London City Tour

I began my day by getting off the tube at the Green Park exit. From there I walked through Green Park to get to Buckingham Palace.

It was a typcial January day in London. It was in lower 40's with strong north wind blowing. Although I was dresssed for the weather it was still cold.

The hot dog stands on the way to Buckingham provided a welcome relief from the elements and I grabbed one loaded with onions and English mustard. Its ok if you like English mustard, but I prefer French.

The changing of the guards occurs every other day in winter and this was not the day for them to change. I took some photos and talked with two policeman who were on guard at the gates. These were not the famous Palace Guards who speak to no one.

From there I walked to Parliament . . . the ultimate symbol of democracy for London. This is where the assemblies gradually reduced the role of the monarchy in British rule. To book a tour is possible but only in August and September. You may observe Parliamentary debates from the Stranger's gallery for both houses. These debates run from October through July usually. These sessions are free and are announced in the London papers.

Also on Wednesday from 3:00 to 3:30pm there is the Prime Minisiter's Question Time and the Prime Minister is usually on the hot seat.

The clock tower at the eastern end houses the world's most famous clock. Big Ben! It is also the world's largest clock with a 14-ton bell.

From Parliament I went to Westminster Abbey. Built in the 16th century it is the resting place of many of Britain's great writers and poets. If you go by tube take the West or St James Park exit.

I took the tube from the Abbey and got off at Tower Hill exit. It was raining hard and just outside the exit was a vendor selling hot chestnuts. His car was parked under a covered stand but since it was cold and wet outside the underground I took a left and proceeded to the Tower of London.

The Tower of London is a variety of buildings built throughout the years for various reasons. The oldest tower was built in 1078. Here you can also see the Crown Jewels. This crown was built for Queen Victoria's innauguration in 1837. Guides are available and dress in period costumes. There are also gift shops on the grounds. An interesting site are the ravens which inhabit the Tower grounds. Legend says that as long as these birds remain here the Tower will always stand.

All of these interesting landmarks can be seen in one day but I would advise spending half of your day touring the Tower of London with its many buildings and historical sites!

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

The underground or tube as it is called in London is the fastest and easiest way to get around town.

If you fly into Gatwick Airport as I did you can take one of the Gatwick Express trains which leave for London's Victoria Station every 15 minutes during the daytime and every hour at night. The cost is .75 one way.

Since London is one of the most expensive cities in the world the price of travel on the underground is a bargain. Flat fare for one trip within the central zone is .40 and if you take taxi from Gatwick to central London costs between and .

I recommend the one day travel card which allows you to go anywhere throughout greater London for .50 during one day.

Once you get to Victoria Station you are near the main tourist sites of the city of London.

The Tower of London was once a royal palace, fortress, prison, armory, and observatory built in 1675.

The oldest building called the White Tower was built in 1078. Here you can see instruments used for tortures and executions.

The entrance fee is $17.25 and, since it was a cold and rainy day in January, it was not overcrowded.

There are one-hour tours conducted by the yeoman wardens (also known as "beefeaters.") They dress in period costumes and are quite knowledgeable on British history.

The Bloody Tower is where Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned for 13 years and where the two sons of Edward IV were murdered by Richard III.

Moving on to the Tower Green, there is a plaque to show where both Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were executed.

In the Jewel House, you will find the Imperial State Crown, known as the Crown Jewels. Made in 1837 for the inauguaration of Queen Victoria, it consists of 300 jewels and the Black Diamond. Queen Elizabeth wears it when she opens Parliament.

You will be moved along when you view this on moving sidewalks and cameras are not allowed.

In some of the towers you can see items preserved such as the King''s throne and a prayer room. There are students of history dressed in period costumes to offer information on the Tower.

The rooms in the Tower are cold and dreary, but make for a fascinatiing tour of what once housed the royal family of England.

As you enter or leave the tower, you may notice the ravens. They are official residents of the Tower and legend says that as long as they remain, the Tower will always stand.