Visit the Houses of Parliament in London

The Houses of Parliament in London has two bifurcations, the House of Lords and the House of commons. From the regime of King Edward, the houses of Parliament have been located at the present day Westminster Hall. Since then, it has frequently suffered fire and destruction. But every time it was erected again, to support the meetings of these houses. It was reconstructed in the year 1870 in an impressively contemporary gothic fashion, to refurbish the burned down structure of 1834. Today the structure of the Houses of Parliament has some of specific features that are worth visiting while planning for the things to do in London.

Westminster Hall: Westminster Hall is situated by the side of River Thames near the famous London attraction Westminster Abbey London. It is the most original section of the Houses of Parliament, with the ceiling and pillars of King Edward’s time retained through the years. You can visit here by boarding a tube to Westminster tube station. You will get some suitable lodgings over here among the Westminster hotels.

Victoria Tower: Victoria Tower is a small tower running up to 98 meters, which chronicles a history of the House Parliament. It has a store of annals following since its reconstruction of this hall in 15^th century.

Big Ben: Big Ben is the famous bell of London situated at the Westminster Hall. You will be able to see an illumination in its mansion during the ongoing session of parliament. It is a heavy bell that weighs in tones.

Central Lobby: Central Lobby is the place where the people come together to make a plea in the favor of their interest.

House of Lords: You will be able to visit the House of Lords, where the lords meet to decide on the matters of public interest. It is an elegantly built structure, built in a gothic fashion.

House of Commons: the House of Commons is a less grandly drawn structure, but worth a visit to see the functioning of the political set up of the London.

Fortnum and Mason: The Departmental Store of a Unique Kind

Fortnum and Mason is a department store and Royal Warrant holder as well. Also known as Fortnum’s, the store is situated in central London and has two other branches located in Japan. Headquartered at 181 Piccadilly, it was established at the same place in 1707 by Hugh Mason and William Fortnum but is now privately possessed by Wittington Investments Ltd. The store has been recognized not only in the region but in the entire globe for offering finest quality of goods. It has held a number of Royal Warrants for the past 150 years.

Established as grocery store, the reputation of Fortnum was built on supplying the best quality of food. A rapid growth was observed in Victorian era and developed as a department store. Today, it is also an eminent tea shop.

History

William Fortnum’s grandson, Charles started serving Queen Charlotte in 1761 and the affiliation of the Royal Court led to an increase in the business. The store started stocking specialties like ready to eat meals. The emporium supplied spices, dry fruits etc to the officers of Britain during the Napoleonic Wars and the Victorian era.

The store was acquired by W. Garfield Weston, a Canadian billionaire who also became it7s Chairman. He specially made a four ton clock in order to be installed above the prime entrance of the store with the motive of lending a tribute to its founders. After the death of Weston in 1978, the store is being run by his grand daughters Kate Weston and Jana Khayat.

The store was revamped in 2007 to celebrate its 300 years of existence.

Fortnum’s at Present

The store is famous as purveyor of fine foods, wine, hampers and tea. An award winning bar and the funkiest ice cream parlor are the assets to its collection of five restaurants. To add to the awe of quality, is the breath taking atrium of the store.

Benjamin Franklin Houses - Conserving History at Trafalgar Square

Where:
Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven Street, London WC2N 5NF

Telephone: +44 (0)207 839 2006

Benjamin Franklin House is the only home of Benjamin remaining on the globe at a stone’s throw from famous Trafalgar Square in the heart of the London city. The Father of United States and the renowned scientist, philosopher, diplomat, inventor Dr. Franklin lived in the house for approximately 16 years from 1757 to 1773. The house was built in 1730 and is currently open to public as a museum.

The history speaks of the excitement and ambiguity of the years spent by Benjamin in London where a lot of episodes took place in the rooms of the house. Staging of drama faultlessly puts together live performances along with radical sound, light and projection technology.

Student Science Center

Student Science Center is explored by the visitors from schools in London. The center features practical experimentation with the scientific discoveries by Franklin in London putting together the past and current knowledge. The Student Science Center encompasses the Discovery Room, Medical History Room and Demonstration Room.

