Trip to the iconic Tower of London

A very early 6.45am start saw St Bede’s Year 8s arriving at school. For many of the children it was their very first visit to the iconic Tower of London and the tour began by looking at the outside and its proximity to the Thames. Once inside and allowing for plenty of photos of the Beefeaters it was into the White Tower. The children are all studying the Tudors at the moment in readiness for their common entrance exams and so the Henry VIII exhibition was a great beginning, however it was not easy explaining exactly what a ‘cod piece’ was for!!!

A quick visit to the Jewel House and then it was onto Beauchamp Tower, used as cells and to read the writing on the tower walls, left by prisoners from previous centuries. Then, onto the torture chamber itself and deciding how feasible a confession would be, after an hour on the rack or in a ‘scavenger’s daughter.

There wasn’t an area of the Tower of London unvisited and for most of us the highlight was the Bloody Tower famous for the disappearance of the Two Princes.

Finally it was time to leave, a quick visit to the Tower Gift shop and on our way out we met two guardsmen going off duty from the Jewel House. They were happy to answer innumerable questions from the children and were even prepared to pose for a group shot.