Must See
British Museum | Buckingham Palace | Cabinet War Rooms | Changing the Guard | Covent Garden | Downing Street | Greenwich | HMS Belfast | Horse Guards | Houses of Parliament | Imperial War Museum | Kensington Palace | London Eye and the South Bank | London Dungeon | London Transport Museum | London Zoo | Madame Tussard's | Museum of London | National Gallery | National Portrait Gallery | Natural History Museum | Notting Hill | Piccadilly Circus | Royal Mews | Science Museum | Shakespeare's Globe | Somerset House | St Paul's Cathedral | Tate Britain | Tate Modern | The Monument | The Royal Parks | Tower Bridge | Tower of London | Trafalgar Square | Victoria and Albert Museum | Wesminster Abbey | Westminster Cathedral
WESTMINSTER CHIMES
The c1ocktower of the Houses of Parliament is 96 metres (316 feet) high and is known as Big Ben, though this is really the name of the 13.5-tonne bell which chimes the hours. It was probably named after Benjamin Caunt, a popular prizeefighter. Pre-decimal pennies are still used to make adjustments to the clock mechanism. At the foot of the tower is a dramatic statue of Boudicca, the queen of the Iceni who led a revolt against the Romans in AD61.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE
Trafalgar Square is one of London's great meeting places, especially in warm weather when the fountains prove a great attraction. Created as a monument to British naval power, it commemorates Nelson's victory over Napoleon in the momentous Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 when Britain ruled the waves and almost a quarter of the planet. The neo-classical design by John Nash provided a dramatic open space and linked the major routes across London. It was remodelled in 1840 by Sir Charles Barry to include the northern terrace and steps. During the summer of 2003, the north side of the square was pedestrianized.
Curiously, Barry objected to Nelson's Column, but was overruled and construction of the imposing 51- metre (l67ft) column went ahead, taking three years to build. High above the square the granite statue of Admiral Lord Nelson stands proudly at the top, looking towards the River Thames and Parliament. At the base, bronze plaques cast from cannons depict scenes from Nelson's battles at St Vincent, the Nile, the bombardment of Copenhagen and also his death at Trafalgar. Four magnificent bronze lions on plinths, sculpted by Sir Edwin Landseer, stand on guard. In the north-eastern corner of Trafalgar Square is the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the oldest building in the area, once so popular that pews had to be rented. The church, designed by renowned Scottish architect James Gibbs, was completed in 1726 and was so named because the area was beyond the city boundaries and surrounded by green fields. Charles II's mistress, Nell Gwynne, is buried here and the crypts were once used as air raid shelters during the Second World War. In the crypt there is a brass rubbing centre, bookshop and cafe.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE - OFFICIAL RESIDENCE
Known originally as Buckingham House, Buckingham Palace is the official London home of The Queen and was built for John, first Duke of Buckingham in 1702. Its palatial character was created over time by successive monarchs and royal architects including John Nash. Queen Victoria became the first sovereign to live at the Palace and an east wing was completed in 1847 to accommodate her growing family. The Palace is now used for both state occasions and as The Queen's private residence. The opulent State Rooms (open in August and September) are entered through Nash's Grand Hall and feature his romantic three-flight Grand Staircase with a gilded balustrade, costing £3,900 in 1830. State Visits are held in the State Ballroom, where many lavish banquets are held.Around 300 people work at the Palace, from officers of the Royal Household to domestic staff.
Every morning from April to the end of July (alternate days during autumn and winter) military precision and a blaze of colour mark the Changing of the Guard, known officially as Guard Mounting. Visitors can see soldiers in real bearskin hats and red tunics patrolling Buckingham Palace. At the front of the palace, the Queen Victoria Memorial, designed in 1901 by Sir Aston Webb, is the centrepiece for his Mall plan. The seated sculpture by Sir Thomas Brock is surrounded by allegorical figures representing Victorian virtues, such as Truth, Constancy and Courage.
Home to the Royal coaches and their horses, the Royal Mews stables and coach houses were designed by leading architect John Nash in 1825. The 1761 Gold State Coach built for George III, the 1910 Glass Coach - used for nearly all royal weddings - and royal landaus are kept and looked after here, together with the Royal Family's favourite cars, Rolls Royce Phantoms and Daimlers. Clarence House, built in 1827 for William IV, became home to the Queen Mother until her death in 2002. She bequeathed it to Prince Charles and he oversaw extensive renovations the following summer. Some rooms are now open to the public during the summer for viewing. Displays include the Queen Mother's extensive collection of art and furniture, examples of Fabergt\ English porcelain and silver, and works by John Piper.
The Queen's Gallery houses one of the best art collections in the world, including paintings by many Old Masters such as Leonardo da Vinci. Also on display are textiles, furniture, jewellery and decorative art. The Throne Room's ornate ceiling is illuminated by seven glass and gilt bronze chandeliers that are two hundred years old and it is here that The Queen receives addresses on formal occasions. Nearby St James's Palace was built on the site of a former leper hospital built by Henry VIII. Its impressive gate-house is one of the most recognizable Tudor sites in London and it was until recently home to Prince Charles and his household.
TOWER BRIDGE
Tower Bridge, opened in 1894, was designed in the Gothic style to blend wirh the nearby Tower. The roadway lifts up to allow rail ships to pass through. An exhibition tells the history of the bridge and you can see the original hydraulic engines. There are fine views of London and the river from rhe pedesrrian walkways.
BEST VIEW OF LONDON
Next to the old County Hall is one of the biggest attractions in the heart of London. British Airways London Eye is,at 135 metres (nearly 450 feet) tall, the highest viewing platform in London. The observation pods offer stunning views not only over central London but as far beyond as Windsor. Built for the Millennium, the wheel will be a fixture here until at least the year 2005.
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The Little Book of London
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Spectacular Vernacular: London’s 100 Most Extraordinary Buildings
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Price:£19.99
THP Price :£15.99
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