Day Twelve 23rd July 2010 - St Paul's Cathedral / Tower of London

We start the day at the Museum of London in the heart of the City.  This museum has opened up all of its galleries after several years of refurbishment and is a splendid guide for anyone interested in the history of the square mile that is the City of London.  Located right near the Barbican it is a good place to start a day that will be spent in the city.

A short walk to St Paul's Cathedral allows us to take in the scale of Christopher Wren's great building.  Completed in 1708, this distinctive landmark has many wonders within.  The first thing for most of us is to climb the steps to the Whispering Gallery and higher to the Stone Gallery and then finally the Golden Gallery.  The 500 or so steps are worth it as the views are worth it.  London from above is a magnificent sight and one can see all the preparation that is going on for the Olympics of 2012.  Back down the steps the cathedral is notable for its light and airy feel.

Down in the crypt it is almost essential to pause by the magnificent tomb of Horatio Nelson.

We have lunch in the gardens below St Paul's before making our way to the Tower of London.  The Crown Jewels, tales of execution and imprisonment, the ravens, meeting the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters), Traitors Gate are all on the agenda.  The location of the tower on the banks of the Thames gives splendid views of Tower Bridge.