All about the trip to London. What else to see in London? Essential Mobile Apps in London
And you just need to pack your bags? Then this article is for you!
We will tell you how to save money in the capital of Great Britain, have a good rest and at the same time not get into a mess.
Essential Mobile Apps in London
city mapper. This mobile application will show you all the ways to get from point A to point B. It contains maps of the subway and trains, real-time reports of breakdowns or delays in transport.
Google translator. Without further ado - needed at every step.
Ever Travel. Ready walking routes. The application will help you plan your travel days by making a plan for sightseeing.
In order not to get tired of hiking, order sightseeing tour on that red double-decker bus.
Santander Cycles is a bike rental app. If you are positive about this type of transport, be sure to use the rental. The city of London was created for cyclists, they are full participants in the movement.
For £2, you can use the bike all day, as long as there is a change of transport every 30 minutes. We advise you to link a bank card to the payment application in advance and go with a guide to.
The nuances of life in London
Do not expect to buy medicines here, take everything you need from home.
In advance, or upon arrival, buy an adapter for sockets.
Don't bring an umbrella. The rains here are not long during the season, if necessary, buy on the spot, or use a raincoat.
Mark and Spencer Simply Food.
It is convenient and safe to get from the airport to the hotel by taxi, the main thing is to order a car in advance. If you are an experienced driver, rent a car. and the car will be waiting at the airport.
London public transport
See the bus movement scheme at the link, and under the article you can download key routes in the center of London.
Communications and Internet in London
There are scammers everywhere, even in London
These tips will help you avoid getting into trouble:
How to save on entertainment and avoid the queue?
Want to ride the longest and highest tunnel slide in the world? Visit the famous Kew Gardens and visit Madame Tussauds? And also to see the city from or from the windows of a double-decker London bus?
If you have grandiose plans for the sights of the capital, then use the profitable London Pass.
In order not to waste time and come up with entertainment on the spot, we always advise you to plan your trip in advance. This also includes the purchase of tickets in popular places from home. And the most the best way- a pass there, bypassing many hours of queues.
But do not deprive the attention of the neighboring skyscraper - Walkie Talkie. Here you will visit the incredibly beautiful observation deck "Sky Garden". You can get into the heavenly gardens for free if you book a place on the site.⠀
Where to eat?
Grocery stores:
UK currency. Lb
A pound is not a dollar, and not even a euro!
Don't forget to convert prices to your currency. £20 for a cute notebook is inexpensive, but 1645 rubles - you already need to think carefully.
Use our tips and you will arrive in London prepared for new experiences and adventures!
We offer you to go on an exciting journey through the capital. In 72 hours you will see the most famous sights of the city on the Thames which will take your breath away, and our guide will help you make good use of your time and avoid typical tourist mistakes. So, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with our guide, which will tell you what you can see in London for 3 days on your own.
A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the site until February 29:
- AF500guruturizma - promo code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
- AFT2000guruturizma - promo code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Turkey from 100,000 rubles.
- AF2000KGuruturizma - promo code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Cuba from 100,000 rubles.
There is a promo code in the Travelata mobile app - AF600GuruMOB. It gives a discount of 600 rubles for all tours from 50,000 rubles. Download app for and
When you get to the place, we recommend that you take care of the travel card in advance, as you will often have to travel by metro. We recommend purchasing a 3 day Travelcard for 2 zones. If you plan to cover most of the route on foot and only occasionally use the London Underground, then an Oyster plastic card will also suit you. Also, with this card, a bus trip will cost you much less than if you paid for it in cash.
A nice bonus is the 2FOR1 London discount system for Travelcard holders: if you purchased travel cards at the National Rail ticket office, then the cost of visiting some attractions will cost you 50% less if you are traveling together. So you can get two tickets for the price of one to the Museum of Modern Art, London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Tower of London, etc.
Please note that your ticket must be valid on the day you enter the attraction. How to use the 2FOR1 London discount system? Everything is simple! You need to go to daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london, register and print the vouchers you need. Together with the travel card, you will present them at the entrance.
Where to stay
The capital of Great Britain has a huge number of accommodation options for tourists.
The most budgetary are rooms with breakfast, the so-called bed&breakfast, hostels and private apartments. Apartments can be booked on the website airbnb.ru. An inexpensive hotel or hostel can be found on Booking.com. When choosing accommodation, give preference to options that are located near the metro.
So, you were able to get from the airport to the hotel without any problems, had a little rest, which means it's time to get used to the city and enjoy the long-awaited vacation.
1 day
Getting to know the city on the Thames. Don't forget comfortable shoes and clothes. And also charge your smartphone. There are many kilometers of road and beautiful city views ahead.
Every traveler who decides to visit London is simply obliged to take a sightseeing tour on the famous red double decker bus (double decker). If you do not know English, then an audio guide in Russian will help you. It is noteworthy that you can get off and enter the bus at any stop. So you can see the sights along the route and save on transfers.
