Excursion to the cultural sights of London. What to visit - museums, temples, palaces. Theater of one play. Brick Lane Flea Market

Historical architectural monument in the Gothic style, founded in 1065. The western facade of the Benedictine abbey is decorated with sculptures of 10 martyrs of the last century. For many centuries, Westminster Abbey was the traditional coronation site of the Norman rulers and, thanks to generous donations to the community of monks, from the 12th century gradually strengthened its influence on official power. The two western towers of the abbey, known throughout the world, are considered the standard of beauty and style of the Gothic Revival. Until the 19th century, Westminster Abbey was called one of the three most significant scientific centers in England after and.

MUSEUMS

London National Gallery (The National Gallery, London) and Trafalgar Square (Trafalgar Square)

The intersection of the main streets of Westminster unites Trafalgar Square, often called the "heart of England". The middle of the square is decorated with a 44-meter Nelson's Column, and around are embassies, the Admiralty Arch and the world-famous museum of art - the National Gallery of London. From the foundation of the gallery in 1824, the canvases were placed in the order they were written, and in this moment the number of masterpieces of painting exceeds 2 thousand. The National Gallery is especially proud of the works of Raphael, Rubens, Van Dyck, Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt and Titian. The collection represents all areas of painting Western Europe 13th - 20th centuries. During the war, aerial bombs hit the building with paintings several times, but not a single artistic creation was damaged.

Museum of Modern Art: Tate Modern - Art Gallery

London's Tate Modern, although officially called a "modern museum", contains the brilliant creations of masters since 1900. The museum, located on the south bank of the Thames, is visited annually by more than 5 million art lovers. Since the opening of the Turbine Hall, which previously housed the generators of the closed power plant, about 30 million visitors have seen its expositions. This is a special project of the museum, in which contemporary authors can present unusual creations. An excellent opportunity to see all of London at a glance will be a visit to the cafe-bar on the 7th floor. The observation deck overlooks St. Paul's Cathedral, the Thames and the central part of the city. There is no entrance fee to the Tate Modern. The museum provides several permanent free exhibitions, but some exhibitions of outstanding masters require payment.

British Museum (the British Museum)

1753 was the year of the unification in London of three of the most valuable literary and historical collections and the creation of the British Museum. Repeated relocations and expansion of storage facilities led to the separation of numismatic values, the Museum of Natural History, the Department of Ancient Oriental Art and, in fact, the British Library into separate components. The most valuable masterpieces of the collection are the antiquities of Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia and ancient rome. The museum's library rightfully bears the title of one of the richest in the world, with more than 150 million printed publications in different languages. The library treasury contains the only handwritten version of the Beowulf epic, the first editions of the Gutenberg Bible and da Vinci's personal notes.

Design Museum

"Someday some other museums will show these exhibits"

On the picturesque banks of the Thames, in 1989, one of the best museums in the world in the field of fashion, architecture and graphics, the Design Museum, was located. This is one of the few London art repositories that provides a paid entrance for admirers of beauty. Approximately 200,000 people visit the Art Nouveau building of the museum every year, appreciating the exhibitions of designer shoes, the development of video games, the history of clothing in different decades, and collections of graphic works. The museum regularly holds lectures by famous designers and fashion designers, there is an "educational department" for schoolchildren and students of design schools. At a local cafe, you can have leisurely conversations about the world of fashion or admire the view of the Tower Bridge.

Museum of Natural History (National History Museum)

London's world-famous Natural History Museum includes several collections and invites lovers of botany, zoology, mineralogy and antiquities to take free tours. The museum depository includes up to 6 million samples of the plant world, 55 million representatives of the animal fauna and up to 500 thousand minerals. The central hall of the museum houses a huge collection of dinosaur skeletons, here you can see the bones of a life-sized diplodocus or a movable specimen of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The Hall of Mammals is adorned with a real-size whale model and skeletons of many marine animals. For young visitors, the museum provides up to 10 popular science excursions and programs (“star animals”, “dinosaurs”, “create a volcano”, “draw nature”) to enhance the research interest of kids.

Science Museum, London (Science Museum)

The most interesting and educational museum in London is the Science Museum, in which all the exhibits are of practical importance. The central hall leads to many galleries dedicated to the inventions of human genius - from ancient Egyptian to modern technical innovations. In the clock hall, visitors can not only learn how the ancient Roman clocks worked, but also see the mechanisms of the current models. The phone room will allow you to study the devices of different years and even personally “call”. On the top floor you can compare several aircraft and learn how man conquered the force of gravity. Not all of the exhibitions presented are permanent, so even with repeated visits to the Museum of Science, you can make many incredible and unexpected discoveries.

Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)

In 1852, a museum of decorative arts and design skills was founded in London. At the opening, a small gallery was called the Museum of Products, but thanks to Queen Victoria and her husband, the storage was quickly filled with unique examples of decorative art, and now the Victoria and Albert Museum is one of the twenty best museum treasures in the world. Up to 3 million people visit his exhibitions a year. The halls present not only products of decorative art, but also theatrical exhibits, sculptures, paintings, samples of fabrics from different eras. The museum was created to raise the level of education of the general public and was supposed to contribute to the emergence of new ideas among British fashion designers. The museum has not abandoned these lofty goals even today and invites you to numerous exhibitions completely free of charge.

Museum of Childhood in London (Museum of Childhood)

The process of separating the Museum of Childhood from the larger Victoria and Albert Museum in London began in 1922, when the children's exhibition was greatly expanded and the museum's new curator decided to separate it into a separate building. Every year, about 30 thousand small spectators can get acquainted with children's exhibits covering the period from the 17th century to the present day. The Museum of Childhood presents decorative and real furniture for babies, toys and games, construction kits, doll houses and their inhabitants, clothes for little ones, from swaddling sets to funny dresses for boys, which were used until the 1920s. The museum pays great attention to art exhibitions for schoolchildren, placing paintings below the usual level for the convenience of “low visitors”.