Robert H. Smith Scholarship Center

The top floor of the House is occupied by the Scholarship Center and is considered to be the center for study of the various subjects pursued by Franklin. Almost 40 volumes of his writings have been produced and analyzed by scholars of Yale University.

Historical Significance

· Franklin worked and lived here for almost 16 years on the eve of American Revolution

· First de facto US Embassy: possesses an exclusive place in Anglo-American history

· The son in law of Franklin’s landlady ran an anatomy school from here

Conservations

The Benjamin Franklin House preserves various original features which include original ceilings, floorboards and fireplaces with a few modifications. The conservation policies which are presently working emphasize on the minimum modern intrusion.

If you are one on the tourists staying in any of the Westminster hotels in London, then this attraction would be the most nearest to watch.

Chislehurst Caves in London: An Experience of the Gothic Era

Remember the gothic fiction by Marry Shelley or the Famous Five by Enid Blyton? They used to take us so very close to the genres of mystery and fantasy. The same is brought forth by the Chislehurst Caves in the south eastern fringes of London. You can get hold of a lantern and experience a new world of mystery, fantasy and adventure altogether underground.

Location

Situated at a short walk from Chislehurst Railway Station, Caves can be found in Caveside Close near Bickley Arms Public House.

History

Though named as caves, it has been articulated as a warren of dark ducts carved by hands from the chalk stretching over 20 miles dug over a period of 8000 years in search of chalk and flint. Mining was last performed here in 1830’s. The mines became more accessible in 1865 due to the local railway which resulted in giving this place in London, recognition of a “tourist attraction” in London. The caves also acted as a venue for hire to host several underground concerts in 1900’s. The caves are also used for shooting for films.

Facilities

Guided Tours

You will be hospitably escorted by the experienced guides of Chislehurst Caves on a unique lamp lit tour narrating explicably the Druids, Saxons and Romans. Experience the charisma of the Caves Church and the Haunted Pool along with much to be seen rather than talked about.

Kids Party Venue

One of the most nonpareil kids party venues in London, the place offers a private tour of the cave for your kid’s birthday party followed by a buffet in the Caves Restaurant.

Restaurants

It possesses a licensed restaurant which offers a huge variety of meals and snacks along with the traditional English breakfast or merely a cup of tea.

Visiting Hours

Wednesday to Sunday : 10 am to 4 pm

Illustrious Museums in London

A visitor to London can never leave without visiting the cultural places in London such as London museums. A tourist could spend more than a few trips to the city by just visiting the museums and he will still be left more to see. As far as museums are concerned, there are more than 200 museums and the good thing is that most of them are free. Moreover, vast majority of them have first-rate facilities, incorporate interactive exhibits and most of these are child friendly. Museums are spread all across London and planning to visit the most popular ones is an excellent way of checking out certain parts within the capital city.

Some of the renowned museums are:

The Victoria and Albert Museum: This one stands out as it is the world’s largest museum featuring decorative designs and arts. The museum houses more than 4.5 million items on a display and has a collection of items going back 3,000 years comprising everything from ceramics, weapons, paintings, sculptures, photography and lot more. The museum building is structured on a 45,000 square meters of floor space.

Natural History Museum: This is again one of the most popular museums in London and is based in a purpose-built cathedral like building. It used to be a part of the British museum, however, the collection in the museum was growing too large, and thus the current building got opened in 1881 and became independent.

The Tate Modern Museum: It is Britain’s national museum housing international modern art and is a part of a new group known as Tate. The collection consists of works of contemporary art and international modern art dating from 1900 onwards.

London Science Museum: This museum is a major London tourist attraction on the South Kensington. It now holds collection of over 300,000 items including remaining of steam engines and first typewriter etc.

Kew Gardens in London

Kew Gardens are among the popular London attractions and one of the great botanical gardens of the world. These Royal botanic gardens offer a great day out for everyone as it is spread across 300 acres of land, ideally positioned on the West of London. The gardens host some enthralling sights which will keep you amazed and will fill you with wonder. Those who love green areas, Kew Gardens are the best place for them to relax their mind, body and souls. These botanic gardens are not only about greenery, however, several interesting buildings including a royal place. It also hosts large glasshouses housing tropical plants ranging from few years to several hundred years.

