maqueda is now a pedestrian zone, bustling with restaurants, ranging from great spots to tourist traps, and it`s the perfect place to stroll around in the evenings.
#palermo #quattrocantipalermo #viamaquedapalermo #solotravelinsicily
Cesky Krumlov, a quaint medieval town in the south of the Czech Republic, a simple day trip by train from Prague....then lots and lots of walking on cobble stone paths!!
#ceskykrumlov #daytripfromprague #solotrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
