|
Changing the Guard
House of Parliament
St. James Park
St. James's Church
Hyde Park
Hampton Court Palace
London Aquarium
British Airways London Eye
Buckingham Palace
London Zoo
Madame Tussaud's Waxwork Museum
St Paul's Cathedral
Tower Bridge
The Tower of London
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Cathedral
Trafalgar Square
Changing the
Guard
 The
ceremony takes place at Buckingham Palace, at 11.30am. Until 31
July the Guard will change daily. There will be no musical support
on 15 May, 2, 9 and 12 June. The ceremony starts at 11.30am and
lasts 40 minutes. It takes place inside the palace railings and
you can watch it from outside. The Queen's Guard, accompanied by
a band, leaves Wellington Barracks at 11.27am and marches via Birdcage
Walk to the Palace. Changing the Guard is cancelled in very wet
weather. When there is an important state event, times may change,
and there may be no music.
Top
House of Parliament
 Looking
across the Thames at one of London's most famous landmarks, the
Palace of Westminster, with Victoria tower at the left, and the
clock tower, Big Ben in the right, is the home to the House of Parliament.
Since the reign of Edward VI and Summary I, this is the symbol of
London in the world. For nearly 500 years, from the time of King
Canute II to resign Henry VIII, the Palace of Westminster was the
official residence of the reigning monarch and his court. In an
age when the government carries more administrative power than the
monarch, Westminster Palace retains its prominence as the House
of Parliament. From 1512, the Palace of Westminster has been the
seat of two Houses of Parliament, called the Lords and the Commons.
The current Gothic Revival Building is dated from 1840 and was designed
by Charles Barry. The building covers 8 acres, 11 open courtyards,
more than 1100 rooms and 2 miles of corridors. The Westminster Hall
is the only surviving section of the original Palace of Westminster
dated back to 1097. The clock tower "Big Ben" completed in 1858,
was not only the clock tower itself but also the largest bell in
the chime, which weights approximate 14 tons. At night, a light
shines in the tower whenever the Parliament is in session. On the
left is the Victoria Tower completed in 1860, it houses 1.5 millions
copies of every act of Parliament passed since 1497.
Top
St. James Park
 Stretching
along Bridcage Walk to the South, The Mall to the North, Horse Guards
to the East and Buckingham Palace to the West, St James' Park was
named after a leper hospital which stood on the site during the
13th Century. It is approximately 90 acres and is the oldest of
the Royal Parks. Other nearby sights include the Queen Victoria
Memorial and Admiralty Arch.
Top
St. James's Church
 St.
James is a parish church in London's West End, part of the Diocese
of London and the world wide Anglican Communion. The building
is a Christopher Wren design, consecrated in 1684. During two
centuries some alterations have been made to the fabric of the
Church, and re-decoration was carried out in 1937. However, on
14 October 1940, the Church was severely damaged by enemy action.
High explosives destroyed the Rectory and Vestry and damaged the
north wall and east end of the Church. Incendiaries completed
the devastation. Fire gutted the interior, and little was left
of the roof beyond a few charred beams. Services were resumed
in 1941 in the south aisle of the Church, were they continued
for 13 years. Restoration, under the direction of Professor AE
Richardson, was completed in 1954 and on 19th June the Church
was re-dedicated by the Bishop of London.
Getting there: The Church
building is positioned between Piccadilly and Jermyn Street, about
200 yards from Piccadilly Circus, in London's West End. Underground:
Piccadilly Circus and Green Park. Buses: 6, 9, 12, 14, 15, 19
and 22.
197 Piccadilly London W1J 9LL
Tel: (020) 7734 4511, Fax: (020) 7734 744
Web: www.st-james-piccadilly.org
Top
Hyde
Park
 Hyde
Park is the largest of the Royal Parks stretching from Kensington
Gardens in the west to Hyde Park Corner in the East. It came into
existence in 1536 when the land was acquired for hunting. It has
developed over the years in response to the wishes of the Crown
and the public and has a tradition of events and public spectacles.
There are links with the military through the presence of Knightsbridge
barracks on its boundary and the continuing practice of firing Gun
Salutes from the Parade Ground. Among its features include Speakers
Corner, the Serpentine (a lake of some 11.34 hectares used for swimming,
boating and fishing ), Marble Arch and Rotten Row, the world famous
riding track, which celebrated its tercentenary in 1990 and was
the first public road to be lit at night in this country. Despite
its heavy use the Park manages to convey an air of rural tranquillity
much valued by both tourists and local users.
Top
Hampton Court
Palace
 The
majestic home of Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace is the oldest
Tudor palace in England. Visitors can see the State Apartments,
Tudor kitchens and the famous maze, enjoy costumed guides and
family trails, admire over 150 magnificent rooms and relax in
60 acres of riverside gardens.