There are plants and trees from all over the world including outdoor and indoor restaurants as well including one in the Orangery building. Moreover, it proves to be an ideal venue for summer concerts. In the year 2003, Kew Gardens became a World Heritage Site and is illustrated as a historic landmark. The significant periods of the arts of gardens can be shown from 18^th to 20^th centuries. In 1840, these gardens were adopted as a national botanical garden. It showcases 9000 other plants from desert, mountain cliffs and rainforests.

The Gardens has some striking additions such as the Davies Alpine House and the Sackler Lake Crossing. The place offers a complete family entertainment package as there are climbers and creepers for children to enjoy along with interactive play zones unrevealing the planet’s history in the Evolution House. This London place has been voted as one of the best London attractions attracting more than 1.3 million visitors annually as it boasts of several unique plantations. The visitors to the gardens can now experience special attraction from above with Xstrata Treetop walkway and the new Rhizotron.

The Fan Museum

The Fan Museum is located in Greenwich London and is undoubtedly the first ever museum dedicated entirely to “fans”. The museum was set up to keep the art of fan making alive. The Fan Museum is used as a centre of academic research and conservation too. The museum is home to more than 4000 objects related to fan making or fans. Each item is distinctly different and unique. Apart from the permanent display of its objects, the Fan Museum also features many temporary or seasonal thematic exhibitions many a times during the year (usually every 4 months).

The one of its kind museum holds the largest collection of fans dating back to the 11^th Century. The museum also has been a home to some of the finest exquisite fans from the 18^th and 19^th century. You can explore more than 3500 antique fans including a variety of ceiling fans, etc at the museum.

The Fan Museum was first opened to the public in the year 1991 and ever since has been amongst one of the busiest London attractions. The English Tourist Board and the National Art Collections Fund awarded, The Fan Museum, for its contributions to the arts and tourism in the first year of the museum’s opening. The Fan Museum has a gallery, a Japanese garden, a pond, a stream and a gifts shop. The museum also features a Greenhouse which is termed as the ‘orangery’ and is highly appreciated for its wall paintings.

The oldest fan at The Fan Museum is believed to be belonging to the tenth century. Conversely, the collection of fans dating to the 18^th and 19^th century is equally impressive. The Fan Museum also has a reference library and fan-making classes, held at the museum premises.

The Fan Museum is administrated by a charitable trust and over the years has been sponsored by the London Tourist Board, the foundation for sports and the arts, the national art collections fund, English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Heritage of London Trust and by many individuals and corporate supporters.

On the 8^th of June in the year 2005 some of the fans were stolen from The Fan Museum. The theft reportedly took place around 2:45 pm BST. According to the sources one entire cabinet was broken and the fans were removed. The thief was apparently about 6 feet tall, aged around 35 years, a Caucasian male. The thief was never caught and is still at large.

The Fan Museum was privileged as The Duchess of Cornwall accepted to be the Patron of the Fan Museum on 7^th of January 2009. The day was also special in history as the Duchess of Cornwall was the first member of the Royal family to visit The Fan Museum. The Director and Founder of The Fan Museum - Helene Alexander, gave a personal tour to the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Fan Museum remains open all days of the year and only remains closed on the Good Friday and Easter Sunday and Mondays. The museum opens on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11:00am to 5:00pm BST and 12:00pm to5:00pm BST on Sundays.

The museum charges a £4 entrance fee for adults, £3 for children under 16 and children under 7 are admitted free of charge. There are special concessions of £3 for senior citizens and students with identity cards. On Tuesdays, handicap or disabled visitors and Old Age Pensioners (OAP) are admitted free of cost. Also afternoon tea is served in the Orangery from 3pm onwards on Tuesdays and Sundays.

The nearest London Underground stations are the Cutty Sark tube station, Deptford Bridge DLR station and the New Cross tube station. The closest mainline railway stations are Greenwich Station which is half a kilometer and Maze Hill Station which is under a kilometer from the museum.

