Visit Jewel Tower is one of the oldest medieval buildings in the Palace of Westminster.

Much of what can be seen of the tower today dates from the 1360s.

Together, let's discover its wonderful history.

Jewel Tower: article summary

Jewel Tower: a brief history

The Westminster in London takes its name from the Palace of Westminster which was the central residence of the English monarchy.

The palace was built during the reign of Edward the Confessor (1042-66). Later, Norman kings such as William II (1087-110) spent a great deal of money on the palace.

William II was responsible for the construction of the enormous Westminster Hall, which still exists today!

The beginnings of the tower

During the reign of Edward the Confessor and the Norman era, monarchs tended to spend a lot of time moving between houses.

Westminster was the only residence to qualify as a "palace", which shows that it was highly prized.

When King Henry III rebuilt the abbey church as a sanctuary and future burial place, the palace was decorated in the refined, ornate palace style.

By the mid-14th century, it was clear that the palace was divided in two. Westminster Hall provided legal functions, and other nearby buildings became the accounting office and treasury. Buildings to the south became known as the "Private Palace".

Jewel Tower: a building that brings together many craftsmen

The tower was built around 1365-66. There are accounts of the building's construction in the papers of William Sleaford, who occupied the king's foreman between 1361 and 1377.

The tower was built under the direction of master mason Henry Yevele. The workforce consisted of 19 stonemasons and nine or ten carpenters, assisted by :

• Plumbers
• Glaziers
• Plasterers
• Tilers

Between July 12 and August 16, 1366, towards the end of the contract, 23 workers dug a moat around the tower. 

Jewel Tower: what's it all about?

As the name probably suggests, the main function of the Jewel Towers was to store royal treasures.

The man in charge of jewelry security was William Sleaford, who was the Tower's first guardian.

The term "jewelry" referred not only to jewels or precious stones, but also included bowls, plates, cups, goblets and ewers, which were generally made of silver and richly decorated.

William Sleaford would regularly load the plate onto carts or river barges. to take them to other royal residences.

Some changes over the centuries

A number of events led to the decline in the use of the Palace of Westminster. Edward III visited less often, choosing instead to spend time at the Palace. Windsor Castle or in one of its manor houses.

There was also a great fire that caused Henry III to choose to live in his new palace at Whitehall. All this meant that there was no real reason to stock silverware at the Jewel Tower.

In 1547, an inventory showed that the tower had become a storage room for old clothes, furniture and gaming tables.

Jewel Tower: what to do there

The Jewel Tower is a small monument, and the main thing to do is to soak up the atmosphere of the last remaining building of London's former Palace of Westminster.

As English Heritage now manages the Jewel Tower, you can explore an informative exhibition spread over the tower's three floors. During the exhibition, you'll be able to discover how the building's functions have changed over the years.

The Jewel Tower remains a fascinating place to spend an hour.

How in this place?

The easiest way to get there is by public transport. Westminster is the metro closest to the tower.

Jewel Tower: how much does it cost to get in?

You can visit the tower to :

• 5,90 £ per adult
• 3,10 £ per child

Jewel Tower: what are the opening times?

At present, you need to book your ticket for The Jewel Tower in advance. You can do this on website from The English Heritage.

The Jewel Tower is a fascinating detour to make when you're in London. On site, you can discover a part of English history and enjoy the magnificent architecture of the site.

Impetuous and not overpowering, Leicester Square is still one of London's biggest tourist attractions.

Today, I guide you through the streets of this district.

Leicester Square: article summary

Explore the gardens of Leicester Square

Leicester Square is a hub of the entertainment scene since the 19th century. At the heart of it all are Leicester Gardens, adorned with a fountain, complete with a bust of Shakespeare in the middle, and surrounded by benches.

If you visit at a quiet time of day, you can get a glimpse of the once fashionable square, surrounded by classical architecture.

See a West End play

You can't spend time in London without seeing a play from West End. All year round, the capital hosts such a diverse and eclectic range of plays and musicals that it would be a real shame not to at least set foot in the city.

The area around Leicester is home to some of London's best-known theaters.

Leicester Square: discover Chinatown

Just a stone's throw from Leicester Square, Chinatown contrasts sharply with the square.

The four main entrances are marked by ornate gates, and red lanterns float in the breeze above.

Don't just take pictures, Chinatown is full of fantastic places to eat, drink and shop. Yolkin, Rasa Sayang and Four Seasons to name but a few.

