Paris and London within the space of a month, 3 weeks to be a bit more exact.! What can I call it --providence, chance or cultural overload??? May be all that and a bit more perhaps?
Anyway here goes--- the English capital called London, the one time power capital of the world from where its kings and queens ruled much of the known lands of this earth was established by another mighty empire called the Romans around 43 AD. The name London is said to have come from Londinium --its original Latin name.There is also a view that the name is Celtic or pre-Celtic even.
Though initially first formed as a town by the end of the first century it became the capital of Roman Britain later after replacing Colchester in this regard.
Anyway modern day London, the great and famed city by which sometimes the whole of Britain is known, is a mish mash of architecture with history strewn in for good measure. If one was to critically evaluate London one would quickly see that the historical significance of its many 'sights' far outweighs its aesthetic beauty. But this is not to say that London is ugly--far from it! The palace of Westminister and Saint Pauls are ample evidence of the beauty that lies within her bosom.
Now lets get to sightseeing in London. The greater London area is quite huge and covers 607 sq miles in area. Luckily most of the sights are in and around central London.
1. Historical sights
The Tower of London towers above much else for its stature and gory importance in London's rich and illustrious historical winding road, and is said to have begun with the invasion of William the Conqueror in 1066. The white tower is said to have been built not long after and more can be read here.
Built over the tower hill in various stages in the last millenia it now houses the crown jewels which is the major exhibit. The yeoman warders or the 'beefeaters' as they are called, and the gory tales they recount in their booming theatrical voices are the next great attraction at the tower. Then of course there are the various bits of architecture, the towers, the strongholds, etc etc that can make a visit worth your while for the steep cost of the entry tickets!
The Palace of Westminster, which now houses the parliament is a beautiful sight to behold.Its grandeur in size and architecture makes it the most beautiful building in London for me.--Not to forget is the Big Ben--the iconic symbol of London.
Buckingham palace is almost on every visitors wish list to see. Try and catch the changing of the guards whilst there if possible.
Windsor castle though not exactly within London as its in Windsor obviously--isn't too far out from London's transport links and can be easily reached by train.
Random sights from around the Hyde park-Buckingham area.
2. Historical/Religious
Westminster Abbey and its location was the prime reason that the Palaces of Westminster were built at that location. The Abbey replaced the church to St Peter and was established by St Dunstan as a Benedictine Abbey 960AD and existed in such form till it was dissolved by HenryVIII in 1540AD. Edward the confessor had an affinity to St Peter and wanted to be buried there and then set about building the Palace of Westminster. The earlier church was called the Westminster to differentiate it from St Pauls which was in the eastern part of the city--in the Roman Londinium. Its been the coronation church since 1066.
St Pauls Cathedral is London's cathedral and the present one is the fifth to have stood on this site since 604AD.It was designed by the famed architect cum astronomer Christopher Wren.
3.The Modern Attractions
The London Eye now called the EDF energy London Eye gives you a wonderful view of the city of London and westminster from the inside of a capsule and its 30 minute flight.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum was initially opened on Baker Street in 1835 by Madame Tussaud herself. Born Anna Maria Gorsholtz in 1761 in Strasbourg, France she learnt the art of wax modelling from a Physician interested in wax models. She later married and came to be known as Madame Tussaud. There are now wax museums to her name in many major cities of the world!
The museum has since moved to its new address on Marylebone Street. Its one of the more overpriced attractions of London where one gets the opportunity to take photographs with the waxen images of many important personalities the world over. I had mine taken with the President of the United States whilst my husband chose Albert Eistein as his better half!
The Olympic Stadium has only recently been inaugurated and in future would be a major attraction in itself alongside the Arcelor Mittal Orbit the steel scultpture which is Britians largest piece of public art and is 115m high.
4. Museums
London is richly blessed with several stimulating museums and offer more than the ordinary.
The Science museum is an excellent place to go with inquisitive kids and they have their very own launching pad to explore science with their own hands! Its free, designed over 5 floors and also has an i max theatre with special shows.
To the left is something I found quite funny amongst the medical exhibits for though being a medica I must say i've never come across a 'Parturition Chair'!
The Natural History Museum is another that might be of even greater interest with all its dinosaur exhibits that are obviously very popular. They are not too far away from each other so you could easily plan a Museum day and not have to walk far though I must say that its a good fifteen minute walk from the South Kensington Underground to get to the Science Museum, important to bear in mind if you are going with kids.
Greenwich maritime Museum and The Royal Observatory are located in Greenwich. It is easily accessible from the DLR station at cutty sark. the royal observatory and the Meridian Courtyard is a good 15-20 minute uphill trek through a beautiful green paradise!
5. Shopping
Harrods - The eternal shopping paradise of the affluent in the heart of the city!
Harrods was founded by Charles Henry Harrod and was sited at various locations around London until it moved to the current site in 1849. In 1898 Harrod introduced Englands first moving staircase which we would now call an escalator!
Harrods was the holder of several royal Warrants from 1910 uptil around 2000 when Al Fayed the then owner of Harrods had them taken down and burnt.
