Confess when asked to write review post about London, I was a little confused, because it is simply impossible to talk about a city of this magnitude in one note. Therefore, it was decided to dedicate several posts to London. The first one contains the main historical sights of the capital of Britain, about which I tried to write in a non-banal and humorous way.

A BRIEF EXCURSION TO HISTORY

“London is the capital of Great Britain” - this phrase is known to all graduates of schools in the post-Soviet space as “Our Father” (in fairness, it is worth noting that for many this phrase is the only one they can pronounce in English). However, the textbooks do not say that the origin of the most famous city in Britain is not known for certain. According to the official version, the city was founded in the middle of the first century by the ancient Romans, but much of this theory does not converge.

To begin with, the very fact that proto-British people lived in this area long before the Romans and the Christianization of Europe, plus the word London itself, comes from the old British Llyndum, which means “elevated and fortified place”.

In the photo: a frame from the film "The Golden Age"

Until the fifteenth century, London was just one of European capitals, but after the discovery of America, everything changed. Thanks to its favorable location, the British capital began to "fat" like a turkey that is fattened for Thanksgiving, already in the sixteenth century more than 300 thousand people lived here, and the city proudly bore the title of the largest shopping center Europe.

The second rise of the capital of Britain experienced in the nineteenth century during the Industrial Revolution. But the twentieth century for London, as indeed for the whole of Europe, turned out to be difficult. Second World War and the devastation that followed it, the collapse of the British Empire and the crisis of the seventies, the radical reforms of Margaret Thatcher and the reputation of the royal family that cracked after the divorce of Diana and Charles. Today, however, London is flourishing again: banks and capital are flowing from New York to the capital of Britain, the beautiful Kate Middleton and Prince William have restored the prestige of the crown, the anniversary of Elizabeth II and the Olympic Games have solemnly passed, even at the faded London Fashion Week, solid brands began to appear.

It seems that in the last few years we have received mostly good news from London. However, I may be wrong, because the British say that the best news is the absence of news, and everyone talks about London and talks about it.

WALK IN THE CENTER: MAIN SIGHTS

You will be surprised, but Moscow and London have more in common than it might seem at first glance. Both cities have a rich history, and both fell victim to the strongest fires. Therefore, alas and ah, many of the historic buildings of London have not survived to this day.

So, almost all the buildings of the Middle Ages, the reign of the Tudors and the Renaissance were destroyed by a fire in 1665. The second terrible fire broke out in 1834. But, there is no evil without good. It was after this fire that the famous Parliamentary Complex was rebuilt, with a story about which we will begin our walk around London.

PARLIAMENT COMPLEX AND BIG BEN

The Parliamentary Complex and Big Ben - it is they, and not Trafalgar Square, that appear in the visual-associative range of a Russian at the mention of the word London. It is interesting that the current, world-famous Parliament building was rebuilt only in the nineteenth century, and at first the inhabitants of London perceived the newfangled building without any enthusiasm.

If you want good photos against the backdrop of a beautiful building and Big Ben, take a photo session on the bridge over the Thames (everything fits into the frame, we checked). More from interesting entertainment: try to understand from which window of Parliament Robert Downey Jr. jumped into the Thames in the Guy Ritchie film “Sherlock Holmes”, of course, you should not try to repeat his feat.

Pictured: Robert Downey Jr. jumps out of a window in Sherlock Holmes.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

History buffs should also take a look at Westminster Abbey, located in close proximity to the Parliament Complex. Almost all British monarchs were crowned and buried here.

Until recently, most tourists ignored the Gothic church, but after the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William took place in it, the number of people who want to look at the abbey inside has increased significantly.

Pictured: Kate Middleton and Prince William's wedding at Westminster Abbey

The Ferris wheel with glass cabins, located right behind the bridge, on which you need to take pictures against the backdrop of Big Ben, like all newfangled ones, at first the residents of London did not like it.