Say hello to the statue of Eros

Located on the outskirts of Piccadilly CircusEros is one of London's best-known statues. But this cheeky, winged figure has much more to offer than meets the eye.

Indeed, it's not even Eros, but Anteros, the god of platonic and philanthropic love.

Leicester Square: Piccadilly Circus

It's one of the busiest places in London, with crowds of tourists, neon lights and huge billboards that shouldn't be as fascinating as they are.

Piccadilly Circus isn't for the faint-hearted, but it's a fun place to be, especially at night when everything's lit up.

Discover the Swiss Glockenspiel

Just outside M & M's boutique, you'll see something a little strange. Here, you can see the big Swiss Glockenspiel in the middle of the sidewalk, decorated with the flags of the Swiss cantons.

It's a throwback to the days when M&M World was actually the Swiss Center, a boutique and exhibition dedicated to Swiss culture and brands.

The center has long since disappeared, but they recovered the building's clock and put it on display.

Leicester Square: Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square, London's most iconic square, is just a stone's throw from Leicester.

Here you'll find :

• Visit National Gallery
• Visit National Portrait Gallery
• The Nelson Column
• The famous lion sculptures

More than just a jumble of London monuments, Trafalgar Square is actually a pretty lively place. There's always something going on, and you should go at least once.

The Lego store

Lego fanatics come from all over the world to pay homage to the giant Lego store on the corner of Leicester.

The London flagship store contains life-size models of some of the company's greatest creations, and has brick specialists on hand to help you create your own. to help you make your Lego decisions.

Leicester Square is one of the richest places to visit in London. If you're planning a vacation in the English capital, don't hesitate to make a detour here. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

During your trip to London, you may be attracted by atypical activities you could make on the spot.

Today, I'd like to talk about all the unusual things you can do in the English capital.

London atypical: article summary

London atypical: Rumble in the Jungle Rematch

London's highly anticipated immersive experience, "Rumble in the Jungle Rematch", opens at Dock X at Canada Water. It offers a revolutionary fusion of theater, sport and technology.

This adrenalin-filled show takes audiences back to the iconic events of Zaire 1974, including the legendary Rumble in the Jungle boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.

With a remarkable live cast, immersive sensory elements and authentic period tastes and smells, this experience reinvents history and captivates the five senses.

Created by Rematch, with acclaimed creative director Miguel Hernando Torres Umba, writer Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu and musical director Femi Temowo, it offers an unmissable journey into the world of the arts. the greatest sporting event of the 20ᵉ century.

SAW: Escape Experience London

By diving straight into the twisted world of Jigsaw, competitors will discover their worst nightmares and fears.

Inspired by the popular series, this experience is an introduction to the world of escape rooms.

SAW: Escape Experience London is just a few minutes' walk from Tower Hill station.

With two game paths to choose from, you can come back and try out a new, equally terrifying scenario.

Atypical London: futuristic bingo with Hijingo in Shoreditch

This summer, Hijingo presents the world's first cinematic bingo experience. Designed to transport customers back in time to the vibrant and dynamic 80s, with its brand new limited-time experience: "The '80s Power Trip".

Combining live entertainment, cutting-edge sound effects and captivating, graphically animated sequences, Hijingo promises to deliver the ultimate in interactive entertainment.

The Power Trip of the '80s follows the history of the most fashionable club and London in the 80s.

Swimming in the ponds of Hampstead Heath

London has a surprising number of outdoor swimming pools, perfect for hot dips in summer and refreshing dips in winter.

Some of the best are in Hampstead Heathwhere swimming ponds are open to swimmers all year round.

Enjoying the wilderness in the middle of London with an early morning swim is a nice, quiet way to exercise and get back to nature.

Opening and closing times depend on the season, but the ponds normally open at 7am.

Atypical London: visit Europe's oldest operating theatre

The Old Operating Theatre Museum, located close to the Shard and London Bridgeis an exact replica of an operating theatre.

The charity shows how surgery was performed before we had anesthetics and antiseptics. The attic also houses herbs used as medicines.

If you want to get a real idea of how operations were carried out in the 1800s, surgical demonstrations take place every weekend.

Frameless

Developed by the creative minds behind the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Frameless brings the work of world-renowned artists to a new digital generation.

You may have seen some temporary exhibitions of this type touring the world. However, there's really nothing on the scale of Frameless at the moment.

This multi-sensory, multi-artist experience is on its way to becoming a must-see and a new cultural landmark for London.

The space comprises four rooms that fit seamlessly from one style to another. They all have a distinct look and feel, even if the general layout is the same.

The transformation comes not only from the visuals, but also from the sounds and immersive elements. You'll think you're spending a few minutes here and there. end up spending the whole day in awe.

Atypical London: take a candlelit tour of a Victorian house

Inside the curious Sir John Soane MuseumHere you'll find a sumptuous collection of classical paintings, sculptures and relics, all strangely crammed into a large terraced house that once housed the neoclassical architect whose name it bears.

Sir John has amassed such a storehouse of historical oddities that a private act of the Parliament transformed his home into a museum on his death in 1837.

The museum is packed with so many objects, including an enormous 3,000-year-old stone sarcophagus. You can visit during the day, but to really feel the magic of the place, visit during a night-time opening, when the space is lit by candles, in Victorian style.

Visit a 300-year-old tearoom

Nobody loves tea more than the British. London practically ran on the stuff, and Twinings Café on the Strand has seen a few changes since it opened in 1706.

Twining was one of the first merchants to bring tea to the UK since 1837.

Atypical London: explore a Roman temple dedicated to Mithras

London has existed for almost 2,000 years, and was already a city before the Romans arrived in Britain.

They turned it into a fortified city and brought their mystical beliefs with them. The temple of one of their gods, Mithra, was discovered in 1954 and the Mithraeum London now owns its own museum beneath Bloomberg's European headquarters.

The temple has been restored to the appearance it had when first excavated, and is presented in a skilful blend of lighting, audio recordings and fog. Admission is free, but booking is essential.

Discover the historic cemeteries of the Seven Mercenaries

The Seven Mercenaries isn't just a 1960s western. In fact, it's also the collective name for the seven great Victorian cemeteries scattered across the country. around London. Among them are :

• Kensal Green Cemetery
• West Norwood Cemetery
• The cemetery Highgate
• Abney Park Cemetery
• Nunhead Cemetery
• Brompton Cemetery
• Tower Hamlets Cemetery

Originally introduced to help relieve the city's overflowing small cemeteries in the 19ᵉ century, cemeteries today are beautifully overgrown and provide refuges for wildlife.

Choose one and make sure you know if anyone famous is buried there before you go.

There are plenty of unusual places to visit and things to do in London. During your vacation, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy some of his outings.

Que vous ayez une escale ou que vous soyez simplement de passage, il y a des chances que vous passiez par l’aéroport de London Luton.

Ici, vous trouverez des informations sur les services et les installations disponibles à l’intérieur de l’aéroport.

Here we go!

Londres Luton : sommaire de l’article

Londres Luton : à quoi s’attendre ?

L’aéroport de Londres Luton se compose d’un seul terminal. Comme l’aéroport dessert principalement des transporteurs à bas prix, les installations sont assez rudimentaires et les frais élevés.

Vous pouvez trouver des options de concession 24 heures sur 24 côtés ville et côté piste. Il y a le Wi-Fi pour vous aider à passer le temps et des salons que les passagers en classe économique peuvent payer pour utiliser sont disponibles.

Dormir à l’aéroport

De bons endroits pour dormir peuvent être difficiles à trouver à l’aéroport de Luton. Préparez-vous à un nombre limité de sièges, au bruit, à la foule et aux températures froides.

Des bouchons d’oreilles et des couches chaudes sont recommandés. Pour un sommeil ininterrompu, il existe des hôtels à proximité de l’aéroport.

Londres Luton : les différents salons d’aéroport

Quelle que soit la classe dans laquelle vous voyagez, il existe un salon auquel vous pouvez accéder en payant à la porte, en achetant un pass pour le salon ou via un programme d’adhésion au salon.

L’Aspire Lounge est l’option la plus qualitative de l’aéroport. Toutefois, celle-ci est temporairement fermée pour travaux de rénovation du 15 décembre 2023 au 30 juin 2024, se situe à côté de la douane, au 1ᵉʳ étage, en face d’Accessorize.

Pour profiter de ce salon, vous devez compter :

• 37,99 £ per adult
• 21,49 £ pour les enfants de 2 à 11 ans

Pouvez-vous utiliser le Wi-Fi dans l’aéroport ?

Une connexion Wi-Fi gratuite et illimitée est disponible à l’aéroport de Luton. Vous devrez vous connecter au réseau « Luton Airport WI-Fi » pour y accéder.

Londres Luton : existe-t-il des consignes à bagages ?

