Tower Bridge & Tower of London: Complete Visitor Guide

Two of London's most recognisable landmarks stand within 200 metres of each other on the north bank of the Thames, yet they tell completely different stories of the city's history. The Tower of London is nearly a thousand years old — a fortress, palace, prison, and treasure house. Tower Bridge is barely over a hundred, built in 1894 when Victorian engineers decided London needed a crossing downstream of London Bridge that could also open for tall ships.

The Tower of London is the more time-consuming visit. Plan at least two hours. The Crown Jewels are the centrepiece: an extraordinary collection that includes the Koh-i-Noor diamond, the Imperial State Crown worn at the King's coronation, and enough gold plate to fill several living rooms. The Beefeaters — the Yeomen Warders in Tudor uniform — give free tours that are funny, gory, and historically dense.

The White Tower at the centre of the complex is the oldest Norman keep in England. Inside is a serious collection of Royal Armoury: suits of armour built for Henry VIII at various stages of his impressive girth, and longbows, crossbows, and cannon arranged with care. The ravens must remain — legend holds the kingdom falls if they ever leave; the Ravenmaster feeds them raw meat and biscuits soaked in blood.

Tower Bridge is best experienced by crossing it and then going up into the high-level walkways. The glass floor sections look straight down to the road traffic below — vertiginous and excellent. The Engine Rooms in the south tower house the original Victorian steam engines that operated the bascules until 1976, now replaced by hydraulics.

Book both in advance online. Entry is included in the London Pass if you hold one.