A Yeoman Warder guiding a group of tourists around the Tower
The Yeomen Warders, also known as Beefeaters, are the ceremonial guards at the Tower of London. They normally wear a uniform of dark blue with red trimmings (as in the photo above), but when the Queen visits, or when the warders are on duty at a state occasion, they wear red and gold uniforms similar to those of the Yeomen of the Guard.
All warders are retired from the Armed Forces of Commonwealth realms and must be former senior non-commissioned officers with at least 22 years of service. The warders and their families live in tied accommodation inside the fortress paying council taxes and a portion of their salaries for rent. For an insight into life in the Tower, check out Londoners by Craig Taylor, a fascinating book that looks at the lives of a wide range of “normal” Londoners. If you want to meet one yourself, just join up with one of their tours of the Tower.
I should also point out that Beefeaters are not the ones that wear Bearskin hats. The tall, furry (and often not real bearskin anymore) hats belong to the Guards and can be seen at Buckingham Palace, not the Tower of London.
Standing guard atop a narrow boat at Little Venice
To see the poppies at the tower, click here.
Linked to Tagged Y , ABC Wednesdays and Alphabe Thursday.
Travel with Intent 
Interesting post..one of these days I’ll visit London♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/zowie-pop-art/.
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Very informative. Thanks.
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that’s so interesting. I’ve seen the guards at Buckingham Palace when I was a young girl. These guys look like they interact with the public a like more {:-Deb
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Yes, they are at least part tourist guide these days.
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We lived in England for 4 years (a long time ago) and I loved seeing the Yeoman Warders when we’d visit the Tower. I think I have pictures of my kids with some of them. I had no idea they lived in the fortress!
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I knew they were deemed Beefeaters but had no idea of the proper term. Thank you for the lesson!
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Neither did I until recently!
On Thu, Nov 6, 2014 at 7:54 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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I have seen them but didn’t know at all that they were also called Yeomen Warders !
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Fascinating post and wonderful photos!
Wishing you the best in the day,
artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)
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I forget a few the story of the Yeomen Warders, thanks interesting post.
http://louisette.eklablog.com/
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I didn’t know the Beefeaters lived in the Tower complex. Fascinating.
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Yes, quite an honour
On Wed, Jul 2, 2014 at 8:16 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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That Brit sense of tradition is so fascinating to me.
ROG, ABCW
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I like London. I was here several times and often in the Tower of London. A building with a fascinating history. Thanks for your post!
We hope to see yopu in the next round.
Wil, ABCW Team.
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I’ll be there! My Z is planned.
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Reblogged this on mapsworldwide blog.
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hi Debbie,
“The Yeomen Warders, also known as Beefeaters, …” – P.S.: when I asked an Englishmen, why they are called “Beefeaters” he answered “because they eat beef” – I thought he was kidding me…
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When I visited London as a child, I loved seeing the guards. My uncle was actually a guard, and wishes he still had his bear skin hat. I didn’t know that about the beefeaters, interesting.
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That must have been exciting! The pomp and circumstance is an important part of London, and it must be extra special when it’s in the family.
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