Posts Tagged "tower of london"

29 Mar
2012

The Crown Jewels’ New Display at the Tower of London

Posted by Zoe Craig in Attractions No Comments

The Crown Jewels have been redisplayed in a beautiful new exhibition at the Tower of London, just in time for the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.

I had a sneak preview at the Tower of London yesterday, before the exhibition opens to the public today, and the new treatment really is stunning.

The exhibition focuses on the coronation ceremony as its central theme. New video, music, and lighting displays bring to life the deep religious and cultural significance of these incredible items in our nation’s fascinating history. Most of the crown jewels were destroyed by Cromwell during the interregnum, so almost everything on display here dates from after 1660 – quite moden, when you compare it to the rest of the Tower.

Before you even see the jewels themselves, the exhibition builds a sense of anticipation, giving you tasters of the objects you’re about to see in videos and photographs. There’s a newly restored film of The Queen’s coronation in 1953 – not the whole three-hour show, but a three-minute snapshot of the most important bits. The artefacts are then displayed in the order they appear in a coronation ceremony, accompanied by the stirring sounds of Handel’s coronation anthems.

If you’ve never seen the Crown Jewels before, it might surprise you to hear that it’s not just a selection of gorgeous, bejewelled crowns. The crowns are important, of course, and pretty breathtaking with the sheer volume of diamonds and other precious stones on each of them, but as well as these, I saw the incredible Coronation Spoon, dating from the 12th century (one of the few remaining pieces of medieval regalia in the collection); Queen Victoria’s tiny coronation ring; 10 different maces; swords, spurs, robes; and magnificent banqueting plates, bowls and other items. It’s an incredible collection.

Rebecca Richards, the Interpreter Manager at the Tower of London was keen to emphasise that the Crown Jewels aren’t museum pieces or relics, but working pieces of a useful, operational collection. Most of all, she hoped people would stop doubting they’ve seen the real things, thinking these must be replicas! These are the genuine Crown Jewels, on display for everyone to enjoy.

You can book a trip to the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels here. I really recommend it!

22 Dec
2011

Win! Day 22: A Year’s Membership for London’s Historic Royal Palaces

Posted by Visit London in Attractions No Comments

Enjoy unlimited access to some of London’s finest buildings with an annual Historic Royal Palaces family membership.

As a member, you and your family can visit London’s five Historic Royal Palaces for free, all year round, including The Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace.

As well as discounts in HRP catering outlets, you’ll also have the chance to meet the curators, gardeners and celebrity members behind London’s Historic Royal Palaces.

Prize winners will also be invited to the exclusive members-only Ceremony of the Keys in January 2012.

Enter now for your chance to win this fantastic family prize.

4 Dec
2011

Fun 1960s London Video: A City of Cockneys and Kings

Posted by Zoe Craig in London No Comments

This is a great document of London’s near-history: an interesting promotional video for a tourist trip to London from the 1960s.

Many things have changed, but some things remain the same! Trooping the Colour and Changing the Guard remain must-see attractions, as do the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Piccadilly Circus looks a little different today, though!

Check out more London videos on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/visitlondonvideo

27 Oct
2011

Scissor Sisters to Perform at London 2012 River of Music

Posted by Hannah in London 2012 Olympic Games, Music No Comments

The Scissor Sisters will perform at the BT River of Music festival in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The two-day celebration on 21 and 22 July 2012 will feature free concerts along the banks of the river Thames, starring musical talent from Olympic countries around the world.

Six stages will host music from the major continents: Asia in Battersea Park, Africa in Jubilee Gardens, Europe in Trafalgar Square and Somerset House, the Americas at the Tower of London, and Oceania at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

Confirmed artists include Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Naturally 7, Baaba Maal, Angelique Kidjo, Zakir Hussain and Andy Sheppard.

To find out how to get your hands on free concert tickets, sign up now at www.london2012.com/festival. Ticketing information will be released in May 2012.

27 Aug
2011

London Photo of the Week: A tall ship in the Pool of London

Posted by Lettice in London No Comments

The sailors hanging on to the rigging at the top of this tall ship have an excellent view of London, although not quite as high as the viewing platform of The Monument in the background. The ship, photographed by Baynes Media, has passed under Tower Bridge into the upper Pool of London, next to HMS Belfast and the Tower of London.

Have you seen the sights in London this week? Don’t forget to add your photo to the Visit London Flickr group.

You can watch ships passing under Tower Bridge on our Tower Bridge Live webcam.

25 Jul
2011

Player Draw for World Badminton Championships Announced

Posted by Jenny in Sport No Comments

The countdown is on to the YONEX BWF World Badminton Championships at Wembley Arena next month as the results of the player draw for the tournament were announced this morning.

Gail Emms, former Olympic silver medallist, celebrated at the Tower of London with two Yeoman of the Guard (Beefeaters), commenting:

“The Championships are a fantastic opportunity for the public to show support for the British athletes. With excitement building for 2012, the battle for the World Badminton Championships this year is set to be an exciting one, and I know how important our home crowd support will be in getting behind the players. I urge all badminton fans to lift the roof of the famous Wembley Arena!”

