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London monuments
1.
2. Big Ben is not open to the public.
Possibly the most famous clock face and
chimes in the world, Big Ben is actually
the name of the biggest bell (13.5 tons).
Built in 1858. The clock’s four dials each
have a diameter of 23ft, the minute
hands are 14ft long and the numerals on
each face are nearly 2ft high. The placing
of old pennies in the mechanism
controls the accuracy of the clock
movement, yet it is incredibly accurate.
The tower which houses Big Ben has
been called by many names, one of the
most popular is St Stephen’s Tower.
3. Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837 and
evolved from a town house that was owned, from the beginning of the eighteenth century, by
the Dukes of Buckingham. Buckingham Palace is the London home of The Queen and Prince
Philip. In 1845 Queen Victoria asked for the Palace to be extended to make more room for her
growing family of four children. As part of the alterations, Marble Arch, which was originally the
entrance to the palace, was moved to a new position at the corner of Hyde Park. After a serious
fire damaged Windsor Castle in 1993 the Queen allowed the Palace State rooms to be opened
to the public for the first time, to help pay the Windsor Castle repair bill. When not away, The
Queen and Prince Philip spend most weekends at Windsor Castle, where they enjoy horse
riding.
4. The Palace of Westminster began life as a royal
residence in 1042. The major structure to
survive various fires, Westminster Hall, was
built between 1087-1100 and is one of the
largest medieval halls in Europe with an
unsupported hammerbeam roof. Following a
fire in 1512, decide to abandon the palace and
from this moment onwards it became home to
the two seats of parliament - the Commons
and the Lords. However, it was to suffer from
another disastrous fire in 1834 and everything
was lost except Westminster Hall and the Jewel
Tower. A competition was launched to
redevelop the whole site. Sir Charles Barry was
responsible for the mock gothic building that
has become such a familiar landmark today;
including the Clock Tower that houses Big Ben,
the bell that chimes on the hour, and is home
to the largest clock face in the country.
5. At the Tower Bridge
Experience visitors can see
one of the most famous
bridges in the world
and spectacular views from
the high level
walkways 140ft above the
Thames. In the two
towers, there's an
exhibition which explains
the history of Tower
6. At The Tower of London,
guarded by the celebrated
Beefeaters, visitors can see
Traitors' Gate, the priceless
Crown Jewels and the famous
ravens. Over the centuries, this
amazing building has been
fortress, prison, palace – and
even a zoo. The carefully
restored medieval part of the
Tower is brought alive by
costumed guides. There is also
exhibitions of armour and
swords and you can see the spot
where Henry VIII's Queen, Anne
Boleyn, was beheaded.
7. It would seem all roads lead to Trafalgar
Square, and most cars seem to end up there, in
a perpetual traffic jam. So if Nelson's column is
on the agenda, get the tube and leave the car
behind. The statue of Admiral Horatio
Nelson, buried at St Pauls Cathedral, stands
high above the traffic at Trafalgar square.
Below him, tourists gather to feed the
frightening number of pidgeons who sweep in
and out of the crowds and accross to St Martin
in the Fields, a church which has been standing
since the thirteenth century. Worth a
visit, especially for its stunning interior.