Madame Tussauds Museum (Madame Tussauds)

The idea of ​​creating the London Wax Museum was realized by the French sculptor Marie Tussaud, and now the museum branches are located in 14 cities of the world. In 1777, Maria created her first wax figurine, depicting Voltaire, and already in 1835 she opened a permanent exhibition of her collection in London. Significant public interest was attracted by the Cabinet of Horrors, which consisted of figures of participants in the French Revolution, and a collection of wax figures of celebrities - philosophers, politicians, military men. Since 1984, Madame Tussauds has been located on Marylebone Road and is visited annually by more than 2.6 million people who dream of taking a closer look at famous personalities and taking unusual photographs.

Sherlock Holmes Museum (The Sherlock Holmes Museum)

By the time A. Conan Doyle wrote the stories and novels, the address where the brilliant detective lived did not exist. But over time, Baker Street was extended, and the address "221b Baker Street" found its embodiment in real life. It was to this address that Sherlock Holmes fans sent numerous letters and made excursions. Later, the Sherlock Holmes Museum was created on the street in a 4-storey building, and a sign appeared on the facade informing passers-by about living here in 1881-1904. detective S. Holmes. The rooms of the great detective can be viewed on the second floor, while Dr. John Watson and Mrs. Hudson "lived" on the third floor. Visitors can see here objects familiar from the stories of A. Conan Doyle: the detective's violin, letters, his hat. Also in SherlockHolmesMuseum it is possible to sit in an armchair by the fireplace or take pictures in the atmosphere of a 19th century tenement house.

parks

Hyde Park

The name of Central London Park comes from a unit of area. This royal park occupies up to 1.4 sq. km and is a favorite place of English politicians and orators who prefer to communicate with opponents and defend their own philosophical ideas here. Previously, historical parades were held here, and in 1822, the first sculpture of naked Achilles in London was installed in Hyde Park, which caused a storm of protests from the townspeople.

Regent's Park and London Zoo

One of the largest parks in London, which previously served as the hunting grounds of Henry VIII. For ordinary Londoners, the park has been available since 1838, and in the middle of the 19th century the Bishop Observatory worked here. The park is a popular recreation area for citizens due to its numerous lakes, the central rose garden and fields for active sports. In the northeast of the park, a zoo is open for those who wish, which is the oldest in the world. In 1828, a small zoo collection for scientific purposes appeared here, and now the London Zoo has up to 20 thousand animals from all over the world. As early as the 19th century, separate insectaria, an aquarium, and a serpentarium were built. Later, a children's zoo, a "round house" for primates, and enclosures for large animals were allocated to independent groups.

St. James's Park

The oldest Royal St. in London. James's Park overlooks Buckingham Palace on the west and St James's Palace on the north side. The name of the park was in honor of the charitable institution for the sick and the poor named after St. James (James). Significant changes were made to the appearance of the park by Kings Henry VIII, James I Stuart and Charles II, who drained the local swamps, placed a menagerie with exotic African and Asian animals, and set up the Versailles Gardens in the park. At the beginning of the 19th century, the appearance of the park was transformed by the planting of new tree species and the creation of a small pond.

Green Park

Royal Park, connecting the other two: Hyde Park and St. James. Not far from the park are the famous Kensington Gardens. The history of the founding of Green Park is due to Henry VIII. During duels, aristocrats preferred to fight in Green Park as the least crowded central park in the city. Since 1826, the park has become a favorite place for walks of Londoners and the natural workshop of local artists. Green Park cannot boast of numerous monuments or famous buildings, and the area is green meadows.

shopping

Harrods and the Knightsbridge area

The central place of shopping in London is one of the largest department stores in the world Harrods. 90 thousand square meters of retail space accommodate up to 330 different departments offering goods for every taste. And although the department store's famous motto is "Omnia Omnibus Ubique", not "every" consumer can shop here, but only those who have passed a strict dress code. Since 1989, Harrods has not been allowed to enter Harrods in work or dirty clothes. The most famous department store in London is located in the quarter of luxurious restaurants, major banks and fashion boutiques - Knightsbridge. The quarter is ruled by the spirit of exclusivity, sophistication and expensive things. Designer stores Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Zara, Prada and many others attract tourists from all over the world to this wealthy quarter.

Selfridges and Oxford Street

Oxford Street is one of the main shopping streets in Westminster, bringing together many branded shops and department stores. The length of the street is up to 2.4 km, where more than 550 retail spaces are located. One of Oxford Street's most famous department stores is the century-old Selfridges. The founder of the trading giant, Henry Selfridge, implemented successful marketing moves in the organization of trade and was able to convince buyers that buying is not an ordinary necessity, but a time of wonderful discoveries. The principle of "the customer is always right" and the decoration of windows in the style of a magical holiday helped the founder to expand the trading business. In 2010, Selfridge was named the best modern store in the world. 50 thousand sq. meters accommodate fashion boutiques, beauty salons, furniture departments, perfumery and jewelry stores. In London Selfridge you can find absolutely everything, as its founder dreamed.

Covent Garden

The Covent Garden quarter is considered a London landmark due to the Royal Opera House located here, the old Covent Garden market and the Theater Royal Drury Lane. Also in the quarter, tourists can see the London Public Transport Museum, opened in a Victorian-style building in 1980. In the 17th century, the famous “acting” church, the Church of St. Paul, was built in the quarter. Covent Garden is historically associated with the entertainment industry, with 13 theaters and over 60 pubs. The local market is mentioned in J. B. Shaw's play Pygmalion.

Camden Town and Camden Markets

Tourists visit Camden Town to get acquainted with alternative culture, pop art and feel the spirit of freedom and creativity. This block in north London is called a round-the-clock underground paradise, where everyone can learn more about Goth culture, emo, alternative religions and new philosophies. Several Camden markets stretch along the same street from different directions, introducing tourists to fashionable clothes and designer items. Each Camden Market has its own specialty and style. Tourists and Londoners can take a break from tiring shopping in pubs and restaurants in the unique style of different cultures. More than 10 million shoppers visit Camden Markets a year.