The ticket is valid for 24 hours and is the cheapest way to book it online, just remember to print it out first. Ticket holders are also entitled to bus tour by museums, river cruise and a guided tour. To save on entrance tickets to attractions and get various nice "buns", we recommend purchasing a London Pass. If the audio guide is not important for you, then you can consider a more budget option.
After the tour, we offer lunch at the Wetherspoon chain pub. There are a lot of them in London and it will not be difficult to find the nearest one. Why do we recommend this place? It's delicious and very cheap by local standards.
Museum of London
Do you want to get acquainted with the history of the city? Then head to the Museum of London. Entrance is free for everyone. Open daily. Opening hours: 10:00-17:30 (Monday-Saturday), 12:00-17:30 (Sunday). The museum is located at 150 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5HN. If you are taking the metro, then you need the St. Paul's. We recommend a visit to all those who would like to visually trace how the city has changed since the time of the Roman Empire.
British museum
Also must be visited is the British Museum, the main museum of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Admission to the museum is really free, but you will have to pay to visit the exhibitions that are held there. An interesting fact: six cats are officially employed here as a rat catcher. Here you can see unique exhibits from all over the world, and most of them replenished the museum's collection under very strange circumstances. What is the famous Rosetta stone worth. Address: Russell Street, WC1B 3DG. You can visit daily. Open from 10 am to 5.30 pm. You can get on your own by underground, the station is Holborn, Tottenham Court Road.
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum of Art and Design is always happy to inquisitive tourists who can appreciate the unique collection, which has more than 4.5 million items. Address: Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL. You can visit for free. The doors are open for guests every day from 10 am to 5:45 pm, on Fri from 9 am to 11 pm.
Science Museum
It will appeal not only to adults, but also to children, because only here you can take part in the exciting "Cockroach Tour". Here you will see the world through the eyes of insects if you visit the museum on weekends. Works daily. Doors open at 10:00. The museum closes at 18:00. If you take the subway, then you need South Kensington station. Address: Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD. If you don't want to spend 6 pounds on a ticket, then come after 16:30. Entrance will be free and you will not have to pay for a ticket.
Museum of Natural History
After leaving the museum, do not rush to go far, because another amazing dinosaur museum is open for everyone - the Natural History Museum. Only here you can see a huge dinosaur skeleton, an equally impressive copy of a blue whale, a giant squid and many other interesting exhibits. Children aged 10 and over can take part in a free guided tour. A useful life hack on how to get into the museum without a queue: everything is simple, go around it on the right along Exibition Road, there is also an entrance there. Address: SW7 5BD, Cromwell Road. Open every day from 10 am to 5:50 pm.
It would be an unforgivable mistake to fly to London and not visit the Tate Modern gallery, and besides, you should not miss the opportunity to take part in a free tour. Just come by 11:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 15:00 and the gallery staff will share with you interesting information. Believe me, 45 minutes will fly by. Address: SE1 9TG, Bankside.
Do you know that you can attend evening services accompanied by a choir in Westminster Abbey and view it from the inside absolutely free of charge? Did you even know that Westminster Abbey is a functioning church? It's not too late to catch up. Just come by 5 pm on weekdays except Wednesday or on weekends by 3 pm and you will see everything with your own eyes. Address: 20 Deans Yard London SW1P 3PA&.
Things to do in the evening
If your soul needs to continue after such a busy day, then a party at the Heaven Club is just what the doctor ordered. And you will be lucky if you go to the club on Monday, because on this day of the week there is a free Popcorn party. All you need to be happy is to print a coupon from the club's offsite.
Don't want to dance? For a quiet and cozy evening, we recommend the Paradise by Way of Kensal Green restaurant! A very atmospheric place that you fall in love with at first sight. Excellent cuisine will delight and impress even experienced gourmets. But keep in mind that they also know how to hum and light until the morning. If you want peace, come early. Address: 19 Kilburn Lane, W10 4AE.
If noisy parties are not for you, but you want to spend an interesting evening, then go to the world-famous West End musicals. You can buy a ticket with a good discount at Half price tickets booth, which is easy to find when you get to Leicester Square. They arrange sales a couple of hours before the start of the musical.
2 day
Viewing the city from a bird's eye view.
london eye
Today you will see London in all its glory. For a unique experience, head to the Ferris wheel, the most popular attraction is the London Eye. It is better to buy tickets online in advance. The cost of one ticket is from 17 pounds sterling, but do not forget about the "Two for the price of one" discount system, which we wrote about above. The Ferris Wheel is located near Waterloo Station and Westminster. You need exit 1.
