Time in -Tower of London

The Tower of London, an imposing fortress was built around the White Tower (the massive keep at its heart) by William " the Conqueror".  Successive monarchs enlarged its defences and added more buildings. In its long history, the Tower of London has been a fortress, palace and prison, royal treasury and the kingdom's main arsenal. The evidence for the use of the Tower as a prison is plentiful, many of the towers have inscriptions carved by former inmates. Persons beheaded inside the Tower for treason include the following William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings (1483), Anne Boleyn (1536), Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury (1541), Catherine Howard (1542), Jane Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford (1542), Lady Jane Grey (1554) and Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (1601). Not surprisingly, the Tower of London has the reputation of being the place most frequently haunted in London State prisoners were usually admitted through Traitors' Gate in St. Stephens Tower and executions took place on Tower Hill and inside the Tower on Tower Green. Although it is no longer occupied by the Royal Family, the Tower officially remains a royal residence and as such, maintains a permanent Guard. Two sentries are maintained during the hours that the Tower is open with one stationed outside the Jewel House and one outside the Queen's House. Henry VIII was the last monarch to use the Tower as a royal residence but monarchs continued to go in procession from the Tower to Westminster for their coronation. This tradition continued until 1661 after the coronation of Charles II. The tower is manned by the Yeomen Warders (known as Beefeaters), who act as tour guides, provide security and are something of a tourist attraction in their own right. Every evening, the warders participate in the Ceremony of the Keys, as the Tower is secured for the night. The Tower is located at the eastern boundary of the City of London financial district, adjacent to the River Thames and Tower Bridge. Open 9 am-6 pm Mon-Sat, 10 am-6 pm Sun. Nov-Feb: 9 am-5pm Tues-Sat, 10 am-5 pm Sun and Mon. The nearest public transport locations are: Tower Hill tube station (London Underground District and Circle lines), Tower Gateway DLR station (Docklands Light Railway), Fenchurch Street railway station (National Rail), Tower Millennium Pier (River cruise boats) and  St. Katherine's Dock (Thames Clipper commuter boats).

Tower Bridge London

When raised, the bridge is 40 m (135ft.) high and 60 m (200 ft.) wide. The Victorian machinery was powered by steam until 1976. The walkways provide stunning views up and down river. If you want to see Tower Bridge raised telephone  in advance to find out times Tower Bridge is the most recognisable and popular bridge in London and when it is illuminated at night, it is an unforgettable sight. It has stood over the River Thames since 1894. The Tower Bridge Exhibition allows the visitor to see the steam powered machinery that was used to raise the bridge decks in Victorian times and the plentiful information panels tell the story of the history of Tower Bridge. There are hand's-on exhibits and interactive models which explain how the different machinery has kept the bridge operating over the years. These days the bridge relies on hydraulics and electricity to power the Bridge lifts. There are spectacular views of up and down river from the high-level walkways that run along the top of the bridge and viewing windows that allow you an unobstructed view if you want to take photographs. Open: Daily 9.30-6 Admission charged website:-www.towerbridge.org.uk Telephone. 020-7403 3761 Nearest tube/s: Tower Hill, London Bridge   Next - The City of London

Time Line

Tower of London Time Line   White Tower started  1078 The young Princes are believed to have been murdered in the Tower.  1483 The execution of Queen Anne Boleyn  1536 Thomas More imprisoned and executed  1534-  1535  Lady Jane Grey executed  1554 Walter Raleigh  imprisoned in the Tower  1603-1616 An attempt is made to steal the Crown Jewels  1671 The Royal Mint moves fron the Tower  1810 Rudolf Hess is the last prisoner held in the Queen's House  1941    Fast facts about the Tower 36 Yeoman Warders "Beefeaters" guard the Tower of London. Tower Green was where aristocats were executed including 2 of Henry VIII's wives. Legend says that if the Tower's celebrated colonony of ravens ever leave the Tower, the kingdom will fall. The Imperial State Crown contains more than 2,800 diamonds. Many high-ranking prisoners often had a retinue of servants when they were held in the Beauchamp Tower. The highlights of the Tower of London include: * White Tower * Chapel of St. John * Jewel House * Traitors' Gate The Tower in Literature The Tower of London, as a place of death, darkness and treachery, is most famously evoked in William Shakespeare's play, Richard III, where it forms the backdrop of a tyrant's rise to power and the scene of the notorious murder of the Princes in the Tower, amongst other victims.