What continent is london attractions on. The main attractions of London

Westminster Abbey

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 Western European painting of the 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 bank of the Thames in 1989 one of the best museums world in the field of fashion, architecture and graphics - Design Museum. 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. V 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 you to free tours lovers of botany, zoology, mineralogy and researchers of antiquities. The museum storage includes up to 6 million specimens flora, 55 million representatives of 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, building kits, dollhouses 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 square meters. 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. popular place Thanks to numerous lakes, a central rose garden and fields for active sports, the park is a recreational area for citizens. 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 faces Buckingham Palace to the west and St James's Palace to the north. 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 cities. 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 retail space place up to 330 different divisions 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 centennial Selfridges. The founder of the trading giant, Henry Selfridge, embodied 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 thanks to the Royal Opera House located here, old market Covent Garden and Theater Royal Drury Lane. Also in the quarter, tourists can see the Museum of London. public transport, 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. At the opening it was called the second largest shopping center after 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 perfect 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 in the world list of 50 the best restaurants the world was represented by only 5 London. 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 its coffee houses and supermarkets, but traditional Chinese souvenir shops and Chinese restaurants have actively replaced 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 - absolutely any clothes are allowed into the club. It is Fabric's policy that what matters in the club is the love of the dance moves, not the clothes 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, which 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.

London is an ancient city, which in 43 BC. e. founded by the Romans, calling it Londilium. Over time, the settlement grew rich and developed. Throughout its history, London has given the world many great physicists, mathematicians, engineers and other people of science. For centuries, the British were among the first in the development of scientific thought.
Tourists visiting London for the first time are quick to notice the red telephone booths and double-deckers plying the city streets, as well as the abundance of cyclists. At first, left-hand traffic is also surprising. London has many beautiful parks and gardens. Many galleries and museums here have free admission. But first of all, everyone is attracted by the most famous sights of the ancient English capital.

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1. Tower

Since this fortress is already 900 years old, it has been a witness to most of English history, during which it has been a royal residence, a prison, and a menagerie. On the territory of the Tower there was a royal treasury and a mint, which have now become the most interesting museum complex. Not only interiors and medieval architecture, but also ancient ceremonies and traditions, and ancient prophecies and legends are still remembered. Court ravens have become the symbol of the Tower; since the time of King Charles II, they have been on state support. It is said that the ghosts of Anne Boleyn and the monarchs beheaded in the Tower roam the local halls.

2. Westminster Abbey

This is a real English shrine, in which the monarchs were crowned and found eternal rest. In terms of architecture, the abbey building is an example of early English Gothic. It was built over several centuries. An organ is installed here, many paintings, sculptures and jewelry are stored. Since 1066, almost all English kings have been crowned in Westminster. The company of the deceased monarchs here was the color of the nation, including famous scientists, poets and military leaders. On the territory of Westminster Abbey are the churches of St. Margaret and St. Peter, built in the Gothic style. It is impossible to take your eyes off the slender, graceful towers, which are both strict and elegant at the same time. It is hard to believe that the openwork inner vaults are made of simple stone and are the creation of human hands.

3. British Museum

By decision of Parliament, in 1753, the British Museum was opened in London, which has since become a godsend for history buffs. The museum has 94 galleries, from which it would be possible to build a row 4 kilometers long. The British Museum is famous for its huge collection of historical artifacts and documents; interesting things from all over the world were brought here when the British Empire ruled half the world. Wandering through the museum halls, you can meet his unusual keepers of rarities and talismans - cats dressed in uniform. It will take about a week to walk around all the galleries of the museum, which occupies an area of ​​6 hectares. The British Museum boasts the most significant collection of Egyptian antiquities. The famous Rosetta Stone was brought here, which served as a key to unraveling Egyptian writing, and a huge number of mummies, luxury and household items are also collected here. Antique Greece and Rome are also covered in sufficient detail, art objects of the peoples of Asia and Africa are widely represented.

