Tower of London, Covent Gardens & Harrod's - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Chudley · 05-31-2007, 09:53 AM

Tower Of London, Covent Garden & Harrod's

Explore the Tower of London; see the Crown Jewels; visit one of the world’s great shopping meccas, and stroll the narrow thoroughfares of Covent Garden.

WHAT YOU VISIT
Tower of London - William the Conqueror began construction of London’s fortress, notorious as a royal prison and the site of bloody executions. During your tour, see the famous Beefeater guards; explore the Tower’s winding passageways while learning its history, and view the magnificent Crown Jewels.

Harrod’s - No visit to London would be complete without a trip to Harrod’s. Created by Henry Charles Harrod in 1849, the impressive department store in fashionable Knightsbridge draws thousands through its doors each day. Outrageous prices are the norm, but Harrod’s must have everything imaginable under its roof. Don’t miss the superb food courts.

Covent Garden - Inigo Jones originally designed this West End pleasure garden in the 18th century. Today, Covent Garden is best known for its restored Victorian market building and its shops, pubs, street vendors and entertainers. It was the locale for Cockney flower-seller Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady."

nealberk · 10-31-2007, 10:38 PM

Many of the books suggest that you will need to spend 2 to 4 hours in the Tower of London. Don't believe it. We spent five hours there and did not see a fraction of the Tower grounds.

One of the best "hidden secrets" on the tower is to buy your tickets not at the tower but across the street at the tube (actually you get off the tube and go into the tunnel). There is a gift shop off to the side that has tickets for the same price as at the Tower.

The tower consists of many buildings including the White Tower (the old building that dates back to 1068) the building that holds the crown jewels, a second building that holds a bucket of other diamonds, a neat little church, and assorted other buildings that all hold a tremendous amount of history.

Trick-or-treaters are really fouling up this write up......

BillG35 · 10-31-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nealberk

Many of the books suggest that you will need to spend 2 to 4 hours in the Tower of London. Don't believe it. We spent five hours there and did not see a fraction of the Tower grounds.

One of the best "hidden secrets" on the tower is to buy your tickets not at the tower but across the street at the tube (actually you get off the tube and go into the tunnel). There is a gift shop off to the side that has tickets for the same price as at the Tower.

The tower consists of many buildings including the White Tower (the old building that dates back to 1068) the building that holds the crown jewels, a second building that holds a bucket of other diamonds, a neat little church, and assorted other buildings that all hold a tremendous amount of history.

Trick-or-treaters are really fouling up this write up......

On our first visit to London we took part in the Ceremony of the Keys which takes place nightly when the Tower gates are locked by the Beefeaters. You need to write for tickets in advance but the only cost is the International Reply coupons and a self addressed envelope. It gives you a different perspective and complements but does not substitute for the regular tour of the Tower of London during the day.