The Fan Museum won the Gold medal at the Visit London Awards 2006. Also, the museum is housed at a building which was erected in the year 1721, which is a grade II building according to the British standards. The museum is situated in the Greenwich World Heritage Site in South East London and is easily accessible by the road, rail and the London Underground.

London St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most popular and the biggest church in London. This Cathedral is located in Central London, city’s commercial region. The St Paul’s Cathedral is also globally renowned for its dome which is one of the biggest and the most beautiful in the world. The phenomenal interiors of St Paul’s are also a major attraction of the city. These interiors include the glittering mosaics, spectacular view towards the quire and the convoluted stone carving.

This popular attraction has witnessed several significant ceremonies which include the funerals of Lord Nelson and Sir Winston Churchill and the royal weddings of Prince of Whales, Lady Diana Spencer and Prince of Charles. The renowned dome of the St Paul’s has become an iconic feature of London attractions.

Admission tickets to the St Paul’s Cathedral will cost you around 11£ per person. St Paul’s Cathedral is well connected to the major parts of the city through the St Paul’s London Underground which is located within the walking distance from the cathedral. The Cathedral also offers a well known restaurant offering a variety of traditional festive food especially during Christmas. The shop in the Cathedral also offers a wide range of gifts and offerings which you can buy for your loved ones. Besides this the region is covered with several restaurants, night clubs etc some of which are listed as under:

Restaurants near St Paul’s Cathedral

· Yo Sushi

· Paternoster Chop House

· Strada

· Café Rouge

· Mustard

Attractions near St Paul’s Cathedral

· Museum of London

· Smithfield Market

· Bridewell Theatre

· The Barbican Theatre and Art Gallery

· The Tate Modern Gallery

Tickets for Cathedral are available till 3:30pm and the last entry to the gallery is at 3:45pm. Tickets for the Crypt and Floor of Cathedral can be issued till 4pm. So visit this mesmerizing and serene London attraction and enjoy the melody of Christmas Carols going on in the Cathedral these days.

London Science Museum

London is the 9th largest metropolitan in the world and is located close to the Thames River. The city is capital to the United Kingdom and is amongst the most visited tourists destinations in the world. The city hosts a variety of tourist’s attractions and these London landmarks attract millions of tourists throughout the year from all over the world. The great Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Tower Bridge, Made Tussauds Wax Museum etc are some of the most popular London attractions. The city is extremely popular for its vivacious night life and is well known as an influential financial city in the world. This multi ethnic city celebrates a variety of events and festivals throughout the year. Besides the beautiful sightseeing and attractions the city is also popular as a stunning shopping destination. You can explore some of the globally renowned brands in the city. Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus and Bond Street are some of the best shopping districts in the city. The royal history, culture and traditions of England are admired in the entire world.

The remains of the imperial and majestic pasts can still be seen in the galleries and museums sited in the city. London is home to several museums and galleries. The British Museum, Albert and Victoria museum, Madame Tussauds, Clockmakers Museum, Design Museum, The Firepower, Florence Nightingale Museum, Imperial War Museum, National Gallery and Science museum are some of the most visited museums in London. All these museums are not just tourist’s attractions but are also a great source of information for the scientists, intellectuals and students from all over the world.

The Science Museum in London is one such museum which an extensive source of research. The museum is sited at one of the most sought after locations in the city in the region of South Kensington. It has an easy access from the South Kensington tube station. The museum is constructed in seven wide floors of a building with historical structure. All these floors display a variety of items from several varied areas of science. The collections at the museum are based on space travel, chemistry, biology, computing, photography, medicine etc. Some of the collections displayed in the museum are highly interactive. Besides the phenomenal permanent collection displayed at the museum you can also explore a variety of exhibitions in the museums. These exhibitions are based on several sciences and are extremely educative and informative.

Some of exhibitions currently displayed in the museum are listed as follows:

• Ernie - The exhibition will last until 26th June and it displays the first ever machine that generated the winning numbers of the premium bonds. This Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment is one of the oldest machines of this kind. The machine caught the imagination of the public in Britain and the human characteristics in the machine were quite entertaining for the tourists. At the exhibition you can explore the actual development and its linking to the digital electronic computer which is a mind blowing experience.

