London, United Kingdom
The City of London is a district located in the center of London, England. It is also known simply as “the City” or “the Square Mile.
As a financial center, it is home to the London Stock Exchange, Bank of England, etc., and leads the world economy along with Wall Street in New York.
Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament
The Palace of Westminster (World Heritage Site) is located along the River Thames in the center of London, and is currently used by the British Parliament as the seat of government. Together with the clock tower (Big Ben), it is one of the most representative views of London.
The iconic clock tower, nicknamed “Big Ben,” was built in 1859 as the world’s tallest Gothic Revival clock at 96.3 meters and its clock face was 55 meters above the ground, making it the world’s most accurate clock. In 2012, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne, the official name was changed to “Elizabeth Tower. Underneath the dial, the words “DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM” (Lord bless my Queen Victoria) are engraved in gold Latin letters.
The unique melody of the bells, played in four tones, is known as the “Bells of Westminster.” The Parliament building was destroyed in World War II, but the clock tower was not, and continues to ring to this day.
Westminster Abbey
Built by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century during the English Middle Ages, it has been the site of the coronation of the King of England since 1066. Royal weddings and funerals have traditionally been held here, and it is an important historical building in Britain with a history of 1,000 years. You may know that the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, the funeral of Princess Diana, and the wedding of Prince William and Princess Catherine took place here.
It is said to be one of the largest masterpieces of Gothic architecture in England and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1987. Isaac Newton, George Graham, and Charles Darwin are buried in the nave. The south wing is called “Poet’s Corner,” where many famous writers and poets, including Shakespeare, Rudyard Kipling, and Thomas Hardy, are buried, and their tombs and memorials have been erected.
Buckingham Palace
The castle, one of London’s most popular tourist attractions, has been a royal residence since the reign of King George III in 1761, and was completely rebuilt in 1837 in the neoclassical style. In 1913, the front of the palace was remodeled and a new balcony was built, which is where the royal family appears before the public on holidays. The palace is open to the public only during the summer season when the Queen is away.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony, a famous and important tourist event in the UK, is held once every day from April to July, and once every two days during the rest of the month. The most spectacular ceremony, held on the King’s birthday, is called “Trooping the Color”.
Tower Bridge and Tower of London
Tower Bridge is a drawbridge over the River Thames, and is characterized by its palatial Gothic main towers at both ends. There is an observation deck and a history museum inside. The bridge is movable for the passage of ships on the Thames, and you can see how it opens. The glass-walled observation deck overlooks the city of London, and the observation deck is a popular tourist attraction.
The Tower of London is one of the palaces owned by the British Royal Family, and its official name is “Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress”. The Tower of London has protected the history and peace of medieval England, and many important members of the royal family and nobility have been imprisoned or executed there, giving rise to numerous legends of ghosts. The execution site, Tower Green, is open to the public for tours. In the building known as the “Crown Jewels” is the world’s largest diamond, the 3106-carat Cullinan, which was discovered in South Africa in the early 20th century and is known as the “Star of South Africa”.
Museums and Galleries
The National Gallery of Art, located in Trafalgar Square, is the largest art museum in London and one of the largest in the world, with a collection of 2,300 European paintings from the 13th to 19th centuries. The museum has been around for over 190 years and has exhibited works by masters such as Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Delacroix, Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne and Seurat. Today, the museum is free to visit and has become a popular destination for many people.
The British Museum is one of the largest museums in the world with a collection of artifacts of historical value. The Egyptian Pavilion, with its royal and animal mummies, is one of the most popular sections. The Pharaoh’s Golden Mask and the Rosetta Stone, which reveals the history of prehistoric times, are also important exhibits. Other popular exhibits include the “Elgin Marbles,” sculptures from the Greek Parthenon, and the “Japan Corner,” with exhibits ranging from the Jomon period to modern subcultures.
The museum also houses a library that has been used by famous novelists and poets such as Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde. It is also famous as the place where Karl Marx stayed and wrote his famous book, Capitalism.
London's Famous Red Bus
London buses are an indispensable part of the city, running from the center of London to every corner of the suburbs. The subway is a convenient way to get around London in a short time, but the best thing about buses is that you can see the beautiful city from the window! In this article, I would like to introduce the appeal of buses.
Depending on the bus route, you can enjoy Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, etc. The view from inside a double-decker bus is exceptional.
There are several types of double-deckers, but they can be roughly divided into two-door and three-door types. The bus fare is a flat rate (£1.5) regardless of distance or zone, so all you have to do is to touch your Oyster card to the yellow touch panel when you get on, and you don’t have to do anything when you get off.
