Saturday 14th July 2007

Museum of London

St Paul's Cathedral

Tower of London

Back to London today.  Firstly to the Museum of London in the heart of the city.  This museum traces the history of the City of London from pre-history to modern day.  The galleries on Roman London and the Tudor & Stuart sections are fascinating.  Unfortunately the museum is going through a big re-development and the later galleries are closed.  There is a very interesting display on the Great Fire of London in 1666 that gives plenty of insight as to what it must have been like caught up in that inferno.

A short walk to St Paul's Cathedral in the quiet strrets of the city.  This area of London is the financial heartland of the capital and consequently is not busy on a Saturday.  St Paul's is breathtaking whenever you see it.  Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece is a tribute to the skill of those who built it in the early 18th century.  The cathedral contains many treasures but it is always the Whispering Gallery that ISCA students head for.  Those who have the energy then climb the endless spiral stairs up to the Stone and Golden Galleries.  These take you above the dome and out onto the outside of the building.  The views of London from here are stunning and on a lovely clear day, like today, you can see for miles.  Other 'must sees' are Nelson's tomb, the American Chapel and the Duke of Wellington's memorial.

Meeting on the steps at the west end of the cathedral we then had lunch in the gardens in the gaze of the cathedral and then got on board the coaches for the short ride to the Tower of London.  The highlight of the ride was crossing Tower Bridge.  Once in the Tower all sorts of delights await.  The Crown Jewels are a highlight and you cannot but be amazed by all those precious stones.  The Yeoman Warders or Beefeaters are on-hand to answer questions and give talks and the famous ravens of the Tower look on with an all knowing eye.  The various towers are full of history and the most popular remains the Bloody Tower with its exhibition of torture!  This was a great afternoon and when it was time to leave we all felt very pleased with all that we had seen in this historic part of London.