The main attraction of London. The oldest zoo in the world. The famous clock on the main tower

London is associated with a prim, refined aristocrat, arrogant and domineering. A brilliant city, which is the capital of a strong, wealthy state, where the world's financial markets are concentrated, and cannot be otherwise. The trail of a long dramatic, triumphant, sometimes tragic and bloody history is forever imprinted in monumental architectural structures, cultural and historical monuments. Among them there are very interesting places in London - the main symbols of England.

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A magnificent brick building, lined with colored limestone, 96 m high, is based on a reliable concrete foundation 15 m deep. The dials of the famous chimes (there are 4 of them) are assembled from vitreous opal (312 pieces), the edge of the disks is covered with gilding. Cast iron hands (2.7 meters long) and copper seconds hands (4.2 meters long) are visible from afar. The weight of the pendulum (300 kg) and clockwork (5 tons) is impressive. Big Ben is London's most accurate clock, striking every hour. Tourists can only view the tower from the outside, it is forbidden to climb inside.

Tower of London

The oldest historical and architectural monument of Great Britain - the Tower Fortress is interesting not only for its authentic appearance, but also for the versatility of its purpose. Built in the 11th century castle like fortification soon they began to use it as a prison for noble persons who had offended the king. Here, 7 people who were related to the royal court were executed, including the wives of Henry the 4th - A. Boleyn and K. Howard.

Sinister rumors and legends still circulate around the monumental structure. Every century the purpose of the castle changed: in addition to the prison, it housed a mint, a zoo, a mint, an arsenal, a royal treasury, an observatory. Today, the Tower, which has been preserved almost in its original form, is formally considered royal residence where treasures are kept.

But along with this, the odious castle is a popular tourist attraction, where tours are conducted by law enforcement officers, dressed in strict Victorian uniforms on weekdays, and in elaborate Tudor costumes on holidays. Guardian robes are a kind of museum exhibits.

Visiting times: November-February (Tue-Sat, 09.00-16.30; Sun-Mon, 10.00-16.30, admission until 16.00).

March-October - the same, but until 17.30.

Entrance: adult – 25 €; students, people over 60, disabled people - 19.5 €.

Children - from 5 to 15 years old - 12 €. Buying online gives you a 15% discount.

london eye

This name, by analogy with the huge all-seeing eye, was given to a common park attraction - the Ferris wheel. But the London wheel impresses with its height - 135 meters and has surpassed many similar structures in the world in this. Such an extreme structure appeared thanks to the enthusiasm of the spouses-architects - J. Barfield and D. Marx, who took part in the competition dedicated to the meeting of the Millennium (2000) "The Millennium Building".

The competition jury rejected their project, but the architects infected with their idea found an investor. The installation of the attraction began in 1998. Huge parts of the structure were transported along the Thames by ferry, experienced specialists worked on their connection. According to official documents, the Ferris wheel as an experimental structure was supposed to function for 5 years.

But the extraordinary popularity of the attraction among Londoners and tourists "extended the life" of the "London Eye", making it a real "hit" in the entertainment industry. From 32 glass capsule cabins, accommodating 800 people at the same time, the entire magnificent panorama of the British capital is visible. Unforgettable sensations are experienced by those who risk climbing to such a height.

The wheel is open every day, 10.00 - 18.00.

Ticket price: adults – 21.5 €; children (from 4 to 15 years old) - 22 €.

Area Chinatown

The Asian name, which is not quite familiar to the ear of a European, did not appear in London from scratch - there is a Chinese microdistrict of Chinatown almost in the center of the city. It was formed as a tiny part of the not very prosperous district of Soho, in which all sorts of outcasts such as French Huguenots, Hong Kong Chinese and interned Italians initially settled.

Gradually, the settlement of strangers turned into a kind of exotic attraction with its own way of life, traditions and color. The Chinese do not live here permanently, they trade, work in various institutions. Today, in a small area where old English buildings have acquired an Asian look, where Chinese restaurants, shops and shops with exotic goods stretch in a continuous line, you can see a lot of interesting things.

Exciting shopping awaits you here: unique Tibetan herbs, unusual spices, vegetables, spices, exotic alcohol and other rarities are sold in local shops. In one of the restaurants, you can taste traditional Chinese cuisine at fairly reasonable prices.

Zoo

The London Zoological Park, opened in 1928, is not just an entertainment and entertainment facility, but a major scientific center designed to study the animal world. The innovation of the organizers of the zoo in London is the opening of the world's first serpentarium, aquarium, insectarium and zoological corner for children. It is noteworthy that the huge zoo is maintained at the expense of the charity of individuals and organizations - so great is the need for this institution.

To see all the sections and pavilions here, to enjoy the landscape beauty of the park, you need to devote at least 3 hours to this. In 3 halls of the aquarium, numerous species of inhabitants of the seas and oceans are presented. In the serpentarium, you can see the most exotic reptiles, from tiny snakes to huge reptiles.

An amazing spectacle awaits everyone in the Gorilla House, built in Art Nouveau style. And the B.U.G.S. collection of tropical butterflies in incredible colors is amazing, as is the African bird safari section.

Open for visits: September-mid-February - from 10 am to 18 pm.

• 02-23. 02 – from 10.00 to 17.00
• 02-28. 03 – 10.00-17.30
• 03-07. 09 – 10.00-18.00

Thames Barrier

Such a rather strange name is given to a wonderful coastal park, which is an excellent example of how you can ennoble a place of production that pollutes the surroundings. This area of ​​the royal docks, used for many years as a testing ground for the transportation of imported and exported raw materials, has become environmentally polluted in 130 years, so the London authorities turn the industrial zone into a “resting place” for citizens, “green lungs” of the capital.

The Thames Barrier is also a grandiose dam that blocks the river across and protects the city from floods. Opened in 2000, a piece of landscape art has become a favorite vacation spot for Londoners. Spread over 22 acres of green lawns and ornamental lawns, flower beds, gravel pads with benches adorned the once unsightly territory.

At the entrance to the Thames Barrier, 32 fountains sparkle with crystal jets. The Pavilion of Memory, dedicated to those who died during the 2nd World War, is open here. local residents. Figured hedges of yew, honeysuckle and other shrubs frame the walking paths. The popular park has children's and basketball courts, picturesque bridges, and picnic areas.

Open for visits - from 07.00 to dark.

The entrance is free.

Spencer House

Unique luxury palace in the neoclassical style, built in the 18th century. under the Earl of the first generation Spencer, became especially popular with tourists after the death of Princess Diana. During her lifetime, she was also associated with old mansion, renting it out, as her ancestors had done since 1895. It was Spencer House, with its graceful appearance, that laid the foundation for neoclassical architecture in London.

The highest London nobility held various celebrations in the palace, which were attended by the most famous English aristocrats. After the damage caused during the war, the mansion was carefully restored, many valuables were returned, and it again began to be rented out to various clubs, offices and tourists.

They can walk around the palace, admire its charming appearance, velvet lawns and ornamental shrubs in front of it. Inside, admire the marble sculptures, golden palm trees wrapping around the columns, the magnificent interiors of the 11 rooms of the palace.

Excursions (groups up to 20 people) are held every Sunday, except January and August, from 10.30 to 17.45

The entrance fee is 12 pounds.

Marshalsea Prison

Anyone who has read Dickens' novel about the sad fate of Little Dorret is already familiar with the notorious Marshalsea Prison, where the Dickensian heroine was born and grew up. After all, this terrible place was well known to Dickens himself - his father was sitting here for debts to the baker. To free his father, to repay his debt, the teenage Dickens got a job at a wax factory 8 km from home. After working 10 hours, he returned back, and so every day.

Now from the gloomy apartment buildings of the prison (the prisoners lived in families) there is only one 4-meter wall, located next to the street. Borough High Street. It preserved 2 arched barred openings that served as prison gates. The wall, covered in places with moss and ivy of "oblivion", recalls the harsh customs of the past.

