We visited the Tower of London yesterday and it was well worth the £13 ea. (you can order student tickets online and they didn't even ask us for I.D.!). We pretty much spent all day there and it contained over 1,000 years of royal / political history.
It was excellently curated, the sort of situation when you are exploring some beautiful old detail somewhere and want more information and -- oh! Here is a tiny modern plaque explaining who was likely the person who etched this witchy zodiac in this tower wall 900 years ago.
A lot of questions answered.
They keep ravens there, massive ones with clipped wings (no thanks, guys.) because of an old omen about their removal bringing down the tower.
Anyway, the crown jewels are there and massive solid gold punchbowls and goblets and the like, which of course you are not permitted to take photos of.
Some substantial executions happened there, you know, Anne Boleyn and other folks.
The most exciting thing there for me was the exhibit and installations throughout the entire complex that explained the history of the Royal Menagerie and how exotic animals were kept and viewed there for about 800 years.
I wanted more info than they would ever consider reasonable to post at any historic site so checked the bookstore for more info and oh! What's this here? Why a small book on the very same subject with contemporary illustrations and handbills - for £9? Oh no! Marked down to 50 p.!
It pays to like things harder than other people.
This is all exciting because I'm going to be needing as much information as I can muster for my next body of work on animals / animal trade & imperialism.
That place is the best.
Tons of other things. Other things that would pain my thumbs to text on my phone onto this blog at this current juncture.
Go there. It is exceptional.
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