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"Tower of London - Royal Armouries" Topic


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DeanMoto12 Feb 2013 5:52 p.m. PST

A buddy and I are making a trip across the proverbial pond early next month and among other exploits intend to visit the famous Royal Armouries. Never having made a trip to that side of the world before wondered if anyone could give us some tips or pointers to make the most of this visit. Can all be seen in one day? Do they allow photography? Can I try on a suit of armor (just kidding about that one). Thanks, Dean

Midpoint12 Feb 2013 7:04 p.m. PST

Which venue Dean – the Leeds venue or the one I assume you mean at the ToL?

royalarmouries.org/home

As I recall photography is allowed, but not flash and not for certain exhibits – pretty standard for most museums really.

The ToL and surrounds is do-able in one day. Lots nearby as well, including HMS Belfast – and non-wargame wise The Shard has opened for the best views of the city.

M.

DeanMoto13 Feb 2013 8:54 a.m. PST

The one at the Tower. Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks, Dean

fred12df13 Feb 2013 10:25 a.m. PST

If you are going to the Tower of London get there when it opens (probably 9am) its worth the bit of rush hour travelling to get to ToL when it is virtually empty.

We went a couple of years ago, and by late morning its getting really busy.

DeanMoto13 Feb 2013 11:32 a.m. PST

Thanks for the tip, Fred. Dean

Cerdic13 Feb 2013 1:36 p.m. PST

The Tower takes a long time to get round, so budget most of a day. You should be able to squeeze in a visit to HMS Belfast on the other side of the river as well.

There are some nice pieces of armour at the Tower still, including Henry VIII's infamous codpiece!

The bulk of the collection is now at the purpose-built museum in Leeds. If you are really into armour then a trip 'up North' is very worthwhile.

DeanMoto13 Feb 2013 4:09 p.m. PST

Cerdic:

Codpiece notwithstanding, if the bulk of the armor collection is at Leeds, this is significant as my buddy and I will be in Nottingham for the first part of our trip – I believe Leeds would be about 65 miles from there – as the crow flies. Thanks for the info. Dean

Socalwarhammer13 Feb 2013 4:57 p.m. PST

Very Cool, I am willing to devote a day to seeing the Tower. And we will have a car, any natives want to go and be our tour guides to the Armory?

Personal logo x42brown Supporting Member of TMP16 Feb 2013 3:05 a.m. PST

Don't take the car to the Tower as, unless there has been massive change since the last time I was there, you'll spend more time getting parked than going round the tower.

x42

artslave16 Feb 2013 11:37 a.m. PST

I think they are talking about driving to Leeds to the Royal Armories. No sane person would drive anywhere in central London. That should be left to the cabbies. I think a visit to other collections of armour in London would be time better spent than driving to Leeds. A trip up north would make sense if you have time to visit other locations in the area, but otherwise it will eat up 2 days. The Wallace collection is worth a visit, and the last time I was there they had a room with repro armour bits to try on. It is meant for the school kids, but hey! They can't have all the fun. You should also visit the British Museum to see various armours, as well as so much else. The Vic and Albert has some as part of the costume collection, if I recall correctly.
The new displays in the Tower are very well done, and there is still a lot of armour to see, including the famous Henry VIII garnitures. So much of the Tower collection was in storage, you would have not seen it anyway. That said, the Royal Armories in Leeds is brilliant but best seen in conjunction with the outdoor displays, which only are going in nicer weather.

DeanMoto16 Feb 2013 8:41 p.m. PST

All good info – as not only have my buddy, Socalwahammer, and I not been to the UK before – we can be considered "not sane" sometimes – so your advice not to drive in central London will be heeded. Again, all great information and much appreciated! Warm regards, Dean

Cerdic17 Feb 2013 5:28 a.m. PST

Yes, absolutely. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE INTO CENTRAL LONDON. Your chances of finding somewhere to park is about the same as me becoming an astronaut! That is before you even think about the congestion charge zone….

If you are not staying in London the best bet is to drive to your nearest point inside the M25 orbital road, park up at the closest train or tube station and travel into Central London that way. Get an all-zone one-day travel card that is valid on the rail and tube.

Transport for London actually have a decent website. Should tell you all you need to know!

tfl.gov.uk

If you have another spare day then I second the British Museum. A vast place filled with all sorts of amazing stuff nicked, errr…collected from all over the world!

DeanMoto18 Feb 2013 8:19 a.m. PST

Thanks again, Cerdic.

…the British Museum. A vast place filled with all sorts of amazing stuff nicked, errr…collected from all over the world!

grin

Last Hussar23 Feb 2013 9:42 a.m. PST

What Cerdic said about transport. If you tell the guy at the ticket booth what you need re travel card then you should get something that lets you use the buses as well I believe. From my home a all day card for a Saturday is only £21.00 GBP, including 1 hour train journey to Marylebone

TOP TIP FOR THE TUBE.
See if you can get hold of a 'Walking Map' they produced for the Olympics. Due to the way the famous Underground map is laid out it isn't geographically consistant – sometimes walking between two stations is quicker, even under perfect Tube conditions, even though the stations look miles apart. An awful lot of central london is 15mins or less from where you are standing. If its not, walk to somewhere wher it is …

On weekdays travel outside rush 'hour', not jsut because of the crush, but train prices are higher. On escalators STAND ON THE RIGHT YOU BLEEDIN' YANK TOURIST. Sorry, that really annoys the locals – walk down the left, but stand on the right. DO NOT leave any bags unattended. We have been blowing them up since the early 70's

Also remember we drive on the correct side, look RIGHT at the kerb (note spelling) before stepping off the pavement (note word!), and LEFT when you reach the 'island' in the middle. Seriously – I'm sure I read somewhere more Americans suffer RTA's because of this than suffer the crime they place as fear number one!

Also the National Gallery is on Trafalgar Square, and is free.

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