St Paul's Cathedral
You can enjoy the architectural masterpieces of London by climbing over 500 steps of St. Paul's Cathedral. Do not forget to visit the whispering gallery under the dome and conduct an experiment, because this place is unique in that if you whisper a word in one part of it, you can hear it without any problems in another. If you buy a ticket online, it will cost you £12.50.
observation decks
Thrifty tourists will object that it is simply wasteful to pay such money for beautiful view and they will be right. Indeed, to see the magnificent panorama of the city it is not at all necessary to pay money, it is enough to know the places. Absolutely free to take amazing photos, you can get to observation deck entertainment center Ally Pally.
Spectacular views of the city can be enjoyed from Waterloo Bridge. Even at night you will get excellent photos. Be sure to climb to the top of Parliament Hill to escape from the bustle of the city, worries, problems and enjoy the atmosphere of this place. You can get there from Hampstead tube station.
Boat trip on the Thames
Now is the time to take a boat trip down the Thames. To make the trip not only pleasant, but also useful, immediately after that we will go to Greenwich to see the sights and check in on the zero meridian. In order not to waste time, boat tickets can be bought on the website. You need Westminster Pier, which can be reached from the metro station of the same name, it is from there that the boats you need leave.
Greenwich
After your walk, take the subway to Canning Town to avoid the crowds of tourists and enjoy the futuristic constructions of the Great Barrier in a relaxed atmosphere or stroll through Thames Barrier Park, which is located nearby. Now back to the subway to get to the station we need - Greenwich. Are you tired and your body needs nourishment? Then, without wasting a minute, we go to the British pub, which has been opening its doors to its guests since 1837 - Trafalgar Tavern. Sitting at a table, perhaps the very one where Charles Dickens once liked to sit, you can enjoy not only a delicious lunch, but also a view of the Thames.
After a delicious lunch, by law ... you are supposed to explore Greenwich. In general, to do exactly what we came here for. Here you can already do, as absolutely all tourists do, go to Greenwich Park to take a picture on the territory of the Royal Observatory, standing on the zero meridian. The main thing is to get there before closing (17.00).
Well, since you're here, take a stroll down to the waterfront to capture the Cutty Sark clipper ship, which once upon a time brought tea from China and wool from Australia. Indulge in the pleasure of acquiring truly original items at the Greenwich Covered Market. Just do not get carried away too much, as we will devote the third day in London to shopping.
And finally, take the elevator or stairs down to the famous Thames Tunnel.
The Greenwich Mean Plan has been completed, which means you can go to the best places of entertainment with a sense of accomplishment. As budget travelers, we keep looking for free entertainment. In the evening, blues lovers should definitely visit the Aint Nothing But bar and listen to live music for free. Also, for a nominal fee, or even completely free, you can enjoy the game of musicians in the Birthdays bar.
3 day
We go for souvenirs, antiques and vintage gizmos to the most visited Portobello market in London in the Notting Hill area. Here you will find everything you need. If you have watched the film Notting Hill, starring the beautiful Julia Roberts, you will easily recognize this place and do not miss the opportunity to look into the shoe store at number 142, where, according to the plot of the film, there was a guide book store. Bank cards are not particularly favored here, so prepare cash in advance to pay for purchases. Keep in mind that the street market is only open on weekends, but if you're planning on buying antiques, you can come any day of the week.
Borough Market
Today we will have lunch at the Borough market, so we go down the tube and get to London Bridge station. Here you can taste and buy fresh bread, fragrant meat sandwiches, ruddy stuffed pie, juicy fruits, a variety of vegetables, and all this at an affordable price. budget tourist price. Please note that the market is only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 17:00. Address: SE1 1TL, Southwark street, 8.
No shopaholic will ever deny himself the pleasure of strolling along Oxford Street, where over 300 shops are concentrated. All you need to do is get on the tube and get to Oxford Circus. You can buy inexpensive things at Primark - 499 Oxford Street. Original and colorful T-shirts can be purchased at Lazy Oaf at 19 Fouberts Place. In general, all the shops on Oxford Street are at your disposal.
Chinatown
After shopping, go look for Wall 1888 in nearby China Town, where you'll find a giant bowl of rice. It is noteworthy that this bowl is made from 1888 photographs of China Town glued together. Hint: to find this place you need to turn onto Macclesfield Street from Gerard Street. Now do not miss the Horse & Dolphin Yard, this is the yard you need to go to. For dinner, go to the cozy restaurant Leong's Legend. You will find it if you go back to Macclesfield street. >You can end your London trip at the legendary MoS (Ministry of Sound) club, which offers its guests only the best sound and the best tracks from the most popular DJs in the world. The cost of entrance tickets varies from 10 to 22 pounds.
It's hard to write about London. We hear so much about this city from school as part of the study in English that by the time of a trip to the British capital, a huge list of attractions that need to be visited is accumulating, so advising something to someone is just a disastrous thing. I will skip the standard recommendations about the Tower and the British Museum, and talk about those places that are usually dragged at the end of guidebooks, but are definitely worth a visit on a solo trip.
