Beth Y.

I am going to London in July for a couple of days. I know it is an insane time to be there, but it is when hubby has to go there for work! Ya'll were so helpful with hints about the Prado, where we are going after London. <BR>My question is, does anyone have hints on how to avoid crowds at the Tower, how to best get around easily etc.? We are staying at a nice hotel (The White House) thanks to hubby's company, so the concierge should be able to help with tickets, etc. But any secrets to make it easier? I am traveling with a 10 and 2 year old, both real troopers. Thanks in advance.

Michele

Beth: I think you got the idea...get your tickets in advance so you don't have to wait in line. If your concierge can't get them, you can purchase them from the hop on/off big bus station (and maybe Victoria Information Station?)...then get there first thing in the morning when they open and head straight towards your first choice of items...usually the jewels. I've heard that the torture instruments and the Domesday Book is in the Martin Tower (not the White Tower) temporarily, so you may want to confirm this when you get there. <BR> <BR>If you're planning to see Madame Tussaud's, again, buy your tickets in advance and then you can bypass the line for tickets. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

David White

Beth, <BR> <BR>Don't let the crowds stop you...the Tower is a "must-see" in London, especially with kids. <BR> <BR>I suggest that you get to the Tower as soon as it opens (with those pre-purchased tickets). Weekdays MAY be less crowded than weekends, but no guarantees with all the tourists in town. <BR> <BR>As soon as you get into the Tower, head first to the Crown Jewels exhibit, before the lines get too long. Afterwards, your kids will probably enjoy a tour lead by one of the Yeoman Warders (aka "beefeaters"). You can also pick up a children's booklet on the Tower's ravens. <BR> <BR>You may want to consider going to the nearby Tower Bridge exhibit after the Tower of London (if you aren't too tired). <BR> <BR>Food note: there are precious few places to eat immediately near the Tower. There's a McDonalds near the gate (what a contrast: the plastic versus the historic). <BR> <BR>One last note. You can take a boat along the Thames to the Tower from a variety of piers in London. Although the Tube goes right near the Tower, the boat is a fun alternative. <BR> <BR>Feel free to take a look at my website on family travel to London: <BR> <BR> www.KidsToLondon.com <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip! <BR> <BR>David White

Bill Irving

Going early is good advice, as others have stated. We were in London in mid-June last year, & the only day we had available to visit the Tower was on a Saturday. We got there at openning time. Didn't have pre-purchased tickets but on that particular Saturday, we had to wait only 5-10 minutes for tickets. Then went first, directly to the Crown Jewels. We walked right into the vault, & went down 1 side of the moving walkway, & since there was no crowd at all, we were able to walk back on the overlook walk to the beginning of the display & go on the moving walkway on the other side of the display. When we went by the building an hour later, the line was already out the door. But the crowds weren't too bad since there are so many things to see. Or atleast to me the crowds weren't a problem, or maybe I was just enjoying showing the Tower to my sons, so much, I didn't even notice the crowds. <BR> <BR>I reiterate what previous posters have said. Go early & do the crown Jewels first.

jen

Yes, if you are waiting in line before the Tower opens for business and go directly to the jewels you should be able to view them at your leisure. Once the tour buses arrive (about an hour after opening time) forget it -- the crowds will be outrageous.

julie

Beth- <BR>Whatever you do DONT do the Tower Bridge Experience. It is a total waste of time and money - as far as we were concerned the WORST part of our trip.

Lu

I will not have a concierge at my hotel. Where can I pre-purchase tickets to the Tower of London? Can I buy them while I am still here in the States? Thanks!

elvira

You can buy Tower of London tickets at virtually every underground station.

JoanT

We are going to the Tower next Sunday at around 4:00 in the afternoon, then we're going to eat and go to the Jack the Ripper Walk by Tower Hill Underground at 7:30. I am a little concerned about finding a place to eat near there. Does anyone know any reason why we shouldn't go to the Tower at that time on Sunday? We will prepurchase tickets on the Big Bus.

cheryl

Joan- <BR> <BR>I believe the Tower closes at 5:00, which would only give you one hour there, nowhere near enough time, in my opinion. The yeoman guard tour takes about a full hour, and you wouldn't want to miss that, and then there are still all the towers, the tour doesn't go inside them. I've been twice, and the first time we stayed about 3-4 hours, the second time a little less.

dru

Joan, definately give yourself more time at the Tower. Is there any reason why you are getting there at 4pm (trying to time it right for the Jack the Ripper tour??). Give yourself at least 3-4 hours at the Tower. We also did the Jack Tour & enjoyed it, but DO NOT shorten your time at the Tower in order to make the tour! Before we went on the Jack Tour, we headed over to St. Katherine's Dock (leaving from the Tower tube station you go left "around" the Tower & you will see it). We walked through this area to the "Dickens Inn" & ate at the 2nd floor pizzaria (kind of gourmet pizza). It was VERY good. They have a higher end restaraunt on the top floor, but we were not able to get reservations. You should have no problems around the Tower area. We felt perfectly safe (2 women).

Joan

Thank you so much for all the info. We are going to Hyde Park around noon. Do you happen to know if that is too early for the Speaker's Corner? Then we were going to tube it to the Tower. We'll try to go earlier and see more. I thought it was open till 6:00.

Alisa

The Tower is great fun--I was just there a month ago. The tour given by the Yeoman Warders was fun. BUT, I found it quite interesting that they expect to be tipped at the end of the tour. That is right--TIPPED! The Warder led us to the small chapel on the grounds at the end of the tour, gave a short talk and then stood by the only exit with his hand practically out the whole time. I thought it was a bit tacky. I wondered if this was a normal practice? <BR> <BR>That aside the Ripper tour is great but go with "London Walks". The other tours ended much earlier than ours and seemed to skip a few sites.

mike

Alisa: don't agree with you about the tipping thing. The warder who did our tour was amazing. He's a retired ex-soldier on a soldier's pension. No one was asked to give. They that did contribute were no doubt happy to express their appreciation of his wit and knowledge of Tower history. I'd have happily bought him a pint in the pub, which is probably where the few bucks he made from the tour went. And good luck to the man.