But now it's one of the main tourist entertainment. Entertainment, by the way, is safe, the cabins do not crack, do not stagger, they just glide gently in the London fog. By the way, entertainment is also useful, if you, like me, suffer from topographical criticism, then The best way start navigating in an unfamiliar city - look at it from a bird's eye view. The London Eye provides such an opportunity.

In the photo: the Parliament complex, filmed from the London Eye

A visit to the attraction is paid, you can get information about prices and order tickets here:. Tickets to Madame Tussauds can also be purchased at the entrance to the London Eye. It's up to you to go there or not to go, but photos with waxy Beckham, Clinton and Marilyn Monroe traditionally collect a large number of likes on facebook.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

The symbol of the British monarchy, the largest in the world operating royal residence, as well as the residence and office of Her Majesty.

Usually Her Majesty leaves Buckingham Palace for two months a year (August and September), at this time you can get into the palace with a tour, tourists are not allowed here in other months.

Let's check the clock. To see the famous changing of the guards you need to be punctual in the British way. From April to July, it takes place every day except Sunday at 11.30, on the last day of the week the action begins at 10.00. In March, the guard changes on odd days (time too), in other months - every other day. So if you come to London for a week, the chance to see this process is quite large.

Another entertaining one. The high bearskin hat is the most recognizable attribute of the uniform of the royal guards. In ancient times, a law was passed in England, according to which, if a pregnant woman wanted to relieve herself on the streets of London, the guardsman must provide her with her headdress for these needs. Of course, now no one uses this right, but the law still exists.

TRAFALGAR SQUARE AND THE NATIONAL GALLERY

Pictured: Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square

Nelson's Column, lion statues and a fountain are the main components central square London. Here you can climb lions, but you can’t feed pigeons, in general, birds in London live strictly in parks, you might think that they are not given visas to fly to the city center.

In the photo: a sign prohibiting feeding pigeons, Trafalgar Square

The National Gallery, located here, is a delight for the eyes and heart of any art lover.

The collection of paintings is unique, entrance to the gallery is free and there is a lovely cafe in the lobby.

PICKADILLE AND EROS

For a half-hour walk through the beautiful streets, you will get from Trafalgar Square to the circle of Eros and Piccadilly Street, the very one about which Laima Vaikule sang breathlessly. Piccadilly is something like our Tverskaya: windows of restaurants and bars are lit with lights, shop windows delicately hint: “Isn't it time for shopping?”

In the center of a small Piccadilly Circus, surrounded by semicircular advertising panels, you can see another symbol of London - a miniature sculpture of Eros. In fact, it was originally conceived that the figurine symbolizes not Eros, but Anteros, the twin brother of Eros, responsible for love in demand.

But today, even the inhabitants of London do not remember this and call the sculpture none other than Eros. By the way, many even managed to forget that it was erected in memory of the famous philanthropist Earl Shaftesbury. From Piccadilly, the easiest way to get to Soho is the most drunken and depraved restaurant area in London, where you simply have to have a bite to eat and drink beer.

ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL

If Kate and William were married in Westminster Abbey, then Charles and Diana were married in the walls of St. Peter's Cathedral. In general, during its long history (the first service was held here in 1697, although October 20, 1708 is considered the official opening date of the cathedral), the temple has seen many legendary figures.

In the photo: the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana in St. Paul's Cathedral

True, some of them were already dead, for example, it was here that Nelson and Churchill were buried. The cathedral was designed by the architect Sir Christopher Wren, when the construction of the cathedral was completed, he was already 76 years old. The architect is buried here in St. Peter's Cathedral.

Under the dome of the cathedral there are three galleries: whispering, stone and gold. The peculiarity of whispering in unique acoustics, they say, you whisper at one end of the gallery, a person at the other will make out every word. Entrance to the cathedral is free, but to climb up to the galleries and look at London from a bird's eye view, you will have to fork out a little. By the way, this pleasure is only for physically prepared tourists, 530 steps lead to the gallery. And no elevators, you know, no.