4. Buckingham Palace

The most important attraction in London is Buckingham Palace Serving for Elizabeth II official residence. The palace, together with the adjoining garden, spreads quite widely around the city, occupying 20 hectares of territory. Here the queen receives the heads of foreign states, here she arranges her gala dinners. There are only 775 rooms in the palace, so there was a place for the Royal Art Gallery open to the public. In August-September, Buckingham Palace is open to the public, since the queen is not there, but many tourists come here to see how the record holder monarch lives. The performance begins already at the gates of the palace, where the royal guard stands. In the halls of the palace you can look at the personal collection of Elizabeth II, which includes masterpieces by Michelangelo, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Vermeer, collections of antique furniture and porcelain. For 8 pounds you can visit royal stable, in which the carriages of the monarch stand (an open landau for weddings, a golden carriage) and the horses of the queen live.

5 London Eye

Relatively recently, a huge Ferris wheel 135 meters high appeared on the banks of the Thames in London. It can accommodate 800 people at the same time. The name "London Eye" justifies itself, because from the height of the attraction you can see everything at a distance of 40 kilometers. Each cabin, weighing 10 tons, has a sufficient number of seats and a cinema with a three-dimensional picture. The wheel has a unique backlight to make it look spectacular at night. The rotation of the wheel is very slow and non-stop, so the boarding and disembarkation of regular visitors takes place “on the go”, and it is slowed down only for the disabled and the elderly.

6. Elizabeth Tower

Recently it has become known as clock tower Palace of Westminster on which the famous bell Big Ben is installed. This symbol of the kingdom was built in 1859. In 2012, in honor of the 60th anniversary of the reign of Elizabeth II, Parliament decided to rename the clock tower. The Elizabeth Tower is home to the world's largest 4-sided chiming clock. Their complex clock mechanism is located at a height of 55 m. The attendants are sensitive to its technical condition, because even changes in the state of the atmosphere affect its accuracy. To correct the course of the clock, coins are sometimes placed on its pendulum. For the safety of the clock mechanism, tourists are not allowed into the tower. Londoners celebrate New Year's Eve by the battle of Big Ben.

7. Tower Bridge

Earned this bridge in 1894 in the presence of the Prince of Wales Edward and his wife. The unique design with counterweights allowed the wings of the bridge to be opened without significant energy expenditure in just a minute. The two towers have not only stairs, but also elevators leading to the upper gallery, along which, as it was supposed, the inhabitants of the city could cross the river even with the bridge drawn. But the people preferred to wait for the shutters to lower, and the gallery turned into an observation deck and an exhibition dedicated to the history of the bridge. Here you can go down to the engine room to see the old lifting mechanisms. Wonderful panoramas of London open up from the gallery of the bridge. At night, the bridge is illuminated, making it very beautiful.

8. Madame Tussauds

Every year, 2.5 million people visit this wax museum. The doubles of celebrities exhibited in the halls of the museum are made incredibly realistic, they are very easy to confuse with the originals. Madame Tussauds began to make her twin figures as early as 1835, although this date is unofficially pushed back to the second half of the 18th century. Particularly attracts visitors to the "Cabinet of Horrors". During the tour, visitors look at copies of famous figures of the present and past, here you can also take a virtual ride in an old London cab. Who is not here: from Shakespeare and Jack the Ripper to Lady Gaga, from athletes and businessmen to politicians and crowned persons. Those who wish can take a picture with Elizabeth II herself, kiss Brad Pitt or pose with Muhammad Ali.

9. Trafalgar Square

This famous square appeared in the center of London in honor of the victory british navy over the Spanish and French in 1805 near Trafalgar. In its center rises the column of Admiral Nelson, surrounded by metal lions and fountains. There are four pedestals along the perimeter of the square, on three of which statues of the great British rise, and the fourth was used only in 2005, putting the main Christmas tree of Britain on it before the New Year (it is annually sent by the Norwegians for help during the last war). Until recently, this square was dominated by pigeons, a flock of which numbered up to 45 thousand heads. But due to problems with cleaning the area from pigeon droppings, the authorities forbade feeding the birds here. But these days, Trafalgar Square was chosen by tourists and demonstrators.

