Destination London: 5 Iconic Sights

Jocelyn Murray — Fri, 15 May 2015 13:54:43 +0000

Tower of London

Tower of London
photo by Bob Collowân / CC BY-SA 3.0

The walls of this stone fortress have been witness to 1,000 years of history which includes riots, imprisonment, torture, executions, murder, tournaments, coronations and victory celebrations. It houses the Crown Jewels, has served as a Royal Mint, a Medieval Palace, and a Royal Menagerie that included tigers, kangaroos, alligators, bears, monkeys and more. Its resident ravens are said to be guardians of the Tower, and according to legend, must not leave the Tower or the kingdom will fall. The Tower of London is a World Heritage Site, and is open daily except December 24-26, and January 1st.

British Museum

British Museum
photo by Jacek Halicki / CC BY-SA 3.0

The British Museum has been hailed as one of the best museums in the world. It began as a kind of cabinet of curiosities owned by Sir Hans Sloane in the 1700s, who bequeathed his vast collection to King George II upon his death. The museum now has more than thirteen million objects related to human history and culture including Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, works from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, the Americas and more. Some notable artifacts included the famous Rosetta Stone, the bronze head of Emperor Augustus, the colossal Roman statue of Apollo of Cyrene, and an impressive collection of coins and medals dating from the 7th century BC to present day.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace
photo by Kevin Hoogheem / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The principal residence of the British monarchy since 1837, Buckingham Palace also serves as the royal administrative base. It has held many Royal ceremonies, state banquets, diplomatic receptions and visits. This centerpiece of Britain’s constitutional monarchy has an impressive 775 rooms including the Throne Room, Ballroom, State Dining Room, and Music Room where several Royal babies were christened. It is surrounded by two lavishly landscaped royal parks, and is open for tours with purchased admission to selected State Rooms.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey
photo by slack12 / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

This Gothic protestant church has hosted many coronations, burials and royal weddings including that of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011. Westminster Abbey was built on orders of King Henry III in the thirteenth century. Its pointed arches, ribbed vaulting, rose windows and flying buttresses are characteristic of Gothic architecture blended with ornate English mouldings and Purbeck marble columns that imbue the church with an exquisite opulence that has lasted centuries. Westminster Abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open for worship services and tours.

London Eye

The London Eye
photo by Kham Tran – www.khamtran.com / CC BY-SA 3.0

Rising along the southern bank of the River Thames, the London Eye is one of the world’s tallest Ferris wheels, and commands stunning panoramic views of London. It has 32 sealed passenger capsules, each holding up to 25 people. The wheel moves slowly, taking about 30 minutes to complete a full revolution. This gives passengers time to walk around the capsule and take photographs of the view while it moves. It has been open to the public since the year 2000, and is a fantastic way to get a bird’s-eye view of the city.

5 Haunted Castles of England

Jocelyn Murray — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 13:37:23 +0000

Bodiam Castle – East Sussex

Bodiam Castle
photo by Maurice King

The picturesque ruins of Bodiam Castle are an opulent reminder of its medieval splendor. It was built in 1385 as a defense against invasion from the French, and existed quietly until it was partly demolished during the Civil War. Rising from the surrounding grassy fields and the tranquil waters of its moat, the castle appears like something from a medieval fairytale, complete with rustic weathered ivy-clad walls, battlements, towers and windows that stare like vacant eyes over the countryside. Reports from people passing the ruins at night have described hearing the sounds of phantom carousing, including strange songs and raucous outbursts. A ghostly red lady has also been seen gazing blankly into the distance from one of the towers, though her identity is unknown. Even the castle’s alluring reflection on the dark waters of the moat appears like a ghostly apparition of the castle itself.

Rochester Castle – Kent

Rochester Castle
photo by chuck624 / CC BY-SA 2.0

A scorned suitor, a damsel in distress, and two vicious sieges form part of Rochester Castle’s turbulent history. Built in the early 12^th century by William de Corbeil, Archbishop of Canterbury, this formidable fortress has one of England’s largest keeps. Political strife and a desire to avenge unrequited love resulted in its capture by the spurned suitor Sir Gilbert de Clare, who cunningly seized the castle and the Lady Blanche de Warrene who hid inside. She was tragically killed by her betrothed Sir Ralph de Capo when he fired an arrow meant to kill de Clare and save her from his grasp. Ever since that night, her ghost has been seen roaming the battlements with the arrow still lodged in her chest. She strikes a melancholic figure with her flowing white gown and her dark hair cascading in the night.

Warwick Castle – Warwickshire

Warwick Castle
photo by Mcselede / CC BY-SA 3.0

The stunning ruins of Warwick Castle have been witness to murder, political intrigues and power struggles. At one time King Edward IV was held captive here by Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, while the deposed Henry VI was confined in the Tower of London. Warwick Castle is also reputedly where orders were given for the heinous murder of the two young princes Edward and Richard who died in the Tower of London. But the ghost who haunts this indefatigable bastion of power is Sir Fulke Greville who lived in the castle during the early part of the 17^th century. It is said that he was stabbed by his servant in a moment of resentment and jealousy. The wounded Greville died a month later in agonizing pain. The specter of his forlorn spirt has been glimpsed in dark corners of his former study in the castle where stares in gloomy sadness.

Dudley Castle – West Midlands

Dudley Castle
photo by Tony Hisgett / CC BY-SA 2.0

The primary ghostly occupant of the romantic ruins of Dudley Castle is the Gray Lady who is believed to be a woman named Dorothy Beaumont whose baby had died before her. The bereaved Gray Lady’s wraith has been seen wandering the castle in search of her infant child. Other spirits too have been sighted lingering amongst the medieval remnants of this fortified structure, including the ghost of an elderly lady who took her own life by hanging herself from the castle’s parapet. These and other mysterious figures seem to roam the castle and its grounds which now form part of the Dudley Zoological Gardens that opened in 1937. Although sections of the curtained wall, gatehouse and keep were destroyed on orders of Parliament during the Civil War in 1646, and the castle was encompassed by fire the following century, its romantic ruins and long history continue to draw many visitors.

Leeds Castle – Kent

Leeds Castle
photo by Stewart Morris

Leeds Castle is arguably one of England’s most gorgeous castles. This beautiful bastion is called the “castle of the medieval Queens of England” because it has been home to numerous royal wives. Originally built in the 13^th century, the castle grew larger as additions were made throughout the centuries by its succeeding owners. Its most discernible otherworldly occupant is a black dog whose apparition is said to have resulted when Eleanor of Gloucester, Henry VI’s aunt, was imprisoned for life at Leeds Castle after being charged with witchcraft, black magic, treason and heresy. The dog’s appearances were a bad omen foretelling misfortune or death for the castle’s inhabitants. The spectral hound has continued to haunt the castle property since about the 15^th century.

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