You can sit on a bench in the landscaped courtyard, indulge in the contemplation of the wall, then go to the nearby Anglican Church. She is also present in Dickens' novel and plays an important role in the fate of little Dorrit. It is no coincidence that there is an image of a girl on the stained-glass window of one of the church windows.

Theater "Coliseum"

The first production in the form of a variety show took place at London's largest theater, the Coliseum, on December 24, 1904, and since that time, famous performances have been regularly premiered on its stage. The theater building, designed by the venerable architect F. Matchen, looks great and is deservedly considered a masterpiece of architecture. Its façade is decorated with graceful columns and expressive sculptures; the top of the dome is crowned with a model of a globe with the name of the theatre.

The interiors captivate the viewer with lush beauty. Luxurious velvet curtain, gilded cupids on the walls, chic boxes are impressive. The huge hall can accommodate 2358 people. Here you can hear arias of the most famous classical operas staged by venerable directors and performed by the best opera singers.

The London public has the opportunity to listen to opera performances from almost all theaters in the world. Frequent viewers are members of the royal family, famous politicians and cultural figures. Despite the considerable age of the institution, everything inside is technologically equipped at the modern level. 2 restaurants are open, and if desired, spectators can bring champagne and snacks to the box.

Ticket price - from 99 pounds to 104 pounds.

Westminster Abbey

True British shrine ancient church St. Peter's or Westminster Abbey is located in the historical place of London - Westminster. Since 1987 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the walls of the monastery complex, a 1000-year history of Christianity and England is imprinted. The first temple, presumably, was erected in this place in the 7th century, when, according to legend, a local fisherman saw St. Peter in a dream.

Under King Edward the Confessor in the 11th century. the temple was rebuilt into a majestic monumental building, and here he was buried. It was here, where the coronation throne was preserved, that the coronation of English monarchs took place, royal weddings took place (16). The most famous of them are the wedding ceremonies of Prince Albert and Elizabeth I (1923) and the current Queen Elizabeth.

The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton (2011), which was broadcast around the world, aroused great public interest. The ashes of the great personalities of Britain from among the ruling and church persons, scientists, poets and writers are buried within the walls of the abbey. A visit to the unique sanctuary leaves a deep impression.

Opening hours: Mon., Tue., Thu, Fri - 06.30-15.30.

Wednesday - 16.30-18.00; Sat - 09.30-13.30.

Ticket prices:

• Adult - 22 pounds; children (from 6 to 16 years old) - 9 pounds
• students, pensioners - 17 pounds; seventh (2 adults, 1 child) - 40 pounds
• group (up to 30 people): adults - 18 pounds, beneficiaries - 14 pounds, children - 7 pounds.

Madame Tussauds museum

The extravagant museum, opened in 1835, is located in the north of Westminster, the richest district of London. At the entrance, everyone is met by a small figure of an elderly lady in a black robe, with a white cap on her head - Madame Tussauds herself. Here, not only the number of wax copies (more than 400) is striking, but also their extraordinary resemblance to the prototypes. All celebrities look truly alive, and not like frozen mummies.

Talented followers of Tussauds captured their idols in relaxed poses. It is difficult to convey in words the strong impression of visiting an unusual museum. Technological innovations have greatly expanded the possibilities in the creation of wax sculptures. For example, using modern species plastic, artificial leather allow you to make the most believable nails and eyes.

Now it is possible to make figures move and even speak, reacting to certain behavior of visitors. Particularly impressive is the new attraction-journey to the Middle Ages "The Spirit of London", when sightseers in miniature "taxi" ride through the halls that recreate past eras. Familiar characters make greeting gestures, the military salute.

Ticket price:

• Premium - 49 pounds.
• Standard - 29 lbs.
• Family (2 adults, 2 children) - 27 f.
• Group. children (5-11 years old) - 12.95 f.
• Group. Children (11-18 years old) - 18 f.

Saatchi Gallery

Shocking, outrageous, unusual, intriguing - such epithets can characterize the Museum of Contemporary Conceptual Art - the Saatchi Gallery. It was created by a collector and talented art dealer Charles Saatchi, who was passionate about works of art nouveau in painting, collecting paintings, installations, engravings and graphics by contemporary artists. His extraordinary collection, once put on public display, became the basis of a large museum, which is now located in the premises of the former barracks, occupying 4 floors.

Exhibits of museum exhibitions are a constant subject of controversy, criticism, discussion and great interest of the public. Most of the inhabitants, many of the presented "masterpieces" are not very clear, but capture the imagination with their abstractness and innuendo. An unusual installation with a chic car bent in half, strung on a metal pipe, amazes and makes you think.

Busts of thinkers of the past with trident-pierced eyes, hearts, faces evoke a shudder and awaken thought. Abstract paintings, photos do not let go of their mystery for a long time. The gallery is a venue for various art workshops.

Opening hours: daily, from 10.00 to 18.00.

Entrance b / n, except for individual exposures.

Eltham Palace

When in the early 20th century luxurious Royal Palace Henry the 8th turned almost into ruins, the Courtauld couple decided to completely restore the "architectural treasure". Two young progressive architects set to work, bringing together all the authentic fragments of the palace. On this basis, two magnificent buildings were erected, decorated with Tudor Gothic elements, neoclassical details of Italian and French Art Deco architecture.

Both buildings were combined into one complex with an elegant rotunda with a glass dome. Visitors really like the truly royal decoration of the palace, designed by famous designers of the 30s of the 20th century - the Swede Engstrom and the Italian Malacrid. It is impossible not to admire the lacquered panels made of expensive wood, the picturesque wall panels in the hall of the palace.

The main entrance is guarded by 2 people representing the ancient guards - a Roman and a Varangian. The ancient Greek motifs in the design of the dining room and the Renaissance decoration of the bathroom are impressive. Today, the architectural marvel, included in the national heritage of England, is given over to an elite hotel.

Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun - from 10.00-17.00 (01.04-04.11).

10.00-16.00 (05.11-17.02, 23.02-28.03 on Sun).

10.00-16.00 (18.02-22.02, Mon-Wed).

Ticket price: adults - 9.6 pounds, stud. and pence. after 60 l. - 8.6 pounds, children (from 5 to 15 years old) - 5.8 pounds.

Kensington Palace

A solid, strict architecture building, surrounded on 3 sides by a park - Kensington Palace, in fact, the cradle of English kings from the 17th century. The first owners and its creators were William of Orange and Mary II. Their portraits occupy a worthy place in the palace gallery. The illustrious Queen Victoria was born in it, from here she led the state and lived in a happy marriage with Prince Albert. A monument to Victoria by her daughter Louise is installed on the alley leading to the palace.

The famous Princess Diana lived in the old chambers for 16 years with her children and her husband. The latter fact especially attracts tourists here. Now the family of Prince William lives in one half of the palace, and excursions take place in the second (entrance from the park). On the right side of the alley leading to the palace, Diana's garden is laid out, fenced around the perimeter with covered floristic galleries, unusually cozy.

Its center is adorned with a picturesque pool with fountains, around which are densely growing white flowers - the White Garden, created by the palace gardeners on the 20th anniversary of Diana's death. Inside, a large-scale exhibition of Diana's wardrobe is organized in several halls.

Open for visits: 10.00-17.00 (Mon-Fri).

Borough Market

As you know, the British, being disciplined in everything, take a very responsible attitude to nutrition, attaching great importance to the quality of products. Therefore, in London, the oldest food market Boro (Boro Market), which has existed since the 12th century. Successfully developing enterprise in the 15th century. received a letter of trust from King Edward the 6th and subjugated all nearby markets. It is in Boro, on the street. Londoners rushed to Dorouqh Hiqh Street for fresh meat, cheese, vegetables, milk, creating huge traffic jams.

Therefore, the market was moved to Southwark Street, where it is still located. Buyers move along the bright stalls in a continuous stream, especially on the weekend - Saturday (on Sunday the market is closed). Perfect cleanliness reigns everywhere, all showcases are decorated with taste. Fruit and vegetable ruins - a picturesque still life, pleasing to the eye.

