The Tower of London – The best London landmark for family edutainment from Knight School to live history lessons

Activities

Attractions

Published on Thursday, 15 February 2018 13:16

Last Updated on 15 February 2018

Monica Costa

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In 20 years living in London, I have visited the Tower of London four times and every time I find it more interesting and fascinating than the previous visit. This is because the organisers of the activities taking place at the Tower of London keep innovating by bringing in new edutainment for children as well as adults.  This February half term, for example, along with hundreds of other  families we attended the Knight School where kids and their parents were taught how to become a knight and defend the famous fortress.

Officially the Knight School was designed for children between 3 and 11 but apart from the foam sword training which was aimed more at young kids, the other activities were pretty much suitable for any age groups, including grandparents.

From manners, etiquette and entertainment, to martial skills and fitness, children learnt the essential components of a Knight’s arsenal.

The training culminated in a knighting ceremony, enlisting new recruits to defend the Tower and keep the great landmark safe from the marauding peasants beyond the walls.

The ‘Defend the Tower’ part of the activity was a live history lesson with actors enacting a specific part of the history of London. We totally loved this!

I wish I had these type of lessons when I was studying history at school.

It is so easy to remember the facts when you are ‘living’ them in the locations where they happened. 

There was a crafts’ workshop to keep the kids entertained including making and decorating helmets and shields, as well as a room where you could try on the medieval fashions of the day. 

All activities were included in palace admission and families could enjoy the rest of the Tower of London, including the family friendly interactive exhibition Armoury in Action in the White Tower.

It was easy to find all workshops within the Knight school programme of events because we were handed out a special map at the very beginning. 

Diego and I could not live the Tower without seeing the Crown Jewels which is the main attraction there.

After seeing them for the 4th time, I can say that they are certainly one of the best attractions I have ever seen which, in my books, qualifies the Tower of London as the best London landmark for family edutainment! I am already planning my 5th visit! 

 

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