10 Top Resons to Visit London
Posted: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
by Adrian Carpenter
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Dr Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784) one of the world's leading lyricists has written that "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, for there is in London all that life can afford."
Although written some several hundred years ago, it is as true today as it was then and is certainly one of the most significant cities in the world from the perspective of influence, culture, business, entertainment, history and shere savoire faire. For the visitor, London is a thrilling place - it has so many attractions that the visitor could spend all year and still not see everything it has to offer.
Changing the Guard Buckingham Palace
Perhaps the best known of all London's Royal ceremonies, Changing the Guard takes place on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace every day, Sundays included, at 11.30am. Troops from the Brigade of Guards, the Monarch's personal bodyguard, take part in the ceremony.
London Eye
London's newest attraction and now one of it's most popular. As well as being one of the most visually striking structures in the world - the London Eye offers the visitor a new perspective on a great city. London's famous streets, churches, palaces and monuments spread out below in a panoramic scene grown up from Roman times - and, on a clear day views that stretch 25 miles to Windsor Castle. A must for all visitors to London.
London Zoo
The first scientific zoological gardens in the modern world, was founded in 1828, and opened to the public in 1828 as a way of funding its scientific work. The Zoo's focus is now on conservation and preservation. With over 600 species of animals and over 5000 animals this is a significant visitor attraction.
Tower Bridge & Exhibition
The visitor can uncover its history, secrets and enjoy stunning views from its high-level Walkways, situated 42 metres above the River Thames.The Walkways offer fantastic views of many of London's most famous sights. Special viewing windows make photography easy. The visitor can see the Victorian Engine Rooms which house the original steam engines, awesome machines whose immense power once raised the bascules of the bridge.
St Paul's Cathedral
This superb building, created by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666, retains its dignity and grandeur even though it is now overshadowed by enormous tower blocks. The whole building is crowned by a beautiful central dome which rises to 365 ft above ground level and is 112 ft in diameter.Around the interior of the dome is the famous Whispering Gallery, where a message whispered into the wall on one side can be clearly heard 112 ft away on the other side.
Royal Naval College
This is the great baroque masterpiece of English architecture, set in landscaped grounds on the River Thames in the centre of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.
This is the great baroque masterpiece of English architecture, set in landscaped grounds on the River Thames in the centre of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.
Royal Observatory, Queens House & National Maritime Museum
The Maritime Greenwich World Heritage site encompases all three buildings. The Observatory defines the prime meridian of longitude as 0º. You can see the Astronomer Royal's apartments, the 1833 time ball and Harrison's timekeepers. The museum has 20 galleries that follow Britain's history of seafaring.
Tower of London The Maritime Greenwich World Heritage site encompases all three buildings. The Observatory defines the prime meridian of longitude as 0º. You can see the Astronomer Royal's apartments, the 1833 time ball and Harrison's timekeepers. The museum has 20 galleries that follow Britain's history of seafaring.
One of the most famous and well preserved historical buildings in the world. From its earliest structural beginnings by its founder William I of England better known as William the Conqueror 1066-87, the Great Tower or White Tower as it later came to be called was fast becoming the most talked-about building in England. The White Tower was also the most awe inspiring, and frightening structure to the Anglo-Saxon people who were trying to get used to the rule of their new Norman king since 1066.
Hampton Court Palace
This Palace is right on the edge of London and is one of the most famous buildings in the world. Containing over 1000 rooms this magnificent Palace was originally built for Cardinal Wolsey - King Henry VIII' s Chancellor. Wolsey gave the Palace to the King as a gift - many believe he did this to keep his job. It became the King's favourite residence and is closely associated with Anne Boleyn (mother to the later Queen Elizabeth). The Palace is filled with priceless paintings, tapestries and furniture and set in glorious gardens at the side of the River Thames and has the world famous maze.
British Museum
With over 4 million exhibits this is Britain's most popular museum The British Museum, founded in 1753, contains world-famous collections of antiquities from Egypt, Western Asia, Greece and Rome, as well as Prehistoric and Romano-British, Medieval, Renaissance, Modern and Oriental collections; Prints and Drawings; Coins, Medals and Banknotes. The Museum's collections number some six-and-a-half million objects ranging in size from shreds to colossal statues. There are 94 permanent and temporary exhibition galleries displaying Museum objects.
With over 4 million exhibits this is Britain's most popular museum The British Museum, founded in 1753, contains world-famous collections of antiquities from Egypt, Western Asia, Greece and Rome, as well as Prehistoric and Romano-British, Medieval, Renaissance, Modern and Oriental collections; Prints and Drawings; Coins, Medals and Banknotes. The Museum's collections number some six-and-a-half million objects ranging in size from shreds to colossal statues. There are 94 permanent and temporary exhibition galleries displaying Museum objects.
Adrian Carpenter is the publisher of http://www.thedefinitiveguidetolondon.co.uk
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