The choice of high-quality meat products is unusually wide: you can buy sausage of the most exotic type: from venison, wild boar, zebra, etc. The selection of seafood, cheeses, dairy products controlled by expert commissions is impressive. Borough Market has been the subject of several feature films.

Opening days: daily, except Sun.

london dungeon

Not far from Westminster Bridge, opposite Big Ben, is unique museum or, as it is also called, "horror theater" with acting actors. A vast underground room under County Hall in 1975 was turned into a museum of medieval torture, which has become extremely popular with Londoners and tourists. Fans of horror films and thrillers especially like it here, and in general, lovers of tickling their nerves.

The rather gloomy atmosphere of the interiors, the possibilities of modern lighting made it possible to create an oppressive atmosphere of the real Middle Ages here. Against this background, a performance is “played out” under the motto “Fear is a funny thing” with the participation of actors and visitors involved in the performance. First, everyone ends up in the "Labyrinth of Lost Souls" (a room with mirrored walls), when visitors wander among their reflections, frightened by suddenly appearing here and there unexpectedly appearing characters of the Middle Ages.

Here you can meet with Henry the 8th, Jack the Ripper, the barber Todd, who kills his clients, etc. You will be “sentenced” to hang (Descent into the Underworld attraction), declaring state criminals.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri - 10.00-17.00 (Thu - from 11.00); Sat, Sun - 10.00-18.00.

Tickets: group. - 19.5 lbs. (adult), 14.95 lb. (children under 15).

An online ticket is 20% cheaper.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

The famous London detective is considered by many to be a real person, and not the fruit of the literary fiction of Conan Doyle - the image of Sherlock Holmes is so believable. Therefore, in 1990, it was on the street. Baker Street (the hero lived on it) in a 4-storey mansion N 239, a museum of a popular literary character was opened. The creators of the museum tried to recreate the situation here, exactly repeating the description of K. Doyle.

The entrance is guarded by a real policeman in 19th century outfit, the guides are dressed as Victorian maids. On the 1st floor there are ticket offices and a shop selling souvenirs of the corresponding theme. On the 2nd floor, the furnishings of Holmes' study and bedroom are reproduced with objects familiar to readers: laboratory flasks and test tubes, a detective's violin, Watson's revolver, letters and the famous pipe on the mantelpiece, etc.

Here you can sit in Sherlock's chair in front of a burning fireplace. 3rd floor - "Mrs. Hudson's" property. An exhibition of literary heroes of K.-Doyle made of wax, among which is the head of the notorious Baskerville dog, can be seen on the 4th floor.

Open for visits - every day 09.30-18.00, except Christmas.

Admission £15, children under 16 £10.

golden doe

Such beautiful name carries a small ship - the galleon of the famous pirate and admiral, who played an important role in the development of England, Francis Drake. On the ship "Pelican" he made an expedition around the globe (1577-80), and before entering the Strait of Magellan he gave the ship the name "Golden Doe" (the coat of arms of Halton's sponsor of the voyage). Today, a modern exact copy of the galleon (1973) stands on the pier in Southwark, being a kind of museum since 1996.

Until that time, the galleon, just like its legendary predecessor, conquered many ocean expanses (225 thousand km), passed Drake's route around the world. The ship "Golden Doe" was filmed in 3 feature films, it is used as an educational object in the organization of school excursions. Teenagers are thrilled to "become sailors" in interactive lessons about the history of English navigation.

Wellington Arch

A magnificent structure located near Green Park, the triumphal Arch of Wellington or Constitution, was erected at the direction of George VI to commemorate the British victories in the war against Napoleon. In its original form, the Arch was crowned with an 8.5-meter statue of the 1st Duke of Wellington, which was removed when the structure was moved to its current location. Now its top is decorated with a bronze quadriga, controlled by the "angel of peace".

Until 1992, a tiny police station was located inside the arch cavity, and since 1999, the premises of the arch have become a museum and an object of cultural and historical heritage. Expositions of 3 floors of the 1st half introduce a detailed "biography" architectural monument. The 2nd part began to serve as the ventilation shaft of the London Underground after its opening. Against the background of the surrounding greenery, the Wellington Arch looks very impressive.

Greenwich Observatory

The English village of Greenwich (now the district of London) is famous for the fact that the zero meridian passes through it, from which the time of the planet's geographical zones is counted. The Greenwich meridian is the starting point of reference for geographic longitudes, adopted in 1884. A stream of tourists rises here to visit the Greenwich Observatory, founded in 1675 under Charles II. It is located on the banks of the Thames, on a hill in Greenwich Park, from where you can see all of London.

Today, the old buildings of the observatory have been turned into the Museum of Astronomical and Navigational Devices and Instruments. The exhibits of the museum clearly reflect the history of the development of methods and means of measuring time, determining the location of objects using coordinates. The expositions "tell" about the ships that disappeared in the seas and oceans, when there was no temporal calculation and coordinate system. Modern achievements in this area are also reflected.

There are many beautiful sights in London, which are of great importance for culture and art, not only Great Britain but all over the world. Most of them are related to history. These are monuments, squares, majestic buildings. Every language learner should be able to describe the sights of London in English.

Sights of London in English

Big Ben

- one of the sights of London, which is considered a symbol of this city. This is not only what many associate with, but also the largest clock in the world.

To describe this attraction in London, you can use the following words:

How to describe London landmark Big Ben in English:

All the top sights in London. Big Ben and Tower, Abbey and Trafalgar Square. Even if you are a transit tourist and you have at least one free day, with or without a guide, you simply must see the main sights of London. And we will start with his business card and the main attraction of London!

Big Ben Big Ben

The main attraction of London. In fact, Big Ben is the largest of the five bells in this tower, which is called the sentry. Its appearance is familiar to everyone and you will undoubtedly want to see Big Ben first! Big is translated as big, and Ben is derived from the name of Benjamin. Big Ben was built in 1858 by an English architect in the Gothic style. The height of Big Ben is just under 100 meters. The world's largest four-sided chiming clock has a diameter of 7 meters. The sound of bells can be heard every 15 minutes, and Big Ben itself every hour. The sound of Big Ben is unique due to the fact that the bell cracked after 2 years of operation, as a result of which a square cut was made in it to prevent the crack from spreading. The tower is part of the parliament building. All over London you can see many small towers similar in appearance to Big Ben. You can visit Big Ben. Tourists are allowed to enter. Very beautiful photos are obtained in the morning, from the Westminster Bridge near the tower and on the other side of the Thames right on the embankment. On the way to the Abbey, do not forget to take a picture at the monument to Churchill, which stands in the square opposite Big Ben.

Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey

One of the main sights of London and the UK, of course, Westminster Abbey is a 2-minute walk from Big Ben. This church of St. Peter is famous for being the traditional place for the coronation of the monarchs of Britain and the burial place of people of national importance. Queen Bloody Mary and her sister Elizabeth I, Mary Stuart, Edward the Confessor, Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, Lewis Carroll, Geoffrey Chausser, Charles Dickens, Friedrich Handel. Royal weddings also take place in Westminster Abbey. The construction of Westminster Abbey went on intermittently for a total of 500 years and was completed in 1745. The cathedral was built in the Gothic style. Listed as a World Heritage Site. Its doors are open for tourists and you simply have to go inside Westminster Abbey. The best time to visit is from 9:30 to 1:30 from Monday to Saturday. Paid entrance. If the queues are divided, then get up on the left, where for cash, as it goes faster than the one with bank cards. Count on visiting Westminster Abbey for 2 hours. The ticket price includes a Russian audio guide. At the Abbey, if you ask, you can be shown the oldest door in Britain, which was upholstered in the skin of the only cathedral burglar who was caught and executed. Perhaps this is a legend. Don't miss the museum, gardens and school at Westminster Abbey. On Sunday, the Abbey is open for service, but not for tourist visits. If you are ready to stand for an hour or two, then in the evening you can enjoy the organ. The entrance is free. Before visiting, I also recommend reading about the Order of the Bath, whose chapel is located in the Abbey.