Admission: ?10.80 for adults
and ?7.20 for children for entry to all areas. If you are just
visiting the maze there is a separate charge of ?2.80 for adults
and ?1.90 for children.
Opening hours: 10.15am-6pm
and Tuesday-Sunday 9.30am-6pm.
Getting there: The nearest
rail station is Hampton Court. Hampton Court is just southwest
of London, only 30 minutes by train from Waterloo station. There
are frequent services from Waterloo to Hampton Court station,
which is only 5 minutes walk from the palace.
Surrey
KT8 9AU
Tel: +44 (0)20 8781 9500
Top
London Aquarium
 The
London Aquarium features hundreds of varieties of fish and sea-life
from around the world. It is one of the largest of its kind within
Europe and majestically combines relaxation, entertainment and
education in a truly multi-sensory experience deep below the River
Thames. Their exhibits include Coral Reefs, Temperate Waters,
The Seashore & Beach, The Indian Ocean, Rainforest, Mangrove swamps,
Tropical Freshwater and many more.
Admission: ?8.75 for adults
and ?5.25 for children.
Opening hours: daily 10am-6pm.
Getting there: It's situated
in County Hall and the nearest underground station is Waterloo
or Westminster.
The County Hall
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7BP
Tel: +44 (0)20 7967 8000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7967 8029
Top
British Airways
London Eye
 At
135 meters high, the British Airways London Eye is the world's highest
observation wheel and provides a 30-minute slow-moving flight over
London. Designed to reflect the elements - air, water, earth and
time - the central theme is a circle of white light from within
the rim which sweeps the skyline.
Admission: ?9 for adults and
?5 for children. From 1 July-30 September admission is ?9.50 for
adults. To book tickets call 0870 5000 600.
Opening hours: daily from 10.30am-8pm.
From 26 May - 9 September, it's open 10am-10pm.
Getting there: It's in Jubilee
Gardens on the South Bank and the nearest underground station is
Waterloo.
Jubilee Gardens South Bank,
London, SE1
Tel: 0870 5000 600
Top
Buckingham Palace
 Visitors
may tour the State Rooms, including the Throne Room, Picture Gallery
and State Dining Room. These principal rooms, which form the backdrop
to the pageantry of court ceremonial and official entertaining,
occupy the west front overlooking the garden and are all opulently
decorated with some of the finest pictures, tapestries and works
of art from the Royal Collection. To mark the centenary of Queen
Victoria's death, a special exhibition of watercolors depicting
the Palace during her reign, is on show. There is no access to the
private apartments.
Admission: ?11 for adults and
?5.50 for children. To book tickets call 020 7321 2233.
Opening hours: from 4 August
until 30 September 2001, daily from 9.30am with last admission at
4.30pm.
Getting there: The nearest underground
station is Victoria or Green Park, Waterloo or Westminster.
Buckingham Palace Road London,
SW1A 1AA
Tel: (020) 7839 1377
Top
London Zoo
 London
Zoo is one of the world's most famous zoos and is home to over
12,000 animals. Take a walk on the wild side at London Zoo and
get close to some of the world's most fascinating animals, from
Asian Lions and Sloth Bears to giant Seychelles Millipedes. London
Zoo's Events Program entertains all year round, giving you the
chance to share their love of animals and witness a good zoo in
action.
Admission: ?10 for adults
and ?7 for children.
Opening hours: daily 10am-5.30pm.
Getting there: The zoo is
situated in Regent's Park and the nearest underground station
is Baker Street and Camden Town.
Regents Park
London NW1 4RY
Tel: +44 020 7722 3333
Top
Madame Tussaud's
Waxwork Museum
 Madame
Tussaud's Waxwork Museum is the world famous collection of wax figures
of famous people. Mingle with the famous at the world-renowned collection
of wax figures in theme settings which include The Garden Party,
200 Years, Hollywood Legends and Superstars, The Grand Hall, The
Chamber of Horrors, Sporting Heroes and The Spirit of London. Step
aboard a time-taxi to experience a unique taste of London's history
brought to life with audio-animator, from Shakespearean England
to the present day. Tickets can be booked and paid in advance on
0870 400 3000.
Admission: ?11.50 for adults and
?8 for children.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday
10am-5.30pm and Saturday and Sunday 9.30am-5.30pm.
Getting there: It's in Marylebone
Road and the nearest underground station is Baker Street.
Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5LR
Tel: 0870 400 3000
Top
St. Paul's Cathedral
 St
Paul's Cathedral is one of the world's most famous cathedrals,
designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The famous cathedral church
of the diocese of London is incorporating the Crypt, Ambulatory
and Whispering Gallery. Those who wish to pray at times when there
is an admission charge may use St Dunstan's Chapel on the north
side (free at any time). Entrance price includes visit to the
Crypt, Ambulatory and Galleries.
Admission: ?5 for adults and
?2.50 for children.
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday
8.30am-4pm, with the galleries opening at 9.30am.
Getting there: The nearest
underground station is St Paul's.
London, EC4M 8AD
Tel: (020) 7236 4128
Top
Tower Bridge
 At
the Tower Bridge visitors can see one of the most famous bridges
in the world and spectacular views from the high level walkways
140ft above the Thames. The story behind London's most famous landmark
is told in an exciting exhibition situated inside Tower Bridge's
twin towers. Discover why the bridge was built and how it works.
Enjoy panoramic views over both the City and Dockhands, see the
magnificent Victorian steam engine rooms and experiment with hands-on
working models and interactive computers. A stop at the well-stocked
gift shop, which also boasts spectacular views of the river, completes
the visit to the bridge.
Admission: ?6.25 for adults and
?4.25 for children.
Opening hours: daily 10am-6.30pm.
Getting there: The nearest underground
station is Tower Hill.
London, SE1 2UP
Tel: (020) 7403 3761
Top
The Tower of
London
 At
The Tower of London guarded by the famous Beefeaters, visitors can
see Traitors' Gate, the priceless Crown Jewels and the famous ravens.
This is one of the most fortified buildings in the world. Begun
in 1078 by William the Conqueror, the Tower has been a palace, prison,
treasury, arsenal and even a zoo! Today the Tower houses the priceless
Crown Jewels. Also on view are the Medieval Palace, the infamous
Bloody Tower and the inscriptions in the Beauchamp Tower. Free guided
tours by the Yeoman Warders. New permanent exhibition, 'Crowns and
Diamonds', charting the evolution of Royal Crowns in Britain and
the important relationship which diamonds have with them. It is
housed in the Martin Tower.
Admission: ?11.30 for adults
and ?7.50 for children.
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday
9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-5pm.
Getting there: The nearest underground
station is Tower Hill.
London, EC3N 4AB
Tel: (020) 7709 0765
Top
Westminster Abbey
 Westminster
Abbey is one of Britain's finest Gothic buildings and the scene
of coronations, marriages and burials of British monarchs. Visitors
can see the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, Royal Tombs and Shrine
of St Edward the Confessor, the Coronation Chair, Lady Chapel and
Poets' Corner, Pyx Chamber, Nave and cloisters, the Royal Chapels
and the Undercroft Museum. The 'Service of Light' on New Millennium
Eve saw the inauguration of the Abbey's spectacular new lighting
system.
Admission: ?6 for adults and
?3 for children.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday
9.30am-4.45pm and on Saturday 9.30am-2.45pm.
Getting there: The nearest underground
station is Westminster.
London, SW1P 3PA
Tel: (020) 7222 5152
Top
Westminster Cathedral
 The
Cathedral was designed in the Early Christian Byzantine style
by the Victorian architect John Francis Bentley.
The foundation stone was laid in 1895 and the fabric of the building
was completed eight years later. The awesome interior, although
incomplete, contains fine marble-work and mosaics. The fourteen
stations of the Cross, by the sculptor Eric Gill, are renowned.
The Cathedral is justly proud of its world famous Choir, widely
considered to be the finest of its kind in Europe.
Admission: The staff of the
Cathedral would suggest that each visitor makes a donation of
2 pounds to help secure the Cathedral's future.
Opening hours: Daily from
7am to 7pm.
Getting there: The nearest
tube and train station is Victoria. In addition, the 11, 24, 211
and 507 bus lines stop immediately in front of the Cathedral piazza,
on Victoria Street. The front entrance to the cathedral is off
the piazza. Access is from Victoria Street, Ashley Place, or Ambrosden
Avenue. The entrance to Clergy House is on Francis Street.
42 Francis Street, London, SWIP IQW
Tel: (020) 7798 9055, Fax: (020) 7798 9090
Web: www.westminstercathedral.org.uk
Top
Trafalgar Square
 Trafalgar
Square, famous for Nelson's Column is an area which sees the joining
of streets such as The Mall, Charing Cross Road, The Strand and
Whitehall. Notable buildings such as The National Gallery, St. Martin-in-the-Fields,
South Africa House and Admiralty Arch are to be found here. Nowadays
it is famous for political demonstrations, New Year celebrations
and pigeons.
Getting there: The nearest underground
stations is Charing Cross London, WC2N 5DN
|