Carnaby Street

The name of the London street comes from the building Karnaby House, located a little to the east. The foundations of Carnaby Street were laid in 1685-1686, and the street was finally built up at the end of the 17th century. In the second half of the 20th century, this pedestrian street was called the center of independent youth fashion, underground clubs and "swinging London". Now, most of the boutiques and designer shops on Carnaby Street present clothes for the mass consumer.

Westfield London

One of the largest shopping centers in London combined 150 sq. meters of luxury brands such as Prada and Chanel, and quite affordable Marks & Spencer, Zara, Esprit or Next. Now the center has more than 370 stores of jewelry, children's clothing, books, pet products, furniture, hobby goods, art salons, pharmacies, and even one dental clinic. This is a fairly young shopping center, built in 2008. Due to a wide range of services and goods offered and a good location (Ariel Way, White City), Westfield Shopping Center is very popular with tourists and locals. When it opened, it was named the second largest mall after the Metro Centre.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

All bar one

The Allbarone group of bars includes more than 50 establishments in Britain and Germany. The main concept of the founders is to create a comfortable and friendly place where single people can enjoy pleasant music and relax after work. Open space, glass facades, natural wood floors and a huge selection of cocktails have made Allbarone a favorite place for working women. The first Allbarone opened in 1994 in Sutton, London. At a rapid pace, the bar expanded its presence in central London, and at the moment 47 Allbarone branches can be found in the "heart of the city". Many customers appreciate this bar for soft music that allows you to chat with friends, and delicious food. Bar managers cater to more mature patrons, young people under 21 are not served in most Allbarone.

Gaucho

The best restaurants in London where real Argentinean steaks are prepared and fine Argentinean wine is served are the Gaucho network. Piccadilly's flagship restaurant won the 2013 Argentine Wine Association award as the best "house of wine" outside of Argentina. Last year, in Britain alone, the Gaucho Group opened 14 restaurants and wine pubs. Gaucho restaurants present themselves as an ideal place for official meetings, business lunches and private parties. Each of the restaurants includes a separate wine room where guests can taste drinks. According to visitors, Cavas de Gaucho is considered the best "wine boutique" of the chain.

hakassan

The best ethnic West End restaurant is considered Hakassan with traditional Chinese cuisine. The interior and planning of the hall was created by the French designer Christian Liagre, who organically combined the traditions of China and modern architectural solutions. In 2008, there were only 5 London restaurants in the world list of the 50 best restaurants in the world. One of them was Hakassan, who took 19th place. In 2013, the owners of Hakassan made the decision to "upgrade" the restaurant's concept through a partnership with a nightclub at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Now the Hakassan restaurant chain is a recognized leader in the music and restaurant business.

Ice Bar (ICE Bar)

London Chinatown (China Town London)

Previously, the settlements of the Chinese in the cities of the world were called "Chinatown" quarters, but now they are tourist quarters, including entertainment venues and ethnic restaurant chains. In London, ChinaTown is located in the Soho quarter, and the time of its birth is considered to be the 70s of the 20th century. Before that, Soho was famous for coffee shops and supermarkets, but traditional Chinese souvenir shops and restaurants Chinese food actively ousted the former owners. Now all the establishments of the quarter are marked with hieroglyphic plates and provide for the popularization of Chinese culture. The Chinese New Year celebration takes place in London's Chinatown with theatrical performances, processions of mythical animals and a lantern festival. Numerous tourists specially visit London these days to participate in the annual ceremony.

CLUBS

Ministry of Sound (Ministry of Sound)

At the end of the last century, the first MinistryofSound club was opened in the southeast region of London, and now it is a large club chain that includes the best institutions in the city. The original logo of the clubs uses symbols traditional for the official British authorities, which emphasizes its elitism and high quality of music. Ministry of Sound features celebrity DJs mixing sets live Friday and Saturday for two dance floors. Now Ministry of Sound is a trademark and is working to expand its activities.

Factory

A funny feature of one of the best nightclubs in London is the dress code, which does not encourage the presence of primly dressed dancers on the dance floor. But do not worry - they are allowed into the club in absolutely any clothes. It is Fabric's policy that what matters in the club is the love of the dance moves, not the clothing of the club members. In 2008, DjMag magazine named Fabric in its list of the best clubs, emphasizing its huge musical assortment, a significant number of DJs and comfortable dance floors. According to the rules of the club, at least three stars of the world of club music present their sets every evening. Tickets to Fabric are inexpensive, so getting them is quite difficult. A pre-order will save you from unnecessary worries and allow you to enjoy the stylish minimalism of the interior and great music.

FAST FOOD

Pret a Manger (Pret a Manger)

The first PretaManger store opened in 1984 in Hampstead, London. For gourmets, the store offered ready-to-eat food created by experienced restaurant craftsmen. The idea of ​​the name indicates the opportunity to purchase traditional French cuisine to take away, for consumption in a cozy home environment. The stores of the network also have comfortable small cafes where visitors can have a bite to eat “on the way”. The history of the company says that it was created because many people dream of masterfully prepared favorite dishes, but cannot find them anywhere. PretaManger sees the main goal of his work in giving his customers a dream and allowing them to enjoy real high-quality dishes. In 2011, sales of Pret-à-Manger amounted to 377 million British pounds. Now PretaManger offices are open in New York, Washington, Paris, Hong Kong.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK)

The GBK restaurant chain is generally considered to be gourmet fast food. The founding of the first restaurant dates back to 2001, when the natives of New Zealand developed a unique menu of unusual "big" hamburgers and side dishes of fresh vegetables. After 4 years of development, the GBK chain included more than 50 fast food restaurants throughout Britain. Franchises of the network are now open in Ireland, Dubai, Greece. Most visitors to GourmetBurgerKitchen leave rave reviews about the speed of service, the incredible taste of burgers, chips and signature salads.