London Eye London Eye

Also one of the main attractions of London - the London Eye - the third in the world in height - 135 meters. The London Eye is located five minutes walk from Big Ben. The 32 egg-shaped booths symbolize the 32 boroughs of London (excluding the City area). They, with the exception of the floor, are completely glass. The London Eye is usually open to the public from 10:00 am to 8:30 am. In January, the London Eye is closed for maintenance for half a month. The time of one lap of the ferris wheel is about 30 minutes including wheel stops. The cost of pleasure may be less when ordering a ticket via the Internet, but then there will be a link to the time of the visit. Cabins London ai are air conditioned. After purchasing a ticket, to the left of the main ticket offices is a room called 4D Experience. There, in a three-dimensional image, you will enjoy the views from the wheel, see Big Ben at a distance of five meters, and also feel the cold wind and snow on your own body. Lovely and free attraction lasts 5 minutes. The London Eye is also the traditional venue for the London New Year's fireworks. If you are afraid of heights or have a weak vestibular apparatus, then the London Eye wheel will be comfortable for you, and less scary, as the London Eye is designed on cables and rotates very smoothly! And one more thing, I would like to add: if, nevertheless, you come across a queue at the London Eye, do not spare the money, pay at separate cash desks for "Fast Track Tickets" and go the same way to a separate, fast "Fast Track" queue. I recommend visiting the London Eye before lunch, when the sun illuminates the northern, most beautiful, part of London and then you will get the best photos with Big Ben in the background. If you are planning to go to such London attractions as Madame Tussauds, the Panic Room or the Aquarium, then buy combined tickets, as this is one company with a Ferris wheel.

Whitehall street

The street from which the British Prime Minister enters his home Whitehall street. Another undoubtedly important sight of London! Just a stone's throw from Big Ben. A little further there are the barracks of the Horse Guards Regiment, where you can take pictures with riders or smartly dressed guards, to the clock, which was considered the main clock of London to Big Ben, at the site of the execution of King Charles I. The street is short and ends with another attraction of London - Trafalgar Square. Please note that the guardsmen can "yell" and stomp your foot so that you jump when taking a picture next to them. Don't be scared. Don't touch them.

Trafalgar square Trafalgar square

This attraction of London is its geographical center and the main square of London. In the center of Trafalgar Square stands a column in honor of Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died in the Battle of Trafalgar in Spain in 1805. The height of the Nelson column is just under 50 meters. Also on Trafalgar Square there are pedestals in the corners, three of which are permanent, and the fourth pedestal is a platform for contemporary artists. Trafalgar Square also hosts the celebration of the Russian Maslenitsa. Towering above Trafalgar Square are two more sights of London - the London National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery. Look at the photo and find Big Ben on it. When you take your photo, let Big Ben be in the frame!

Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace

The world-famous landmark of London, the residence of the Queen of Great Britain in London is Buckingham Palace. When the Queen is at home, her flag (and not the flag of Great Britain! Completely different things!) is raised high above Buckingham Palace. At Buckingham Palace it will be interesting to watch the changing of the guard at 11:30 and, in fact, get into Buckingham Palace itself. This London attraction is open to the public in August and September, and sometimes at other times of her Majesty's absence. Ticket prices range from £19 to £65. The ticket price includes a Russian audio guide. On the square in front of Buckingham Palace rises the most famous Queen of Great Britain Victoria.

Tower Castle Tower of London

The main castle of Great Britain, and the landmark of London where the Treasures of the British Crown are kept. Tower Castle is the oldest stone residential building in London and the strongest medieval fortress in the world. Throughout history, Tower Castle has served several purposes. Firstly, it is a fortress inside which there is a well and where the King could, and has already taken refuge more than once. The main reason for the construction of the castle in 1066 was to show the people the power of the founder of the Tower, William the Conqueror, who in the same year was crowned in Westminster Abbey. Tower Castle is still the residence of the Royal Family. Since animals were the chic gifts for kings in the Middle Ages, a zoo was established in Tower Castle shortly after its foundation, which only moved to its current location in Regent's Park in 1832. The only inhabitants of the Tower Zoo who refused to move and still live in the castle are the Tower Ravens. Nevertheless, on the territory of one of the main attractions of London, you will come across the former inhabitants of the Tower Zoo in the form of metal sculptures. For five hundred years, money was printed at Tower Castle. You can visit the Mint of the Castle on The Mint Street. There you can touch real gold for making coins. In Tower Castle, above its famous water gate of the Traitors, is a medieval palace with restored interiors from the 13th century where Henry the Sixth, the founder of the most famous English school for boys, Eton College and Cambridge University, was assassinated. Since the walls of the Tower Castle are about four meters thick in places, it was always difficult to get into it, but it was just as difficult to get out. For this reason, gunpowder was kept there to this day, and I consider this the main exhibit of the Tower Castle. There is a royal treasury - the Safe with its famous second-largest Cullinan diamond in the world of 530 carats and the Crown of the British Empire. Also, because of its fortress in the Tower, it became convenient to keep the most dangerous state prisoners. And for this reason, the castle had a prison, but do not look for special cells, since the castle did not originally intend to have this function. True, the instruments of torture, the chopping block and the ax remained from those memories. Also a chair with a back pierced by a bullet after the last enemy executed on it during the Second World War. The ghost of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of the most famous King Henry VIII, walks in Tower Castle. Anne Boleyn was executed at Tower Castle and buried there. But do not look for her graves, she is not accessible to the eyes of a tourist. Anne Boleyn's Palace, the oldest surviving Tudor-style building built in Tudor times, is still guarded by the Tower Guards. In addition to the guardsmen in bear hats, you will also encounter the famous guardians and guides of the Tower Castle "Beefeaters". Beef is meat and Eater is an eater. Beefeaters are the King's guards who were allowed to eat meat from the King's table. With Beefeaters - guides of the Tower you can take a picture. The central tower of Tower Castle houses one of the largest collections of weapons in the world. The castle still hosts the oldest and shortest key ceremony in the world at 22:00. It needs to be registered in advance. There is a cafe on the territory of the Tower Castle. It is better to go to the gift shop after visiting the Tower. It was taken outside the castle grounds. Ticket offices are also outside the territory. It is best to go to the castle on weekdays and three hours before closing or right before opening. You need to buy tickets in advance on the Internet and pick up at a separate box office, where there is no queue. The ticket price does not include a Russian audio guide. Next to Tower Castle is Tower Bridge.

Tower Bridge

A relatively young landmark of London is Tower Bridge (just over 100 years old). Tower Bridge is the only drawbridge across the Thames in London. The most beautiful bridge I have ever seen. For a fee, you can go up to the upper level of the Tower Bridge, where you will be shown a film (though in English) about how the Tower Bridge was built. After, you will be able to see the machine installation of the Tower Bridge.

St. Paul's Cathedral

I highly recommend going to the next attraction in London - this Anglican Cathedral for the whole day. St. Paul's Cathedral or St. Paul's Cathedral was built at the highest point in London 300 years ago and is the residence of the Bishop of London and one of the most visited attractions in London and in the UK. After buying a ticket, you will be given an audio guide. The language is only English. You can climb above the large dome along stairs.The cathedral has a restaurant and cafe.St. Paul's Cathedral is active.Bottom in the center is buried Admiral Horatio Nelson, who has a column in Trafalgar Square and the Duke of Wellington.

Piccadilly Circus Piccadilly circus

Piccadilly Circus is one of the most popular squares in London. Piccadilly Circus is lit up with neon signs and a sculpture of Eros in the center. On Piccadilly Circus there is one of the largest souvenir shops and 3 minutes away one of the largest - bookstores, where there is a huge selection of Russian books.

Prince Albert Memorial Albert Memorial

This huge monument was erected in 1875 by his wife Victoria (the Queen of Great Britain, whose monument towers at Buckingham Palace) and has a height of more than 50 meters. Every tourist tends to Kensington Park to take a picture here. Opposite the memorial, the Albert Hall was also built, where the Beatles performed more than once, but you will find information about it in the "Where to go" section.

