Date travelled: 11-12 August 2004
London, the capital city of the United Kingdom for nearly 1000 years, offers the visitor an incredible journey through the past, present and future of life in Great Britain.
London is served by many different airports, notably Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City and Luton airports. Each have their own public transport routes into the city, so check out each airports website for more information. You may also arrive into London via the Eurostar train service from the continent. Underground services connect its terminus at St. Pancreas to the rest of the city. I stayed at the California Hotel, which is situated close to St. Pancreas underground station.
A good way to get around London is the underground system, which is the oldest and largest underground rail system in the world, and very easy to use. Get yourself a 24 hour unlimited use ticket for zones 1 and 2 (central areas) for £6.40, and a free underground map.
Most of the Hop-on-hop-off open-top bus tours of London start and finish at Marble Arch. This Arch was designed in 1828 by architect John Nash, who was responsible for designing many buildings and monuments of Victorian London.
Marble Arch.
From Marble Arch, catch one of the tour buses that leave every 30 minutes during the day (price for a 24 hour ticket £22, which gives you a free River Thames river cruise). You will see many of London's most famous landmarks from this tour. For example, the London Eye, the tallest ferris wheel in Europe, was built as part of Britain's millennium celebrations, and is now one of London's most popular tourist attractions. You can take a 30 minute "flight" in one of the pods (price £15.50), and if it is a clear day, you will able to see the whole of the city and beyond.
London Eye.
The tour continues through the city of Westminster, passing the Cenotaph (war memorial, and centre of Rememberence Day commemorations) and into the city of London. You will soon see the grand dome of St. Pauls Cathedral. The cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the previous cathedral was destroyed by the great fire of London in 1666, dominates the city landscape. Have a look inside (£10) to see the spendid church from the inside.
St Pauls Cathedral.
The tour bus carries on towards the east of the city. Get off at the Tower of London, and make use of your free 90 minute River Thames river cruise (or £6.40 if you haven't already got a ticket). The cruise takes you from Tower Bridge to Westminster Bridge, and will enable you to see the cities other famous landmarks from the river. As you get on the boat, look behind you, and gaze at Tower Bridge, perhaps London's most famous river crossing. The bridge was opened in 1894, and enables large vessels to pass though it.
Tower Bridge.
The cruise winds its way westward, and the next landmark you will pass is the Tower of London. The tower was built in 1078, and was once the home of London's most hardened criminals. Today, the tower is home to the Crown Jewels, the Royal Families most priceless assets.
Tower of London.
Next up is the Millennium Bridge, the pedestrian-only bridge opened in 2000, and links St Pauls Cathedral to the Tate Modern Art Gallery.
Millennium Bridge.
You will notice a strange "gherkin" shaped sky-scraper just by the river-side here. This is 30 St Mary Axe, happily nicknamed "The Gherkin", and opened for office and commerical use in 2004.
The river cruise passes the London Eye, and concludes with the heartbeat of British Politics; the Houses of Parliament. The Parliament building, also known as the Palace of Westminster, was once the residence of the Monarch until it relocated to nearby Buckingham Palace. Today the palace is the home of the daily political disscussions, and the nearby Downing street is the London residence of the British Prime Minister and the Chancellor of Exchequor.
Houses of Parliament.
The Parliament building is dominated by St. Stephens tower, which is well known for its bell inside it; Big Ben. The bell of Big Ben has been in place since 1858, and has only broken down once in its lifetime. Old British coins help keep the timekeeping of the clock accurate, and the bells famous bongs can be heard on radio or television.
Big Ben.
From the river, make use of your underground ticket, and head to Charing Cross station, and cross the road. You are at Trafalgar Square, designed in 1843 by John Nash to celebrate the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The National Gallery is also situated here. All road measurements within London start here, making this spot the "centre" of the city.
Trafalgar Square & National Gallery.
You will notice a tall statue situated here. This is Nelson's Column, featuring Admiral Horatio Nelson, the leader of the British fleet who died during the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Nelson's Column.
From Trafalgar Square, walk down the Mall, famous for being the end of the yearly London Marathon, and royal precessions. At the other end is the royal residence; Buckingham Palace. The Palace has been the residence of the British Royal Family since Queen Victoria took to the throne in 1837, and a statue dedicated to her can be found outside.
Buckingham Palace.
If you love your nightlife, you will love London. The city is open 24 hours a day, and there is always something going on. The centre of London nightlife is Piccadilly Circus, home to the famous neon signs. You will find crowds of people chilling out here well into the early hours of the morning.
Piccadilly Circus.
Other notable nightspots in London are SoHo (red light district), and Chinatown (some of the finest Chinese cuisine outside of China).
If you love your history, in particular your wartime history, head to the Imperial War Museum (underground stations Lambeth North or Elephant & Castle). The museum, established in 1917, is home to all kinds of war memorabilia, weapons and machines, from many of the British Empires' past conflicts.
Imperial War Museum.
Other important museums in London include the Tate Art Galleries, the Natural History Museum and the British Muesum, and Madame Tussauds, the famous wax museum of famous celebrities (entrance &qout;22.50).
London is home to some of Britain's finest religious buildings. We have already seen St. Pauls Cathedral, but now head to undergound station Victoria, and head alond Victoria Street. You will arrive at Westminster Cathedral, the home of the Roman Catholic church in Britain, which was built in 1903.
Westminster Cathedral.
Continue heading east along Victoria Street, until you arrive at Westminster Abbey. the Abbey is famous for many past Coronations and Funeral services of British Monarchs, and has been in its present place since 1745. Take a walk inside ("10), and have a look at the many tombs of famous British citizens, along with the more somber Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the centre of the Abbey.
Westminster Abbey.
Other important cathedrals in London include Southwark Cathedral, situated near London Bridge, and St. Georges Roman Catholic Cathedral, situated near the Imperial War Museum.
For a glimpse into the future of London, head east on the Jubillee underground line towards Canary Wharf. Here is One Canada Square, and at 235 metres (771 feet) tall, is currently Britains' tallest building. Built in 1991, the tower is one of the many modern skyscrapers now dominating east London.
Canary Wharf.
Just across the river from Canary Wharf is the O2 arena, which was once known as the Millennium Dome. Today the arena now acts as a sports and music venue.
Before you complete your London adventure, you may fancy a bit of shopping. Head to Oxford Street (underground station Oxford Circus). Here is home to London's most exclusive boutiques, though you can also find many high steet chains also. There are also plenty of souvenir stalls here for everything and anything with the words London printed on. You can grab yourself some traditional British cuisine of Fish & Chips, Roast Dinner or just a cup of tea and cake just around the corner in one of the many small pubs just off Oxford Street. If you just want to relax, Hyde Park makes a lovely choice.
So for the city that has it all, London is the place to go.
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