Stay on the prime meridian
Tourists rarely reach Greenwich, and the area itself is considered one of the few areas of modern London where the capital's indigenous people live. Those who like to explore the life of the locals should move away from the park and walk along the nearby streets to see how on a lazy Saturday morning, the British, despite the gloomy weather, sit outside the cafe and sip coffee, holding The Daily Telegraph in their hands.
Museum fans should go to the Greenwich Observatory, where they will tell you about chronometers, and about astronomical clocks, and even about “balls of time”. And then just go for a walk in the park: there are few tourists, so the walk will be much more pleasant and calmer than in the same Hyde Park.
Go to a musical
For some reason, going to a musical is an obligatory part of the program in New York, but not everyone goes to London productions, and after all, the main author of the most famous musicals, Andrew Lloyd Webber, is British, and his creations were first embodied in the British capital. However, the most iconic musical is not at all the creation of the famous composer and not even some other English production, but Les Misérables, which have been on the West End stage for more than 30 years.
Coming to any musical, do not be surprised by the choice of actors: the British are for diversity in everything, so Jean Valjean is easily played by an African American, and Fantine by a Chinese actress.
Look for curiosities at the Notting Hill Flea Market
On Saturday, you must definitely go to the Notting Hill area, where the famous Portobello Market flea market is buzzing and noisy from morning until five in the evening. Here you can find antiques, and young designers trying to make a name for themselves, and philatelists with numismatists, and farmers with their stalls with cheese and other food - you just have time to look around so as not to miss anything. Walking around the market, do not miss the full-fledged shops, often hidden behind the counters spread out in a hurry.
And be sure to just walk around the area, especially Lansdowne and Westbourne Grove.
Eat street food at Borough Market
After visiting the Tate Modern, you should not rush back to the City, no matter how the Millennium Bridge beckons you. Instead, take a stroll through the Southwark area to Borough Market, where you can eat deliciously and inexpensively. Delicacies and the best farm produce from all over Britain flock to Borough Market, but the price tag is to match. But the ready-made food, which is sold here in stalls and corners, will be very cheap, and most importantly, it will be delicious: here you will find Indian tandoori, Vietnamese noodles and traditional English meat pies, which you just want to drink Pimm's with fresh cucumber.
The market is open Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 to 17:00, Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Saturday from 8:00 to 17:00.
Walk through unknown museums
London is rich in museums: for lovers of archeology there is the British Museum, art historians should hurry to the National Gallery, and fans of fashion history and applied arts should definitely get to the Victoria and Albert Museum. But no less interesting are the less replicated museums, among which I especially remember the Design Museum and the John Soane Museum. The first does not have a permanent exhibition, but there are amazing large-scale exhibitions (this is how I got to the Paul Smith exhibition). The second was once the home of architect John Soane, who was an avid collector of antiques and art, so the museum is outlandish both in terms of architecture and the exhibits on display (entrance to the museum is free, by the way).
Watch a movie in an unusual place
Since 2007, there has been a very unusual format for watching films in London - Secret Cinema. The bottom line is this: you buy a ticket for the announced movie (the date is known in advance), but where you will watch the movie, you will know only a couple of days later, when you receive a secret message. It can be anything: the roof of a house, a hospital, or a bunker. There is also the Tell No One format, when you buy a ticket without even knowing what awaits you directly - a movie, an opera or a concert.
All information about upcoming events, as well as buying a ticket, can be found on the website.
Leading museums such as the National Gallery or the Victoria and Albert Museum are completely free to enter, so you can plan your visit without breaking the bank.
All museums have free Wi-Fi, which makes it possible to do without an audio guide.
In British pubs, it is not customary to drink inside, especially if outside the window. good weather, so feel free to take a pint of beer and stand at the narrow counters outside (if you can find a seat, because even on a weekday, jacket-clad Londoners occupy the local pubs).
If you do not like to walk or plan to actively use public transport, then it makes sense to purchase an Oyster card: with it, trips will cost much less.
Every Monday night, the Stratford End Theater Bar hosts free stand-up shows.
Harry Potter fans should get to King's Cross Station, where a wall with a trolley that has driven into it and the cherished inscription "Platform 9 3/4" has been decorated near the entrance.
One of the best views of the city opens from the observation deck of the Sky Garden skyscraper, which can be accessed absolutely free of charge by appointment on the website.
Useful sites:
Visit London is the official guide to London. Here is mainly information for tourists, useful information you have to look, however, there are also wonderful lists like “101 secret place London".
Secret London — a wonderful blog from locals, with tips on bars, restaurants and other activities in the British capital.
iknow.travel - a site where I look for useful information from Russian-speaking locals when planning any trip, in the case of London, it is just a storehouse of useful recommendations.
London Inheritance - a site for those who are interested in the history of London.
Theater Monkey - scary as the plague, but terribly useful site for theatergoers, where you can find information about all productions and ticket discounts.
