As I hurtle towards becoming an old British relic, my interest in British history grows. We Brits are proud of our heritage and excellent at cherishing and preserving our past.
It was for a history lesson that we headed, with the Besties, towards Londinium. Our beautiful Capital City is bursting with historical buildings, standing proudly alongside the tall modern buildings stretching above them towards the clouds.
First stop on this tour was Kensington Palace, one of six palaces looked after by Historic Royal Palaces.
I have always been an admirer of Diana, Princess of Wales and wanted to see the exhibition of her dresses before it closed in the middle of February.
We walked through the wonderful gardens, which appeared tired by the ravages of winter and through the ornate gates, gleaming in the sunshine. Then along what appeared to be the servants corridor and up the stairs to the Diana Story.
Although it’s not a huge exhibition, it certainly brought back memories and quietly tells the story of her transformation from the shy teenage nanny she was when she first attracted the attention of the media, to the glamorous confident ambassador she became.
Film and pictures relate the tale of her wonderful humanitarian visits around the Uk and the rest of the World. Breaking down barriers for aids sufferers, visiting sick children and famously strolling through a minefield. Her dress collection bringing back memories of some of those iconic moments.
There is not a vast amount of Kensington Palace open to the public and arriving three weeks too late to view the entire Queen Victoria exhibition, we joined the crowd huddled around the cabinet containing three of her tiaras.
In another hall we discovered the costumes from the recent film, The Favourite. Some of those poor actors must have been wearing corsets, as the costume waists were teeny. The blurb gave us an insight into the story of Queen Anne and her court, so I look forward to seeing the film.
Day one of our journey into bygone days complete, we stepped back out into the modern world and headed for some food at the ultra modern Docklands area, before our visit to London’s celebration to the Millennium, the O2 Arena, looking forward to be transported back to our youth, by singer Alison Moyet and the band Tears for Fears.
After a good nights sleep at our hotel in Chelsea, we travelled back into the City and the magnificent Tower of London. I have often visited the surrounding area, but have never entered through the gates.
We arrived just in time to join a guided tour with one of the “Beefeaters”. He was so proud and so passionate about the stories of the Tower’s history. We learned so much in an hour.
As well as being a notorious prison, it was the original site of the Royal Mint, the Public Records Office and who knew the Tower housed the original London Zoo, until too many people were attacked by the animals.
There were stories of the Kings and Queens who have resided within its vast walls, together with tales of those that lost their lives there. Accounts of traitors arriving at the infamous traitors gate and their inevitable beheadings at Tower Hill, followed by their decapitated heads being displayed on spikes at the City entrance to deter other would be traitors. It was a whirlwind journey from the beginnings of the Tower, through the middles ages, the First World War & the blitz to its present duties as Keeper of the Jewels.
We were transported past the Crown Jewels on a travellator, possibly to stop people lingering too long, and were forbidden from taking photos. Apart from the crowns worn by monarchs through the ages, there are cases full of sceptres, swords, bugles and banqueting equipment, all highly polished and gleaming.
The White Tower, at the centre of the vast fortress, houses a spectacular exhibition over four floors, of armoury worn by soldiers and Kings, of cannons used at various battles, what is said to be the executioners block and axe and the chair used to seat Josef Jakobs, the last person to be executed at the Tower, as he faced a military firing squad, after being found guilty of espionage in 1941.
Our Beefeater related theses gruesome stories, in a detailed but humorous way, all in the surroundings of this magnificent castle with glorious views of our historic, yet modern, vibrant Capital City.
Whether you are a lover of history or not I would recommend a visit. Bear in mind though if you intend to visit more than one of our Historic Royal Palaces, it is worth considering buying an annual membership. Save yourself some dollars.
We spent a fabulous, informative 4 1/2 hours dipping into history and still didn’t manage to take it all in. A return trip is definitely on the agenda.
A big thank you to our tour guide who brought it all to life. Brilliant.
In all fired up to delve into history again now, I want to watch historic films (bearing in mind they all have an influence of artistic licence), read historic books and look up our kings and queens .
A good couple of days again xx