The Tower of London: A Traveler Must-See
Sep 07, 2011
You just booked the best fares to London you could find and now you are making a list of the must-see attractions. Like most travelers, you have scrolled past the Tower of London only to mark it down as a “maybe”, rather than a “must”. Though the Tower of London is something you can easily see from a hotel window and call it “seen”, the Tower of London has much more history, culture and royalty to it that deserves a better look.
A Little History
The Tower of London was the home of the kings and queens of London until Buckingham Palace was constructed in the early 1800s. Famous prisoners from history were once housed in this historical building such as Sir Walter Raleigh, the author of The History of the World. Two famous executions were also held at the Tower of London: Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard (both Henry VIII’s wives) and Hollywood’s focus on those women have brought tourists on London cheap flights to see the sight itself. The moat that once surrounded the Tower of London to keep in the prisoners has been drained, but the walls still remain in place.
Hours and Visitation
The Tower of London brings in tourists ready to walk through its historical grounds on last minute flights all over the country. Luckily, it is open to accommodate tourists every day except December 24thand 25th as well as January 1st. Hours are 9am to 4:30pm Tuesday through Saturday and 10am to 4:30pm Sunday and Monday.
How to Get There
Once you arrive in London on airline deals, you will need to find transportation to the Tower. The nearest tube station available is Tower Hill, which will drop you just a few blocks from the attraction. Tourists stepping off London cheap flights can take buses directly from the airport to the Tower, which include routes: 15, 42, 78, 100 and RV1. If you are looking for a more scenic route, consider taking a riverboat the Tower. Board boats at Charring Cross, Westminster or Greenwich, which make stops at the Tower.
Accommodations
Aside from the historical sights, artwork and museum within the tower, there are also a few accommodations to help guests, since the average guest visit lasts at least three hours. Take a little time to relax after long international airlines at the New Armouries Café, where you can get fresh pressed espresso, tea and food. The Paul Kiosk offers high-end pastries, tea and coffees as well, if you are looking for a quick pass-through. Don’t forget to stop off at the gift shop and buy a souvenir or exclusive items from Crown Jewels that you cannot get anywhere else in London.