London Favorite Tips by kris-t Top 5 Page for this destination

London Bridge

Favorite thing: London Bridge is a bridge over the River Thames, connecting the City of London and Southwark.
It was the only bridge over the Thames downstream from Kingston until Putney Bridge opened in 1729.

The original London Bridge was a pontoon bridge.
By the end of the 18th century, it was apparent that the old London Bridge (by then over 600 y.o.) needed to be replaced. The new bridge was built 100 feet (30 m) west (upstream) of the original site.
By 1924, the east side of the bridge was some three to four inches (10.16 cm) lower than the west side; it soon became apparent that this bridge would have to be removed and replaced with a more modern one.

Fondest memory: The current London Bridge was designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson.
The bridge was constructed from 1967 to 1972, and opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 17 March 1973.

St Margrets Church Architectural Review

Favorite thing: St Margrets Church - the church of the House of commons sinse 1614 .

Visitors are welcome to this beautiful church.

Fondest memory: The present building consecrated in 1523 is the third of the site.

Winows commemorate Caxton and Milton who worshipped here, and Raleigh, who is buried in front the altar, under the glorious window made for King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon in 1520.

After about nine hundred years of service as a parish church for the people of Westminster St Margaret's was plased under the care of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster by Parliament in 1973. It is stiil in regular use for worship and for recitals of music.

British Airways Millenium London Eye Sightseeing Review

Favorite thing: The British Airways London Eye, sometimes called the Millennium Wheel is the first-built and largest observation wheel in the world, and has been since its opening at the end of 1999.

It stands 135 metres (443 feet) high on the western end of Jubilee Gardens, on the South Bank of the River Thames in Lambeth, between Westminster and Hungerford Bridges. It is adjacent to London's County Hall, and stands opposite the offices of the Ministry of Defence situated in Westminster which it overlooks to the west.

Fondest memory: If you would like to get tickets - better to order its on web-site 7-10 days before a visit

0870 5000 600

www.londoneye.com

Westminster bridge Architectural Review

Favorite thing: Westminster Bridge is a road and foot traffic bridge over the River Thames between Westminster and Lambeth.

The current bridge, opened in 1862, is the second on the site and replaced an earlier bridge that had opened in 1750 and had the tendency to sway alarmingly.

Westminster Bridge is a seven-arch wrought iron bridge which has gothic detailing by Charles Barry (the architect of the Palace of Westminster). It is the only bridge over the Thames that spans seven arches and is the oldest bridge in the central area of the river Thames.

Fondest memory: The bridge is predominantly green, the same colour as the leather seats in the House of Commons which is on the side of the Palace of Westminster nearest the bridge.

This is in contrast to Lambeth Bridge which is red, the same colour as the seats in the House of Lords and is on the opposite side of the Houses of Parliament.

Tower of London - Tower Green Historical Review

Favorite thing: Tower Green is an open piece of ground right at the heart of the Tower of London.

During the Middle Ages, the area was used as a burial ground.

NELSONS COLUMN Architectural Review

Favorite thing: Trafalgar square is the busy heart of London full of pigeons and tourists...

Nelsons column comemorates the battle of trafalgar. Riotous new year celebrations take place here.

Fondest memory: It was built between 1840 and 1843 to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. It consists of a 5.5m (18ft) statue of Nelson on top of a 56 m granite column. The statue faces south, towards the Palace of Westminster.
The top of the Corinthian column is decorated with bronze acanthus leaves cast from British cannon. The square pedestal is decorated with four bronze panels, cast from captured French guns, depicting Nelson's four great victories.

All Hallows by the Tower Historical Review

Favorite thing: All Hallows by the Tower is the oldest church in the City of London and a living church serving today's City community.
All Hallows by the Tower established in 675 as "All Hallows Barking" (after Saxon Barking Abbey).
The 7th century Saxon doorway surviving from the original church.

Couple names from many connected with the All Hallows by the Tower:

- Thomas More, Catholic humanist, beheaded at Tower of London and buried here in 1535.

- John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States - married here in 1797.

Downstairs is the Undercroft Museum, with a treasury of communion plates, and a crypt.

Fondest memory: In 1926 a Roman pavement and many artifacts were discovered many feet below the church.

Tower of London - Beefeaters Tours Historical Review

Favorite thing: Yeoman Warders (know as 'Beefeaters') have been at the Tower of London since the 14th century.

Fondest memory: Join one of their famous tours and learn about the Tower's intriguing past as they take you to the locations where history was made.

Regent's Park Parks and Gardens Review

Favorite thing: Regent's Park (officially The Regent's Park) is one of the Royal Parks of London. It is in the northern part of central London partly in the City of Westminster and partly in the London Borough of Camden.

Fondest memory: The park has an outer ring road called the Outer Circle (4.3km) and an inner ring road called the Inner Circle, which contains the most carefully tended section of the park, Queen Mary's Gardens.

Apart from a link road between these two, the park is reserved for pedestrians. The south, east and most of the west sides of the park are lined with elegant white stucco terraces of houses designed by John Nash. Running through the northern end of the park is Regent's Canal which connects the Grand Union Canal to the former London Docks.

Buckingham Palace Architectural Review

Favorite thing: Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch. Originally Buckingham House, it was built for John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham, in 1703, and was purchased from his descendant Sir Charles Sheffield in 1762 by King George III, becoming the Royal residence in 1837.

Tour the palace Aug-sept, to see state appartments. Including: Grand Staircaise
Green, Throne, White, Music, Blue rooms, also Picture Gallery

Adult - 13.5 BPs

Fondest memory: The winged statue is the Queen Victoria memorial. With a gilded statue of "victory".

http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp