18 - London

Big Ben is the bell of the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. It was made in 1858 and called after Sir Benjamin Hall, one of the ministers, who was a very tall and stout man called Big Ben by people. The tower is 97 meters high. The strike of Big Ben is known world-wide because it is used by the BBC as a time signal.

The history of Westminster Abbey goes back to the 11th century although many parts were added later. You can see the Coronation Chair, made in 1300 and containing the historic Stone of Scone, a symbol of Scottish Royalty, which was carried off to Westminster by Edward I. Almost all coronations since William the Conqueror (1066) have been held there, and many British kings and queens are buried in the Abbey (Elizabeth I., Scottish Queen Mary Stuart, Henry VII., Charles II., and of course Edward Confessor, the founder of the cathedral). In the Poet’s Corner are the tombstones and monuments to some famous British writers, scholars, dramatists and poets (John Milton, Walter Scott, Lord Byron, William Shakespeare) but only a few of them are really buried there (Geoffrey Chaucer).

Buckingham Palace is the London home of the kings and queens of Great Britain. It was built in 1703 but Queen Victoria was the first monarch who lived there – it was in 1837. The Royal family occupies the north wing of the Palace and when Her Majesty is in residence, the Royal Standard is flown from the flagstaff. An inseparable part of the view of Buckingham Palace is the Queen Victoria Monument in front of it. A very popular event is changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace.

Trafalgar Square is a place of political demonstrations and busy traffic. It originated in the 19th century and its name commemorates the naval victory of Admiral Nelson over French and Spanish fleet at Spanish Cape Trafalgar in 1805. In the middle of the square is Nelson’s Column (about 50 m high) with a five – meter tall statue of Horatio Nelson at the top. The Column is surrounded by two fountains and usually lots of pigeons.

A short way from Trafalgar Square is Piccadilly Circus. The most beautiful view of the square is at night when it is lit by many colorful advertisements. In the centre of the Circus at the top of the Fountain stands Eros, the Greek God of love.

The home of the Prime Minister has been number 10, Downing Street since 1735

St.James’s Park is the oldest of parks in London. It’s one of architect John Nash’s masterpieces. In the 19th century he created a lake with small islands which are the home of many water – birds.

Hyde Park is probably the most popular among tourists. It consists of trees and grass intersected by paths, with boating and swimming on the Serpentine lake and horse/riding in Rotten Row. Hyde Park is also known for its Speaker’s Corner, the place where everyone can speak publicly without fear of being arrested for her opinion.

Regent’s Park is perhaps London’s most elegant park with its attractive gardens, lakes and a zoo.