The draw including a tough first round match for British No. 1 Rajiv Ouseph against Danish Peter Gade (who has beaten him six times in the past); Susan Egelstaff of Scotland will play Canadian Michelle Li; and in mixed doubles Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork received a bye into the second round where they will likely face Malaysian players Peng Soon Chan and Liu Ying Goh.

See full results of the draw for English and Scottish players.

YONEX BWF World Badminton Championships 2011, 8-14 Aug 2011. Buy tickets

21 Jul
2011

London Visitor Charter Promises Fair Prices During the 2012 Games

Posted by Hannah in London 2012 Olympic Games 1 Comment

Good news if you’re planning to visit London for the Olympic and Paralympic Games: some of the capital’s biggest attractions have signed up to a new charter promising fair pricing during 2012.

The London Eye, Tower of London, The O2, London Walks, Eurostar and Tom Aikens are among those who’ve pledged to maintain normal prices during the Games. More than 30 businesses have signed up so far.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said, “The London Visitor Charter demonstrates our determination to offer all our visitors both a great deal as well as a great time.”

25 Jun
2011

London Photo of the Week: The Tower of London and The City

Posted by Lettice in London No Comments

A familiar landscape from a different angle, David Bank shared this photo of the Tower of London with The City in the background with the Visit London Flickr group.

Have you been taking advantage of the light summer evenings to enjoy London at dusk? Share your photos and show us the beautiful things you’ve seen in London.

29 Apr
2011

An Evening Tour of the Tower of London

Posted by Jenny in Attractions No Comments

After working opposite the Tower of London for several years, I finally made the trip across the river to one of London’s most iconic venues for an evening tour.

Before visiting, I hadn’t realised just how important the Tower was to London. It once housed the Royal Mint (where Isaac Newton was warden), the Royal Observatory (which later moved to Greenwich) and the Royal Menagerie (later to become London Zoo).

With 1,000 years of history within the Tower walls, it would be easy to spend a whole day exploring. We only had an hour but that was still enough time to see a few points of interest including the spot where Anne Boleyn was beheaded (and her grave), the beautiful White Tower and the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula.

One of the most exciting aspects of the tour was getting to meet a Yeoman of the Guard (better known as a beefeater) who showed us around. Beefeaters have always played an important role at the Tower – once upon a time they transported the severed heads of executed prisoners from Tower Hill to London Bridge; here the heads were displayed as a warning of the fate awaiting any would-be traitors!

Happily, beefeaters have a less grisly job today, with tasks including taking care of the Tower’s resident ravens, leading tours and locking up the Tower at night. There are also a few perks involved in being a Yeoman of the Guard. Once upon a time, they were paid in rations including meat (one of the origins of the name beefeater) and now, the Yeomen of the Guard and their families are allowed to live on site, at the Tower of London.

As it was an evening tour, we were lucky enough to witness the locking of the Tower, known as the Ceremony of the Keys. During the ceremony, the Chief Yeoman Warder secures the Tower accompanied by a military guard, ending with the Last Post.

The ceremony takes place at 9.53pm exactly, finishing at 10pm. There’s only one time in history when there was a delay in closing the Tower – during an air raid in the Second World War, when it ran six minutes late.

Despite gate after gate being securely locked, we weren’t stuck inside for the night. After the ceremony, small doors in the gates were opened for visitors to exit. We wondered if there’s a ceremony for the locking of these doors once everyone had left?

Jenny was a guest of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) bringing together 12 independent hotel brands. The Tower of London private evening tour is available as part of the GHA Discovery Programme, a loyalty programme offering amazing local experiences to members.

Tower of London. Book tickets

Find out more about applying to watch the Ceremony of the Keys

29 Nov
2010

Cut it, Fold it: Build it with Paper at the V&A Museum of Childhood

Posted by Lettice in Kids 1 Comment

It’s the Tower of London, but not as you know it! This one is made from paper and on display at the V&A Museum of Childhood as part of their Cut it, Fold it: Build it with Paper exhibition.

If your early years were spent happily cutting out little tabs and assembling elaborate cardboard castles you’ll love this exhibition. The models on show are absolutely stunning and very carefully made (not one of the modellers had resorted to selotape!) The tiny elaborate buildings include Hampton Court Palace, shops, parks, houses and tourist attractions from all round the world.

One of the most interesting items was a lovely example of cinema merchandising, a printed kit for building Mr Blanding’s Dream House from the 1948 Cary Grant film.

The only frustration is that when you’ve seen this exhibition, you’ll be desperate to make paper models and the museum shop didn’t have any. Thankfully the internet does, so here’s a free paper model of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre we found for you to stick to your fingers!

Cut it, Fold it: Build it with Paper at the Museum of Childhood. 9 October 2010 – 9 January 2011. Free entry. www.vam.ac.uk/moc