10. St. Paul's Cathedral

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In the high point London - on Langate Hill stands St. Paul's Cathedral, whose round dome towers over the city. This largest Anglican cathedral in Europe is the seat of the Bishop of London. It was officially opened in 1708, and before it, 4 previous temples stood here in succession, three of which were destroyed by fires, and one was destroyed in 961 during a Viking raid. On the tower of the cathedral observation deck, giving an excellent overview of the city, is no worse than from the London Eye. Under the dome of the temple there are three amazing galleries: made of stone, gilded, as well as a whisper gallery, in which very interesting acoustic effects are observed. The dome of the cathedral is a copy of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, which made it one of the recognizable London landmarks. There are 17 bells on the bell tower of the temple, and sacred music concerts are often held in it. In 1860, the interior of the cathedral was changed, for which the parishioners had to organize a special fund. The current interiors of the temple attract with sculptures, openwork lattices, and magnificent mosaics. It was here that the wedding of the Prince of Wales Charles and Diana Spencer took place.

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, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, wax museum, ancient buildings 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.

It is unlikely that anyone will argue with the fact that London is one of the main tourist destinations in the world. According to official statistics, London attracts over 15 million visitors a year. british capital- a vibrant concentration of art, entertainment, music and numerous monuments. The British are rightly proud of the huge concentration of cultural attractions in London. From royal palaces to the Houses of Parliament, Roman ruins, castles and cathedrals, you can spend many days exploring the city's landmarks, but always find something new and interesting.

The capital of England and the United Kingdom is also the most populous city in the UK with over 9 million inhabitants. The history of London goes back over 2,000 years when the Romans first established here ancient city Londinium. Numerous tourists come here throughout the year, and if you plan to be among them, here is a list of the top 17 London attractions for the active traveler.

British museum

Located in the Bloomsbury area, the British Museum is dedicated to human history and culture. Its permanent collection of approximately 8 million works is one of the largest and most comprehensive exhibitions in the world, spanning the history of all continents. The British Museum illustrates and documents the history of human culture from its inception to the present day. Visiting the museum is free, but sometimes there are small queues.

Westminster Palace

The Palace of Westminster (more commonly known as the House of Commons and the House of Lords) is the Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom. The history of the House of Commons and the House of Lords spans over 900 years, from the time of the Anglo-Saxons to the present day. The current building was built in the 19th century, restored after a fire in the magnificent tradition of Victorian neo-Gothic architecture. Appearance The Palace of Westminster is decorated with Big Ben - the legendary clock tower on the banks of the River Thames. This landmark of London is recognizable all over the world and is one of the most visited places in London.

Tate Modern

Tate Modern is the UK's national gallery for international contemporary art. She is part of the Tate Group (along with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool, Tate St Ives and Tate Online). Tate Modern is the most visited contemporary art gallery in the world, with 4.7 million visitors a year. Admission to the Tate Modern is absolutely free, with the exception of some special exhibitions.

Tower of London

The Tower of London is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. This famous landmark is located in London's Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of London City Square by the open space of Tower Hill. The Tower was founded towards the end of 1066, in honor of the Norman conquest of England. In general, this is a complex of several buildings in two rings of protective walls and a moat. The Tower of London has played a very important role in English history.

Madame Tussauds museum

Madame Tussauds is a wax museum in London with branches in many largest cities on four continents. It was founded by the wax sculptor Marie Tussauds, becoming one of the main attractions in London. Wax figures of historical and royal figures, movie stars, sports stars and even infamous assassins are on display here.

Science Museum

The Science Museum is the largest museum on Exhibition Road in South Kensington. It was founded in 1857 and today is one of the most visited places in the city, attracting 3.3 million visitors annually. Here you can experience the main scientific achievements of the past 300 years, as well as visit the stunning IMAX cinema. Entrance to the Science Museum is absolutely free.

Museum of Natural History

The museum is entirely devoted to earth sciences and includes approximately 80 million exhibits in five main groups: botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology. The Museum of Natural History is a world-renowned research center specializing in the taxonomy, identification and conservation of the riches of the earth. Considering the age of the institution, many of the exhibits have a very great historical as well as scientific value. Some specimens were collected by Charles Darwin himself. As the others museums in london The Natural History Museum does not require any admission fee.

"London Eye"

A modern, but already very popular attraction in London is " London Eye"- a giant Ferris wheel located in the Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank of the Thames. The 135-meter-high Ferris Wheel was created in honor of the millennium of London. On a clear day, visibility from the top is 40 kilometers.

Victoria and Albert Museum

London's Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, with a permanent collection of over 4.5 million items. It was founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Permission to V&A is free except for special exhibitions and events.

