Tower of London and other London, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

This is probably Londons most famous historical monument. The centerpiece is the great keep, first built by William the Conqueror in 1067, not long after the Norman Conquest. It now houses an impressive collection of arms and armour. Additional sections of the castle were added over the course of the next several hundred years. The castle is also famous as the place where many people were kept prisoner and later executed. Including of course the wives of Henry VIII. One can see the actual spot were the scaffold stood and the axe and block themselves. There are also remnants of the wall built by the Romans
One of the most famous stories was that concerning Queen Anne Boleyn. Because it was known that the axe didn't always do the job with one blow, she requested the chief executioner from France who performed his job with a sword. Henry consented to this and the french executioner was summoned.
On May 19, 1536, she was then executed with one sharp blow.

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The London Zoo is a must for anyone with in interest in animals. It is one of the great zoos of the world with a history going back more than 100 years. One can see the whole array of animals we share the planet with, including many that are endangered. The famous statue in this photo is that of Guy the Gorilla, who was brought to the zoo in 1947 and quickly became one of the top draws. *He died 30 years later from a heart attack while undergoing a tooth extraction.
(*From the Official Website)

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One of the premier museums of the world, the British Museum is essentially a home for many archeaological masterworks of ancient civilizations from around the world. Some are famous such as the Rosetta Stone from Egypt and the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. There are also Egyptian antiquities and reliefs from the Palace of Assurnasipal at Ninevah in what is now Iraq. The museum is a must for anyone interested in either history or archeaology.

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Phone: 0 20 7323 8299
Address: Great Russell Street, WC1
Website: http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk

Madame Tussaud was a famous maker of waxworks who opened this now famous museum in London. It features life-like figures of famous people from British and World History. Some exhibits change. Others do not. I strongly reccommend a visit here for anyone tired of the cities historic sites.

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Address: Marylebone Road, NW1
Directions: Baker Street tube
Website: http://www.madame-tussauds.com

Dating back to the High Middle Ages, this is the place where the monarchs of Britain have been crowned for centuries. It is a magnificent structure of the 14th and 15th centuries. In addition to being where monarchs are crowned, many are entombed here as well. Including Mary of Scotland and Queen Elizabeth I.

There is a museum on the premises as well as a gift shop. Tours are offered.

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Phone: 0 20 7654 4900
Address: Deans Yard, SW1
Directions: St James's Park tube
Website: http://www.westminster-abbey.org

Tower bridge is a famous London Landmark.
It was built and completed towards the end of the 19th century when it became obvious that London was growing too fast. It was built to accomodate traffic across the Thames.

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Phone: 0 20 7626 3065
Address: Tower Bridge Road, EC3/SE1
Directions: Tower Hill or London Bridge tubes
Website: http://www.towerbridge.org.uk

Just a short hop from Greater London, Hampton Court was the home of King Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey in the late 15th and 16th Centuries. It is a clear example of royal architecture at its best.

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Phone: 0 20 8781 9500
Address: East Molesey, KT8 9AU
Directions: Network Rail from Waterloo to Hampton Court
Website: http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/hampton_home.asp