New Scotland Yard New Scotland Yard

Greenwich Royal Observatory Royal Observatory

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London attracts people with its unique architecture and beauty. The city of fogs is very popular among tourists from different corners our planet. The Greenwich Meridian passes through the capital of Great Britain. Here you can be in two parts of the world in just a few minutes. Only in this city the bus causes a storm of emotions among tourists. After all, the red bus is already a symbol of Great Britain. Let's talk about the popular sights of London, what to see and where to go.

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Big Ben

The huge clock tower towering over the Thames is a symbol of London. Many believe that it is she who is called "Big Ben". However, in reality, Big Ben is a huge bell on a tower. In ancient times, bells were given names. So they called the symbol of London "Ben", in honor of Benjamin Hall. They say that it was this man who supervised the installation of a huge bell.

Subsequently, the tower itself began to be called by this name. Although its real name is the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster. The height of the structure reaches 96.3 meters. The clock on it is the largest in the world. There are 4 dials that are rotated to 4 cardinal directions. Big Ben's clock is the most accurate in the world. The huge bell will get a crack. As a result, his sound became peculiar.

The tower looks majestic and beautiful. In the dark, it all glows especially gorgeous. Near the sights are always crowded. In addition, there is a busy traffic of cars. The situation worsens over the weekend. If you decide to visit this place, it is better to go on weekdays. You can get to Big Ben by subway to Westminster station.

Or by bus to the stop "Parliamentskaya Square". Tourists are not allowed to climb the tower. Since it is part of the Westminster complex, which belongs to a public institution. Available only to British citizens. The tour to Big Ben lasts about 1.5 hours. A ticket for an adult costs about 15 euros, for a child about 6 euros.

British museum

This is an art collection place. ancient greece, Rome, ancient egypt. It houses the work of masters from all over the world. Engravings, drawings, ethnography, coins and medals - all this can be seen in one of the most big museums peace. The building has been under construction for 24 years. But during World War II, the museum was partially destroyed. Therefore, many exhibits were taken out of here. The restoration of the structure and the return of works of art took many more years. In museums, you can see wooden sarcophagi with animal mummies. Reliefs depicting scenes of battles and hunting evoke delight and grandeur.

Only in the British Museum (British Museum) there is an opportunity to see the sculptural portraits of the emperors Augustus and Hadrian. Fans of numismatics should definitely visit the coin room. And connoisseurs of painting will be happy to see here the works of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Durer, Raphael, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. You can get to the museum by underground to the stop "Tottenham Court Road" or "Holborn". Or by bus in that direction. Opening hours from 10:00 to 17:30 every day.

On Friday, some departments are on duty until 20.30. Entrance to the museum is free. Russian-speaking guides work here. In the British Museum, Nights at the Museum are very popular. They come here 4 times a year. Each time a new theme is given. During such an excursion, it is possible to listen to interesting stories all night long. It is simply impossible to see all the exhibits at once. There is a cafe and a souvenir shop on the territory of the museum.

Westminster

The House of Parliament Westminster is famous all over the world. This is a huge and beautiful complex, which is located on the banks of the Thames. Its two famous towers, Big Ben and Victoria, stretch high into the sky. The building of impressive size is striking in its beauty. It feels the strength and power of Great Britain. Westminster was open only to British rule for many years.

Excursions to the Parliament House were allowed only in 2004. Visitors are allowed here during the parliamentary recess from August 7 to September 16, throughout the year on Saturdays. Inside the building you can see the royal gallery with paintings and sculptures, the royal wardrobe, the chamber for disputes. The main attraction of the Houses of Parliament is Westminster Hall.

You can get to Westminster by metro to the station of the same name. The tour is free. It starts when a group of 16 people is recruited. Visiting hours at Parliament House are from 10:00 to 16:00 from Monday to Friday. Saturday from 08.45 to 16.45. To avoid queues, you can book tickets online in advance.

The cost of the tour is about 30 euros for adults. A child ticket can be purchased for 13 euros. Children under 5 years of age are free to enter. Discounts are available for students, pensioners and groups of 10 or more. If you want to save money, you can order an audio tour. Its price is 10 euros cheaper.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

Museum of London's most famous Sir Mr. Sherlock Holmes (The Sherlock Holmes Museum) is located at 221B Baker Street in Westminster. It is located in the most ordinary 4-storey building. From afar, the museum is not noticeable, it can be recognized only by the sign and the queues of tourists. At the bottom of the house-museum is a gift shop. Above is the sitting room and bedroom of the sir himself.

On the third floor are the rooms of the mistress of the house, Mrs. Hudson and Dr. Watson. On the top floor there is an exhibition of wax figures. It consists of numerous detective heroes. Here you can meet Professor Mariarti himself, Irene Adler, the Baskerville dog or a corpse on the floor. There is a bathroom in the attic. Photography is allowed in the museum.

Visitors are happy to pose against the backdrop of their favorite character's home. Here you are allowed to sit in armchairs by the fireplace. And on a special table, props are always ready: Sherlock's cap, pipe and magnifying glass. You can get to the museum by subway to the Baker Street station. Just a few minutes walk to it. The museum is open every day except Christmas holidays.

A ticket to it costs about 7 euros for an adult and 5 euros for a child. It is better to go here on a tour in the morning. There are many who want to see Sherlock Holmes' house. With a large crowd of people, moving around the museum is quite difficult. And photographing anything is even more difficult. Opening hours from 9.30 to 18.00 hours.

Piccadilly street

Piccadilly is the most famous street in London. It is located in one of the oldest districts of the city - Westminster. The street is always quite busy, it is full of people, tourists and residents of the capital. Piccadilly was named after tailor Robert Baker. He made his fortune tailoring piccadilly collars. Baker purchased a piece of land in the area and built a house called Piccadilly Hall. As a result, the streets were built up with rich mansions of wealthy people of London. Such houses became known as "Piccadilly". Here and today there are many houses-clubs, the entrance to which is forbidden to ordinary people.

Everyone who got to the capital of Great Britain should take a walk along Piccadilly. The street is huge, clean, with incredible beautiful houses and shops. Especially beautiful here in the evening. When London lights up, Piccadilly's mansions blaze with colorful lights. And boutiques cannot but attract attention. Shop windows are carefully designed here. Each little thing, jar, casket attracts special attention. The eponymous square in Piccadilly is one of the favorite meeting places of the British. Here very often they make appointments or just friendly meetings.

The well-known cafe "Royal" is located on the street. Creative people like to meet here: artists, writers, poets. Getting to Piccadilly is easy. Transport interchange here is one of the best in the world. Several major roads lead to it. get to famous street the fastest way is by subway to Picadilly Circus or Green Park stations.

District City

The City of London is one of the most ancient areas of London. It is located in the heart of the capital of England. The area has an amazing status, it is not subject to royal authority. The head of the City is its mayor. And, if someone from the royal authority decides to come to this area, they can do this only with the permission of the head of the City. It has its own rules and laws.

The City is officially the smallest county in the UK. The boundaries of the district are separated by special columns. The population of the City is also the smallest, about 10,000 people. The area was founded by the Romans about 2000 years ago. At that time Great Britain was still part of the Roman Empire. Many streets of the City follow the roads that were laid by the ancient Romans.

There are a lot of historical monuments in the area. Here are the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Royal Exchange, Leadenhall Market. Old buildings in the City alternate with new buildings. Infrastructure development has not stopped here. There are many office towers in the area: Heron, Lloyd's, Mary-Ex 30, Walkie-Talkie, Tower 42. The largest complex of the capital, the Barbican Center, was built here. The architecture of the City is an incredible mixture of all ages and styles.

It is definitely worth visiting this area. Visiting the attraction on weekends or in the evening does not make any sense. It may happen that you are alone on the whole street. The area is beautiful when there is a lot of work around. However, during peak hours, the metro suffers from a large number of people. So choose your time of visit carefully. It is convenient to get to the area by metro. There are quite a few stations: Barbican, Tower Hill, Liverpool, Mansion House.