Just Opened is a food site that tells about all the iconic discoveries of the city's restaurant life.
Bonus: daily schedule to get everything done
For the first independent travel to Britain, where the main point of visit is London, it is worth allocating ten days, of which the first six days (including the day of arrival) are for visiting the capital itself, and the others for trips around the surrounding area. Based on my trip, I can recommend the following schedule:
Day 1.
Arrival, accommodation and half day for walks in the Westminster area. What you will see: Buckingham Palace (no entry), Westminster Abbey, St. James Park, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square.
Day 2
Museum day. What to see: National Gallery (free), British Museum (free), John Soane Museum (free). Walk through Soho, Chinatown and Bloomsberry. Harry Potter fans can walk to King's Cross Station.
Day 3
Walk around the City. What to see: St. Paul's Cathedral, Sky Garden, Fleet Street, 30 Mary Ax Tower (aka the Gherkin Skyscraper), Spitalfields Market. Musical in the evening.
Day 4
Exploring South coast. What to see: London Eye (I wouldn't spend money), Tate Modern (free), Millennium Bridge, Southwark Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe Theater (paid tour), Millennium Bridge, Borough Market, Design Museum (paid). In the evening, head back to the Southbank Center for a great seating area overlooking the Thames.
Day 5
In the morning on Portobello Road to the flea market, from there walk through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park Victoria and Albert Museum (free of charge).
Day 6
We're going to Greenwich. What to see: Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory Greenwich and Prime Meridian, Royal Naval College.
Day 7-10.
Trips around the area, which I will talk about in the next post.
Harlova Diana
Project Manager:
Istomina Tatyana Alexandrovna
Institution:
MBOU secondary school No. 21 named after the hero of the Soviet Union Yudin Alexander Dmitrievich, Severodvinsk
During the individual research work in English "Journey through London" the author realized the goal to study various sources of information and get acquainted with the main sights of London, find out interesting facts about the capital of foggy albion.
More about work:
The author of the finished research project in English "Journey through London" talks about the history of London, gives the main characteristics of the city, makes a list amazing facts about London, provides a description of the world-famous sights and streets of London.The London Journey student research project and country studies project describes the history and development of the most outstanding museums and theaters located in London and are important not only for English, but also for world culture. The student developed a questionnaire to determine the level of awareness of schoolchildren about the history and sights of London.
Introduction
1. City of London.
2. Interesting facts about London.
3. Sights of London.
4. Questionnaire about London.
Conclusion
Appendix. The text of the speech for the defense of the project in English " Traveling around London»
Introduction
Studying English from the second grade, we always knew that London is the capital of Great Britain, it is big and interesting city, which has many beautiful buildings, parks and monuments. Last year, in class, we met some interesting facts about the life of this city.
And this year we will study historical facts. But what is interesting in the English capital? Why do thousands of tourists visit this city every year? It was these questions that made us want to find out more information about London and then tell our comrades about it.
Purpose of the study: study various sources of information, get acquainted with the main attractions of London and interesting facts, as well as create a poster - a game called " Traveling around London».
Project objectives:
- To study the literature that allows you to get an idea about the city of London.
- Find out what 6th grade students know about London.
- To acquaint your classmates with interesting facts about London and talk about its sights.
- Create a game called Traveling around London”, which can be further used in English lessons as a visual aid.
City of London
London(English) London[ˈlʌndən] (i)) is a city, the capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Administratively, it forms the Greater London region of England, divided into 33 self-governing districts.
City name. The name of London goes back to the name of the Roman city of Londinium, the origin of which remains unclear to this day. It is believed that this word is pre-Roman, borrowed from the local population.
City population. The population is 8.4 million people (2013), the second largest city in Europe and the largest in the European Union.
Location of the city. Located in the south-east of the island of Great Britain, on the plain of the London Basin, at the mouth of the Thames near the North Sea.
London was founded by the Romans shortly after their invasion of Britain in the summer of 43. By 1700 London had become The largest city Europe. In 1707, London acquired the status of the capital of Great Britain, a new state created by the union of England and Scotland.
Districts of London. London is divided into 33 self-governing districts. The most famous are the areas of the City, Westminster, West End and East End.
Transport in London. The buses are operated by private operators. There are about 700 routes. One of the symbols of London is the red double decker bus.
London Underground is the oldest in the world, it was opened in 1863. It consists of 11 lines with a total length of 402 km and 270 stations. Closes at night.
Water transport. The system of urban water routes London River Services operated by private operators. River traffic on the Thames runs from 22 passenger piers from Hampton Court in the west to Woolwich in the east.
It should also be noted that water transport walks along the River Thames. The Thames is the legendary river of Great Britain. It was above it that the unique and completely dissimilar bridges, which have become the decoration of the city.