MUSEUMS OF LONDON

All museums in London can be conditionally divided into paid and free. The most expensive of the paid ones was and remains the Tower (they say that a resident of the UK can visit it once in a lifetime and for free if he writes a letter with a request to the queen, and it will be favorably considered). Let's start with him.

TOWER

The most famous prison in England was founded by William the First. Initially, the fortress was conceived as a defensive structure, but the first prisoner fell into its walls already in 1190. The Tower earned a sinister reputation under Henry VIII, known as the "blue beard of the English monarchy", the king was married six times, obsessively dreamed of a son, executed the philosopher Thomas More and the politician Thomas Cromwell, severed relations with the Roman Catholic Church and became famous for centuries.

Tickets to the Tower can be bought either at the exit of the metro (a little more expensive, but without a queue), or at the entrance to the museum itself - it costs a pound cheaper, but you have to stand an extra half an hour among tourist groups. It is impossible to get lost in the Tower, it is built in such a way that you willy-nilly go around everything. In one of the halls, employees of the “dungeon” dressed in historical costumes are sitting, you can take pictures with them and they won’t take money from you for this entertainment.

In the photo: costumed employees in the Tower

By the way, the Tower has always been a prison for criminals from high society, commoners were not kept here. The aristocracy was executed in the courtyard of the fortress, at this place there is now a monument with the names of Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Queen Jane Gray and other historical figures who parted with their heads in the Tower courtyard.

In the photo: the place of execution of the aristocracy in the Tower

A terrible impression is also made by the cell in which the suicide bombers were kept on the eve of execution. Its windows overlook the scaffold, and suicide notes left by prisoners are inscribed on the walls. However, the British themselves treat the terrible past of their history with true English humor. So, for example, everyone knows that Princes Edward and Richard of York were imprisoned in the Tower, they were placed here by their own uncle, King Richard III. In 1483, the princes simply disappeared from the Tower, their fate is still unknown, although the facts speak of murder - in the seventeenth century, children's skeletons were discovered in the White Tower of the Tower.

In the photo: the painting "Princes in the Tower", Paul Delaroche, 1831

So, in the room where the princes lived, a video about this episode of British history is shown, and then the audience is invited to take part in a poll: Who killed the princes? When I was in the Tower, Richard III was leading by a margin in the list of possible murderers, but I think this is all because of Shakespeare's play, according to the English classic, the murder of young men is the work of an uncle. The second example of true English humor is the local souvenir shop. Here, for example, they sell tea coasters with portraits of the murdered wives of King Henry VIII, apparently for the real British Five O’Clock.

In the photo: the scene of the execution of Anne Boleyn, the series "The Tudors"

Laughter is laughter, but they say the Tower is still haunted. The spirit of Anne Boleyn (without a head, but in a cap) likes to appear at dawn and frighten the sentries, the ghosts of princes (spirits in white clothes) walk hand in hand through the corridors at night, and here you can see the ghosts of Thomas Becket (he was once the manager of the Tower ) and navigator Walter Repy. It's amazing how they are all together there is not crowded?

Pictured: Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn in The Tudors

Yes, the sentries also say that ghosts never look into main tower Tower. Rumor has it that during its construction in the 11th century, the British sacrificed a cat in order to protect this place from otherworldly forces. Believe it or not, but in the 19th century, workers who were carrying out repairs in the Tower stumbled upon a walled cat skeleton in one of the tower's supporting walls.

If the cats in the Tower are unlucky, then with the ravens (emphasis on the first syllable) - a completely different situation. It is the black crows, not the people, who are the true masters of the Tower. It is believed that while they live here, the British monarchy will also be alive. The ravens in the Tower are large, imposing and very intelligent. There are even speakers, with us one said: "Good morning" with such a British accent, which parrots never dreamed of.

The Tower also has its own "Diamond Fund" - a place where the treasures of the British Empire are stored. To see the diamonds and crowns, we stand on the travalator and drive past the exhibits; you can’t linger at the shop windows.

