Crown Jewels!

Today walked across Tower Bridge (never thought I'd get 'used' to that) and went to the Tower of London!

Went on a tour with one of the Beefeaters (Yeomans Warder) who explained some of the history and stories of the Tower (which is really a series of towers making a fortress). It was amazing how much of a little village it is, complete with a pub! The Queen is due to visit soon (she does so every 4 years) and stays in her own house there.

The ravens were reasonably tame so you could get quite close. The Tower Green is where some were beheaded while others where taken outside for a more public affair. We visited the Chapel where many famous prisoners are buried (including Anne Boleyn and St Thomas Moore)

We got in early and managed to see the Crown Jewels pretty much by ourselves, which was awesome. You can't take photos (sadly) but I don't think a camera could capture how amazing they looked. Hundreds of years worth of history (and so shiny!). I didn't realise that there were separate crowns for coronation (1661) and state events (1937).

We went inside the various towers around the fortress, which included areas where prisoners where kept (including Sir Walter Ralegh). Some had carved their names or messages into the stone. Inside the White Tower was some of the royal armour on display.

Check out one of our 3D panoramic below - see more here