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus was created in 1819 as a traffic intersection in the Westminster area of ​​central London. The square is decorated with a statue of the twin brother of the god of love Eros and the Museum of Passionate Love, London Amora, opened in 2007. Nine halls of the museum are devoted to love relationships and erotica. The exposition was created with the help of the latest technical innovations, projectors, multimedia. Since the beginning of the 20th century, a metro station has been located under the square.

Leicester Square

LeicesterSquare is rightfully considered a place of fashionable and non-poor youth, the center of local show business. Here are the largest cinema halls (Empire), Swiss cuisine restaurants and branded watch stores. Sir Isaac Newton lived not far from Leicester Square, so you can see his sculpture here. Tourists visit LeicesterSquare for a mechanical representation on the wall of one of the buildings. At a height of 4 meters, you can see a 5-minute action with figures of peasants who are engaged in ordinary household chores: mowing grass, kneading dough ... At the ticket office in Leicester Square, you can buy unsold tickets to West End theaters at half price.

Musicals

During your trip to London, you should definitely go to a local musical. Theaters in the West End are traditionally considered to be of the highest professionalism in this area, and their musical performances are highly regarded by fans of musicals. In London, it is customary that the theater presents just one musical show for quite a long time, honing every detail to perfection. Depending on the theatre, tickets to a performance can cost £15-80, so to save money, it's best to take unsold tickets through the Half price tickets booth box office at Leicester Square tube station. At musicals, viewers can take a glass of wine or ice cream into the hall.

Many tourists visit London every day. This is a city with an interesting history. Every traveler dreams of visiting the famous and famous sights of London. Here, anyone will find something to see: historical, architectural, cultural sights and wonders will not leave anyone indifferent.

Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, the Wax Museum, ancient structures and modern buildings attract tourists from all over the world. The sights of London with their grandeur and beauty fascinate, enchant, make you admire unique monuments, intriguing with numerous legends and interesting stories. This city forever captivates the hearts of tourists who visited it, and therefore they return here again and again to admire its beauty and discover interesting places.

TOP 20 attractions in London

The historical sights of London belong mainly to the Victorian era. So called the times when the country was ruled by Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901). Few of the earlier buildings have survived, since many buildings were destroyed in a fire in 1666. The surviving main sights of London are the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Banqueting House.

You can talk and talk about the capital of Great Britain for hours. But, as we say, "It is better to see once." And there really is something to see. Here is a list of the brightest places and buildings in the city.

Tourists should definitely visit Tower Bridge, located near the famous prison. This is another symbol of the capital of Great Britain, placed on many photos. The length of the attraction is almost 250 m, the height of the towers is 65 m. Between the towers there is a span, the length of which is 61 m. It is divided into two parts, rising to let sea traffic through.

The bridge is designed so that pedestrians can pass over it even when the spans are raised. For this purpose, galleries are equipped here, connecting the towers high above the river. A pedestrian can get here by climbing the spiral staircase of one of the towers. Since 1982, exhibition displays have been placed in the pedestrian galleries. You can also climb here to explore the surroundings.

2. Elizabeth Tower or Big Ben

It is the most famous tower in London. It has clocks on all four sides. The diameter of the clock is 7 meters, due to such a large size, the clock is considered the main clock in London. The Elizabeth Tower is located on the grounds of the Palace of Westminster, where the British Parliament sits.

The Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in London. The fortress is located on the banks of the Thames, at EC3N 4AB. The first tower appeared here in 1078 on the orders of the Norman Duke William I to intimidate the conquered locals. At first it was a wooden building, which was then replaced with stone. In the second half of the XII century. several more towers and fortress walls appeared around the Tower, along which a deep moat was dug from the outside.

The Tower of London became famous as a dungeon, the captives of which were aristocrats, many of whom were serving life sentences or were executed. The rulers of Scotland and France sat here, the three wives of Henry VIII spent their last days, the future Queen of England, Elizabeth I, spent several months.

The Tower housed not only a dungeon. For several hundred years, royal jewels were also stored here, an arsenal, a mint, an observatory, and archives were located. Until 1830, the fort housed a zoo where bears and other animals lived.

Now the Tower is a museum, an arsenal, here are the treasures of the British crown. Officially, the fort is listed among the royal residences. There are several apartments here where employees of the Tower and honored guests live.

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British kings. Located at: London SW1A 1AA. The construction of the building began in 1703 by order of the Duke of Buckingham, who planned to settle here. In 1762, the attraction was acquired by the monarch George III, who was no longer satisfied with the Saint-James Palace, and therefore he was looking for a new residence. Over the next century, a huge amount of money was spent on the arrangement of the palace, and the castle itself underwent significant transformations.

The total area of ​​Buckingham Palace occupies 20 hectares. This is not only the main building, but also a garden, stables, two post offices, a swimming pool, a cinema, as well as a royal garden where pink flamingos. The most important place in the palace, the British consider the balcony, from which the monarchs with their families address their subjects on holidays.

Tourists can visit the palace from August to September when members of the royal family are away. At this time, the castle is a museum where you can see paintings by famous artists, antique clocks, antiques, a collection of porcelain and many other interesting things. Here you can also visit the famous royal stables Royal Mews, the most famous exhibit of which is a gilded carriage created in the 18th century. Near the palace, anyone can change the guard, which takes place daily at Buckingham Palace.

5. Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster is located on the banks of the Thames, at SW1A 0AA. Until the beginning of the XVI century. here was the residence of the English monarchs. The first English parliament met here in 1295, and since then the country's government has been sitting here. At the beginning of the 19th century There was a big fire, because of which the castle had to be rebuilt. From the old building, only the reception hall was preserved, where the judges gathered and the Jewel Tower, which kept the treasury of Edward III.

The most famous tower of the palace is Big Ben. In fact, this building is called the Elizabeth Tower. Big Ben is the name of the large bell located here weighing 13.7 tons. The landmark was built in 1859, its height together with the spire reaches 96.3 m. . Their lower part is located 55 m above the ground, the total weight is 5 tons, the diameter of the dial is 7 m.

