London, England (Day 1): Highlights from the Tower of London to Kensington Palace
- That's How We Travel
- May 9
- 4 min read
Summary. It's often said that you can spend an entire week in London and still only scratch the surface of all there is to see. They aren't wrong. Our schedule allowed us just two days in this surprisingly beautiful city. If you follow our blogs, you know we usually prefer the countryside and typically stay only a day or two any given city. London pleasantly surprised us with its unexpected charm, cleanliness, and vibrancy. We’ll return for sure. On our first day, we packed in a lot: we explored the Tower of London, enjoyed paella at Borough Market, strolled through Hyde Park, visited the Natural History Museum and Kensington Palace, and ended the day with the hilariously entertaining musical, Book of Mormon.
[This blog is part of our 15-days in the British Isle trip].
About the Tower of London. The Tower of London is a historic castle and fortress located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. Founded in 1066 by William the Conqueror shortly after the Norman Conquest, its central structure, known as the White Tower, was built to demonstrate Norman power and to protect the city against potential uprisings. Over the centuries, the Tower evolved into a complex of buildings surrounded by defensive walls and a moat. It served multiple roles throughout its history, including a royal residence, prison, armory, treasury, and even a zoo. Notably, it housed some of England’s most famous prisoners, such as Anne Boleyn and Sir Thomas More, many of whom were executed within or near its walls. Today, the Tower of London is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the city’s most popular attractions. It is best known as the home of the Crown Jewels, a collection of royal ceremonial regalia still used by the British monarchy.
Timed Entry. Because of the large number of visitors, it's necessary to buy tickets ahead of time. We got ours for the earliest time slot (9am), and it turned out to be a wise decision since the place started getting crowded just as we were leaving.
Tower Ravens. The Tower of London ravens live within the fortress grounds and are carefully cared for by a dedicated Ravenmaster. According to local folklore, if the ravens ever leave the Tower, the Crown and the kingdom will fall. To prevent this, at least six ravens are always kept at the site. Their wings are partially clipped to discourage long-distance flight, ensuring they remain close to the Tower. The ravens are not just any ordinary birds; they possess unique personalities and are integral to a tradition that spans centuries. Today, they are fed a special diet that includes raw meat and are considered both protected residents and living attractions.
Tower of London Interior Courtyard
Museums within the Tower of London (note, no photography is permitted for the crown jewels).
Tower Bridge History. Tower Bridge is one of London's most iconic landmarks, constructed in the late 19th century. By the 1870s, the growing population and trade in East London necessitated a new crossing over the River Thames to alleviate congestion while still permitting large boats to reach the bustling docks. The bridge's construction began in 1886 and concluded in 1894, with architect Horace Jones and engineer John Wolfe Barry spearheading its design and development. Officially opened by the Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII), it swiftly became a symbol of Victorian engineering prowess. Designed as a bascule bridge, Tower Bridge features central sections that can lift to allow ships to pass. This design enabled both road and river traffic to coexist which was an essential feature when the Thames was one of the world's busiest shipping routes. Today, Tower Bridge continues to function as an operational bridge and remains a defining element of London's skyline.
From the Tower of London, we walked across the Tower bridge and over to the Borough Market for an early lunch.
Borough Market. This market is one of London’s oldest and most famous food markets, with roots dating back nearly 1,000 years, evolving from a wholesale trading hub into a vibrant destination known for its high-quality produce, artisan goods, and international street food. Because this writer has Spanish roots, we couldn't pass up a plate of Paella.
Walk Through Park. The next stop on our busy London day was to take the tube across town to Hyde Park. Here we took a stroll across the Park and went to see the Natural History Museum.
Natural History Museum. This family-friendly destination was a quick stop for us while we waited for our timed entry at our next stop (Kensington Palace). If we had small kids with us, we would have stayed all afternoon. It's another wonderful, hand-on natural history museum. For us, we enjoyed a quick pass through and then made our way over to Kensington Palace.
Kensington Palace. Kensington Palace, located within Kensington Gardens in London, is a historic royal residence that has housed members of the British royal family for more than three centuries. Initially constructed in 1605 as a private mansion, it was converted into a royal palace in 1689 by King William III and Queen Mary II. Today, it continues to serve as a residence for several royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, and also invites visitors to explore its state rooms and exhibitions.
Timed Entry. Visitors pre-book tickets with timed entries like the Tower of London. Ours was for 2:00 p.m.
Diana Princess of Wales. As the signage indicates, this tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, was unveiled in 2021, on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Book of Mormon. After a couple hours of rest and dinner back at our hotel (which has a kitchenette), we headed out again to go see some London theatre, specifically, the Book of Mormon. In short, it was a riot. We highly recommend this musical, though it's not for young kids.
Video of Our First Day in London. Here is a video of our first day in London.
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