Exploring The Tower of London and Soaring High on the London Eye

If you're visiting London for the first time, which sites should you choose? With so much history and culture, it can be overwhelming. After our visit to this wonderful city, we recommend two exceptional yet contrasting sites: the ancient Tower of London and the modern London Eye. Both are definitely worth a visit.

The Tower Of London

This is a 1,000 year old castle with so much history. It was initially conceived in 1066 by William the Conqueror and continuously evolved for the next several hundred years. Today, beyond being a terrific historical site to visit, the Tower protects the Crown Jewels. Throughout it’s history, it was a palace, a royal zoo, a prison and a fortress.

Since it was a fortress, a moat was needed and was added in the 13th century. Today, fully drained, it’s a walking path through a greenbelt and wildflowers.

The sturdy stone walls and imposing towers, such as the Wakefield Tower and the Bloody Tower, are a testament to the site's rich history. In the foreground, you can see striking sculptures of lions, reminiscent of the royal menagerie that was once housed within the Tower.

When you enter, you are literally stepping over the drawbridge, into the castle, and back in time. The Middle Tower was built in the late 13th century by Edward I as part of his extensive fortification efforts. It was designed to enhance the security of the main entrance to the Tower of London.

Tip: If you are fortunate enough to get an early morning timeslot, head first to the Crown Jewels. They were a highlight for us. We walked right in and saw the beautiful crowns, sceptres and orbs on display. Later in the day there were hundreds of people in line. There are no pictures allowed inside, but it’s a site very worth seeing.

We were told the collection is not insured, because it is priceless, so security is extremely tight. Also, the crowns and jewels are still used, so there are days they are just gone from the displays. This happened during the King’s coronation in 2023.

Once finished with the tour of the Crown Jewels it’s time to just wander, as there is so much to see here. Look at the proximity of the Tower Bridge to the Tower of London. Now the naming makes sense!

As a castle and palace, the Tower of London was home to many wealthy royals throughout history. And what do you give a royal who has everything? A wild animal! For 600 years, starting in the 13th century, the Tower housed a remarkable collection of exotic animals, known as the Royal Menagerie. This menagerie included creatures from all over the world, such as lions, tigers, elephants, and even polar bears, gifted to the monarchy by other rulers and dignitaries.

The presence of these wild animals was not just for the amusement of the royals but also a display of power and wealth. Unfortunately, the close quarters and lack of proper care sometimes led to dangerous situations. In the 1830s, the animals were relocated to the newly opened London Zoo in Regent's Park, where they could be better cared for and more safely exhibited to the public.

There are still some wild animals here, specifically the Tower of London Ravens. There are at least 6 ravens on the property all times. There is a great deal of folklore around the Tower of London and one story is that if the ravens leave then the kingdom will fall. They are cared for by a “Ravenmaster.” They actually seem to know their role in that they “pose” for pictures!

The White Tower is the central and oldest part of the Tower of London, built by William the Conqueror in the 1070s. It served as a royal residence and fortress, showcasing Norman military architecture with its thick walls and strategically designed towers. Today, it displays historic weapons and armor.

Inside the White Tower sits St. John Chapel. This 11th century chapel sits in the highest room in the Tower and was used by the Royal family at times. Then, as the Tower expanded, for 600 years this beautiful little chapel became document storage. It was finally restored in the 1860’s and is once again, used as a place of worship.

The Tower’s host are the Yeoman Warders. Some refer to them as “Beefeaters.” They are friendly, knowledgeable and also provide tours. But they are so much more. In order to become a Yeoman Warder, they have to have served in the military for 22 years with exemplary service.

And, the Yeoman Warders actually live inside the Tower of London. Those are their cars in contrast to the historical homes they live in. They serve between the ages of 40-55 years old.

This photo shows a historic bedroom within St. Thomas's Tower at the Tower of London. Built by Edward I in the late 13th century, St. Thomas's Tower served as royal lodgings. The room is adorned with period furnishings, including a grand four-poster bed and a decorated fireplace, showcasing the medieval opulence enjoyed by the royals who resided here.

One last view of the Tower Bridge from the Tower of London grounds. There was so much more to see and do here! There were torture chambers, prison cells and even an unsolved murder mystery. We recommend a good 3 hours at least in the Tower of London. It’s a very well run, historical site. By the time we left around lunchtime, it was extremely busy, but we’re so glad we went!

The London Eye

In 2000, to celebrate the new millennium, The Millennium Wheel, or better known as The London Eye, opened. It is the largest cantilevered observation wheel in the world, providing sweeping views of the entire city.

If this is a first visit we highly recommend taking a ride on the London Eye. It can be very crowded at times, especially on a beautiful day, because it gives such gorgeous views.

There is a skip the line ticket, but if you’re going to spend the money an even better idea is to do the VIP experience. This means a smaller group in the gondola. It also includes a small waiting area where you are served champagne (also non alcoholic options).

Then the small group is escorted to the gondola really skipping the lines. There is a small bag check stop. Once on the gondola you’re treated to another glass of champagne. We were on a late afternoon trip but we know others that have done this at 8PM to catch sunset views at certain times of the year.

Whew, that’s a long way up there!

The Eye never stops moving so when your car comes, it’s time to jump in. Don’t worry, it moves so slow there is plenty of time to enter.

Once you’re off, the host gets right to the pouring. It’s cute, this is literally a bar in a trunk on wheels. It is a delicious French champagne served.

Like so much of this trip, we were fortunate to have good weather. We toasted to the incredible views all around.

As you near the top, the 360 views are incredible.

At the top! This gives you a good view of how massive the cabins are that you ride in. They hold over 30 people, but on the VIP tours they limit them to 15 or less.

Coming down the other side of The Eye, we were treating to a great view of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. If you, look just beyond Big Ben you can see the two towers of Westminster Abbey.