Tower

The Tower of London is located on the north bank of the Thames. It is considered the best-preserved building in Europe. Over the entire long history of the Tower, for all the years they could not be taken by storm. The thickness of its walls reaches 4.5 meters. The castle has a difficult history. The complex was inhabited by royalty. Noble and rich people were also imprisoned here. The Tower was both a home and a prison at the same time. It keeps traces of human tragedies and deaths.

The Tower is surrounded by myths and legends that are already difficult to distinguish from real history castle. A black crow is considered a symbol of misfortune and misfortune of the complex. According to legend, he appears on the territory of the complex before any tragedy. The castle leads in the number of ghosts living in it. The British claim that the ghosts of royalty who have met death live here on the territory of the complex.

Tower fascinates and intimidates at the same time. A huge castle, which repulsed many enemies, rises above the Thames. It is especially beautiful at sunset. Roads on the territory of the complex are made of stone blocks. Therefore, you should take care of comfortable shoes. There are many tourists in the Tower. Those who have a london pass are skipped out of the queue. So, it is better to buy tickets in advance. Opening hours of the complex from March to October: from 9 to 17.30 from Tuesday to Saturday.

From November to February, the castle is open from 9:00 to 16:30. On Sunday and Monday, the Tower receives tourists from 10 to 17.30, regardless of the season. The castle is closed on Christmas holidays. An adult ticket costs about 5 euros, for children about 4 euros. A family ticket costs about 15 euros. You can get to the castle by metro to Tower Hill station or by bus number 15, 42, 78, 100.

Tower Bridge

Another symbol of England, strict and beautiful at the same time, is the famous Tower Bridge. It captivates visitors at first sight with its impressive size and stunning architecture. The bridge was built in the 19th century when London became an imposing commercial and industrial center. Two Gothic towers of the building, as well as possible, convey the whole English spirit.

The bridge is in harmony with the nearby Tower. It becomes its continuation. Inside the bridge, between the towers is a museum. Previously, it was a pedestrian zone, but later it was closed due to the increased cases of thefts in such a deserted place. The towers can be reached by stairs or an elevator. The lifting mechanism can also be seen. He is huge.

You can take pictures on the bridge. But metal structures and glass greatly hinder this. Therefore, most knowledgeable tourists do not climb the towers. Beautiful landscapes can be seen from other bridges in London. In the gallery of the building there is an exposition of photographs with various bridges of the world. There is also information about them here.

Tower Bridge is open every day from April to September from 10:00 to 18:30. From October to March from 9.30 to 18.00 hours. A ticket for adults costs about 10 euros, for children - about 4. For a child under 5 years old, admission is free. Tower Bridge is located in the center of London, next to Tower Castle. Tower Hill metro stop or bus number 42, 100, 15, 78.

Globus theatre

The Globe is the very first theater in the capital of Great Britain. It was erected on the site where its predecessor used to be. At the beginning of its history, the Globe was only a small area in the form of a circle, surrounded by a fence. This building burned down completely. And the authorities erected a house in its place. The new theater building was built a few meters from the old one. It was opened in 1997. The architects tried to make the theater as close as possible to the very first building.

Inside there are three tiers of balconies with seating. Near the stage, you can enjoy the performances only while standing. The way the performances were watched in the old days by poor people who did not have money for sitting tickets. Microphones and spotlights in the Globe are fundamentally not used. To create an atmosphere similar to the one that reigned in the ancient theater.

You can buy tickets online or buy in advance. Despite the fact that the Globe does not work in winter, excursions to it are still carried out. The theater is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Times change during the theater season. Entrance for adults costs about 18 euros, for children - about 11. Children under 5 years old enter for free. You can get to the Globe by taking the subway to the Cannon or Mansion House stop.

Theater Royal Covent Garden

Covent Garden London is considered the largest opera house in the UK. It got its name in honor of the square on which the theater was built. In 1808 the building burned down. But in just 9 months it was restored. To return the money spent on repairs, the authorities raised the price of tickets. However, after a 2-month public boycott and disruption of performances, they gave up and were forced to reduce prices to the old level. Once again, a fire in 1986 destroyed Covent Garden for the second time. In this case, the recovery took about two years.

Excursions to Covent Garden (Covent Garden) two. The first is called "Behind the scenes of the theater." She acquaints tourists with the everyday life of actors and preparations for new works. A ticket for adults costs about 14 euros, for children - about 10 euros, for students and pensioners - about 13 euros. The second tour is called Velvet, Gilding and Glamour. It introduces travelers to the architecture and history of the building. A ticket for adults costs about 12 euros, for children - about 10 euros, for students and pensioners - about 9 euros. You can see the interior of the theater, and at the same time enjoy the opera, from 18 to 217 euros. You can get to Covent Garden by bus 9, 13, 15, 23, 139 and 153. Or take the Underground to Covent Garden Station.

Trafalgar Square

The main square of the capital of Great Britain - Trafalgar Square - gathers residents of the city for all the big holidays of the country. It is named after the Trafalgar victory by Admiral Horatio Nelson. The monument to the admiral is located in the center of the square, surrounded by 6-meter lions. Each animal is a symbol of Nelson's victories in battles. Also here you can see the monument to Charles I.

From it, the British count the distances. The monument is located in the central point of the capital. There are 4 pedestals at the 4 corners of the square. On the tops of 3 of them are monuments to George IV, General Napier and Henry Havelock. Surprisingly, pedestal 4 was empty until 2005. After it was replaced by various sculptures, including living ones.

So far, in 2010, a model of the Victoria ship, where Admiral Nelson died heroically, was installed on the pedestal. Pigeons were one of the symbols of the square. Over the years, thousands of birds have lived on it. Until in 2007 the authorities forbade feeding them. Now there are almost no pigeons. The square is located in the center of the capital at the intersection of three streets: Mall, Strand and Whitehall. You can get to it by bus number 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 24 and many others. By metro you can get to the stations "Charing Cross", "Embankment".

Abbey Route

Abbey Route can be called "the street where dreams come true." This place is loved by young people and creative people. The British gave her a second name, which sounds like "The home of love and art." Fans of The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Duran Duran come here to see the place where their idols recorded their songs. Abbey Route is home to Amy Recording Studios, a world-famous recording studio.

The most popular place on the street is the intersection, the image of which was captured on the latest The Beatles disc. All tourists take pictures here. Even drivers are sympathetic to this, giving way. The zebra in this place is the only one in the world that has a webcam with live broadcast to the Internet.

The building at the intersection of Abbey Road and Grove End Road is an unofficial monument to the Beatles. Here you can see a sign with the inscription: "Abbey Road NW8 City of Westminster". It was often stolen by the band's fans. Therefore, the sign had to be tightly mounted into the building for enough high altitude. The building near the inscription is painted every three months, but the Beatles graffiti appears again and again. You can get to Abbey Route by subway to St. John's Wood. Nearby there is bus stop- Abbey Road Grove End Road. Walking along Abbey Route is free. But if you want to listen to information and entertaining stories, you can buy a ticket for a tour of the streets of London. Its cost is about 88 euros.

Westminster Abbey

The world-famous monastery - Westminster abbey - is the main shrine of Great Britain. It is located next to the Palace of Westminster. It is here that the royal people of Great Britain are crowned, married and buried. This is a very large and beautiful building, made in the form of a Latin cross. The monastery has two large towers and a huge variety of carved arches.

The rich interior is decorated with wonderful stained-glass windows. Here you can see the magnificent frescoes of the 12th century. The floor of the abbey impresses with its wonderful mosaic. Inside the monastery is more like a tomb. There are more than three thousand tombstones here. Among them, the tombs of kings, monarchs and great people of the kingdom. Charles Dickens, Isaiah Newton, Lord Byron, Charles Darwin, Robert Burns found their rest in the abbey.

In the monastery there is a coronation throne, which is called the "Stone of Destiny". Brass music concerts are often held in the abbey. Photographs and filming are not allowed inside the cathedral. Deciding to visit the cathedral, you need to take care of your clothes. You will not be allowed in shorts and short skirts. The abbey also has a rule that advises against bringing children preschool age to avoid excess noise. The monastery is located in the center of Westminster.

