London (Places to Visit)
London (Places to Visit)
London
(Places to Visit)
London
often gives the impression of being more comfortable with its past than its
present. From the world-famous landmarks of St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham
Palace and the Tower of London to the traditional and well-loved double-decker
buses, the theatres and the many grand hotels, England’s capital offers
visitors a journey through centuries of history. This journey is even better now
that many buildings and places have been rebuilt and renovated. Old warehouses
along the river Thames have been transformed into galleries, shops and clubs.
The
international symbol of London is Tower Bridge. It was built between 1886 and
1894 by Sir Horace Jones. Originally steam engines were used to raise the
bridge, so that ships could pass underneath. Nowadays, electric motors are used
instead. As you cross the bridge you’ll enjoy a wonderful view of the river
Thames and London.
Across
the river from London Bridge is ‘The City of London’, the financial district of
the capital. The City has its own historic delights such as the Tower of London
and St Paul’s Cathedral. The Tower of London was built during the 11th century
by William the Conqueror. It was the Royal Residence until the 17th century.
The Tower f London has 19 towers. There you can see the famous Crown Jewels in
the Jewel House. St Paul’s Cathedral, the greatest Church of England, was built
in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren. There are a lot of memorials in
the cathedral including those to Wellington and Admiral Nelson.
The
Houses of Parliament and the famous Big Ben are on the north bank of the
Thames. The bell was installed in 1859 and the clock is the largest in Britain.
The bell weighs an unbelievable 14 tons. The name ‘Big Ben’ refers to the bell,
and not to the clock itself.
Buckingham
Palace, the Queen’s official residence, is situated in Westminster. It was
built in 1703 by Duke of Buckingham. Victoria was the first queen to live
there. The Royal Standard if flying above the palace; this means that the queen
is in residence. Every morning charging of the guard ceremony takes place.
The
place of pilgrimage in the West End is Trafalgar Square. It was named so in
memory of Admiral Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar in 1805. There are usually a
lot of visitors walking about the square and looking at Nelson’s column and
fountains.
But
London is not a historical theme park. It is lively and exciting metropolis
which is well-known for its popular culture, music, clubs, street fashion, and
visual arts.
|