Walking through London

1. Anno Scolastico
2008-09
Istituto Comprensivo Statale
“L. Vanvitelli”
Airola (BN)
Classe 2C

2. Walking
through
London

3. The Tower of London
Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament
Trafalgar Square
The National Gallery
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
WESTMINSTER
ABBEY
.....

4. The Tower of London
It was built by the Norman King William the Conqueror in
the eleventh century (1078). Over the century it was used
as a fortress, a royal residence, and a prison. A lot
of famous people were executed in the Tower: they
included Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard (two of King
Henry VIII's six wives). Queen Elizabeth I, when she was a
princess, was a prisoner here. Now it is a museum where
you can see The Crown Jewels. The White Tower is the
oldest part of the building. The Beefeaters, the custodians
of the Tower, are a famous tourist attraction. They are called
Beefeaters because in the past, the King gave them meat,
or beef, to eat... They wear a black and red uniform. On the
uniform are letters E II R. (Elizabeth II Regina).
A special guardian, the Ravenmaster, feeds the ravens
which live in the Tower. A legend says that if the ravens
leave the Tower, the monarchy will fall down, but is
improbable: their wings have been cut so they can't fly!

5. Big Ben and The Houses of
Parliament
Big Ben is the name of the big bell in the Clock
Tower of the Houses of Parliament. It weighs
13 tons and takes its name from Sir Benjamin
Hall who put it in the Tower. Now the name Big
Ben is commonly given to the Clock Tower. Its
voice is famous all over the world. The Houses
of Parliament stand on the banks of the river
Thames. The palace is the seat of the House of
Commons and the House of Lords. When
Parliament sits a flag flies from Victoria Tower.

6. Trafalgar Square
It is the most famous square in London.
The statue of Admiral Lord Nelson stands
on the top of the column in the middle of
the square. The square takes its name
from Lord Nelson's victory in the battle of
Trafalgar in 1805. He defeated the
French, but he lost his life in the battle.

7. The National Gallery
It is situated in Trafalgar Square and is
one of the most important art galleries
in the world. It contains a collection of
works of art of famous European
painters. In the east wing of the gallery,
you can admire a beautiful collection of
the "Impressionists".

8. Madam Tussaud’s
In this museum you can see lots of famous people,
including the Royal Family, historical characters,
movie stars, singers, footbollers, etc... It takes its
name from Marie Tussaud, a wax modeler who was
born in Switzerland. She first became famous in
Paris modelling leaders and victims of the
Revolution. She came to London and opened the
museum in 1802. Later she opened the
Chamber of Horrors. It is a special section of the
museum where you can see the models of the most
famous criminals in history.

9. Covent Garden
It is an area in London famous
for its theatres (the Royal Opera
House), restaurants, shops and
street entertainers.
The West End
It is the main shopping and entertainment area of
London and the centre of night life. It's full of cinemas,
shops, theatres and restaurants. Piccadilly Circus marks the
centre of the West End. The statue of Eros, the
Greek God of Love, stands in the middle of the square.

10. Harrods
It's the most fashionable department store in London. It has got 300 departments and 4000
employees. Its motto is "Omnia, Omnibus, Ubique", this means "All things for all people,
everywhere". You can find almost everything at Harrods!!

11. Hamleys
It's the oldest, the biggest, and the most
famous toyshop in the world. It was opened in
1760 by William Hamley. The shop has got 5
floors. There are over 50,000 toys in the shop.
Five million people visit Hamleys every year.
Oxford Street
It's the most famous shopping street in
London. It is 2 kilometres long.

12. BUCKINGHAM PALACE
It is the Queen's official residence in
London. It is a big palace with more than
600 rooms, an indoor swimming-pool, a
cinema, a big garden and a post office.
When the queen is at home, the royal flag
flies on the roof. The Changing of the Guard,
a formal ceremony, takes place every day at
11.30 a.m. in front of the palace.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY
It is the church where almost all English Kings and
Queens have been crowned, and many of them are
buried here (Henry VII, Mary I and Elizabeth I). It is a
magnificent gothic building. It is situated near the left
bank of the river Thames and the Houses of Parliament.
Inside the church, in the Poets' Corner you can see the
tombs of some famous British writers (Charles Dickens,
Milton, Chaucer). The Coronation Chair near the Altar
has been used for every Coronation since 1308.