Vous pouvez profiter d’une consigne à bagages de casier à plusieurs tarifs. L’aéroport propose une consigne à bagages aux tarifs suivants :

• 6,38 £ par sac/article (jusqu’à 3 heures)
• 10,63 £ par sac/article (de 3 à 24 heures)
• 8,50 £ par sac/article (toutes les 24 heures après)
• 42,50 £ par sac/article (par semaine)

La consigne reste ouverte :

• Every day de 4 h à 22 h.

Comment se rendre à l’aéroport et en revenir ?

Pour vous faciliter l’accessibilité à l’aéroport, vous pouvez profiter des différents moyens de transport qui s’offrent à vous.

Utiliser les différents services de bus

L’aéroport est bien relié au système de bus. Que vous ayez besoin d’une navette pour la gare, d’une connexion rapide vers le centre de Londres ou d’un autocar longue distance, il y a probablement un bus pour vous.

Passer par un service de covoiturage

Uber opère dans tout le Royaume-Uni. Un trajet jusqu’au centre-ville de Londres vous coûtera environ 53 £.

Préférer le taxi

From cabs sont facilement disponibles à l’extérieur du terminal. En ville, les taxis peuvent s’arrêter dans la rue pour se rendre à l’aéroport.

Notez que si votre taxi vous dépose dans la zone de dépôt prioritaire (la plus proche de l’aéroport), des frais de 5,00 £ seront facturés pour un temps d’attente pouvant aller jusqu’à 10 minutes.

Vous pouvez également vous rendre au parking Mid Stay et marcher 10 minutes jusqu’au terminal.

L’aéroport de Luton à Londres n’est peut-être pas l’un des plus utilisés par les usagers. Toutefois, c’est un aéroport dans lequel vous pouvez arriver avec votre vol long-courrier. Il est donc important de bien étudier ce lieu avant votre arrivée afin de ne pas rencontrer de mauvaises surprises.

Louer une voiture à Londres vous offre beaucoup de commodité et de liberté lorsque vous visitez la ville.

Voyagez à votre rythme, passez du temps à savourer les cuisines locales et découvrez même des endroits autrement difficiles d’accès par les transports en commun.

Aujourd’hui, je vous donne quelques conseils à connaître avant de louer votre voiture à Londres.

Louer une voiture à Londres : sommaire de l’article

Louer une voiture à Londres : connaître les coûts cachés

Se promener à Londres en voiture est une expérience unique en son genre. Cependant, il y a plus qu’une simple expérience incroyable.

En effet, il peut également y avoir des coûts cachés que vous rencontrerez lorsque la société de location de voitures vous remettra les clés.

Dans de tels scénarios, il peut sembler coûteux de louer une voiture à Londres.

Assurez-vous alors de connaître tous les coûts liés à la location. Ceux-ci peuvent inclure :

• L’assurance de location de voiture
• Le supplément de prise en charge à l’aéroport
• Le coût du carburant
• Les frais supplémentaires pour les installations comme le GPS, le siège auto, le péage…

Malheureusement, vous rencontrerez la plupart de ces coûts lorsque vous êtes à la réception, prêt à récupérer vos clés.

Demandez à votre agence d’être clair dès le départ et essayez d’éviter certains de ces coûts pour économiser.

La conduite en ville peut être compliquée

La ville de Londres a un charme irrésistible, mais lorsqu’il s’agit de traverser cette ville animée en voiture, cela peut être un cauchemar.

La circulation peut parfois être épouvantable et les rues sont souvent encombrées. De plus, le stationnement est assez cher à Londres.

Toutefois, la location de voiture peut être une excellente option si vous souhaitez explorer la campagne.

Louer une voiture à Londres : des frais supplémentaires pour les jeunes conducteurs

De nombreuses agences de location de voitures à Londres exigent que vous ayez 21 ans ou plus avant de pouvoir louer un véhicule.

Si vous avez moins de 25 ans, un supplément journalier vous sera facturé, car les jeunes conducteurs sont souvent considérés comme possédant peu d’expérience.

Préparer votre permis de conduire international

Si vous détenez un permis de conduire valide, celui-ci est généralement considéré comme valable pour la location de voitures à Londres.

Cependant, les voyageurs en provenance de certains pays peuvent avoir besoin d’un permis de conduire international en plus de leur permis de conduire.

Il est donc important de s’en munir avant de partir en voyage à Londres.

Louer une voiture à Londres : faites attention au kilométrage

À moins que le contrat de location de voiture ne mentionne « kilomètres illimités », vous ne pouvez conduire que sur une distance limitée, généralement inférieure à 250 km par jour.

Si vous conduisez au-delà du kilométrage journalier autorisé, vous devrez payer une lourde amende. Donc, soyez prévoyants et regroupez vos visites.