National Gallery

The National Gallery is an art museum on Trafalgar Square in London, founded in 1824. It houses the national collection of art in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. This is one of the most visited museums world, after the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is a large city square founded in honor of Lord Horatio Nelson's victory over Napoleon's navy at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The central monument of the square is a tall pillar with the figure of Nelson contemplating London. His monument is surrounded by four lions and a series of large fountains. This landmark of London got its name in honor of the Battle of Trafalgar - a British naval victory during the Napoleonic Wars, which took place on October 21, 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is a large Gothic church in the city of Westminster, not far from the Palace of Westminster. Westminster Abbey has been around for over a thousand years. Benedictine monks first settled the site in the middle of the tenth century, establishing a tradition of daily worship that continues to this day. In 1066, the church became the site for the coronation and is the burial place of seventeen monarchs. The existing structure was built by Henry III in 1245 and became one of the most important Gothic buildings. visit Westminster Abbey is free.

Buckingham Palace

This is a London residence and most importantly workplace Queen of Great Britain. Located in the city of Westminster, the palace is the venue for official ceremonies and a symbol of royal hospitality. Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of British sovereigns since 1837, and despite being used for many official events and receptions, the State Rooms of the Palace are open to visitors throughout the year.

Hampton Court

Hampton Court is one of the most famous palaces in Europe. Its Grand Hall dates back to the reign of Henry VIII. This is the place where Elizabeth I learned about the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Other points of interest include the Clock Hall with its breathtaking astronomical clock 1540, Chapel, Royal Chambers and Tudor tennis court. The Hampton Gardens are also worth a visit, especially in mid-May when they are in full bloom. The Garden Complex includes the Secret Garden, the Lakes, the Elizabethan Garden, the Wilderness and the famous Palace Labyrinth.

Piccadilly Circus

The two most famous tourist areas in London are located not far from each other. Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are popular for attractions such as the Soho Locks, the London Theater and the Entertainment District. Piccadilly Circus is the intersection of several busy streets - Piccadilly, Regent Street, Haymarket, and Shaftesbury Avenue. London's most famous sculpture, Winged Eros, is a finely balanced masterpiece of art on this lively site.

covent garden

The covered markets of Covent Garden are just the beginning of a larger complex encompassing the shops and restaurants of Long Acre with adjacent streets, as well as Central Square with its street performers. The halls and galleries of Covent Garden Market, with their specialty shops and stalls, attract a lot of tourists. Absolutely everything is sold here, from fine handicrafts to small souvenirs. In the building of the former flower market you will find the London Transport Museum with historical exhibits - vintage cars, trams and buses. This area is also home to the Royal Opera theatre- Another famous landmark of London.

Greenwich and Docklands

For centuries, Greenwich and the Docklands has been the main base of the British Navy. ---- Greenwich is best known to tourists as the home of Cutty Sark----. It is also home to the Greenwich Visitor Center with its exhibits showcasing more than 500 years of history. maritime history and a Pallas Athena-style mansion known as the Queen's House. Impressive exhibits of the National Maritime Museum, most big museum of this type in the world, illustrate the history of the Royal Navy of Great Britain. The lively Docklands is located on the other side of the river. It has been transformed into an international business district and is filled with London's finest restaurants. The excellent Docklands Museum, housed in old Georgian warehouses, is dedicated to the river port and its history since Roman times. Interactive information displays are especially interesting for children.

Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens - officially called the Royal botanical garden. It is located in southwest London on the south bank of the Thames. This is a wonderful place to spend time enjoying the many plants on an impressive 300 acres. Established in 1759, the gardens became a government park in 1841. In 1897, Queen Victoria added the Queen's House and the surrounding woodland to the site. Many tours of the park are completely free, and Kew Gardens hosts numerous concerts and cultural events throughout the year.

Churchill War Rooms

Among London's most exciting historical sights is the well-preserved command center from which Prime Minister Winston Churchill directed British military campaigns during World War II. Their spartan simplicity and limited conditions highlight the difficulties that England experienced during the expansion of Nazi power throughout Europe. Here you will see the tiny room where Churchill slept and the makeshift radio room where he broadcast his famous war speeches. Numerous simple details, such as Clementine Churchill yarn and maps of Europe with markers, create an indescribable atmosphere.

One of the most visited cities in the world has something for everyone, so don't miss the chance to visit the capital of England at least once in your life to experience all the highlights of London.

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