• Dan Dare and the Birth of Hi-Tech Britain - This remarkable exhibition will last till 25th October. It showcases the extraordinary foundation of the hi tech consumer society in Britain. During the scenario of war in Britain the city found huge advances such as penicillin, radar, jet engines and much more. At this exciting exhibition you can explore the role of technology in Britain after the war.

• Wallace and Gromit present a world of cracking ideas – It is one of the most fun loving and family oriented exhibition in the museum. The exhibition will last until 1st of November and till then you can explore a variety of stories of innovation. It is organized to attract visitors of all ages and to further inspire the flair and creativity of the visitors.

The museum opens at 10 a.m. and is open till 6 p.m, seven days a week except for Christmas holidays.  The guided tours by the guides of the museum are also available for the visitors. Although the entry to the museum is free of charge but charges are applicable for several special exhibitions, 3D cinemas and simulators.

Westminster Abbey London

London the capital of United Kingdom is home to several tourists attractions. The beauty and pleasure that the city offers attracts millions of tourists almost every year. The city is well known for offering several shopping districts and is famous for its fashion statements. This well developed city also offers a great transportation system connecting almost all the parts of the city. London is a multi ethnic city and people from all parts of the world can be found in the city. London’s night life is also one of the major attractions of the city and is said to be the best after New York. It is often said that it’s hard to compete with London when it comes to the number of attractions.

Westminster Abbey is one such attraction that alone attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. The London tour is incomplete without exploring this beautiful London attraction. It is officially known as the Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster. Westminster Abbey is a gothic monastery church which is more of a traditional venue of coronation. The venue is also well known as the burial site for the renowned English monarchs. This royal church does not belong to any of the family of the church – Parish nor Cathedral. The church is owned by the royal family of England. The church is located just a stones throw away from the Houses of Parliament and is within the walking distance from the Westminster tube station. The church is home to the glorious architecture of the ancient times and is must to explore for every tourist. The divine atmosphere of the church is simply serene and is extremely relaxing. The tourist can also explore the coronation throne which the same place where several renowned monarchs of England were crowned. Also enjoy the excellent works of famous Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, etc at the poet’s corner which is full of memorials to these legends of literature. Tombs of Catholic “Bloody” Mary and Protestant Elizabeth 1 are also present in the church and can be visited by the tourists. In the 20^th century the New English Bible was also kept here. The St Edward’s Chair which is the throne on which the sovereigns are seated during the coronation is also placed in the Abbey and reminds of the royal period of the Britishers.

Since, the medieval ages The Shrine of the St Edward who was the renowned Confessor has been the point of attraction in the Westminster Abbey. The church is open 6 days a week but, the timings differ for all the days. The Abbey is also open on Sundays but only for worshipping. The entry is free of charge for the children below 11 years of age and charges are applicable for the rest of the age groups. Though the attraction has several religious grounds but it is considered more of a historical site than a religious place. The church holds a variety of treasures belonging to the royal families. The paintings, textiles, stained glass are displayed in the church and can be viewed by the visitors. The gothic structure of the church is exceptionally stunning. The attractions also organizes several tours guided by some of the most experienced guides and audio guides in different languages such as French, German, Spanish, Russian etc are available at the venue. Special tours for large groups are also available at the church. Shops offering refreshments such as snacks, drinks etc are also available at out side the building as eatables are not allowed outside the building.

Within the Abbey the tourists can also visit the St Margaret’s Church, The Chapter House, the museum and the College Garden.

London Night Clubs

The happening capital city of UK – London is amongst the most popular tourist’s destinations in the world. London night life is known to be the best after New York. It is home to several restaurants, pubs, night clubs, dancing dens, theatres etc. As London is a multi ethnic city, you can find a variety of delicious cuisines at the restaurants in the city. Oxford Circus, Bond Street, Piccadilly Circus, West End etc are some of the areas extremely popular for offering vivacious and electrifying night life. Some of the most excellent London night clubs listed below:

• Egg
Egg is one of the most popular night clubs in London. It is sited in the region of Kings Cross St Pancras. The night club covers a wide area and has 3 floors with a gorgeous terrace garden. The club also offers a well maintained swimming pool during the summer season. Egg is also involved in organizing events and can easily accommodate up to 1400 guests but, the minimum number of guests is 50. With a wide variety of rocking music, the night club also offers food, drinks and snacks. The place is well known for dance parties.