Devriez-vous souscrire une assurance pour la location de voiture ?

C’est l’un des plus grands dilemmes que vous rencontrerez lors de la location d’une voiture à Londres. En règle générale, les sociétés de location de voitures proposent une assurance collision sans franchise de base qui offre une couverture allant de 1 000 à 3 000 €.

La société de location de voitures retiendra ce montant sur votre carte de crédit à titre de dépôt de garantie, à moins que vous ne restituiez la voiture en bon état.

Vérifiez si votre carte de crédit ou votre assurance automobile existante comprend une assurance de location de voiture.

Cela peut vous faire économiser plus d’argent et vous éviter des tracas.

Louer une voiture à Londres : envisagez des frais supplémentaires

Vous risquez de rencontrer plusieurs mauvaises surprises au nom des « frais supplémentaires » lorsque vous louez une voiture à Londres.

Alors que de nombreuses bonnes sociétés de location de voitures discutent dès le départ des coûts potentiels, d’autres ont tendance à les garder cachées jusqu’à la dernière minute.

Pour éviter les surprises de dernière minute, vérifiez où des frais supplémentaires peuvent vous être facturés.

Réservez tôt pour bénéficier de prix plus bas

Si vous recherchez les meilleures offres de location de voitures, planifiez votre itinéraire et réservez bien avant vos vacances.

De nombreuses sociétés de location de voitures proposent des réductions intéressantes sur les réservations anticipées.

De plus, vous pouvez également économiser plus d’argent en achetant une assurance collision sans franchise lorsqu’elle est réservée tôt et payée d’avance.

Mais assurez-vous de pouvoir reprogrammer ou annuler avec un remboursement complet. Cela vous donnera la flexibilité de choisir de meilleures offres ou des offres de dernière minute.

Si vous souhaitez louer une voiture à Londres, vous allez devoir faire attention aux points que je viens de vous énumérer dans cet article. Ainsi, vous pourrez gérer votre budget et profiter d’un véhicule lors de votre séjour à Londres.

Visit Charles Dickens Museum is set in Charles Dickens' Victorian family home in Holborn.

This is where the author wrote Oliver Twist, Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby.

He has gained international renown as one of the world's greatest storytellers.

Today, let's discover the place.

Charles Dickens Museum: article summary

History of the Charles Dickens Museum

Charles Dickens and his wife Catherine moved into this Georgian terraced house on March 25, 1837, a few months before the start of Queen Victoria's reign, until December 1839.

During his stay here, Dickens wrote some of his most famous works. The couple also raised their ten children here.

Dickens' younger brother Frederick also stayed here, as did his wife Catherine's 17-year-old sister Mary, to support his married sister and brother.

This was quite usual for a woman's unmarried sister in those days. Dickens became attached to Mary, who died in his arms after a brief illness in 1837, and inspired the characters in many of his books.

A mythical office

Dickens' study is at the center of the house. In this book-lined room, he wrote an extraordinary number of newspaper articles, essays, short stories and novels, all with a quill pen and often by candlelight.

He was frequently inspired by the people living around him, such as his family, his servants and certain guests.

The house has been renovated The Dickens House Museum was opened in 1925.

The Charles Dickens Museum today

Today, visitors can discover the private world behind Dickens' public image and explore his study, family rooms and servants' quarters below stairs.

Here's an overview of life in the Victorian London of the middle class. Treasures on display include:

• Charles Dickens' office
• Handwritten drafts
• His bride's engagement ring

Visitors can also take a stroll through the rooms, which are adorned with furniture, crockery, portraits, marble busts, porcelain ornaments and paintings.

The museum's collection comprises some 100,000 items, including letters and furniture, clothing and illustrations, all linked to Charles Dickens and his creations.

In addition, the museum presents a program of special exhibitions, workshops, performances and lectures on Dickens's life, work and legacy. There's also a Garden café and store on site.

What are the opening hours?

The museum opens :

• Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How to get to the Charles Dickens Museum

As with all London sites, it's best to arrive by public transport. The nearest metro are :

• Russell Square
• Chancery Lane or Holborn
• Kings Cross St Pancras

Visit bus numbers 7, 17, 19, 38, 45, 46, 55, 243 also stop close to the museum.

For all fans of the genre, the Charles Dickens Museum in London is a must-see. You'll find manuscripts that once belonged to the author, as well as a preserved interior that perfectly illustrates the life of a Victorian family. Enough to bring back memories of his London vacation.