WELCOME to the first issue of our new travel series Monday Miles, where I, Dillon Pillay, will be taking you on my travels around the globe. Each week, I’ll be sharing highlights from some of my adventures around Europe and Asia. But where better to start than one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, the Tower of London.

Also read: Five ways travel changes your personality (for the better)

I visited London in August 2024 and was fortunate enough to spend my birthday basking in the warm London summer sun. The Tower of London was one of the top activities you would find on any list talking about things to see, and it did not fail to impress. This castle is incredibly enormous and actually contributed significantly to my step count. It was definitely worth the walk because the architecture was so stunning.

A large part of why the tower is iconic is due to its many uses over the years. The tower has served as a fortress, a palace and even a place for public executions. It, however, is most notably known for holding the Crown Jewels.

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Each week Southlands Sun journalist, Dillon Pillay, will be taking you along on one of his adventures across the globe. Tune in every Monday for more videos, snapshots and history on the some of the world’s most iconic spots. Where in London should we go to next? #MondayMiles #London #TowerofLondon #travel

♬ Relaxing – Soft boy

Another contributing factor to the tower’s size is due to the number of things you are able to find, that includes anything from royal armouries, military equipment to torture devices.

Fascinating facts about the tower:

The tower is steeped in history and there’s so much to know about the tower’s backstory, but here are a few facts about the Tower of London.

1. Its official name: While we all call it the Tower of London, its official name is Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London.
2. London’s first zoo: Before its use in jailing humans, the tower housed wild animals in the Royal Menagerie. Lions, elephants, ostriches and even a polar bear once roamed the castle.
3. The Crown Jewels: Deliberately locked up here since the 15th century, the Crown Jewels consist of the blindingly brilliant Imperial State Crown, set with more than 23 500 stones.
4. The Beefeaters: Officially known as Yeoman Warders, the Beefeaters have guarded the Tower since the 16th century. Their ceremonial uniforms are stitched with pure gold thread and cost over £7000  (about R166 000) each.
5. Legend of resident ravens: Legend says that if the resident ravens ever leave, the monarchy will fall. Today, they’re looked after by the tower’s Ravenmaster.
6. Ceremony of the Keys: The Tower has been shut every night for over 700 years in a military ritual known as the Ceremony of the Keys. The ceremony was not even halted by the great London fire, the plague or World Wars.
7. Ulterior design: Though it was not intended to be built as a prison, the tower eventually became the killing ground for anyone who threatened the royals or country. Some of its most well-known prisoners were Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh and even Queen Elizabeth I.
8. Ghost stories: With its violent history, it’s no surprise there are ghost stories galore. Anne Boleyn is reported to haunt the premises, at times with her severed head.
9. World War II bombing: The tower was badly damaged during the blitz of 1940 but was restored and again opened to visitors.
10. Military stronghold: Both World Wars featured the tower as a military fortress. Enemy spies were even put to death within the tower during World War II.

To me walking among the old walls and roaming its grounds was like stepping into the pages of history. The experience was great and it is definitely any history buff’s paradise.

One of the highlights was being able to walk the moat of the castle, which had been repurposed as a dry moat and garden for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The colourful plants and flowers helped create a peaceful and serene atmosphere in contrast to the bloody history of the tower.

That’s all for today’s Monday Miles. Join us next week when we continue to explore visiting London.

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