You can get to it by tube to Westminster or St. James's Park. The opening hours of the abbey are Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 15.30, Wednesday from 9.30 to 18.00, Saturday from 9.30 to 12.30. The entrance fee is about 23 euros for adults. For children, a ticket can be bought for about 7 euros. Entry for children under 11 is free.

Buckingham Palace

This palace differs from hundreds of similar monuments in that it is still a functioning royal residence. The palace was originally owned by the Duke of Buckingham, who later sold it to George III. Construction and decoration stretched out for almost a century - and the ballroom was completely finished only by the middle of the nineteenth century. Over the past years, the interiors of the palace have changed scenery more than once, only luxury has remained unchanged.

Not only the palace itself is an attraction, but also the traditions that "surround" it. For example, the changing of the guard, which is perhaps the most recognizable ceremony in the world. Admission to the ceremonial halls will cost adults (from 17 years old) £24.00. Visiting the palace is possible starting from 09.30. But closing times vary. This usually happens around 6pm.

Kensington Palace

This is the most modest and comfortable of the modern royal residences in England. Today it belongs to the Prince and Princess of Cambridge. It is noteworthy that the mistresses of the palace are always women. Moreover, women who changed history. Once it was under its vaults that Queen Victoria was born, and a little later, the echo of Princess Diana's footsteps began to spread through the spacious halls. But behind the seemingly inconspicuous facade hides paintings, unique interior items and historical halls. Pay special attention to the tapestries and paintings on the ceilings and walls.

In the center of the palace, in the middle of the revived history, there is a stunning installation, which is rightfully considered a real miracle of scientific and technical thought. Of course, we are talking about Shining Lace - a light installation, for the creation of which not only 12 thousand Swarovski crystals were spent, but also 4 kilometers of luminous wire. In the summer (from March to October) the palace is open to the public from 10.00 to 18.00, in winter - until 16.00. The cost of an adult ticket will be up to £19.50.

St Paul's Cathedral

The highest point in London and concurrently the largest Anglican church in Europe is the official residence of the local bishop. The building that you can see today is the fifth variation on a similar theme - the previous three were destroyed during fires, and the fourth was completely plundered by the Vikings. The dome of the cathedral is something that you simply cannot help but pay attention to. In the original plan, it was not there, and therefore the designers needed all their ingenuity to organically weave an exact copy of the dome of the main basilica of Rome into the project.

St. Paul's Cathedral opens its doors to tourists at half past nine in the morning, and closes at half past five. On Sundays, the cathedral is open only to parishioners. The cost of an adult entrance ticket (from 18 years old) is £18, if you are part of an excursion group - £16. When you book your ticket online, you can save up to £2.

Oxford Street

Welcome to the busiest shopping street in Europe! Sooner or later, any guest of London throws into its orbit, which, however, is not surprising - it is here that several extremely popular tourist routes pass, and the local pricing policy is such that a middle-class person will leave here with a thousand rustling packages, but without significant damage to their budget . This area appeared on the map of the city in the sixteenth century, when a section of the old Roman road began to be built up with cheap houses.

This is how urban slums appeared, which at first were the venue for public executions, and then (after the introduction of a corresponding ban) the center of the trading life of middle-class craftsmen. Today there are more than 300 shops here. Don't try to look into everything - local policy is to put things at the door that best reflect this establishment.

Therefore, you can immediately understand whether this place is suitable for you or you can safely move on. Oxford Circus, Marble Arch and Bond Street - these underground stations all go to Oxford Street and they are all literally crowded. Be especially careful while walking along Oxford Street - this London street breaks all records for petty theft.

Charles Dickens House Museum

To date, this is the last of the surviving houses where Charles and Catherine Dickens lived. At first glance, it becomes clear that this house is a stronghold of Victorian England - its spirit, the life of the old school. The restorers did a great job of conveying the mood of a lived-in, warm nineteenth-century house with a cute living room, a long dining table, a magnificent bed hidden under a canopy, and various kitchen utensils.

There is also a writer's office with his personal belongings. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. This schedule is maintained throughout the year, except in December, when the museum is open seven days a week. The cost of an adult ticket is £9.50.

Soho area

In Soho, you can meet a contingent of completely different kinds: from students to the marginalized. This area lives up to its reputation as the liveliest place in London. His appearance is associated with Henry VIII, a fan of women and hunting. It is believed that the name came from the hunting call "So-ho". The atmosphere of the area has developed historically - Soho has always been a kind of buffer zone between the aristocratic quarters and the mob quarters, and therefore mainly immigrants, people of creative professions and marginals settled here.

Today there are very few residential houses, and finding these inconspicuous courtyards is quite difficult. Basically, clubs, bars and sex shops are concentrated here. Soho is lively at any time of the day or night, so if at four in the morning you decide that the party is not over yet, feel free to head here. Soho is also worth a visit for gourmets - here you can find the most colorful set of cuisines and restaurants in the world at fairly liberal prices.

Mary X skyscraper

The forty-story, fully glazed Mary X skyscraper was named after the street on which it stands, but its official name is the gherkin, that is, "cucumber". Londoners named it in a similar way because of the greenish tint of the glass and the corresponding shape. Against the backdrop of historic London, this skyscraper looks extremely futuristic. Innovative methods were used to create it. So, load-bearing structures made in the form of a grid were used, which made it possible to make the building more economical in terms of maintenance.

And the abundance of glass solved three problems at once: the problem of ventilation, heat preservation, as well as lighting - after all, the building is literally filled with light in the daytime. For the uniqueness of the project, the team of engineers received a number of prestigious European awards. The entrance to the tower is not open every day, but if you are lucky, the entrance to the observation deck is free. Cafes and restaurants are located on the last three floors.

Leadenhall Market

The oldest market of Foggy Albion does not lose its relevance. Back in the days of Londinium, as the Romans called it, there were shopping areas here, and Leadenhall Market itself appeared on the city map in the fourteenth century, to quickly become one of the fastest growing retail outlets in London. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, its importance could no longer be denied, and the city authorities announced a competition. The winner got the opportunity to bring to life their design for a building for Leadenhall.

As a result, we got a huge shopping pavilion with long galleries and a glass roof decorated with hundreds of details. If you experience a vague feeling of deja vu, being under the shadow of the glass vaults, know that this feeling was quite justified - this is where the "magical" London was filmed in the first part of the Harry Potter saga.

Skyscraper Shard

Shard has become one of the newest architectural landmarks of the capital. The construction of this glass pyramid was timed to coincide with the start of the 2012 Olympic Games. "Shard of Glass" fully justifies its name - thousands of glass panels sparkle in the sun. As a rule, tourists can enter the skyscraper building from 10 am to 6 pm from Sunday to Wednesday, from 10 am to 10 pm on other days, but such working hours are unstable.

It all depends on whether any events will be held, and therefore, before visiting the skyscraper, check the working hours for the current day. The full cost of the visit (for one day) is 32 £. You can go up to the observation deck (from the 68th to the 72nd floors) and use the bar for free. If it is too cloudy at the time of your visit to prevent you from enjoying the view, you will be entitled to claim your money back.

London National Gallery

One of the largest art galleries the capital looks somewhat more modest than the same Louvre, but it is more structured. Paintings from the twelfth to the twentieth centuries are exhibited here, with representatives of schools exclusively in Western Europe being in focus. The gallery was opened at the beginning of the nineteenth century and has already managed to change its location.

The last move was forced - there were more and more paintings, and it was necessary to start the construction of a new building. Soon, at the northern end of Trafalgar Square, the Wilkins-authored building, known to everyone today, appeared. More than two thousand exhibits have been collected in the halls, and therefore it will be almost impossible to get around everything in a day.

It’s better to decide right away whether you want to get to know Van Dyck, one of the titans of English classical painting, or you are interested in Van Gogh’s paintings. If you wish, you can listen to audio lectures or ask the museum staff for more information. The gallery is open from 10 am to 6 pm daily. On Fridays it closes at 21.00. The entrance is free.