ALBERT AND VICTORIA MUSEUM

Another romantic plot from the history of the British monarchy. Queen Victoria was madly in love with her husband Albert, but, unfortunately, their marriage was short-lived by English monarchical standards. Albert died at the age of forty-three.

In memory of him, Victoria founded the world's largest museum of applied arts, here you can see furniture, things, clothes that belonged to both commoners and royalty. Entrance to the museum is free.

BRITISH MUSEUM

An analogue of our Pushkin, a place for those who are not indifferent to antiquity. Here is expanse for you: Egyptian sarcophagi, the most ancient face of Christ, ancient statues, idols from Easter Island, and so on and so forth. Paid entrance but student discounts.

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Famous for the giant skeleton of a diplodocus (although it is a fake, but still impressive), a “living” model of a tyrannosaurus rex and a thirty-meter figure of a whale. By the way, the skeleton of a tyrannosaurus starred in one of the main roles in the clip of the Chemical Brothers "Hey boys hey girls".

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Julia Malkova- Julia Malkova - founder of the website project. Former editor-in-chief of the elle.ru Internet project and editor-in-chief of the cosmo.ru website. I talk about traveling for my own pleasure and the pleasure of readers. If you are a representative of hotels, tourism office, but we are not familiar, you can contact me by email: [email protected]

London, despite its calmness and measured lifestyle, attracts the attention of not only tourists, but also migrants from Europe. The population of the UK is only 44% of the indigenous people, while the rest are attracted here by romantic rainy weather, beautiful architecture, Michelin-starred restaurants and fashionable shops known all over the world.

If you want to hear the correct and beautiful English speech, feel the history of England and see the sights of London with your own eyes, this city will convey to you the noble and refined atmosphere of this amazing country better than others.

Historic sights of London

Big Ben is a clock tower that appeared in London, a city whose inhabitants value punctuality so much. Built back in 1288, the building is famous for its hundred-meter height and amazing accuracy of time transmission - the error does not exceed two seconds per day.

Interestingly, the caretaker, during whose work the clock was one second late, was about to be fired. Big Ben is a symbol of England, it is against its background that TV reporters begin to conduct news programs and, under its ringing, meet New Year in London.

We offer you to get acquainted with the sights of the whole UK. It will be exciting!

The British initially considered the Tower Bridge to be ridiculous and ugly, but now it is impossible to imagine England without this landmark of London, which is rightly considered the main decoration of the city. The architect, inspired by the gothic culture of the Victorian era, began its construction in 1886.

It received this name due to the fact that it has a similar design to the Tower of London, which is located nearby. 8 years after the start of construction, the Prince of Wales himself and his wife attended the opening ceremony.

Tower of London It was built as a castle for King William, but during the reign of the Tudor dynasty it became a dungeon for two wives of King Henry VIII, and later became a prison for other prisoners. The Tower also gained a sad reputation because of the 22 executions that took place here, according to official sources.

At one time, this building functioned as a mint and a royal menagerie. Now there is an armory, seventeenth century royal jewelry, including crowns and scepters. And the black crows flying here are still considered to be the guardians of the mysterious, and in the dark, even the sinister tower.

Westminster Abbey represents a large historical value for tourists and residents of the city - the coronation of all the rulers of England took place in this monastery. Now the abbey serves as a burial place for many famous personalities - Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, David Livingston and other prominent people. A curious feature of this place is also the casts made from the faces of the royal families of all generations.

The Palace of Westminster is a castle whose history dates back to 1042 and has always served as a home for royal families. It has only been possible to visit this building since 2004, so if you want to visit its oldest parts, it is better to do it at the end of August, since the British Parliament sits there throughout the year. Solemn ceremonies are held here, at which Queen Elizabeth II herself is present.

Buckingham Palace currently serves as a residence for the Queen of Great Britain, Elizabeth II, and in the 18th century it was built for the Duke of Buckingham, who was subsequently bought from him by the King of England, George III, and settled there with his family.