Anyway here goes--- the English capital called London, the one time power capital of the world from where its kings and queens ruled much of the known lands of this earth was established by another mighty empire called the Romans around 43 AD. The name London is said to have come from Londinium --its original Latin name.There is also a view that the name is Celtic or pre-Celtic even.
Though initially first formed as a town by the end of the first century it became the capital of Roman Britain later after replacing Colchester in this regard.
Now lets get to sightseeing in London. The greater London area is quite huge and covers 607 sq miles in area. Luckily most of the sights are in and around central London.
1. Historical sights
The Tower of London towers above much else for its stature and gory importance in London's rich and illustrious historical winding road, and is said to have begun with the invasion of William the Conqueror in 1066. The white tower is said to have been built not long after and more can be read here.
Built over the tower hill in various stages in the last millenia it now houses the crown jewels which is the major exhibit. The yeoman warders or the 'beefeaters' as they are called, and the gory tales they recount in their booming theatrical voices are the next great attraction at the tower. Then of course there are the various bits of architecture, the towers, the strongholds, etc etc that can make a visit worth your while for the steep cost of the entry tickets!The Palace of Westminster, which now houses the parliament is a beautiful sight to behold.Its grandeur in size and architecture makes it the most beautiful building in London for me.--Not to forget is the Big Ben--the iconic symbol of London.
Buckingham palace is almost on every visitors wish list to see. Try and catch the changing of the guards whilst there if possible.Windsor castle though not exactly within London as its in Windsor obviously--isn't too far out from London's transport links and can be easily reached by train.
Random sights from around the Hyde park-Buckingham area.
2. Historical/Religious
Westminster Abbey and its location was the prime reason that the Palaces of Westminster were built at that location. The Abbey replaced the church to St Peter and was established by St Dunstan as a Benedictine Abbey 960AD and existed in such form till it was dissolved by HenryVIII in 1540AD. Edward the confessor had an affinity to St Peter and wanted to be buried there and then set about building the Palace of Westminster. The earlier church was called the Westminster to differentiate it from St Pauls which was in the eastern part of the city--in the Roman Londinium. Its been the coronation church since 1066.
St Pauls Cathedral is London's cathedral and the present one is the fifth to have stood on this site since 604AD.It was designed by the famed architect cum astronomer Christopher Wren.
3.The Modern Attractions
The London Eye now called the EDF energy London Eye gives you a wonderful view of the city of London and westminster from the inside of a capsule and its 30 minute flight.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum was initially opened on Baker Street in 1835 by Madame Tussaud herself. Born Anna Maria Gorsholtz in 1761 in Strasbourg, France she learnt the art of wax modelling from a Physician interested in wax models. She later married and came to be known as Madame Tussaud. There are now wax museums to her name in many major cities of the world!
The museum has since moved to its new address on Marylebone Street. Its one of the more overpriced attractions of London where one gets the opportunity to take photographs with the waxen images of many important personalities the world over. I had mine taken with the President of the United States whilst my husband chose Albert Eistein as his better half!
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| Stratford Westfield Shopping centre |
4. Museums
London is richly blessed with several stimulating museums and offer more than the ordinary.
 |
| Parturition chair |
To the left is something I found quite funny amongst the medical exhibits for though being a medica I must say i've never come across a 'Parturition Chair'!
The Natural History Museum is another that might be of even greater interest with all its dinosaur exhibits that are obviously very popular. They are not too far away from each other so you could easily plan a Museum day and not have to walk far though I must say that its a good fifteen minute walk from the South Kensington Underground to get to the Science Museum, important to bear in mind if you are going with kids.
Greenwich maritime Museum and The Royal Observatory are located in Greenwich. It is easily accessible from the DLR station at cutty sark. the royal observatory and the Meridian Courtyard is a good 15-20 minute uphill trek through a beautiful green paradise!
5. Shopping
Harrods - The eternal shopping paradise of the affluent in the heart of the city!
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| CAVIAR Counter --the blue tubs on the right costs upwards of £200 each! |
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| Food hall at Harrods |
Harrods was the holder of several royal Warrants from 1910 uptil around 2000 when Al Fayed the then owner of Harrods had them taken down and burnt.
Below is a picture of the 'altar' built to remember the unfortunate death of Diana, the Princess of Wales and Queen of hearts, and Dodi Al Fayed.
Visitors can freely walk its halls and view the wares on display. Its a virtual storehouse of designer labels and a shoppers paradise.
Once you exit Harrods you will notice that the surrounding streets are home to many easily recognisable brands such as those below.
Though I personally haven't visited, Covent garden and the streets around that area are supposedly good for shopping and eating I've heard!
The Canary Wharf area is the only bit of London that lends a modern global look to London with its tall differently designed buildings with tons of shiny glass and steel!
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Visitors can freely walk its halls and view the wares on display. Its a virtual storehouse of designer labels and a shoppers paradise.
Once you exit Harrods you will notice that the surrounding streets are home to many easily recognisable brands such as those below.
Though I personally haven't visited, Covent garden and the streets around that area are supposedly good for shopping and eating I've heard!
The Canary Wharf area is the only bit of London that lends a modern global look to London with its tall differently designed buildings with tons of shiny glass and steel!
Thats all for now--Thank you for reading--Until next time...
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