13. TOWER BRIDGE
It is very near the Tower of London. The bridge can
open to let ships pass. There is a museum inside the
two towers of the Bridge where you can see the
original steam and hydraulic engines. And if you go
up the walkways you can admire a beautiful
panorama of London.
ST. KATHERINE'S DOCK
It is very near the Tower Bridge and the Tower of
London. In old times merchant ships came here
from all over the world. Today St. Katherine's Dock
is a port for private yachts. There are some nice
boutiques, shops, restaurants, pubs, and snack
bars.

14. LONDON EYE
It's the largest observation wheel in the world. It is
situated on the south bank of the river Thames. It
was opened in the year 2000 to celebrate the new
millennium. It has got 32 observation capsules.
Each capsule can contain 25 people. From its top
you can get a magnificent view of London.
HYDE PARK
It's London's most famous park. Two of its main
attractions are The Serpentine, a small artificial lake
in the middle of the park and The Speaker's Corner
where people on Sunday morning can express their
opinions to the crowd. The speakers can say
anything they like. They can talk about religion,
racism, they can even attack British institutions like
Parliament or the Monarchy.

15. ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL
It was built by Sir Christopher Wren, a famous British architect, after the Great Fire of
London of 1666. It's a big baroque church, the largest in London and is situated in
the heart of the City, the business centre of London. The Cathedral is 122 metres
high. Admiral Nelson is buried in the Crypt of the church. In the Whispering Gallery, if
you speak very quietly near the wall, other people on the opposite side of the gallery
can hear what you say! You can go up to the top of the dome, there are 627 steps!,
and see a wonderful panorama of the City and its modern buildings.

16. THE MILLENIUM BRIDGE
It's a footbridge made of steel and is 325 metres
long. It links St Paul's Cathedral, in the City of
London, to the Tate Modern Gallery. It was opened
in the year 2000 to celebrate the new millennium.
TATE MODERN
It's Britain's national museum of Modern art. It is housed in a
former power station on the south bank of the river Thames
near the Globe Theatre and opposite St Paul's Cathedral. The
gallery contains a collection of international modern and
contemporary art. The Turbine Hall inside the gallery is very
impressive.

17. THE GLOBE THEATRE
It is the exact replica of the famous Shakespeare's
theatre "the Globe" of 400 hundred years ago. It
is situated on the south bank of the river Thames.
It's round, open air and has got a large stage with a
decorated ceiling with stars sun, moon and the signs of
the zodiac. There you can see many of
Shakespeare's famous plays.
CANARY WHARF
It is situated in the Docklands. It's a beautiful
modern tower made of steel and glass, with
a pyramid on top. It's 240 metres high and is
the highest building in Britain.

18. GREENWICH
Greenwich is a famous suburb of London on the river Thames.
It's famous for the Old Royal Observatory, the home of 0° Meridian
(zero longitude). In the observatory you can see the Meridian Line
and put a foot in the east and in the west! Many Kings and Queens
of England had their royal palace in Greenwich. King Henry
VIII and his daughters Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth I were
born here, in Greenwich you can visit the Cutty sark. This merchant
ship carried tea from China. It was the fastest ship in the world.
You can also visit the National Maritime Museum where visitors
can see personal objects of Britain's great sailors like Nelson and
Cook. In 1997 Greenwich became a UNESCO World Heritage site.
THE MILLENIUM DOME
This amazing building is situated in Greenwich. The Dome is over
one kilometre in circumference and covers over 80,000 square
metres. Its roof is 50 metres high and is strong enough to support
a jumbo jet! The Dome could contain two Wembley stadiums or
the Eiffel Tower placed on its side. It was opened in the year 2000
to celebrate the new millenium. It's a sort of theme park. Now it's
closed and it opens only on special occasions.