But more than others, Queen Victoria contributed to the decoration of this palace, which glorified it and made it another must-see sight of London. More than 800 apartments, luxurious gardens, restaurants, police and hospitals made the palace almost an entire city for royalty.

Kensington Palace was built in 1605 by the Earl of Nottingham. Queen Victoria was born in the palace, and later it became the residence for Princess Diana and Prince Charles. Many parts of it can be visited - the reception hall, the apartments of Queen Mary II, the royal dressing room of the youngest daughter of Charles I, the famous 18th century fashionista Anne Stuart, and the beautiful gardens near the palace.

St. Paul's Cathedral is one of the most tall buildings world, whose dome is 118 meters high. Now here is the residence of the Bishop of London. Life story cathedral dates back to the 18th century, when it had to be reconstructed after being bombed during World War II. It is also famous for being buried within its walls. the greatest people British history - Churchill, Fleming, Nelson and others.

The British Museum of the History and Culture of Mankind was founded in 1753 and contains more than 50 thousand paintings, sculptures and other objects of art, testifying to the development of England since the era of Ancient Egypt. The museum has more than 100 exhibition halls and what cannot but please its visitors is that museums in London are free, so you can safely set aside a few days to study the exhibits.

Hampton Court is a palace donated to King Henry VIII in 1529, the interior of which was commissioned by the monarch himself. Later, the building served as a residence for King William III, and now it houses the Royal Chapel, where services are held. There is a lot of talk about this attraction in London. mystical stories and there is even a book about the ghosts of Hampton Court.

It is believed that the spirits of wives who did not die of their own death still roam the castle, but the most sinister is King Henry III, who appears only during a thunderstorm. Children will be interested in a maze of shrubs almost two meters high and in costume performances.

If you are fond of history and like to look at unusual, impressive buildings, then London is perfect place for your next trip. This city easily falls in love with fans of contemporary art. In the capital of Great Britain, you can find many interesting objects and places that, in the truest sense of the word, breathe history. And this is not surprising, because London is a city founded by the Romans in the first century AD. A city with almost two thousand years of history.

The capital of the historically significant UK boasts many sights worth seeing. Let's now fast forward to the most famous of them:

The capital of Great Britain is famous bright combination of different styles. Firstly, the Queen of England lives there and many attractions are associated with the royal family. London with a population of ten million can rightfully be considered one of the largest cities in Europe. Tourists from all over the world come here for new impressions of old English architecture.

Trafalgar Square is considered the beating heart of London and the best starting point for exploring its central part. The place got its name after the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805. Today's view of Trafalgar Square is thanks to the architect Charles Barry, who once worked on the building of the British Parliament.

The square is also known as a favorite place for hundreds of pigeons, which the people of London have fed here since time immemorial. Feeding birds has been banned by law for several years now, as bird droppings have nothing to do with London attractions. Another well-known tradition on the square is the annual installation of a New Year tree brought from Oslo in gratitude for the help of the British for Norway during the Second World War.

Address: Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN.

The most famous and photogenic bridge in London is the Tower Bridge. It got its name from the two neo-gothic towers that serve as pillars. For moving big ships along the Thames, the middle part of the bridge rises.

The construction of the bridge began in 1886, with more than 400 workers working on its creation under the guidance of architect Horace Jones and John-Barry Wilf. At one time, the Tower Bridge was the most difficult drawbridge in the world, which was very difficult to manage. The original hydraulic equipment of the bridge can still be seen if you go on an excursion there. Most tourists, while walking along the bridge, being in a state of euphoria, give all their attention only to him, not paying attention to the surroundings.

If we walk a little further along south coast to the end of the bridge, you can get to Shad Thames. Across the river at the other end of the bridge you can get to St. Catherine's Docks, which is a harbor with sails along with residential buildings.

Address: Tower Bridge Road.

Big Ben is a famous symbol of the city. This richly decorated tower belongs to the Houses of Parliament and is famous for its bell. The original, 16 kg bell was cast in 1856, then it cracked and was recast, weighing 13.8 tons, which it still is. Interesting is the fact that Big Ben is described as the heaviest bell in the UK, while it is the third after the bell in St. Paul's Cathedral and Liverpool Cathedral.