• Fabric
Fabric is amongst the most excellent night clubs in the city located at the Charterhouse Street, London. The club has an electrifying sound system in three different rooms. The most attractive feature of the club is the vibrating floor at the club, it is popularly known as the body sonic dance floor. The floor is attached to the 400 bass transducers that emit the melodious bass frequencies. It is also an ideal option for organizing parties and other events. The club also offers a variety of packages and membership schemes etc.

• The Forum
The Forum is situated in the region of Kentish Town, London and is the most popular amongst the youth. It offers a great sense of intimacy and has an exceptional design, architecture and décor. It is the first preference of the people who love watching live performances. Some of the best bands in the city perform at the club. Forum is one the few night clubs who hold a license of playing music for 24 hours. The club can easily accommodate 2500 guests. So all the clubbers, Forum can surely be the next night club on your list.

• Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound is a globally renowned name in the industry and was even rated at the sixth position amongst the top 100 night clubs. Sited in the Gaunt Street, London it is one of the busiest night clubs in the city. It offers a dominant and passionate clubbing environment. Ministry of Sound not only offers a dazzling DJ night but it also offers several DJ courses etc. With all such facilities in an extremely thrilling environment, Ministry of Sound has become one of the most successful night clubs in the world.

• The Kingly Club
London Groove is the trendiest night clubs in the region of London’s Soho. The club offers spectacular flashing dance floors with the music of all the rage. It is one of the most desirable venues in the city and is popular for its fine service, sushi, champagne and great music. With one of the coolest crowd in the city the club offers the best music by some of the renowned DJ’S. You can also plan a private or a corporate party at this happening venue. The club offers several membership packages and discounts.

So if you are looking for some of the vibrant venues where you can rock your night, then the clubs mentioned above are some of the best options available in the city. The London night life is so popular amongst the tourists that it is also one of the renowned London attractions.

Tremendous Tower of London

London is home to several tourists attractions and thus is also one of the most preferred tourist’s destinations. Tower of London has been the royal fortress and palace of England’s Her Majesty. Though the Tower of London is no more a royal residence but it will officially remain a royal palace. It is one of the most popular attractions in London and is also a supreme landmark in the city. It is located close to the north bank of the Thames River. Sited in the region of London’s Borough of Tower Hamlets, it is easily accessible from the Tower Hill Tube station.

The place is commonly identified with the well known White Tower. It is a great example of the architecture of Norman military. It is said that the tower was founded by the renowned conqueror – Sir Williams when he affirmed his power and was protecting London.

The Tower offers protection to the city through its excellent defensive structure. It also provides a garrison and controls the citizens by the same means. The last military conquest took place at the tower and thus it is one of the most remarkable iconic landmarks of United Kingdom. The Tower of London is made up of ancient stones and has priceless jewels. It holds several astonishing stories from across the centuries. It always had a gloomy reputation as a palace of death and torture. Despite of this dark image it is an extremely enduring and powerful fortress. It has served as a zoo for several years in the past and had been an imperative armoury.

Sited at the centre of the Tower of London is the White Tower, built by the William in the year 1078. It is 90 feet high with four turrets above the battlements. The influence of the white tower was felt in the entire kingdom. The renowned bedchamber and the crown jewels at the tower are not worth missing. You can also explore the place where the prisoners wept and the heads rolled. The tower held several prisoners who belong to almost all levels of the society. This was the place of confinement of the prisoners and the graffiti left by several such prisoner can still be read. You can also explore a brilliant exhibition – Henry VIII – Dressed to Kill, which started on 3rd April 2009 and will last till 17 January 2009. The exhibition is organized at all three floors of the White Tower. In the exhibition a large number of objects that belonged to Henry VIII are on display. Explore the legend Henry VIII as a sportsman, the king and as warrior.

