London

London History

The British metropolis London is one of the biggest and most important cities in the world. The urban area stretches over a length of 44 kilometers along the river Thames. London’s history has started in the first century when the Romans formed a colony named “Londinium”. Today, eight million people live in London. The most famous sights in London are located at the northern bank of the Thames. A good starting point for a sightseeing tour is the Trafalgar Square, a busy place guarded by the statue of Admiral Nelson. Not far from here you find the National Gallery where paintings from eight different centuries are exhibited. The triumphal arch Admirality Arch is the starting point of the Mall- Boulevard.

The symbol of the city is the Tower of London. This impressing fort has been used as a palace, a weapon chamber and a jail. Today, the so-called “Beefeater“, with their traditional robes, are guarding the British crown jewels. A royal flag announces if the Queen stays in the Buckingham Palace or not. A highlight for every London-trip is the changing of the guards at the Queen Victoria Memorial. Another must-see is the St. Paul’s Cathedral, the biggest church in London downtown. For everyone who wants to spend some quiet hours, the St. James Park is a great place to visit. An adventure for children and adults is the waxwork museum Madame Tussauds.

Holiday Homes and Vacation Rentals in London

London Landmarks

London Eye
One of the many symbols of London is the London Eye. Located close to the Big Ben, the 135-meter-high observation wheel is the biggest one in Europe. Each of the 32 glass capsules offers space for 25 people. They can enjoy a stunning view of the city. The London Eye opened in March 2000 and was firstly seen as a temporary attraction for five years. As is was much more successful than expected, it now became an integral part of the city.

Big Ben
Only a few minutes’ walk from London Eye you find the Big Ben, one the most famous London sights. In every day conversation the Big Ben is known as the famous tower of the Palace of Westminster, also called Houses of Parliament. To be precise, only the heaviest of the five bells is called Big Ben, the tower has the official name „Elisabeth Tower“. The characteristic melody of the bell that rings every 15 minutes is called „The Voice of Britain“.

Buckingham Palace
The Buckingham Palace the central point of the British Monarchy. Located close to the river Thames, it is residence of the acting English Queen Elizabeth II, as well as venue for stately events. It is not without reason that the building is guarded around the clock. Responsible for the security are the guards with the famous black fur-caps which are a symbol for London. The regular changing of the guards is a very popular tourist attraction.

Harrods
London is a shopping-paradise – Around each corner you find cool shops, design-boutiques and second-hand stores. However, for tourists the famous department store Harrods is rather an attraction than a place for shopping. You find the most exclusive products of the British capital, ranging from clothes and accessory to food. In the huge “Food Halls” everyone’s mouth waters immediately. Harrods is pure luxury.

British Museum
The British Museum is one of the most important cultural-historical museums in the world. Visitors find exhibits of human history from its beginnings until modern times. Some of the topics are Early History, Greek and Roman antiquity, old Egypt and our continents Europe, Asia, Africa and America. A famous exhibition are the Egyptian mummies. All collections are housed in a classical building from the 19th century.

Madame Tussauds
Probably the most famous waxwork museum in the world is Madame Tussauds in London. Celebrities from all kind of fields, like politics, fashion, TV, music and sport are rebuilt true-to-life with wax and exhibited in the museum. Visitors can take pictures with George Clooney, Madonna, Barack Obama, Albert Einstein or David Beckham that all look like the originals. And if you do not succeed in meeting the Queen while staying in London, at least you have the chance to see her at Madame Tussauds.

Tate Modern
The biggest museum for modern art in the world is located in the Tate Modern in London, a former power station on the shore of the river Thames. Visitors can gaze at a stunning collections of paintings and sculptures from the 20th century, for example art works from Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol.

Hyde Park
In the heart of the city you find the green oasis of London: The Hyde Park. It is a great place to escape from the bustle of the streets. You can go for a walk and just enjoy the peaceful nature. The 11-hectare-big lake Serpentine invites you to swim or to do a boat trip. Every year, numerous concerts are taking place at Hyde Park. At the famous Speaker’s Corner everyone can speak to the people and tell them his or her opinion to all kind of topics.

National History Museum
One of the historic highlights in London is the Natural History Museum. The collection consists of fossils, carcasses of dinosaurs and a blue whale and meteorites. Visitors can learn everything about the formation of the earth, the incredible variety of animals and plants on our planet and the humans’ dependency on natural resources.

Tower Bridge
The most famous bridge in London is the Tower Bridge, named by the Tower of London which is located close to the bridge. The 244-meter-long suspension- and bascule bridge is accessible by foot and by car. The two characteristic towers, one at each side, are 65 meters high. In the pedestrian area of the bridge you find an exhibition that tells the story of the construction of the bridge.

Westminster Abbey
Next to the Houses of Parliament with the famous Big Ben you find the Westminster Abbey. The church from the 11th century serves as an important venue for royal coronations of the British monarchs. Until the end of the 18th century the church has also been used as a place of burial for kings and many famous people like Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens or Isaac Newton. Since the 20th century, a museum is located in the lower part of the church. Here you find different items connected to royal burials, but also paintings, a copy of the crown jewels and medieval glasses.

London Zoo
The London Zoo has been constructed in the 19th century as a scientific institution. More than 20 years later is has been opened to the public. With 18,500 animals and 750 different species, the London Zoo impresses its visitors. Beside the animals that live open door, you can also visit a reptile house, a free-flight hall for tropical birds, a butterfly house, an aquarium and a gorilla house. A highlight of the zoo are the Galapagos-tortoises that can be observed.

Tower of London
Located directly at the river Thames and close to the Tower Bridge you find the Tower of London. Built in the 11th century, it has firstly served as a fort for the former British king William the Conqueror. Later, the tower has been used as residence, weapon chamber, jail and venue for executions. Today the Tower of London is one of the most popular sights in London, first of all because of the crown jewels that are exhibited here. In a museum you can learn everything about the history of the Tower.

Picadilly Circus
The Picadilly Circus is a huge open space where several major roads come together. In times of colonization, the place was seen as “center of the world”. Today it is famous for its huge advertising screens that show all important brands like Coca-Cola, Hyundai, TDK, McDonald’s and Samsung. In the center of the Picadilly Circus you find the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, also called Eros-fountain.

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