The Tower of London was a very historic area, and the great part was that most of it was open to you. It was almost like an open museum. Many of the rooms are still set in period style to show what it might have looked like back in medieval times.
The great thing was that you could go at your own pace through the different buildings that make up the Tower of London complex, from the actual tower to several buildings that were used for guards and/or prisoners throughout the centuries

Also within in the complex are the royal jewels, which included the crowns of many of the past kings and queens of England that ruled over the centuries. It surely brings history to the future when you see these artifacts. At the end of this mini-tour were the jewels of the royal family, from scepters used during coronations to necklace and rings worn by some of the most famous people in England.

It is truly a must-see while in London!

"Are you ready for the daaaaark side of London? Well, you bloody paid for it!" And with that introduction by my group’s Yeoman Warder, my tour of the infamous Tower of London began.

Besides the now-ceremonial Yeomans, one of the first things people come to the Tower of London to see are the British Crown Jewels, which have been held here since the start of the 14th century. Yes, the same jewels that Shaun Cassidy and Parker Stevenson, a.k.a Frank and Joe Hardy, once saved in the Hardy Boys episode "Assault on the Tower" back in the late ‘70s. Before you get to the jewels, however, visitors are led through a series of rooms with big projection screens showing various coronation ceremonies over the years. These clips are all well and good—but let’s see them jewels. They are quite impressive. Mmmm-hmm... those are diamonds, all right. Yep, that’s one heckuva 12th-century coronation spoon.

Perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself. The Tower of London’s history dates back to the turn of the 11th century, when William the Conqueror built the White Tower, which is the biggest of the 20 towers located here, and was once home for the king and queen. Over the years, it was used not only as a royal residence, but also a fortress, dungeon, and execution site—that’s where the "daaaaaark side of London" bit comes into play. It was here that two of Henry VIII’s wives were beheaded—you can actually see the staircase these two ill-fated women ascended on their way to their beheadings—though they were hardly the only ones to meet their maker within these walls. I highly recommend visiting the Tower of London website for more information about its history.

I didn’t stick with the Yeoman tour for its entirety, but I do recommend that those interested make time for the 60-minute history lesson on the tower. Our guide really hammed it up and made it enjoyable as he led us on a walk that hit all the highlights.

One of the other things that the tower is famous for are the omnipresent ravens. The legend is that Charles II once warned that if the ravens were ever to leave the tower, the British monarchy would collapse, and to ensure that would never happen, he ordered that a small population be kept inside. Nowadays, their wings are clipped so that they can only fly so far. I’d call that cheating, but hey—if at adds to the lure of the tower, then why not, right?

There’s much more to see at the Tower of London, including the Wall Walk, the Fusiliers’ Museum, and the museum within the White Tower. Discounted admission with the Great British Heritage Pass is £13.50 for adults, and the tower is open daily. To experience the nightly "Ceremony of the Keys," send a self-addressed stamped envelope to The Ceremony of the Keys, Waterloo Block, HM Tower of London, EC3N 4AB.

The Tower of London dates back to William the Conqueror (1066 to1087); the tower was originally a royal residence as well as a fortress. The tower was once surrounded by a moat. Unfortunately, it became the largest "sewage" system in London. The moat was cleaned during the reign of Queen Victoria.

When you arrive, definitely take a tour, as they are very informative and the Yeoman Warders are quite funny. They have nice uniforms, which make a good photo opportunity. The star of the Tower of London is, of course, the Crown Jewels. The display has changed since my last visit. Instead of looking at the jewels at your own pace, a carrousel now whisks you past the jewels. There are so many things to see and do at the tower that one could easily spend a day here. For an extra treat, arrange to stay for the Ceremony of the Keys. This must be done in advance-see my journal for further information. Admission to the tower is free with The London Pass.

The Tower of London provides a glimpse of historic London. See the places of execution for traitors of the throne and the amazing Crown Jewels. Listen to the entertaining Beefeaters as they guide you through the sites. The London Pass provides free entrance into the Tower of London. When you are finished with the Tower of London, make your way onto some of the other attractions (over 50) included in the product. See fascinating sites like Shakespeare's Globe, The Wellingotn Arch, London Zoo, and Cutty Sark. The London Pass comes with a guidebook that explains describes each attraction before you visit, so you can plan out your day. For more information on this money- and time-saving product, visit: www.londonpass.com.

Yes, there may be tons of tourists milling around speaking hundreds of different languages. Yes, you may have to wait in line for about an hour to get in. Yes, the Tower of London is a common tourist trap in London that many people choose to avoid for that very reason.

However, the compelling history behind the Tower of London is worth putting all of those things aside to go see it. For those who would not be caught dead being seen in a tourist trap, it's okay! This one is worth it. The museum located inside of the tower itself is fabulous, and you can walk all thoughout the fortress. Walking about, it's easy to lose yourself and feel like you have taken a trip back in time, especially when walking into some of the darker rooms that contain artifacts.

We took a guided tour. To have a guided tour, you have to wait a little bit longer, but it's nice having one because you get to hear all sorts of interesting stories that you otherwise wouldn't hear going into the fortress alone. If you're willing to spend a tiny bit extra, I think that the guided tour is worth it.