See It My Way: London

By Andre Sharp

See It My Way: London spotlights both the must-see and the often-overlooked sights of one of the world's greatest cities. Easy to read and budget-friendly, See It My Way: London doesn’t bury you in historic detail or statistics. You’ll get just enough information to put everything in context.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781626753921

Book preview

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DAY 1

THE CITY AND NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

TUBE STOP:

TOWER HILL

Billingsgate Market

Tower of London

Tower Bridge

Shad Thames/The Design Museum

The Gherkin

London City Hall

London Mint

Medieval Banquet, anyone?

Fashion & Textile Museum

London Bridge

London Dungeon

The George Inn

Canary Wharf

Billingsgate Market

Rise and shine! This day begins early—at the crack of dawn—with a visit to the chief fish market in London, Billingsgate (Trafalgar Way), where the activity begins at 5:30 a.m. The hustle and bustle intensifies as hotels, restaurants and shopkeepers shop for their daily needs.

The Billingsgate fish market was established by act of Parliament in 1699, although it has only inhabited its current location since the early 1980s. Billingsgate is one of the largest inland fish markets in the UK, and sells some 25 thousand tons of fish every year.

The market may open before the underground has started its first trip, so you may need to taxi here. But, the experience, like no other, is worth one early morning. By the way, they do permit children under 12.

billingsgate-market.org.uk

Tower of London

After a leisurely breakfast with the fishmongers, walk three blocks east along Lower Thames Street to the Tower of London. Officially called Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, it was founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, the first Norman King of England.

The Tower is believed to be the largest medieval fortress in Europe. It has served as a prison since at least 1100, as a royal residence, and as the Royal Observatory. Most famously, the Tower was the scene of executions of Royal enemies and, at times, a symbol of oppression—much like the infamous Bastille fortress and prison in Paris.

The Tower is a complex of several buildings, defensive walls and the customary moat. The superb Crown Jewels, acquired since the 1600s, are housed here. This includes the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond, a 105-carat stone brought back from India in the late 19th century as well as many royal armaments and accoutrements. Left unsaid, but often whispered, are the ghosts of those murdered most foully who still haunt the courtyards and castle chambers late at night.

A Must See

In addition to the castle tours led by guides known as Beefeaters, you must see the Ceremony of the Keys. This traditional gate closing ceremony dates back to 1340 and happens daily at 10 p.m.

Tickets are free, but you must apply in writing. Check the Tower website for instructions. Be sure to ask your Beefeater about the blackbirds, whose wings are kept clipped.

hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon

Tower Bridge

As you leave the Tower, take note of the famous Tower Bridge, so named because of its proximity to the Tower of London. This is one of the iconic symbols of London, and dates back to the 1870s when it was first planned. It opened in