Sightseeing in London

London is the capital of the United Kingdom, one of the largest and one of the world’s most enjoyable cities. It offers the tourists an astonishing variety of scene. In this historic city the modern rubs shoulders with the old, the present is ever conscious of the past, the great and small live side by side in mutual tolerance and respect.

London is more than 20 centuries old. Its buildings express all the different areas of its history, for London manages in a unique way to reflect its past and at the same time to fulfil the functions of a modern city.

The City, the oldest part of London, is the commercial and financial center of the country. Westminster is the political heart of London. The West End is the richest and the most beautiful part of London, the symbol of wealth and luxury, where the most expensive hotels, restaurants, shops and clubs are situated. The East End is the industrial part. There are many factories, workshops and shipyards there.

London offers the visitors a great variety of places of interest. It’s a city of dream to everybody interested in the English history and culture. World famous places are the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abby, St. Paul’s Cathedral. Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, the Buckingham Palace and many others.

The Houses of Parliament, a symbol of London, spread magnificently on the north bank of the Thames. This structure is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture. The Clock Tower called “Big Ban”, is known the world over. Its hour bell is named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first Commissioner of Works. The Houses of Parliament, called officially the Palace of Westminster, were formally a palace for kings and queens. Until the 16 century it was used both as a royal residence and as a parliament house. After the royal family moved to Whitehall Palace, the Westminster Palace was occupied by the Parliament and became its permanent home.

Opposite the Houses of Parliament Westminster Abby is situated. It’s a national shrine where the kings and queens are crowned and famous people are buried. It was founded by Edward the Confessor in 1050. The construction lasted 300 years. One of the greatest treasures of the Abby is the oaken Coronation Chair made in 1300. Near the West Door of the Abby the Unknown Warrior lies in a simple grave commemorating the men who died in the First World War. The memorials to G.G.Byron, R.Burns, W.Shakespeare, W.Scott attract tourists to the Poets’ Corner.

Londoners have a particular affection for St. Paul’s Cathedral, the largest Protestant Church in England. It is an architectural masterpiece of the eminent architect Sir Christopher Wren. It stands on the side of the former Saxon and Norman churches destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1656. The building was completed in 1710. Wren is buried under the roof of his own great work. “If you want to see his monument, look around”, is written on his tomb.

Trafalgar Square is a place for pilgrimage for visitors. It is the natural center of London. It is usually full of visitors feeding the pigeons and looking at the statues and fountains. In the middle of the square there is Nelson’s Column with the statue of Nelson at the top. This monument was erected to commemorate Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 where he defeated the French and Spanish fleets. The pedestal of the column is decorated with bas-reliefs representing Nelson’s most famous victories. Here in Trafalgar Square the National Gallery is situated. It contains an outstanding collection of paintings from British, Italian, Spanish, French, Dutch and other famous schools.

From Trafalgar Square you can easily get to Piccadilly Circus. It is the meeting point of 6 streets. The Circus is enlivened by many illuminated advertisements.

The Tower of London is also a real attraction for tourists. It is one of the first and most impressive castles built after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. William the Conqueror built it to protect the City of London. The Tower has been used as a royal palace, an observatory, an arsenal, a state prison where many famous people have been executed. It is now a museum where one can see the Crown Jewels, the finest precious stones of the nation and a fine collection of armour, exhibited in the Keep. The security of the Tower is ensured by “Beefeaters” or the Yeoman Warders who still wear their picturesque Tudor uniform. A lot of ancient traditions and customs are carefully kept in the Tower. For example, the Tower Ravens. They are very important , for – so the story goes – if they ever leave, the Tower will fall and England with it. That’s why one of the Yeoman cares for them all the time – just to make sure that they never do leave.

Tower Bridge, which is just a few minutes away from the Tower of London, is London’s most famous bridge. It is the last bridge crossing the Thames before the river reaches the sea. The bridge, which takes just three minutes to raise, opens so that large ships can enter the Pool of London.

The Buckingham Palace is the center of the Royal power. It was built in 1703 by Duke of Buckingham. King George III bought the palace in 1761. It is now the official home of the Queen and the British Royal Family. When the flag is flying on the top the queen is at home. There are nearly 6 hundred rooms in the Palace and 3 miles of red carpet.

Buckingham Palace is like a small town, with a police station, two post offices, a hospital, a bar, two sport clubs, a disco, a cinema and a swimming pool. Two men work full-time to look after the 300 clocks. About 700 people work for the Palace. Every day at 11.30 a.m. there is the tradition that is called the Changing the Guard.

In London there are a lot of parks and gardens. Hide Park is a very democratic park. There is The Speaker’s Conner there, where anyone can stand up and say what they want. In St. James’s Park you can see pelicans and ducks. In Regent’s Park the London Zoo is situated. It is one of the biggest zoos un the world.

London is packed with interest and it’s all in colour. So whether you’re new to city, or you’ve visited it before there will be something exiting in London. That’s why we can agree with Dr. Johnson’s words “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”. And that is true.

The Houses of Parliament - Здания Парламента

Westminster Abby - Вестминстерское Аббатство

St. Paul’s Cathedral - Собор Святого Павла

Trafalgar Square - Трафальгарская площадь

Piccadilly Circus - Площадь Пикадили

The Tower of London - Тауэр (Лондонская крепость)

Tower Bridge - Тауэрский (Лондонский) мост

The Buckingham Palace - Букенгемский дворец

Hide Park - Гайд-парк

St. James’s Park - Парк святого Джеймса

Regent’s Park - Редженс парк

Test yourself

1. London is the capital of

a) the British Isles b) Northern Ireland c) the United Kingdom

2. How old is London?

a) more than 1000 years old b) more than 2000 years old c) is a modern city

3. How many parts are there in London?

a) 5 b) 4 c) 3

4. The City is

a) the richest and the most beautiful part of London

b) the industrial part

c) the oldest part and the commercial and financial center of the city

5. The symbol of London, spread on the north bank of the Thames is

a) Westminster Abby b) The Houses of Parliament c) St. Paul’s Cathedral

6. Westminster Abby was founded by Edward the Confessor in

a) 1060 b) 1050 c) 1030

7. The eminent architect Sir Christopher Wren is buried in

a) Westminster Abby b) St. Paul’s Cathedral c) The Houses of

Parliament

8. What is the natural center of London?

a) Piccadilly Circus b) The Tower of London c) Trafalgar Square

9) The security of the Tower is ensured by

a) the police b) “Beefeaters” or the Yeoman Warders c) the royal army

10) The Buckingham Palace is

a) a state prison where many famous people have been executed

b) a museum where one can see the Crown Jewels

c) the center of the Royal power

11) The Speaker’s Conner, where anyone can stand up and say what they want, is situated in

a) St. James’s Park b) Hide Park c) Regent’s Park

12. Covent Garden is

a) a supermarket b) a garden with the Zoo c) a tourist shopping centre

13. It takes Tower Bridge just _______minutes to raise

a) 5 b) 10 c) 3

14.The words “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life” belong to

a) Dr. Johnson b) John Bull c) William the Conqueror

15. London is situated on

a) the river Thames b) the Severn c) the Clyde