|
Buckingham Palace :
Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the British
monarch since Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, is one
of the most popular attractions of London. The palace was earlier
known as Buckingham House and later renamed as Queen's House after
the duke gave it to his wife, Charlotte.
Thousands of people flock to the palace during the annual garden
parties.
The 40-acre secluded garden in front of the palace contains variety
of plants, shrubs, trees and a large lake making it opulent. The
palace is open to public, during the month of august and September.
Visitors can have a look at some of the most splendid interiors
of the palace and enjoy joyful rides on the Royal State Carriages.
The Palace is safeguarded night and day by special troops of the
British Army and every time a new shift comes on, they celebrate
the "Changing of the Guard." with bugle, music, and fun.
Visitors will be amazed to see and feel the lively atmosphere out
here during changing guard ceremony and the annual garden festival.
Windsor Castle :
An official residence of The Queen, is said to be the largest occupied
castle in the world; a royal palace and fortress for over 900 years
with marvelous interiors, the Castle remains a working palace today.
The State Apartments and extensive suites of rooms are open to the
Visitors; for part of the year visitors can also see the Semi State
rooms which are furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection
including paintings by Holbein, Rubens, Van Dyck and Lawrence, fine
tapestries and porcelain, sculpture and armour.
Its brilliant architecture and superb interiors leaves the visitors
mesmerized
West minister Abbey :
Built upon the Thorney Island which was once surrounded by two
channels of the Tyburn River, has etched a remarkable place in the
English History.
The Abbey built in the shape of a cross, a style of architecture
called Gothic,
is the most famous church in Great Britain.
The abbey has been the setting for every coronation (except two)
since 1066. The kings and queens of England are crowned here, and
many rulers and famous men of Britain are buried here.
Tower of London :
Ever since the first foundation was laid in 1078, the Tower
of London has been expanded over the centuries by many a king and
queen with constant enhancement and modifications.
It is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses
inviting over 2.5 million visitors a year to discover its long and
eventful history, its buildings, ceremonies and traditions, and
to get a glimpse of the world famous Crown Jewels
It has been a Royal Palace, Prison, Place of Execution, Fortress,
Arsenal, Royal Mint, and Jewel House.
The tower is no doubt an interesting place to visit not only due
to its great history but due to its myths and legends as well.
Trafalgar Square :
Trafalgar Square, one of the most famous tourist attractions
of London, is dominated by Nelson who stands on a column above the
square.
The main hub of Central London was built in honor of Admiral Nelson
after his victory in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar, off the coast
of Spain.
Nelson, atop the column, is 18ft high. Four bronze lions by Edwin
Landseer stand at the base of the column.
Trafalgar Square is also famous for its pigeons.
London Dungeon :
Masked beneath the London Bridge Station, lies the world's most
infamous museum of horror. The London Dungeon brings more than 2,000
years of horrifically authentic history gaudily back to life and
death.
In the midst of the dark, dank festering mess that is the dungeon,
visitors can go through scenes of torture, judged in the mock courtroom,
and chased by Jack the Ripper.
With over 40 exhibits the London Dungeon strives to display the
best examples of Britain's dark and gruesome past.
Big Ben :
Also called 'The Palace of Westminster', is a place for holding
the parliament since 1275. The Houses of Parliament is been home
to the House of Commons and the House of Lords
Big Ben weighs over 13 tons and also has a huge clock attached to
it, which is lit while the Commons is sitting.
The best time to see Big Ben is at night, when the clock is lit
up; the sight can be breath taking with the light effect from Westminster
Bridge.
Hyde Park :
Hyde Park, previously owned by the monks of Westminster Abby, King
Henry VIII is London's largest open space. With 630 acres and a
perimeter of 4 miles, the space has been converted into a deer park.
It was once a hunting ground for Henry VIII, and today the park
has the Serpentine Lake, Rotten Row, on the southern boundary of
the park, a famous horse-riding area, and Speaker's Corner, by the
Marble Arch entrance where people exercising their right to free
speech and to the west, Kensington, lies King Albert's monument
built by Queen Victoria.
People can loiter around the park or even sit by the lake and relax.
The British Museum :
The British Museum, famous for London's national collection
of science and art treasures is located in the Bloomsbury area of
London. Built during the 19th century, the Museum has a very distinctive
Greek structure,
The museum has a vast collection of artifact ranging from Africa,
Asia, the Americas, and Europe to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome,
and back to pre-historic times, they highlight more than just Britain.
British prints, drawings, and watercolors of the 16th century to
the present are amassed in a large collection and include works
by Constable and Turner.
Madame Tussaud's :
Madame Tussaud, the famous waxworks is one of London's most
popular tourist attractions. Madame Tussaud showed her skills during
the French Revolution by taking death masks of guillotine victims,
including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
The museum shares the same building as the London Planetarium.
Millions of visitors come all through the year to see the lifelike
wax models of the famous and infamous pop stars and royalty.
Famous figures in wax include Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, the
Beatles and many more.
People can stand next to the figures for a great photo opportunity
and impress their friends back home.
|
