The Tower of London

In front of you, beyond the moat, is the Tower of London. The big square keep in the middle is the White Tower. William the Conqueror began building it around 1078, using stone shipped from Normandy, to show Londoners who was in charge now. The Tower has been a fortress, a palace and a prison. Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey and the young Princess Elizabeth were all held here. The first prisoner escaped in 1101, down a rope that had been smuggled in inside a cask of wine. The cheekiest story belongs to Colonel Thomas Blood. In 1671 he attacked the keeper of the Crown Jewels and made off with the crown and the orb. He was caught before he got away. Instead of being executed, he was pardoned by King Charles the Second and given land in Ireland. Nobody is quite sure why. The Crown Jewels are still here. So are the ravens. Tradition says at least six must always live at the Tower. If they ever leave, the fortress and the kingdom will fall. Look down into the moat. It was filled with water for centuries, until it was drained in the 1840s after an outbreak of disease. Next stop: Tower Bridge, about 500 metres or 5 minutes. Head down to Tower Wharf and follow the river, with the bridge right in front of you.