Welcome to Historic London

Welcome

London is one of the world's greatest cities and is an important centre for the arts, entertainment and high finance. Its attractions include royal pageantry, architectural masterpieces, such as Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament, as well as many first-class museums, art galleries and world-famous department stores.
Despite the devastation caused by the Great Fire of 1666 and the Blitz of 1940, London's streets are studded with impressive reminders of its 2,000-year history, from Roman walls, medieval churches and Tudor palaces to Georgian mansions, Edwardian theatres and modern office blocks. London is constantly reinventing itself and entered the new Millennium with several exciting new landmarks along the River Thames.

Buckingham Palace

The red-surfaced Mall is the much-used processional route which leads from Admiralty Arch to Buckingham Palace, the Queen's London residence. It is flanked on one side by St James's Park, one of London's eight royal parks, and on the other by impressive mansions, many of which have royal connections.

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BEST VIEW OF LONDON

Next to the old County Hall is one of the biggest attractions in the heart of London. British Airways London Eye is, at 135 metres (nearly 450 feet) tall, the highest viewing platform in London. The observation pods offer stunning views not only over central London but as far beyond as Windsor.

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Madame Tussaud

Madame Tussaud, who worked at the court of Louis XVI, made waxwork models of guillotined victims of the French Revolution. In 1835 she opened an exhibition of her models at Baker Street, in Marylebone. Today, Madame Tussaud's still has some of her original exhibits, but the newest displays, some of which invite visitors to take part and join in, include politicians, royalty and celebrities from around the world.

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TOWER BRIDGE

Tower Bridge, opened in 1894, was designed in the Gothic style to blend with the nearby Tower. The roadway lifts up to allow rail ships to pass through. An exhibition tells the history of the bridge and you can see the original hydraulic engines. There are fine views of London and the river from the pedestrian walkways.

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