An addition to yesterday’s post – we had diner in the Old Bank of England building then saw a hilarious play – “The Play That Goes Wrong” which has been running for ten years in the theater district. 

Last day in London, tomorrow we fly back home. Today we started at Buckingham Palace then headed to Tower Bridge and our final stop, The Tower of London.

Buckingham Palace is recognized around the world as the home of the monarch, the focus of national and royal celebrations, as well as the backdrop to the regular Changing of the Guard ceremony. Clearly the most elaborate palace we visited during our trip. No photographs are allowed in the interior – a good overview is at (https://www.rct.uk/visit/buckingham-palace).

Tower Bridge was opened to the public in 1894. When compared with its neighbor – the Tower of London (built in the 11th century) – it is rather young! The Bridge may appear to be a stone castle-like structure, but its design was chosen so that it complemented the White Tower, in the Tower of London complex. These style additions were used as an artistic flourish to cover the real structure of Tower Bridge, which is a solid steel frame.

Tower of London – William the Conqueror built a mighty stone tower at the center of his London fortress in the 1070s (the White Tower). Now, nearly 1000 years later, the Tower still has the capacity to fascinate and horrify. It is the protector of the Crown Jewels (no photos), home of the Yeoman Warders and its legendary guardians, the pampered ravens. It was a secure fortress, a royal palace, and an infamous prison. The Tower also has a richer and more complex history, having been home to a wide array of institutions including the Royal Mint, the Royal Armories, and even a zoo.

Buckingham Palace area

Tower Bridge

Tower of London

Thanks for riding along on our adventure. Feel free to pass the links along to your friends.