Tourists can get to the Palace of Westminster only on Saturdays as part of a tour, or on other days when Parliament is not in session. As a museum, Big Ben is currently closed until at least 2020 due to renovations.

St. Peter's Collegiate Church, known as Westminster Abbey, is located across the street from the Palace of Westminster, at SW1P 3PA, London, Deans Yd, 20. Traditionally, this landmark is the site of the coronation, marriage and burial of English monarchs.

The abbey was built on the site of a Benedictine church built in the 7th century. The attraction is considered a model of early English Gothic architecture: its construction began in 1245. Over the centuries, the abbey was rebuilt more than once, and acquired its final appearance in 1745.

In the Abbey Museum, tourists can see the queen's diamond galleries, paintings by famous artists, sculptures, statues, tapestries, church utensils. St. Peter's Church is known not only for its skillful decor, but also for the people who found their last refuge here. These are not only representatives of the royal family, but also graves famous writers(Geoffrey Chaucer, Edmund Spenser, Charles Dickens). Music lovers will also like it here: concerts are often organized here.

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 pictures are obtained in the morning, from Westminster Bridge at the tower and on the other side of the Thames right on the waterfront. 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. Cathedral built in gothic style. Listed as a World Heritage Site. Its doors are open for tourists and you simply have to go inside Westminster Abbey. Best time to visit 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. A wonderful 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 Traitor water gate, is located medieval palace with restored interiors of the 13th century where Henry the Sixth, the founder of the most famous English school for boys of Eton College and Cambridge University, was killed. 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. IN central tower Tower Castle houses one of the world's largest collections of weapons. 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 English language) about how 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 in the very high point London 300 years ago and is the seat of the Bishop of London and one of the most visited attractions in London and in the UK. After purchasing the ticket, you will be given an audio guide. The language is only English. You will be able to climb above the large dome by stairs. The cathedral has a restaurant and cafe. St. Paul's Cathedral in action. Below 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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Beautiful and delightful London is the heart of Great Britain and one of the greatest historical cities of our time. The undoubted leader in terms of the population of the largest country in the Old World, which is more than 8.5 million people. Every year it is "attacked" by thousands of tourists from all over the world to visit luxurious, rich, unique attractions - national galleries and museums, palaces and temples, theaters and much more. An extraordinary fashionista is a metropolis of global importance and a key financial center that dictates the laws of political, business, cultural and economic spheres of activity.

History of London

The history of the emergence, formation and prosperity of London is very rich, multifaceted and interesting. It originates as early as 43 AD - during the invasion of the Romans on the lands of Britain. Even at the very beginning of its origin, Londinium (the former name of the settlement 1.6 km long and 0.8 km wide) was the most important trading center, port and significant locality region, and in 100 AD. e. flourishes even more and becomes the capital. After 100 years, when the state is divided into two parts, it falls into Upper Britain and becomes the main policy of the new provinces.
Over the course of several centuries, the city changed kings, was destroyed and rebuilt again, drove out the Romans and settled the British, and was even occupied by the Vikings. But at the same time, he did not stop in development, continued to settle down and rise. During the Early Middle Ages, under the reign of William the Conqueror, construction began on the Tower of London, the bridge and the Palace of Westminster, which today are iconic landmarks. And London all towered, grew and became the largest shopping center in Europe.
In 1665-1666. the terrible epidemic "Black Death" (in the common people - the plague) collapsed on it and claimed the lives of more than 50 thousand people. A little moving away from this tragedy, another disaster struck London - the Great Fire of London, which incinerated most of the city, about 13 thousand buildings. After several decades, he literally rose from the ashes and took the position of the financial capital of the world, which became significant in his history. In 1707, it became the capital of the newly minted territory - Great Britain, and continued to be populated and built up with factories, factories, sewers, and the railway.
During World Wars I and II, the city stopped its development, as it was subjected to constant air attacks. World War II brought destruction to more than tens of thousands of homes. London subsequently lost the title largest port countries. But still in 1948 he held the Olympic Games. In 1952, a mixture of industrial smoke and fog, known as the Great Smog, descended on it, from which more than 11 thousand people died. A rich history has created a city from London, which occupies the fifth place in the world's GDP per capita.

