London is the capital of Great Britain and one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the world. It stands on the majestic River Thames. This city has experienced many uprisings, raids and wars. It was destroyed more than once almost to the ground, and each time it was restored, becoming more beautiful and splendid. Today London, with its centuries-old history and modern rhythm of life, attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world, because there is really something to see in this prim metropolis.
Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square - these London sights are heard by many. It would be a crime to come to the capital of Foggy Albion and not see them with your own eyes. Start your journey at Buckingham Palace. It is located opposite Green Park and Pall Mall. It is the official London residence of the royal family and is therefore inaccessible to tourists most of the time. You can get into the walls of this palace only in August-September, when the queen leaves it. But you can walk around it without any restrictions, as well as observe the solemn changing of the guard, which takes place every day in the summer, and every other day during the rest of the year. Many tourists dream of seeing this ritual with the participation of guards in bright red uniforms and colorful black bear hats. Do not deny yourself such pleasure. The ceremony starts at 11:30 sharp and lasts approximately 40 minutes, however please be aware that it may be canceled if the weather is severe.
Big Ben is the 96-meter clock tower of the Palace of Westminster, which can be clearly seen from afar. Although this is not the name of the tower itself, but its largest bell. Tours inside the famous tower are held only in September. Palace of Westminster was originally home to royalty. Today the British Parliament sits there.
You should definitely take the promenade along the Tower Bridge, which will stretch over the Thames. Nearby is the Tower - a legendary fortress, which is the historic center of London and one of the oldest buildings in England. Today it houses a museum. One of the main reasons to get into it is to see firsthand the collection of jewels of the royal dynasty.
It so happened historically that London does not have a single center: over the centuries this city was formed by the annexation of scattered towns and villages. However, one of the unspoken centers of the British capital is Piccadilly Circus, which is undoubtedly worth a visit. Streets leading to all parts of the city diverge from it in radii. In the center there is a fountain, at the top of which there is a statue of a winged nude shooter. Couples in love like to make appointments near this fountain. This is a memorial to the famous British philanthropist Lord Shaftesbury. However, Londoners call this sculpture just like Eros. Piccadilly Circus is surrounded by the Criterion Theater, located underground, a huge supermarket "London Pavilion", the Church of St. James.
Check out the British Museum. It was opened in the middle of the 18th century. His collection includes the rarest household items and art of the Ancient East. For a bird's eye view of London, visit the London Eye, which is the name of the Ferris wheel on the banks of the Thames. It is considered the highest in the world. The wheel makes a full revolution in half an hour.
A significant part of the British capital is occupied by parks, gardens and squares. Visit at least a few of them, such as Hyde Park, Richmond Park and Holland Park. In each of them you can take a break from the bustle of the city, enjoy the natural beauty and have a great time.
If you have been to London and have not stopped by the local pubs, consider that you have not visited this city. A pub for the British is not just a beer bar, but a place for heated discussions on various topics. On occasion, be sure to look into one of them for a mug of ale - this is the name of a strong drink that tastes like beer. In addition, in some London pubs you can taste hot pancakes with butter, lamb pie, creamy varenets.
