Our trip to the Tower of London was absolutely amazing from start to finish. We began the day by walking to Baker Street and catching the Circle Line straight there. The train ride was full of chatter and excitement and some of us passed the time reading the paper (see below!). You could already tell it was going to be a great day.
When we arrived, we walked through the gates and were immediately amazed by how big the Tower was. It felt like stepping back in time. We picked up our activity trail sheets and got started straight away. The trail led us around all the most famous parts of the Tower and gave us challenges and questions to answer as we explored.
We began at the Middle Tower and crossed the drawbridge to the Byward Tower, learning about how the Tower was protected from enemies. Then we made our way through the Inner Ward, where we could see the ancient walls and towers up close. One of the first big stops on our trail was the White Tower, the oldest building in the complex. Inside, we explored the Armoury and saw suits of armour that belonged to kings like King Charles II. We even spotted old weapons and royal treasures that told stories from hundreds of years ago.
Next, we went to see the guards on duty outside the Jewel House. They were standing completely still and we tried to copy them but it did not last long because we could not stop giggling. Inside, we got to see the spectacular Crown Jewels sparkling under the lights. They were absolutely breathtaking. Everyone was amazed by the crowns, sceptres and the enormous Cullinan diamond.
Our trail then took us to the Bloody Tower, where we learned about the mysterious Princes in the Tower. We also visited Tower Green, the spot where Anne Boleyn and other famous figures were executed. It was really interesting to see how much history is hidden in every corner.
We also saw the famous ravens and learned about the legend that if they ever leave, the kingdom will fall. Luckily, they looked very happy where they were, hopping around and posing for pictures.
After lunch, we met Jane Birch in the Salt Tower courtyard. She plays Samuel Pepys’s maid and gave us a fantastic and funny tour. Jane was amazed at how much we already knew about the Great Fire of London. She took us to a private room where she reenacted scenes from the fire and some of us even got to join in. It felt like we were part of history. She also showed us the last remaining wooden houses and told us all about how London changed after the fire.
By the end of the workshop, our heads were full of new facts and stories and our activity trails were completely filled in. We had learned so much without even realising it because it was so much fun.
What an unforgettable day at the Tower of London, full of history, laughter and adventure. We will definitely remember it for a long time.