The main sights of London

Today, London is overwhelmed with crowds of tourists who come for recreation and excursions, to view historical sights, unique architectural projects and the famous newest skyscrapers that have become new symbols.
Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Road
The heart and one of the main symbols of the capital of Great Britain is the Tower Bridge - this is the largest and most complex drawbridge, which is controlled by hydraulics. Its majestic towers, connected by horizontal passages, lead all visitors to a stunning delight. Crowds of spectators gather nearby as the sliding structures are raised to let a large ship through, to take photos and look at the work of a masterpiece of architectural art. You can also visit exhibitions and shows in the towers, which are held quite often.
Big Ben, Elizabeth Tower - Houses of Parliament, Westminster
An equally important part of London is Big Ben - a huge 13-ton bell hidden behind the dials of the world-famous 98-meter tower of the Palace of Westminster. Delicate and meticulous work has been done to create this Neo-Gothic marvel. Facing with decorative ornaments, granite, Yorkshire Anston stone and Latin inscriptions. Unfortunately, foreigners are not allowed inside. The tower reaches incredible beauty in the evening, when the spotlight is lit. Experts worked on the accuracy of the passage of time in the mechanism for several years and nevertheless achieved their goal: the clock started working on May 21, 1859 and to this day the inhabitants of this beautiful city enjoy the sound of Big Ben at the start of every New Year.
Tower of London, Tower Hill
On the banks of the River Thames in the east of the City rise the marble towers of the Tower of London. Almost 9 centuries have passed since the construction of the mighty fortress. Many historically important events took place in this unusual castle. Here, until the end of the 17th century, the English rulers spent the night before the coronation. The Tower also served as a chased court, an archive, an observatory, and even a menagerie. Now it attracts the attention of tourists with its original architecture of buildings of different times, romantic stories of the fate of people, tragedies and museum collections. Curious visitors can look at the place where the scaffold and instruments of ancient torture were located, admire the royal regalia, the scepter with the world-famous sparkling diamond "Star of Africa" ​​and other jewels.
Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Palace Road
A prominent representative of the foggy capital of Great Britain is Buckingham Palace - the residence of Queen Elizabeth, where the most important receptions, official meetings and international banquets are held. Most of the time it is closed to the public, and opens only during the departure of the monarchs for the holidays in August and September. Visitors come here not only to get acquainted with the unsurpassed splendor and luxury of the architectural structure, but also to look at the bewitching spectacle of the changing of the guard. The central façade is particularly opulent, with a huge balcony in the center. Everyone is invited to get acquainted with exquisite furniture, luxurious decorative items, a unique collection of paintings in the Green Room, as well as visit the Throne Room, the Grand Dining Room with a long mahogany table and many portraits of monarchs, the Royal Stables with golden, transparent and other carriages. It is also proposed to enjoy the beauty of a luxurious garden, where there is a lake with real pink flamingos.
Palace of Westminster, Westminster
It is unlikely that there will be at least one tourist who has not heard about the Palace of Westminster - more than 3 hectares of incredible charm and luxury of a three-dimensional composition. It included about 1100 rooms, 100 staircases, a 3-kilometer corridor and 11 amazing courtyards. Very skillful decoration attracts more than 40 thousand people a year. The building is decorated with two towers, one of which is the world famous Big Ben. Many also come to visit Westminster Hall - a real masterpiece of English Gothic, the Peers' Hall, the Central Hall, the House of Commons. In the Royal Gallery you can find sculptures of royal blood, and in the Hall of the Mantle - beautiful paintings that were painted by William Dick. The House of Lords is a room decorated with wood and stone carvings, paintings, frescoes, various emblems and insanely bright colorful stained glass windows. Visitors experience incredible sensations when they walk through the same carpets and rooms as the queen herself, or when examining a wardrobe consisting of luxurious dresses, accessories and hats.
Westminster Abbey, Broad Sanctuary
Among the variety of church buildings in London, Westminster Abbey is considered the most luxurious royal tomb. The coronation and burial place of the kings of Great Britain was built during 1245-1745. and is a prime example medieval architecture in gothic style. The main attribute of the coronation is the oak throne. It serves as a hiding place for Skoon's destiny stone. Striking in size and richness of decoration, the structure is enveloped, like a flame, by massive and graceful stone lace. The length of the temple is 156 m, the height of the main nave is 31 m. And above it is a triforium - a narrow gallery decorated with exquisite carvings. The facades are decorated with round rose windows with amazing stained-glass windows. The vaults are fastened with lancet arches resting on high columns, which gives an unusual lightness and spaciousness to the interior, creates the impression of weightlessness.
St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Paul's Churchyard
St. Paul's Church is a cathedral, which is the main church building in the capital of Great Britain. The central nave, transepts and choirs form a cross, which is reminiscent of the shrines of the Middle Ages. The spacious, surprisingly planned interior has impressed visitors before, but still I wanted to add more luxury and wealth. And in 1860, a fund was approved, the purpose of which was to finance interior, after which it received delightful mosaics, beautiful sculptures, openwork lattices made of non-ferrous metals and handmade wooden benches.

Cultural Center London

British Museum, Great Russell Street
The British Museum is one of the oldest and largest museum institutions on the planet, visited by a huge number of tourists. It contains unique artifacts, artistic works of art from around the world. Over six million exhibits are exhibited here in halls and vaults. Ancient Egypt with frightening mummified pharaohs, Assyria, a collection of sculptures from the Greek Parthenon made of marble, a Viking boat, a unique spike from the crown of thorns of the God-man Jesus Christ, the death mask of Emperor Napoleon - all this is available for inspection within the walls of this attraction. The central museum hall - an architectural masterpiece by Norman Foster - contrasts with the exterior classics of the building. It also houses the main treasure of England - the library. The British Museum is a place where you never get bored, you never get tired of it and, leaving, plan your next visit.
London National Gallery, Trafalgar Square
The London National Gallery is one of the world's great art institutions. It is located on Trafalgar Square, having been founded in the 19th century by a Russian banker from St. Petersburg. It exhibits masterpieces of Western European art, starting from the early Renaissance and ending with "Sunflowers" by the notorious van Gogh. Visitors remain delighted with the works of outstanding artists of the 13th-20th centuries they have seen. Even if you are not a fan of high art, everyone will find a lot of interesting things here. It is allowed to draw here, but you need to take all the necessary materials with you. After long walks, many get tired - in this case, you can sit on the sofa and relax or have a cup of coffee, tea in the Espresso Bar or The National Cafe.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Marylebone Road
Madame Tussauds London is the world's largest and most famous wax complex. It is located in the home area of ​​the great fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. Most tourists consider this place to be a must-see. It consists of several halls, including the Great Hall, the Chamber of Horrors and the Spirit of London exhibition. Each of them includes exhibits so lively that the look of these dolls penetrates to the depths of the soul. The models of E. Presley, the Rolling Stones, M. Monroe, M. Jackson, Ch. Chaplin, the royal family, B. Clinton and Jack the Ripper will not leave indifferent. It is interesting that they are all fixed in different positions: sitting, standing, or even in motion.
Sherlock Holmes Museum, 221B Baker Street
The Sherlock Holmes Museum is the home of the first fictional literary detective S. Holmes created by A. Conan Doyle. Entering this unique building, everyone finds himself in an incredible detective atmosphere, oversaturated mysterious stories. Visitors are invited to sit in the same armchair in front of the fireplace as Holmes, touch, feel things and exhibits that Sherlock used, or read Dr. Watson's diary with notes and an excerpt from The Hound of the Baskervilles. Don't forget about Mrs. Hudson here. There is a souvenir shop with many interesting items.
Tate British Gallery, Millbank
The Tate British Gallery is an art museum in London that includes almost everything modern styles and genres, together with examples from the last century. The majestic interiors, high ceilings, decoration and peaceful atmosphere are reminiscent of the decoration of the palace. The number of visitors here is small, no one will interfere with learning the national art of Great Britain, presented in paintings, sculptures, installations, unique paper works, engravings and bas-reliefs.
Theater Royal Covent Garden, Covent Garden
The Royal Theater of Covent Garden is a delightful opera in London, which began its activity as early as 1732. It consisted of several independent troupes that showed not only musical, dramatic and ballet productions, but also circus performances. Now is incredible luxury palace with a hall capacity of 2268 seats, which has earned the title of one of the best European theaters. Famous conductors and vocalists of the planet perform at Covent Garden. The extensive repertoire includes works of various national schools - from the classical era to the present.

