London-Tower Bridge

After a full English breakfast, it’s time for full English history. The Tower of London is a nearly thousand-year-old tower built in 1078 by William the Conqueror that has served as a royal palace, armory, treasury, and perhaps most famously, a prison and execution site. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Britain’s most popular and revered attractions. An admission ticket covers entry to the White Tower, the iconic medieval castle; the Line of Kings, where you can marvel at the historic armor of English monarchs; the ravens, the ancient guardians of the Tower; and the Crown Jewels, which include the crown and clothing still used during coronations. For the best Tower experience, book an iconic Yeoman Warder or “Beefeater” Tour.

Towering over the Tower is the Tower Bridge, which spans 800 feet across the Thames. There are two ways to cross. The lower level is a pedestrian path next to the thousands of cars and double-decker buses that cross the bridge every day. This is free and open 24/7. But for the first of many brilliant views today, climb 206 steps to the Walkways, which connect the two grand Gothic 213-foot towers. A £13.40 timed ticket includes exhibits on the bridge’s history and entry to the walkways and the Glass Floors, where visitors can feel as though they are floating above London.