LONDON
1. Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the Queen. When we see the Royal Flag
flying, we know that the Queen is at home.
Every morning at 11.30 am there is the Changing of the guard at the gates in front of the Palace,
while the Mounting of the Guard is performed by the Royal Horse Guards in front of Whitehall
Palace at 11 am and 4 pm.
2. Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. This building stand on the north bank of the Thames. It is the
place where the House of Lords and the House of Commons meet to discuss and pass laws.
When Parliament is sitting a Union Jack flies on the Tower.
Big Ben is the bell in the clock tower next to the Houses of Parliament. Big Ben was the nickname
of Benjamin Hall, a minister who was a very tall man. Big Ben is the most famous clock in the
world and is the landmark of London
3. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge. This is the old Norman fortress built by William the
Conqueror. It was used as a residence, then as a prison, and now it is a museum. It is guarded by
38 Yeomen of the Guard, better known as Beefeaters, who wear traditional Tudor uniforms.
Eight ravens are at the tower; their wings are clipped because a legend says that if they fly away
the tower will fall.
Many famous people such as Anne Boleyn, the mother of Queen Elisabeth I, were executed here.
Now the Crown Jewels are on show.
Towerbridge is a drawbridge: the lower section can be raised to let big ships pass through.
4. Westminster Abbey is one of the oldest buildings in London. Royal weddings and coronations
take place here. Almost all English monarchs have been crowned on the coronation throne.
Under the throne there is the Stone of Scone – a symbol of Scottish royalty.
Many kings and queens, Britain’s greatest writers and the Unknown Soldier are buried here.
5. Piccadilly Circus is the centre of London’s entertainment world – the famous West End where
there are many theatres, cinemas, restaurants, discos and nightclubs.
A statue of Eros stands in the middle of the square.
Piccadilly was named after a tailor who made collars known as “Piccatilles”.
6. Trafalgar Square is near Piccadilly Circus. There is the statue of Lord Nelson on a column 52
metres high and two fountains. Many protest marches end up in this square which is, of course,
a popular place for visitors to the capital city.
7. The Parks
London has many big parks that give Londoners the opportunity to walk in the green, sun-bathe
and have picnics without leaving the city. (You are allowed to walk on the grass!)
Hyde Park is the most famous. A long time ago there was a monastery here and in the 16th
century it was a hunting ground for the King; now it is the “people’s park” and it is used for all
kinds of public occasions.
The corner nearest Marble Arch is known as Speaker’s Corner – if you have anything to say you
can go there on Sunday mornings, stand on a box, and express your opinions to the crowd.
The Serpentine is a man-made lake which separates Hyde Park from Kensington Gardens where
the statue of Peter Pan stands.
St Jame’s Park is considered the most beautiful park. It is full of birds and squirrels, as well as
ducks and swans on the lake.