The Big Ben building was designed in the Victorian-Gothic style and today is the pride of the capital of England. Big Ben's clock was also considered the largest in the world at one time. They consisted of 312 pieces of glass and the lower part of the dial had the inscription: Domine salvam fac reginam nostram Victoriam primam (from Latin means the Lord protects our Queen Victoria I). Watches are known for their reliability. Their accuracy was maintained despite the bombings during World War II.

Address: Elizabeth Tower, Houses of Parliament.

This attraction is located in the heart of London and is one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world. It was opened on December 31, 1999 and soon after its opening became the most visited attraction in the whole of the UK.

The attraction with a height of 135 meters is considered the highest in Europe. Until 2006, it even surpassed the Chinese Star of Nanchang. One revolution of the wheel around the axle lasts about 30 minutes. Interestingly, the wheel does not stop for passengers to board, because the traffic is so slow that passengers can disembark or, conversely, sit on the attraction slowly and comfortably. The London Eye moves at a speed of 26 cm per second. For comparison, the turtle moves twice as slowly.

Address: Lambeth, SE1 7PB.

Westminster Abbey is primarily a religious and historic building. For many centuries, the most important ceremonies in English history took place under its roof. One is in awe just looking at the majestic façade of the building.

The abbey also serves as a religious shrine and place of eternal rest for famous British figures and rulers. For example, Charles Darwin, father of nuclear physics Ernest Rutherford, writer Rudyard Kipling (author of the Jangle Book) and Charles Dickens rested here. The most famous grave belongs to Sir Isaac Newton. The new rise in popularity of the building was brought by the novel The Da Vinci Code, which was released in 2003 and at one time outraged the leaders of the Christian church around the world.

Address: 20 Deans Yd-Westminster.

Piccadilly Circus is located between Big Ben and Tower Bridge. This area can often be seen on postcards. Piccadilly is one of the busiest transport hubs in London. It was founded at the end of the 18th century by the architect Nash. Now this place is considered one of the main shopping areas. In the middle of the square is a metal statue holding a bow and arrows, which confuses tourists who confuse the statue with the god of love. In fact, the statue means "the angel of Christian mercy."

Address: London, W1J 9HS.

Great Britain is the cradle of democracy, and the country's parliament is housed in the building Palace of Westminster which proves its importance and significance. The building is located on the left bank of the Thames right in the city center, close to the Westminster Underground.

Of the more than a thousand rooms in the palace, the most important are the House of Lords and the House of Commons. In the first chamber, the traditional ceremony of the beginning of parliamentary year(State Opening of Parliament), where the solemn speech of the members of the government is delivered and thus the political season officially begins. The oldest part of the palace is Westminster Hall. He remembers countless ceremonial rites, such as the coronation of King George IV or the funeral of Winston Churchill.

Between the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, you can often see a camp of strikers who display posters with various slogans and put forward their demands to politicians.

Address: Westminster, SW1A 0AA.

For three centuries, Buckingham Palace was inhabited by the families of the British Queen. The building was built in 1703. Today, it is the official residence of the queen and her relatives. Unfortunately, the palace was closed to the public for a long time. However, before entering, you can catch a glimpse of the royal guards. On special occasions, significant events are announced from the balcony of the palace. Opposite the entrance is a magnificent fountain.

Today the palace is open to the public and awaits tourists during the summer. Sometimes you can even see Queen Elizabeth, it is worth noting that this palace is not her only residence.

Address: Road Buckingham Palace.

AT central area on the left bank of the Thames, a visit to the huge St. Paul's Church is not to be missed. This cathedral is one of the largest in Europe. The church is dedicated to the Apostle Paul at the beginning of the seventh century. The temple was built in the Renaissance and Baroque styles. Its huge dome is covered with lead.