Modern holidays with children

Ferris wheel "London Eye", The Queen's Walk, South Bank of the River Thames
Ferris wheel "London Eye" - an amazing attraction, installed on one of the banks of the Thames. At the time of construction, it was the highest in everything the globe a similar building. Rising up to 135 m, the attraction consists of 32 transparent cabin capsules with a capacity of up to 25 people. At the same time, 800 people can ride it. During the year, the number of visitors is about 3.5 million people. Truly, this is the perfect place for romance, where you can order champagne, candles, fruit and ride in the "Cupid's Capsule" designed for two + a waiter. One revolution of the London Eye takes 30 minutes, which will allow people in the cabins to enjoy fabulous panoramic views of London. Interestingly, the wheel does not make stops to load and unload passengers.
Sea Life London Aquarium, County Hall Westminster Bridge Road
An ideal place for a walk with children is the only Sea Life Aquarium in London. It is the largest collection of aquatic animals in all of Europe, with two huge pools of over a million liters and 50 additional tanks. The aquarium has a huge number of species of animals placed in more similar conditions to the natural environment. The most popular procedure for adults is feeding fish. Children are incredibly delighted with penguins, stingrays, crabs, sea ​​stars because they are allowed to be touched. Young people often prefer extreme pastime: diving with sharks or just watching them. In the aquarium you can see Cuban crocodiles, sea turtles, piranhas, jellyfish, squids, octopuses and even seahorses.
Peter Harrison Planetarium, Greenwich, at the National Maritime Museum
But the London Planetarium has been impressing the audience with incredible spectacles for about 40 years. Every 40 min. the session of the "star show" starts, for which a star projector is used. With its help, visitors look at the Earth and the solar system, study galaxies, watch the twinkling of stars. In the planetarium there is an opportunity to visit exciting attractions that resemble the space of the Cosmos, taking visitors to fantastic adventures, or get acquainted with mysterious fogs and black holes, be a participant in the search work of alien civilizations or find out the amount of your weight on another planet.
London Zoo, Regents Park, Outer Circle
Many tourists and residents of the city take their children to the London Zoo. For a full acquaintance with all the beauties, you need to spend at least 3 hours here. The menagerie has collected incredible varieties of reptiles, 3 aquarium halls, 2 departments of the children's mini-zoo, constantly replenished with new specimens, capturing almost the entire diversity of the animal world. The African Bird Safari collection features rare species such as Madagascar teals and white-bellied rain storks. In the "BROV" pavilion there are insects and tiny animals.
Hamleys Toy Store, 188-196 Regent Road
For the Hamleys toy store, customers set aside an entire day or most of it. Every day, in addition to selling goods, interesting children's games, puppet theater performances, prize competitions are held here. The complex is a great place to celebrate a child's birthday. A well-thought-out event according to the scenario is offered, which includes an hour and a half tour of the institution. The hero from the fairy tale will be a guide, will tell a lot interesting adventures. A sweet table is organized in the Festive Hall, and bags with gifts are also handed out.

Public catering establishments

Tate Modern Restaurant, 53 Bankside
When visiting beautiful London, one tries to time the many famous sights. In this case, it is necessary to find places of complete saturation or just a snack along the way. The Tate Modern restaurant attracts the maximum number of customers every day due to the quality of the cuisine and the location. It is located on the 6th floor of the building, which provided him with fabulous views from the windows of the iridescent huge dome of St. Paul's Cathedral across the beauty of the enchanting Thames. Baked sea trout with baby potatoes will set you back £18, asparagus and cashew broth around £8, delicious pasta starts at £9, and a traditional rib-eye steak will delight art lovers for £20. It is also important that there is a bar.
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, 68 Royal Hospital Road
If you need luxury in everything for an important event, meeting, then this is the place - the flagship institution of high French cuisine Gordon Ramsay, which has three Michelin stars in its arsenal, which already guarantees the quality of food. Modern and respectable, located in the center of London, it is ready to accommodate up to 45 people at a time. Tables here, of course, must be booked 2-3 days before the visit. The interior is chic, the decor is in the best English traditions. The quality of the food and the presentation is unparalleled. As for the price - a full dinner with dessert from $350. Unfortunately the restaurant is closed on weekends.
Liman Restaurant, 60 Penton Street, Angel Islington
Liman Restaurant is a lovely little restaurant with nice decor and very cozy atmosphere. There is a really extensive menu, which leads to a difficult choice - the eyes literally run up. It mainly dishes come from Turkey and the Middle East. Prices start at £3.9 and go up to £15.5. We are talking about karisik izgara - assorted kebabs, delicious ribs and fried lamb. Stylish interior with panoramic views also delight guests. The open kitchen allows you to watch the chefs - a great marketing ploy.
Cafe Diana, Bayswater Road 5 Wellington Terrace
Lovers and admirers of Princess Diana will love Cafe Diana, located on Bayswater Road. This is a nice, cozy establishment, the walls of which are decorated with a huge number of different photographs of Diana, her family, including the owner of the cafe. Very simple and unassuming place. However, despite the simplicity, everything is very tasty. In particular, visitors note chic bacon, hummus, fatush salad, roast lamb. Friendly and courteous staff doing their best.
Cafe Boheme, 13 Old Compton Street
Outwardly not attracting maximum attention, Cafe Boheme will serve all its customers in a friendly and good-natured way. Here people are always crowded - regardless of the time of day. The prices are quite high, the interior is in the French style. The choice is quite extensive and varied. Great appreciation is given to croissants with a cup of latte for breakfast, a nice steak. The meat appetizer dish is lovely, the pâté is more like a very perfect parfait - heavenly delight. In the evenings, a jazz orchestra often plays here.

