London-Places of Interest

Albert Memorial

This memorial was not of Albert’s wish; nevertheless it is very impressive and is, if anything, a memorial to Victorian arts and crafts. The Prince Consort (1816-1861) sits under a canopy holding the catalogue to the Great Exhibition of 1851, beneath him is a high relief frieze of 200 figures: musicians, poets, painters etc.

Getting there Kensington Gore. South Kensington tube.
Read more about Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, London Eye...

Buckingham Palace

The London residence of the Queen the forecourt of which is guarded by the colorful sentries of the Guards Division, and the scene of the Daily ceremony of The Changing of the Guard.

Daily May-August 11.30, weather permitting. Alternate days September- April.

Getting there The Mall Street, the nearest tube is Green Park on the Piccadilly Line.
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St. Paul’s, Covert Garden

Many parts of the Covent Garden area were owned by the EARL OF Bedford; he commissioned Inigo Jones to build the Piazza and the church which dates from 1638, although it has been altered slightly when it was restored. Known as the ‘Actors Church’, there are many memorials to entertainment personalities: Charles Cochrane, Ivor Novello, Vivien Leigh, Noel Coward.

Getting there Covent Garden, the nearest tube is Covent Garden tube.

Houses of Parliament

The supreme legislature of the United Kingdom, a late-Gothic style building designed by Sir Charles Barry on the site of the former royal palace. The House if Lords, a lavishly decorated Gothic chamber, contains the throne of the Sovereign, the Woolsack, the seat of the Lord Chancellor and red leather benches for the peers. The House of Commons, rebuild after war damage in its original style, has the Speakers chair and parallel rows if green leather benches for members. In the large Victoria Tower-336 feet to the top of pinnacles- are stored many Parliamentary records.

A part of the old 14^th century Palace of Westminster to survive is Westminster Hall, which is renowned for its hammer-beam roof- it has been the scene of great historic events and trials.

Big Ben the Clock Tower, rising to 320 feet has four dials and houses the famous fourteen-ton bell which is struck hourly. When parliament is sitting there is a light above the clock.

Book well in advance to see Prime Minister’s Question Time 15.00-15.30 on Wednesdays.

Debates on Mondays-Tues-Thurs from 14.30, Weds & Fris 9.30, when in session. In recesses 10.00-17.00.

Getting there Palace of Westminster, which is in frond of the entrance of Westminster tube.

London Aquarium

A spectacular display of aquatic life, with fishes and invertebrates from all over the world, including sharks, sea scorpions, sting rays and deadly piranhas.

Opens Daily 10.00-18.00

Charge

Getting there Country Hall, go out from the Westminster tube, cross the Westminster Bridge and turn left and you will be there, beside the Thames River and London Eye.

London Planetarium

Adjoining Madam Tussauds in a dome shaped building where you can sit and see a spectacular reproduction of the night sky, as seen from any point on the earth’s surface, projected on the hemispherical ceiling. Shows last 30 minutes.

Opens Daily Monday-Friday 11.30-17.00 Saturday-Sunday 9.30-17.00

Charge

Getting there Marylebone Road, Baker’s Street tube and turn on the left.

London Eye

The 443ft frame of this giant wheel, which has 32 glass capsules that each hold 25 people, commands superb views over the heart of London and beyond during 30-minute ‘flight’. You can book in advance, or queue for a ticket on the day.

Getting there Riverside Building, next to Country Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, South Bank www.londoneye.com. Waterloo tube.

Madame Tussauds

Renowned waxworks exhibition with figures of the famous and infamous from the past and present. The garden party, chamber of horrors and other striking tableaux.

Opens daily 11.00-21.00

Charge

Getting there Marylebone Road, Baker’s Street tube and turn on the left.

Tower Bridge

A unique drawbridge across the Thames- a symbol of London. The bridge’s twin bascules, each weighing about 1000 tons, are between two huge Gothic towers, connected near the top by a fixed glazed walkway with panoramic views, and standing 140 feet above high water level. The central span measures 200 feet and the suspension chains on either side 270 feet.

The bascules carrying the roadway are raised hydraulically to permit the passage of large vessels.

It is amazing the view from the Tower Bridge!

You can visit the museum daily on April- October at 10.00-18.30 and on November- March at 9.30-18.00. Charge entrance!

Getting there Tower Bridge, Tower Hill tube, gets there with Circle and District Line on tube.

St Paul’s Cathedral

The passing of time has done nothing to diminish the magnificence of Sir Christopher Wren’s domed cathedral: its extravagant façade looks as brilliant today as it must have when first unveiled in 1708.

Getting there Ludgate Hill, City, www.stpauls.co.uk, St Paul’s tube.

ZSL London Zoo

Opened in 1828, this was the world’s first scientific zoo. The 16,000sq ft walk-through squirrel monkey enclosure allows you to get close to the animals in an open environment, while animal adventure, a new children’ s zoo, is aimed at the three-to-six age group. Bring a picnic and you can easily spend an entire day here.

Getting there Regent’s Park (020 7722 3333/www.zsl.org/London-zoo). Baker street tube then 274, C2 bus.

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