The Houses of Parliament

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1 LONDON SOME GEOGRAPHY The River Thames The River Thames is the largest river of the London area. It flows through London from west to east. The Thames Barrier is the world's second-largest movable flood barrier and is located downstream of central London. Its purpose is to prevent London from being flooded by exceptionally high tides. FAMOUS BUILDINGS The Houses of Parliament It is a gothic revival building located on the banks of the River Thames. It is also called the Palace of Westminster and is the location of the British House of Commons. The Big Ben is the largest bell of the Clock Tower. It was named after Sir Benjamin Hall. 1

2 London Eye It is 135 metres high and has 32 capsules which carry around 10,000 visitors every day. While travelling in the capsules you can see up to 40 kilometers away in all directions. 10, Downing Street It is the residence of the British Prime Minister. Sometimes it is referred to as the British Government. Tower Bridge It was originally the only bridge crossing over the Thames, and is a bascule bridge. 2

3 The Tower of London It was built as a fortress by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, then it used to be a prison, and is now a touristic place where you can see the Crown Jewels. BEEFEATERS They are the guards and guides of the Tower of London. RAVENS Legend has it that the presence of ravens at the Tower of London will guarantee the continuation of the monarchy. If the birds ever leave, the Tower will fall. St. Paul s Cathedral It was designed by architect Sir Christopher Wren. It is the 5th of the biggest churches in Europe.The church was the site of a number of important historic events such as the funeral of Admiral Nelson in 1806 and the funeral of Winston Churchill in Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer married here in

4 Westminster Abbey It is the traditional place of Coronation and burial site of British monarchs. St Edward the confessor's shrine is at the heart of the Abbey Church and is surrounded by the tombs and memorials of many great men and women from British History. Buckingham Palace This is the official home of the British royal family. State Rooms, Ballroom & Gardens Buckingham Palace's 19 state rooms, ball room and gardens are open to visitors during August and September. The State Rooms house some of the Royal family's greatest treasures. Changing of the Guard The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at every day in summer, every other day in winter. 4

5 FAMOUS STREETS, SQuARES AND PARKS The Mall The Mall is the road that runs from the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace to Admirality Arch and on to Trafalgar Square. Regent Street Regent Street is one of the major shopping streets in London s West End, and famous for its Christmas illuminations. It is named after the PrinceRegent (later George IV), and is commonly associated with the architect John Nash. Every building in Regent Street is protected as a Listed Building, at least Grade II status. St. James s Park St. James's Park is a 23 hectare park in the City of Westminster, Central London - the oldest of the Royal parks of London. 5

6 Hyde Park Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, and one of the Royal Parks of London. Speakers Corner Lake Serpentine The park is divided in two by the Serpentine. In the north-east corner of the park you can find Speakers Corner. Speakers there may speak on any subject. Holocaust Memorial It is to the east of the Serpentine 7/7 Memorial Memorial to the victims of the 7 July 2005 terrorist attacks. There are 52 steel pillars - one for each of the dead. Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square is the largest square in London and has been a central meeting place since the Middle Ages. Nelson's Column At the center of the square is the tall Nelson's Column which was built to commemorate the victory of Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson over the French fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar on the 21st of October

7 Piccadilly Circus Piccadilly Circus is a favorite place for people to meet before going to the nearby shopping and entertainment areas. It is in the heart of London at the junction of five major streets: Regent street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly and Covent Street. Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain It stands at the center of the Circus. It was built in 1893 to commemorate Lord Shaftesbury, who was known for his support of the poor. The statue depicts the Angel of Christian Charity but was later renamed Eros after the Greek god of love and beauty. Covent Garden Covent Garden used to be a fruit and vegetable market, but now it is known for its many open-air cafés, restaurants, pubs, market stalls and shops. There are many street performers who entertain the visitors. 7

8 FAMOUS MUSEUMS British Museum It is a museum of human history and culture. There are more than seven million objects in its collections. The objects originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. National Gallery The National Gallery houses the national collection of Western European painting from the 13th to the 19th centuries. It is on show 361 days a year, free of charge. London Transport Museum The London Transport Museum is also situated at the Covent Garden area. The galleries show the development of London and its transport systems, along with giving an insight into the lives of past commuters and transport workers over the past 200 years. It also looks at future transport projects. 8

9 Madame Tussaud s Wax Works Madame Tussaud's is a famous wax museum with celebreties of entertainment, sport and politics. It is one of the most popular museums in London. LONDON TRANSPORT Double Decker The London Tube Black Taxi 9