Madame Tussauds museum

Marie Tussauds was able to brilliantly put into practice the knowledge she received while her mother worked as a housekeeper for Philip Curtis, a recognized master of the wax figure. At first, Tussauds traveled with her silent companions through the cities, and then decided to settle in London. She originally opened her museum on Baker Street, but then moved it to Marylebone Street, where it is today. Since its opening, the museum has not changed its concept.

Rising stars of our time appear in collections immediately, but also quickly disappear if fame real prototype starts to fade. Liverpool Four characters Star Wars”, Benedict Cumberbatch and Marilyn Monroe are quite comfortable side by side with politicians and kings. Modern technologies make the figures a little more alive.

So, Jennifer Lopez blushes charmingly. The museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm on weekdays. On weekends it opens at 9. A standard ticket will cost you £35 if you buy it at the box office and £29 if you buy your ticket online.

The London Underground is a historical museum located deep underground. Medieval instruments of torture are collected here, which continue to evoke horror. The museum opened at the end of the twentieth century. The first batch of the most terrifying people and non-humans in history made a lasting impression on the public. Since then, little has changed - thanks to the improvement of the technical base, the museum continues to make its guests tremble with fear.

IN modern exposition in addition to torture instruments, "live performances" are included. You can see with your own eyes how ugly and unsightly some of the realities of medieval London were: the fire of 1666, the plague, wars. And you will find yourself in the epicenter of events!

On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm. Tours start at 11am on Thursdays. On Saturdays, the last tour starts at 6 pm and on Sundays at 5 pm. You can book tickets directly on the website. The starting price is £21.

Tate British Gallery

The gallery was based on the personal collections of Sir Henry Tate, who owned one of the world's largest collections of examples of English art from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries. It is noteworthy that the opening of the gallery became possible only due to the fact that Henry Tate is the creator of cotton candy, and the expected popularity of this delicacy made him a very wealthy person.

Gradually, the collections grew so much that it became necessary to separate them: works of the classical period remained in the old premises on Trafalgar Square, while objects of modern art moved to the new premises on the banks of the Thames.

Today, the old power plant, which houses the galleries, has become a cult tourist destination. Entrance to the gallery is free. Tickets are only required for special exhibitions. From Sunday to Thursday the gallery is open from 10 am to 10 pm. Fridays and Saturdays - until 18.00.

Hyde Park

This park usually has a rather lively atmosphere. Everyone is well aware of such a national British trait as restraint, and they have probably heard the expression “hard upper lip” at least once. The faces of these people will not flinch, no matter what happens! This does not apply to two things - football and Hyde Park. As you know, English fans are among the most furious in the world, and as for Hyde Park, there is the so-called Speakers' Corner, where anyone can climb the podium and speak on any topic.

There are only three prohibitions: microphones, calls for violence and obscene language. Therefore, do not deny yourself the pleasure of joining the flow of sincerity. The park itself has the appearance of a typical, slightly careless English park - imposing and picturesque. No French symmetry - only calmness and relative riot of nature.

Serpentine Lake is located in the very center of the park - people often walk barefoot on its shore, and swimming is not forbidden in the lake itself. Nearby is a small contemporary art gallery of the same name. The park is open daily from 5 am to midnight.

The London Eye (or Millennium Wheel) was built in London for the start of the millennium celebrations. By the time construction was completed, it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, however, today this status has passed to a similar structure, but already in Singapore. There are a total of 32 transparent cabins in the Ferris wheel, each of which can accommodate up to 25 people at the same time.

You can also choose a cabin for two and enjoy a kind of romantic walk. The start times for the London Eye vary quite a bit throughout the year, but it typically opens at 10am and closes between 6:30 and 9:30pm. The cost of an adult ticket is £25.20. When ordering tickets online, you can save up to 15% of the amount.

Thames

The Thames is not just another river. English monarchs built their palaces on its banks in order to get home faster. It was this waterway that made London one of the largest port cities in Europe. The Thames has been a source of inspiration more than once. So, the amazing impressionist Claude Monet created a whole series of landscapes on a similar theme. The English painter William Turner did not lag behind him. It was along the Thames that three well-known people traveled with their dog, and Dickens' heroes often walked along its banks.

It's time for you to enjoy the beauty of this glorious river. Buy a ticket on one of the ferries plying the water stream and try to feel the majestic article of the bridges (Tower, London, Waterloo and others), take a look at London's most striking sights from a different angle: the Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, St. Paul's Cathedral and a lot others.

St. Pancras station

After restoration in 2007, the Sant Parnas station, located right in the city center, quite confidently began to compete with other attractions that claimed the title of the most romantic place in the city. The building in which the station is located was built back in the Victorian era and has fully retained its charm.

This is a kind of “matryoshka”, because the station itself is located in an arched landing stage, and a neo-Gothic building was built around it, in which the hotel was located. True, today under the arches of the station from the nineteenth century there is no trace left - only naked modernity. There are trains to the mainland from St. Parnasse Station.

Today, it takes about two hours to get from Paris to London. King's Cross (famous among fans of the Harry Potter universe) and St. Parnassus are combined thanks to the presence of a London Underground station, in whose name the names of the stations are organically combined.

Wembley Stadium

London Wembley is one of the largest sports venues in the world. It was built on the site of a truly legendary 1923 arena. However, the new stadium turned out to be a worthy receiver - it impresses with its size and level of technical equipment. Even on the outskirts of the stadium, an elegant arch, which is a carrier, catches the eye. It supports the roof, which "opens" with three petals. Even if you are not a fan of football, you will not be indifferent.

In addition, Wembley has repeatedly become a stage for world-famous stars. Today, especially for guests of London, tours of the stadium are held. The cost of a basic ticket is £19. The tour schedule is flexible. It depends not only on the type of ticket you have purchased, but also on current events. On average, tours start at 10 am. The last tour, as a rule, finds its audience by 2 pm.

Harrods department store

The most fashionable department store in London, unfortunately, is beyond the means of most guests, but a walk through it is quite comparable to going to a museum, because the luxury and aristocracy, which the interior literally screams about, are reminiscent of the decoration of royal residences. However, this is not far from the truth. Since the first third of the nineteenth century, Oscar Wilde, Princess Diana, Sigmund Freud, Elton John, Madonna and others have been regular customers of this department store.

However, in Harrods there is something besides design and brands - shows, festivals and cooking shows are regularly held here. Be sure to look here at Christmas - the extravaganza of the action taking place here is difficult to compare with anything else. The department store is open from 10 am to 8 pm on all days except Sunday. On Sundays it opens at half past 12 and closes at 6 pm.

Flea market in Portobello

Portobello Road is considered one of the most popular market streets in the world. It crosses the Notting Hill quarter horizontally, which means that more than three kilometers of open stalls, shops, tents and just street vendors await its guests. But this is not how he managed to win his name. The real Portobello begins on Saturday, when sellers and connoisseurs of antiques gather here.

The local antiques market is the largest in the world. It is noteworthy that three centuries ago there was a farm on this site, which bore the very poetic name of Portobello, which symbolized the victory over the Spanish city of the same name.

In the Victorian era, this area was built up with small houses - blue, red, lilac - and the urban landscape gradually began to take shape. Today you can wander around the market for hours. Here you can find everything from faded tickets for the Rolling Stones concerts to Meissen porcelain.

Brick Lane Flea Market

Shopping fans often ignore London's truly colorful street markets that dictate their own fashion trends. And Brick Lane Market is one of them. The street where the market is located is part of the Bangladeshi community, which was once the Jewish ghetto. Such historical realities left their mark on the appearance of this place.

People come here for two things: curry and conceptual fashion. The local array of restaurants that serve this dish will amaze you. As for fashion, you can find everything here: from vintage clothes of expensive brands (which for some reason are sold by the Japanese) to vintage Art Deco magazines and everything related to high art. Photographers and artists often appear here, finding inspiration in the chaos and variegation of colors of this market.