In total, there are 30 bridges in London thrown over rivers, in the city center there is the famous Tower Bridge, as well as the Millennium Bridge, Chelsea Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Vauxhall, Lambeth, London Bridge and Westminster Bridge. Let's consider some of them.
westminster bridge
It was built in 1862 and is currently the oldest bridge capitals of Great Britain. It, for more than 150 years, practically does not require repair.
In addition to its historical value, the popularity of this bridge is explained by the fact that it offers an excellent view of other attractions. For example, from it you can see another symbol of the capital of Britain - this is the famous Big Ben, and also Westminster Abbey.
Vauxhall
The first iron bridge with tram traffic, which appeared in 1816. The bridge is very impressive appearance- it stands out for its red-yellow coloration, interesting sculptures stand on its supports.
waterloo
The opening of this stone bridge took place in 1945, and this name was given to him in honor of the Battle of Waterloo, which became victorious for England. If you want to see the whole center of the capital, then you need to go to this bridge! It will offer a magnificent view of the City - which is the business center of the city, and Westminster Abbey. You can also see the Ferris wheel, which is also called the London Eye.
Streets of London
London large city, where more than a thousand streets are located.
Titles streets of london also come from the famous buildings of the city, which were located on them or to which the streets led. For instance, Greet Tower Street in the City leads to the Tower. A london wall runs along the ancient wall that once surrounded the city.
Many streets of the British capital were given names geographic features. So, Fleet street named after the river Fleet, which flowed here until the 18th century, and then was enclosed in a pipe. water street leads to the banks of the Thames.
The streets and districts of London received their names after the names of large owners of houses and land. Let's say Covent Garden located on a site owned by Westminster Abbey. A Skinner Street passes over land owned by the Furriers' Company.
Baker Street
The street was named after the builder William Baker, who laid it in the 18th century. It was originally a residence for the upper class, but today Baker Street is mostly commercial and retail property.
Piccadilly (Piccadilly)
Piccadilly(English Piccadilly) - one of the widest and busiest streets in historical center London - Westminster. Runs from Piccadilly Circus (east) to Hyde Park (west).
Name " Piccadilly"received from the mansion of Robert Baker, who at the beginning of the 17th century made a fortune selling fashionable collars -" picadiles” (piccadill) - stiff collars with scalloped edges and a wide drawstring that tightens around the edges.
Oxford Street
Oxford Street- this is a favorite and most common place not only for London, but also for European connoisseurs of fashion. Every day, thousands of tourists and locals come to the busiest street to buy fashionable things.
Oxford Street houses not only a few dozen of the world's most popular brands, but also hundreds of lesser-known, but quite trendy stores. Unlike the astronomical prices of Regent and Bond Streets, Oxford Street has pretty affordable youth prices. More fashionable is Western part streets and prices tend to be higher there than in the main eastern part.
Apart from the streets interesting names London has a lot beautiful parks. Basis " Green London» make up Royal Parks. There are eight of them in total, and the most famous and largest of them are located in the city center. This - Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James Park, Regent's Park and
Kensington Gardens
They are called royal not only because they are royally luxurious, well-groomed and beautiful, but also because of their historical origin.
In the old days, near populated areas the city authorities specially left significant green spaces intended for walking and, above all, for hunting trips of the royal family.
View of Big Ben in London
London is the largest and ancient city throughout the United Kingdom and the entire United Kingdom. London is almost 2000 years old. It is a world political, economic and cultural center. It is not surprising that with such data, it is also one of the most expensive cities in Europe.
Westminster Abbey
Coming to London for less than a week is a big mistake. Even a month is not enough to see all the sights of the city. Dozens of museums, theaters, libraries, palaces and castles, parks, educational institutions, churches, ancient bridges and unshakable English traditions - all this awaits tourists in London.
Must see in London
Must-see attractions in London include the following attractions: Tower Bridge, Palace of Westminster, Big Ben Tower, Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. But this is not a complete list! London has a lot to offer the discerning tourist.
Tower of London
Tower of London
The Tower is one of the most popular tourist destinations in London. For 900 years of its existence, the Tower has been a fortress, a prison, a palace, an observatory and even a royal menagerie. All tourists are told the history of the appearance of the fortress, as well as about the most famous prisoners of the prison, most of whom were carriers of blue blood. Don't be surprised if you see a flock of black crows here. The British believe that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, then Britain will fall. Therefore, round-the-clock care is organized for the birds here. Most visitors come to the Tower not only for interesting historical facts, but also to see the royal regalia.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has long been a symbol of the British monarchy. This is a functioning royal residence. Most of the time of the year, the royal family lives here. You can visit the palace in the summer, when the Queen and her family leave for Windsor, as well as for several days in January and December, and at Easter. The Changing of the Guard is a popular tourist attraction at any time of the year.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge
Next to the Tower of London is another symbol of the capital of Great Britain - the Tower Bridge. Its construction was completed at the end of the 19th century, and since then it has connected the two banks of the River Thames. The design of the bridge is a draw mechanism with intermediate supports in the form of towers. The schedule for the bridge can be viewed on the official website, usually it happens 4-5 times a day, but always at different times.
