Stone Henge and Tower of London

Yesterday, on our drive to London, we were able to visit Stonehenge. Woodsie was keen to return our hire car before the afternoon traffic chaos and definitely not keen on any detours along the way. But when the map showed Stonehenge was right on our route to London, we were able to go after all!!

I had only really heard of this ancient site, but in fact England has many of these stone circles, with Avebury we saw with Louise a really significant site too. What sets Stonehenge apart is the sheer size of the stones, especially considering one third of each is below ground.

How on earth did these ancient people manage to bring the rock from Wales to Wilshire on the Salisbury Plains? How did they gain the knowledge to set each main stone with such precision in relation to the sun's rays? How did they raise the lentils in place?







These days, access to this ancient marvel is restricted to a walkway around the site.




Once again, an audio guide provided so much more than I have understood by just walking around. At various points, main features were explained.




Then it was on the road again, to Old London Town. Today we caught the train to see the Tower of London. I had absolutely no idea of the scale of this place. It is not a tower. It is many towers, with names like Byward, Lannthorn, Beauchamp and St. Thomas's. It is an inner wall and an outer wall. It is a whole series of buildings, various cobbled and bricked pathways and even a large green lawn.



Construction was begun by William the Conqueror. Seems not everyone liked his Norman storming into England, killing poor King Harold, then claiming the throne. So he needed a secure base in the most powerful city if he was to retain power. But subsequent kings and queens have all left their part, as evidenced in part by the different parts of this one wall, various sizes of stones, then bricks on top.


Traitor's Gate is situated under a medieval palace and the King's barge would also enter through here.


The Tower is guardian of the Crown Jewels, which were magnificent to see. The original set were ordered destroyed by the Parliament when Cromwell to rose to power. Once the monarchy was restored, new ones were ordered. Only the 800 year old coronation spoon used in the an anointment survived. It was sold, keep hidden by the new owner, then offered back for sale - at a tidy profit!



This glass sculpture is a reminder of the executions of various Tower prisoners that took place. Interestingly, most were executed OUTSIDE the Tower walls. Special grandstands were built for spectators and one execution recorded 110,000 Londoners turning up to watch. Only occasionally did a sympathetic sovereign grant THE PRIVILEGE of losing your head inside the walls, where a far smaller crowd of invited guests would witness your demise.

So many characters make up life at the Tower.



Steely-eyed guards in their famous fuzzy hats and modern weapons are there.



At one stage, a Yeoman marched along, shouting at tourists to get out of the way (and scramble aside they did!) as a group of guards smartly marched behind him. Woodsie noted the amazing shine of their boots in particular.



The 35 Yeomen play a role of providing information, taking tours, plus living permanently within the complex with their families. Each Yeoman has serviced at least 20 years in the armed forces, reached warrant officer, plus be over 40 years old to be eligible.


Other characters included these two, who hatched a plan to steal the Crown Jewels. Others then appeared to involve the crowd to give chase. (We slipped off at this point.)




Wire shapes remind us about various exotic animals, gathered from around the world, including a polar bear and an elephant, that were kept at the Tower, before being moved in the 1800s to the Zoo.


The below two characters would defend the tower in time of attack.



The Tower Bridge with the Olympic rings looms behind Woodsie.


Next we headed to high end stores Harvey Nichols and Harrods. In our casual clobber and comfortable runners, we were NOT the typical client. But the doorman at Harvey Nichols never batted an eyelid as we sailed in on our mission. We had a list to purchase on behalf of one daughter!!!