The exhibition also displays the great royal armouries. Several key paintings from the reign of Henry VIII are also displayed in the exhibition. The objects displayed in the exhibition are presented with new dazzling audio – video effects and lighting. The Tower of London has also been featured in films and documentaries. The attraction is open throughout the year although the timings are different for summers and winters. This summer explore the Tower with exceptional family friendly installations that will reveal the story of this great fortress. The stories of the tower under the attacks and the weapons and soldiers who defended it will also be interacted. The Imperial state crown and the Maundy dish which is still a part of the traditions of the annual monarchy can also be explored.

To add some more adventure you can opt for the Beefeater tour available at the attraction. In this tour the “Yeoman Warder’ which is the body of beefeaters will tell you some interesting stories of the people who guarded the fortress for centuries. You will surely be appalled and astounded by these tales. To brief it all the following lists will tell you what is not to be missed when you visit this royal London attraction:

• The White Tower
• Henry VIII – Dressed to Kill
• Crown Jewels
• Lady Jane Grey graffiti
• Yeoman Warder tours
• Prisoners exhibition
• Tower Green
• Ravens
• Medieval Palace
• Family Fun activities

Taking Back Sunday in London

Taking Back Sunday is a globally renowned rock band which has its originally formed in New York, America in the year 1999. The first album of this band came in the year 2001 but, it did not do well initially. After the release of their first album, the band changed the line up of their artists. Soon after the change of the line up the second album known as – Tell All Your Friends was released. This was the actual flavour of success for the band. The band performed several stage shows along with other popular bands such as Brand New, The Used and many more. The band was also a part of the Vans Warped Tour held in 2003. In the middle of the career of this band two of the artists left the band and this departure led to a doubtful future of this band. Currently this outstanding rock band consists of the following performers –:

Lead Vocals – Adam Lazzara
Vocals, Guitar – Matt Fazzi
Drummer – Mark O’Connell
Lead Guitarist – Eddie Reyes
Bass, Vocals – Matt Rubano

The new group has also performed with several celebrated performers in some of the most successful tours in the history of rock music. Though the band is quite old now but, every time it comes with a new album it sounds as refreshing and rocking as ever. This probably is the reason of the huge fan following of the band and the unparallel popularity of the band. Taking Back Sunday has its origin in United States but, it is also well known in other parts of the world. The band recently had quite a few numbers of shows in UK and is still performing in the city. The group is ready to rock the floors at the music hub of Heaven in London. Following are some of the details of this forthcoming event-:

Date
4th August 2009 at 7:00 pm.

Venue
Heaven
9, The Arches, Villiers St
London WC2N 6NG
United Kingdom
(The venue is sited on the Villiers Street sited, easily accessible from the Charing Cross railway station.)

Price
17 Pounds approximately
Age Restriction

Children below 14 years are not allowed. Children between 14 – 15 years should be accompanied by adults.

Nearest Tube
Embankment tube station

Hurry up and book the tickets as soon as possible. You can visit the following site for more info on this concert and concert tickets:
“http://www.ticketswitch.com/tickets/slink.buy/lonnet/p.1CDJ/londonnet/london/heaven/taking-back-sunday.html”

St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral was founded in 604 AD in then Lundenwic which is now better known as London. The original cathedral was built at a site which was earlier a Roman trading post at the banks of the River Thames. It is considered as the first traditional Saxon cathedral. The cathedral was erected by Mellitus and it is amongst the most renowned London attractions. The St. Paul’s Cathedral is located on the Ludgate Hill in the heart of the City of London. The cathedral is also the seat of the Bishop of London. The current building has been standing dating back to the 17th century and is termed as the fifth ST Paul’s Cathedral. The St. Paul’s Cathedral is counted amongst one of the best tourist spots in London sightseeing. The beautiful architecture, ancient artwork and the awe-inspiring building designing, that too a millennium before the latest advancements in architecture could be even dreamt of, makes the cathedral amongst the churches in England.