Westminster Palace
Westminster Palace
The palace in the name of the tourist attraction indicates the fact of the former royal residence. From the 16th century to this day, the Palace of Westminster has served as the home of the British Parliament. The Neo-Gothic building was rebuilt several times in its history, the final appearance of the facade was formed in the middle of the 19th century. The palace has three large towers: the Victoria Tower (the highest), the Elizabeth Tower (the famous Big Ben) and the Central Tower. You can get to the Palace of Westminster only during the parliamentary recess.
Big Ben Tower
Big Ben Tower
A rare tourist will leave the capital of Great Britain without taking a photo against the backdrop of Big Ben. And although for 18 years the tower has been named after Queen Elizabeth, it continues to be called Big Ben. The tower is part of the architectural ensemble Palace of Westminster. The Elizabeth Tower received its modern look only in the middle of the 19th century, when restoration work was carried out after a major fire. The unique clockwork of E. Denison is still working, even despite the fact that during the Second World War, Big Ben suffered from German air raids.
What to see in London on your own
In London, there are a number of attractions that you can explore on your own without a guide. And although the city is considered one of the most expensive European capitals, there are free attractions here.
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
The majestic cathedral on Ludgate Hill towers over all of London. This is the fifth cathedral built on this site. The previous cathedrals have a sad history, they either burned down or were destroyed during the Viking raids. A visit to St. Paul's Cathedral is paid, but if you come to the evening service, you can admire the interior of the temple for free. Sometimes after the service there is a concert of classical music, it is donated. The schedule of worship and concerts can be found on the official website of the cathedral.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
This is a major transport artery cities and another symbol of the capital. The square serves as a venue for various kinds of festivals, fairs, folk festivals. It is here that the main Christmas tree of the United Kingdom stands. In the center of Trafalgar Square stands the column of Nelson, who was the commander of the British fleet. The Vice Admiral was awarded this honor for the naval victory over the Franco-Spanish fleet during the Napoleonic Wars at Cape Trafalgar.
Piccadilly street
Piccadilly street
Walking around London, be sure to look at Piccadilly Street. This is a busy street in the heart of the capital. Along the edges it is framed by old mansions belonging to the financial elite of Europe. And in the center there is a fountain with the figure of Eros. This is one of the best places to go shopping. But keep in mind that Piccadilly has expensive boutiques and high-profile brands. It is better to buy souvenirs and mass-market products elsewhere.
Abbey Road
Abbey Road
The street could have remained one of many, if not for the twelfth album of the British rock band The Beatles. The album was called Abbey Road. The album cover, created by photographer I. Macmillan, has become the most recognizable in the world. Four Beatles crossing the street at a pedestrian crossing are both a symbol of the group and an iconic landmark of the city. Tourists and fans from all over the world duplicate the cover of the Abbey Road album over and over again on their camera.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park
If you have something to say, head to Hyde Park and find Speaker's Corner here. Anyone can make a statement here, practice the art of eloquence. Here you can openly proclaim and defend your ideas, beliefs, values. For everyone else, Hyde Park is a great place to take a break from the rhythm of a noisy metropolis, swim in the Serpentine Lake and see a monument dedicated to animals that served in the war.
What to see in London in a week
kensington garden
London has such a high concentration of attractions that even 7 days may not be enough to see them. But this is wonderful, because you can always return to the city again, and again. Below we have compiled a guide to London to visit the most interesting sights of the capital of Foggy Albion.
The first day
A walk around London is worth starting with Westminster Abbey . Gothic architecture and wonderful stained-glass windows became the frame for the royal tomb. After the abbey, go to Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower . The route then goes through trafalgar square past Nelson's columns To National Gallery . A perfect end to the first evening in the city will be a river cruise on the thames .
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
Do you know what unites Queen Elizabeth, Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin? All of them are buried within the walls of Westminster Abbey. The majestic tomb with openwork vaults became the last refuge for monarchs, scientists, and poets. The abbey is also the site of the coronation of British monarchs and the venue for wedding celebrations.
London National Gallery
London National Gallery
The number of masterpieces of painting stored in the National Gallery is huge. Seeing everything in one visit is impossible. It is better to decide in advance which paintings of outstanding masters of painting you want to see, and purposefully look only at them. Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gogh, Raphael - their priceless masterpieces await you at the London National Gallery.
Cruise on the Thames
Cruise on the Thames
The Thames is the longest river in England that flows into the North Sea. Since the period of the Roman conquest, the river has been the most important place for the settlement of people, the development of trade, and military affairs. Cruises on the Thames are offered by several companies. There are a dozen berths on the river, from which a ship leaves every 30 minutes. From the river you can see a number of London sights, including Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye.