Shopping in London

Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road
Harrods is the largest department store in Europe, located on 5 floors, occupying 90 thousand square meters. m. and including 330 departments. It sells clothes and shoes for the whole family, electrical appliances and jewelry, sporting goods and wedding supplies, pet accessories and toys, food and cosmetics, gift sets and stationery, household items and furniture. Despite the struggle with environmentalists, the complex trades in animal skins.
House of Fraser, Oxford Street, 318
House of Fraser has earned its popularity as a result of loyal prices and an abundance of public labels. Due to the huge selection of cheap models, it is perfect for bulk shopping or a lot of gifts, especially if there are time limits. Not counting departments with clothes for any gender and age, there are accessories, shoes, bags, cosmetics, household goods and appliances.
Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street
Selfridges is a famous department store in London. Its distinctive feature is that it was originally built as a department store. The range consists of clothes for any gender and age, accessories, shoes, cosmetics and household appliances. Many different models will certainly make you pick something for yourself.
John Lewis, 300 Oxford Street
John Lewis is an outstanding department store and traditional gift shop in its own right. Initially, his assortment included only household items, but today he also sells clothes. The style of the models is designed more for work, walks and calm. If you need to buy jeans more economically, then this is also the right place. There are no bright, famous brands here.

Surprisingly beautiful and mesmerizing with its grandeur, London opens its doors and arms to tourists, knows its incredibly difficult history of appearance and formation. Thanks to the sights, places of recreation and entertainment, even the most boring tourist will cheer up and find entertainment for himself here. The accumulation of visitors is caused by the trends of modern culture and a rich historical past. And neither any fogs nor any rains will prevent you from enjoying this fabulous and at the same time the financial center of the planet!

London is considered one of the most interesting European cities, which is visited by about 10 million tourists a year, which is approximately the same as its population.

Visitors to London are attracted by its centuries-old history and traditions, architectural appearance and unique flavor of the city, cultural events and modern entertainment, which it offers in abundance and wide variety.

Ferris Wheel - London Eye

The capital of Foggy Albion is famous for its architectural ensembles and historical monuments, theaters and art galleries, world-class museums and vast parks. Here, each of you can find for yourself something that will be deposited in your memory for the rest of your life and will constantly encourage you to return here at least once more.

London - briefly about the main

Largest metropolis british isles, which is the capital of England and the entire United Kingdom of Great Britain and North. Ireland (usually abbreviated to United Kingdom in English) is located in the southeast of Great Britain at the mouth of the River Thames. Founded by the Romans in 43 AD.

Its modern name goes back to the word "Londinium" (this is what the Romans called the city), the origin of which is not exactly established and has quite a lot of different versions, the most popular of them are as follows: from lat. sl. Lond (wild place), from the Celtic Llyndid (Llyn - lake, Dun - fortification) or from Londo (cruel, violent). Many versions, however, agree that the name belongs to the pre-Roman period and was borrowed by the Romans from the local population.

Southwark Cathedral

As you can see, the history of London has almost 2 thousand years. During this time period, he visited the capital of Britain, England, Great Britain, british empire, for about a century was the largest city in the world, survived many fires, epidemics, the Great Depression, the bombing of the 1st and 2nd World Wars, the Great Smog, numerous ups and downs in economic and cultural terms. And here there are very special traditions and atmosphere, which are now its most important distinguishing feature.

Today it is the main political, cultural and business center of Great Britain, in which the authorities and justice are concentrated, there are many temples, museums, theaters, galleries, etc. The city's economy makes up about a quarter of the country's economy. London is one of the world's financial centers, it is one of the most important centers of international business life and an important international air transport hub.

Geographically, the city consists of 33 districts - the City, which is its business center, and 32 more administrative districts. Until 1889, only the City area was officially considered London, the outer boundaries of which had remained virtually unchanged since Roman times. Now London includes all 33 districts, further subdivided into Inner (City plus 13 districts) and Outer London (the remaining 19 districts).

Globus theatre

London - the capital of museums, theaters and fashion

Despite the fact that the age of London is about 2 millennia, there is not much evidence of such a respectable age in its architecture: the city is practically devoid of ancient and medieval buildings, palaces and castles of the Renaissance. There are very few buildings built more than 4 centuries ago in the capital. And yet in London, in all its appearance, style and rhythm of life, the centuries-old history, adherence to traditions and national flavor are sharply felt like in no other metropolis in the world. All this makes it a desirable destination for travelers from different countries who come to see and visit museums, palaces, parks, squares, theaters and many other beautiful and interesting places in the British capital.

Sights and monuments of architecture

Tower Bridge

Tower of London

If you love spending time outdoors, spend it in one of London's parks. The most famous and attractive of them are Lee Valley, Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James, Greenwich Park, Regent's Park, Bushy Park, Richmond Park. In the western part of the capital are the extensive Kew Botanical Gardens. London Zoo and London Aquarium are of great interest to travelers.. It is also interesting to stroll through the pavilions of the Warner Brothers film studio, where you can, for example, see the scenery for the Harry Potter films.

To see London from different angles, take the London Eye Ferris Wheel and then walk through the London Underground. So you can get the most complete and varied experience.

National Gallery

St Paul's Cathedral

Buckingham Palace

Palace of Westminster

It is almost impossible to describe (and even just give a general idea) about all the sights and features of London in one material, as well as to visit (learn, see) them within one, even the longest and richest tour.

Great Britain Countries of Europe