Address: St. Paul's Churchyard, London- EC4M 8AD.

Royal concert hall Albert Hall is one of the main attractions of the fashionable area of ​​Kensington. The building has a characteristic oval shape with a glass dome and was built in the style of the Italian Renaissance. The underground station is not very close here, so it is best to get to Gloucester Road station and South Kensington, and from there take a bus to the Albert Hall.

It is a great honor for everyone to sing on stage at the Royal Albert Hall, but not everyone is lucky. For example, in 1977, the final concert tour of Europe by the legendary Abby took place, whose concert they wished to attend. 3.5 million people. Later, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple and Bob Dylan appeared on this scene.

Kensington Gore, Kensington

Since Lady Diana's death in 1997, no one has lived in Kensington Palace. Only now, the newly-made Princess Kate, thanks to her marriage to Prince William, has “settled in” it, after which the reconstruction of the building began. Over the course of two years, about £12,000,000 for the restoration of the palace.

The palace gardens are ideal for picnics and sports. They can also be viewed with a guide. In June 2000, a platform in memory of Princess Diana was opened there.

Address: Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX.

Of course everyone should visit this place. The park is located in the very center of the metropolis, it is very large, and is rightfully considered one of the largest in the city. Its area is 1.4 sq. km. Big concerts are often organized there, such as the Rolling Stones in 1969 or the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2004.

It takes a lot of time to walk through the entire park. But it's worth it, because in some places you can find interesting sights. One of them is Marble Arch, located in the northeastern part of the park.

In total, the park occupies more than 140 hectares of land.

Address: London - W2 2UH.

The City of London is the oldest part of London and is often referred to as square mile- "square mile". Only about 8000 inhabitants. The City of London is a kind of city within a city. It is best known as the international financial and business center of the capital of England. All the headquarters and major world banks are located here.

Address: Hartmann Road.

There is a place in England where time has stopped - this is Madame Tussauds. Where else can you meet Albert Einstein, Frank Sinatra or David Beckham in one place. The modern museum was opened in 1884, since then it has been very popular not only among the British, but also among tourists around the world. Today the museum houses many figures of politicians, royal families, pop stars, actors and sportsmen. Thanks to its huge success, the museum has branches almost all over the world: Las Vegas, NY, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Shanghai, etc.

Address: Marylebone Road, Marylebone -NW1 5LR.

London attracts people with its unique architecture and beauty. The city of fogs is very popular among tourists from different parts of 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 ( Big Ben) is a huge bell on the 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 a place of collection of works of art from 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 largest museums in the world. 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

House Westminster Parliament known 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 ordinary people prohibited.

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 big roads. The fastest way to get to the famous street 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 subsequently it was closed due to increased cases of thefts in such 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 scenery 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.

Three tiers of balconies inside 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.

Most popular place the streets are the crossroads featured on the last Beatles CD. 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 at a sufficiently high height. 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 a 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 Palace of Westminster. It is here that the royal people of Great Britain are crowned, married and buried. It's very big and beautiful building, made in the form of a Latin cross. The monastery has two big 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 preschool children to avoid unnecessary 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 most high point 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 looted 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. Adult cost 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 canopied bed, and a variety of 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 rabble 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 still lucky, the passage to observation deck free. On the last three floors are cafes and restaurants.

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 "magic" 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 in the capital looks somewhat more modest than the same Louvre, but it is more structured. Canvases from the twelfth to the twentieth centuries are exhibited here, and the focus is on representatives of schools exclusively Western Europe. 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 apply for additional information to museum staff. 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 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 the glory of the real prototype begins to fade. The Liverpool Four, Star Wars characters, Benedict Cumberbatch and Marilyn Monroe sit comfortably alongside 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.

London Dungeon - historical Museum which is 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 addition to torture instruments, the modern exposition includes "live performances". 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, in which the galleries are located, has become a cult tourist place. 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 unique 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 is this waterway 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 cities. 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 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. Price 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 - there are regular shows, festivals and cooking shows. 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.