Second day
Start the second day with a walk around tower bridge and visits to the most famous prison in Great Britain - Tower . Before walking around London, check the bridge draw timetable. After the gloomy Tower, look into St Paul's Cathedral . If you're lucky, you can get to a free classical music concert that often takes place here. The perfect end to the evening will be the panorama of the city, which opens from london eye .
london eye
london eye
The famous ferris wheel was built for the millennium celebration. Spacious capsule cabins can accommodate up to 25 people. However, for a fee it is possible to rent the entire capsule. The London Eye looks especially beautiful at night. Thousands of bright lights color the Ferris wheel in all the colors of the rainbow.
The third day
On the morning of the third day, go to Tate Gallery to admire the collection of British art. The next point of the itinerary of our guide to London is Buckingham Palace . Watch the changing of the guard of honor in front of the palace and visit its halls. Walking through Hyde Park and shopping on Piccadilly complete the third day of your stay in the city.
Tate Gallery
Tate Gallery
The beginning of the British Tate Gallery was laid by the collection of the industrial magnate G. Tate. The pearl of the collection is Millet's painting The Death of Ophelia, which is based on Shakespeare's story from Hamlet. Over time, the collection has grown and today occupies a historic building near the Vauxhall Arch Bridge. Interestingly, visiting the gallery is free, which is especially pleasing in one of the most expensive cities in Europe.
Fourth day
Natural History Museum is one of the best in the world, its rich collection attracts millions of tourists every year. Inspection of the museum collection will take at least 4 hours. After that, visit a small but very cozy ensemble Kensington Palace and Garden . The perfect end to the evening will be a concert in albert hall .
Natural History Museum London
Natural History Museum London
It is one of the world's centers dedicated to research in the field of mineralogy, entomology, botany, zoology and paleontology. The luxurious building in the Romanesque style contains a rich collection of historical artifacts. For 112 years, the main hall was decorated with a giant skeleton of a diplodocus. His place in 2018 was taken by the skeleton of a blue whale.
Kensington Palace and Garden
Kensington Palace and Garden
Kensington Palace is a small Jacobean mansion built in 1605. It is the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate) and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Harry and Meghan). In 2018, an exhibition dedicated to Princess Diana was held here. For the first time, visitors were able to see some of Diana's personal items, dresses, baby dolls, and even marriage gifts. Kensington Gardens is a wonderful addition to the royal mansion.
albert hall
albert hall
The Albert Hall is a circular Italian Renaissance building with a huge metal dome. Over the past 150 years, a galaxy of musical geniuses have passed through the doors of the Albert Hall. These walls remember 8 concerts of Richard Wagner, a performance by Sergei Rachmaninoff and even a lecture by Albert Einstein.
The fifth day
Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street
Red double-decker buses have long been the hallmark of the city and the entire Kingdom. Traveling around London on such a pleasure for tourists. Firstly, the bus passes through all the significant sights of the city. And secondly, the audio guide tells detailed information about all significant objects. Spend the fifth day of your stay in the city exploring the districts: take a look at Chinatown, the City of London and Marlebone. The latter is located at the intersection of Oxford and Baker Streets. On Baker Street is Sherlock Holmes Museum , which gained a second wave of popularity after the release of the series starring B. Cumberbatch. Spend the evening on O2 stadium .
Arena O2
The stadium has already become legendary. Its construction was timed to coincide with the celebration of the millennium. Since then, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder have performed here. The Olympic Games were also held here. Of course, if there is an opportunity, it is better to get to the stadium as part of a big concert. But the O2 arena is ready to offer visitors extreme attraction. This is the rise to the roof of the dome! You will have to climb on foot along the roof itself, in safety equipment you need to overcome about 300 meters. The reward will be a picturesque panorama of the city. The Emirates Air Line cable car is laid across the Thames from the arena, it offers no less breathtaking views than from the O2 dome.
Sixth and seventh days
The last two days are worth spending exploring the area around the capital of the United Kingdom. Here you will find Oxford and Cambridge, Stonehenge and the city of Bath, the Lake District and the Jura Coast.
What to see around London
Cambridge
Under London, just an hour away, is the world educational center, which is represented by two of the oldest educational institutions in Europe - Oxford and Cambridge . Endless disputes about which of them is better will follow you everywhere in England. The only way to get rid of them is to make your own impression. You will be waited for by majestic medieval architecture, ancient temples on the territory of colleges and even the opportunity to rent a boat for a trip along the River Cam (Cambridge) or Cherwell (Oxford).
stonehenge
To visit England and not visit the wonder of the world - stonehenge , it is a crime. The Mesolithic ancient structure strikes the imagination of everyone who comes here. Near London there is no more mysterious and at the same time more touristy place. It is better to come here either early in the morning or at sunset, when there are not so many tourists. Between London and Stonehenge is the city of Bath, which is famous for its thermal springs. A visit to Stonehenge and the baths of Bath will be the perfect end to your trip to London.
