SIGHTS OF GREAT BRITAIN

BIG BEN The name Big Ben actually refers

to the clock's hour bell, the largest of the clock's five bells, the others being used as quarter bells.

Big Ben is one of London's best-known landmarks, and looks most spectacular at night when the clock faces are illuminated. You even know when parliament is in session, because a light shines above the clock face.

THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT The Houses of Parliament

and Big Ben are the most popular sights of London. It is the seat of the British government and one of the most beautiful buildings in London. Big Ben is actually the name of the bell which chimes the hour, but everyone calls the clock Big Ben.

TOWER BRIDGE

Tower Bridge (built 1886–1894) is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name. The bridge consists of two towers tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways, designed to withstand the horizontal forces exerted by the suspended sections of the bridge on the landward sides of the towers

TOWER OF LONDON

A prime landmark and popular tourist attraction, the Tower of London has served multiple purposes over the years. This World Heritage Site has been a prison, palace, treasure vault, observatory and menagerie. The Tower of London is one of the most imposing and popular of London's historical sites.

  TRAFALGAR SQUARЕ

Another place where you can feel you have 'arrived' Lord Nelson dominating this large open space at the top of his huge column. Pigeons no longer abound but I suppose we'll get used to that. This is one of 'the places' to be on New Years Eve - if you like cuddling perfect strangers that is! Trafalgar Square ranks amongst the most popular tourist attractions in London.

NATIONAL GALLERY

The National Gallery houses an exquisite collection of European paintings and pictures ranging from the 11th century to the early 20th century. The National Gallery houses one of the richest and most extensive collections of painting in the world. It stands to the north of Trafalgar Square. The gallery was designed by William Wilkins and built in 834-37.

PICCADILLY CIRCUS.

They say that if you sit in Piccadilly long enough you'll see everyone you ever knew. Soho - well, what can we say. Take a look, it's amusing, titillating, seedy. It's Soho. Careful not to get done if you go into any of the shows, it may be more expensive than you bargained for.

 

BRITISH MUSEUM

Over eight million objects from all over the world are housed in this impressive museum of human history and culture (many of the artifacts are stored underneath the museum due to lack of space). Founded in 1753, the British Museum displays ranging from prehistoric to modern times were primarily based on the collections of physician and scientist, Sir Hans Sloane. Notable objects include the Parthenon Marbles, the Rosetta Stone, sculptures from the Parthenon, the Sutton Hoo and Mildenhall treasures, and the Portland Vase.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official London residence and is used to receive and entertain guests on state, ceremonial and official occasions for the Royal Family. The palace was originally built in 1705 for the Duke of Buckingham.

The Palace is located between The Green Park, Hyde Park and St. James's Park.

State Rooms, Ballroom & Gardens .Buckingham Palace's 19 state rooms, ballroom and gardens are open to visitors during August and September while the Queen makes her annual visit to Balmorals.The Changing the Guard ceremony takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30 every day in summer, every other day in winter.

OXFORD STREET

Oxford Street is one of the best known shopping streets in the world. Running from Tottenham Court Road in the east to Marble Arch in the west, via Oxford Circus where it crosses Regent Street, it is home to many large department stores and shops (Selfridges, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer).

  ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL

It is the biggest English church and one of the most well known churches in London. St Paul’s Cathedral is an impressive Gothic style church with a prominent spire. Wren's most famous church is St Paul's Cathedral. The cathedral where the wedding of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana took place in 1981. At 1pm every day you can hear Great Paul, the largest swinging bell in Europe, being rung for five minutes. St Paul's was first built in 604 but burned down (it was made of wood) a few times.

THE MILLENNIUM BRIDGE

The Millennium Bridge, officially known as the London Millennium Footbridge, is a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians crossing the River Thames in London, England, linking Bankside with the City. It is located between Southwark Bridge (downstream) and Blackfriars Railway Bridge (upstream). The bridge is owned and maintained by the Bridge House Estates, a charitable trust overseen by the City of London Corporation. Construction of the bridge began in 1998, with the opening on 10 June 2000.

RIVER THAMES

River Thames frost fairs were held on the tideway of the River Thames at London between the 15th century and early 19th century, during the period known as the Little Ice Age, when the river froze over. During that time the British winter was more severe than now, and the river was wider and slower. During the Great Frost of 1683–84, the worst frost recorded in England, the Thames was completely frozen for two months, with the ice reaching a thickness of 11 inches (28 cm) in London.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English, later British and later still (and currently) monarchs of the Commonwealth realms. The abbey is a Royal Peculiar and briefly held the status of a cathedral from 1540 to 1550.