Tower of London — Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, this uncompromising slab of a building has had many functions including Royal mint, residence, and zoo, but it’s best known for its bloody history as a prison and execution site—Henry VIII ordered the execution of two of his wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, here. What will we find here? The Tower is now most famous as the home of the Crown Jewels. There’ll likely be a line, but you can’t come and not gawp at the sparkly crowns and the biggest bit of bling you’ll ever set eyes on: Cullinan I. It's the world’s largest cut diamond and sits at the top of the Sovereign’s Sceptre. You can do a high/low tour by also checking out the prisoner’s graffiti in the towers. Any guided tours worth trying? The free tours by the Beefeaters (the red-coated yeoman warders) take place every 30 minutes and are fun to catch for the gossipy tales of what once went on within the walls. Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere? There’s a beamed, sit-down restaurant inside, but you’ll get a cheaper, better lunch at one of the many cafés just a few minutes walk along the river. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? Unless you’re just here for the jewels, you really need two hours to get around the place." - Laura Goulden
