After a very early start on Friday 12^th December, a group of Year 8 pupils were off to the Tower of London with the Fitzalan history department.  Upon arriving at the Tower, our first destination was to the Jewel House where are pupils were fascinated to see the Crown Jewels and discover their history.  We had a look around rooms that were part of medieval palace before meeting our costumed tour guide for a talk about the Reformation and Elizabethan prisoners at the Tower. 

Our Year 8 pupils are learning about the Reformation, so it was not only an opportunity to learn more, but also to demonstrate their knowledge.  After a picnic lunch we explored the Bloody Tower, looked at the instruments of torture in the Wakefield Tower and climbed the White Tower.  The interactive exhibition about weapons was a particular highlight.

Once we had finished at the Tower of London, we headed to the South Bank for a Thames River Cruise.  It was of course dark (and cold!) by this point, but this meant that we got to see the lights of the city and famous landmarks. 

After the river cruise it was time to head back to Cardiff, very tired but happy after an interesting and fun day.  In fact some of the pupils wanted to stay in London!