It was believed that the St. Paul’s Cathedral stood on the same site of a previous temple dedicated to the goddess of Diana. That is what Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed too. He believed that it built after the Apollo Temple in Westminster. The cathedral was burnt to ashes in the “most fatal fire of 962”. It was found mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle that the cathedral had caught fire because it was made of timber. People still believe it to be assumptions and a proper reason for the fire is not justified. Later the cathedral was built entirely in stone. Ethelred the Unready was buried in the cathedral premises. That cathedral also got damaged in a fire in 1087. The complete city had burnt then. Later another St. Paul’s Cathedral which is often termed as the Old St. Paul’s Cathedral was built. It is believed that Normans started building the cathedral right after the fire in 1087. Its completion almost took 200 years. And several parts were still lost in a fire in 1136.

The Old St. Paul’s Cathedral had become moldy by the mid of 16th century and the Great Fire of London in the year 1666 added insult to injury. The current cathedral started building in 1168 under Sir Christopher Wren and completed on his birthday, 20th October 1708. The Royal Family is known to have used St. Paul’s Cathedral for the marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales and the Lady Diana Spencer. Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee also was celebrated at the cathedral.

The St. Paul’s underground station is the nearest tube station to the St. Paul’s Cathedral. Britain’s memorial service also honoured the victims of the 9-11 attacks in the year 2001 at the St. Paul’s cathedral. The event was attended by U.S. ambassador William Farish and the Royal Family. The cathedral is open to public for free but there is a charge for non-worshipping attendees. St. Paul’s has an amazing view of the London city from the golden gallery. The cathedral is supposed to go a £40 million refurbishment on its 300 year anniversary. Sited quite close to London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, Grange Hotels is about to launch one more luxurious and glorious hotel in the capital’s financial district – Grange St Paul’s Hotel in next 20 days.

London Buckingham Palace

The royal Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the England’s “Her Majesty”. It is the most renowned iconic landmark of the city and attracts millions of tourists, every year, from all over the world. The palace is situated in the area of Westminster and is well known for its magnificent history and charm. This legendary palace is also the busy headquarters of the monarchy’s regime. The palace has a great appeal and is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Buckingham Palace is the chief venue for the royal hospitality and state occasions. The place is also common for rallying at the times national crisis or celebrations. Almost all the royal ceremonies also take place at this palace.

This royal residence of Her Majesty is furnished and decorated with phenomenal work of art from all over the world. The original designs of the 19th century’s palace still survive and contribute to the beauty of the palace. The artifacts in this royal collection are also amongst the major art collections in the world. The interiors indeed are mesmerizing and imperial. The works displayed in the state rooms include the great works of several renowned artists such as Poussin, Rembrandt and Rubens. The palace has 775 rooms; this includes 19 state rooms, 188 staff rooms, 78 bathrooms and 52 guests’ bedrooms. Every year several esteemed guests are invited to this royal palace for various celebrations such as receptions, garden parties and lunches. The guests who are invited to the palace, the first step is to the grand hall and up the marble stairs of the grand stair case. You can also see the portraits on the walls as it was done by Queen Victoria.

The tourists can plan the visit any time from 26th July – 28th September 2009. During this period the Queen is on the tour to other parts of England. Several tours are also organized to visit this royal palace as it requires the guidance of experienced guides. These guides can offer the information of the history of the place and special insights. The tour lasts for around 2 hours and during the tour you can explore the state rooms, special exhibitions and the gardens. The special exhibitions organized during the summer’s displays various photographs, jewels, dresses and gifts that are presented to the queen by the people of the Commonwealth. Even the Garden of the palace is extremely beautiful and is described as a ‘walled oasis in the middle of London’. It is also the home to 350 diverse wild flowers and 30 different species of birds. The tour is generally ended with a walk along the south side of this spectacular garden. The lake at the palace is also extremely prominent.

Changing of guards is also a famous tradition of the palace. It can be observed by the visitors from the month of April – July. This renowned event takes place right in the front of the palace at 11:30 a.m. every day and is free of charge. This ceremony lasts for around 45 minutes and is a grand event for the tourists from over seas. During this event the new guard of the palace replaces the old guard of the palace and the duties are exchanged between them. The new guard is escorted by guard bands, lots of pomp and military music. The guard of the queen is dressed in a colourful bearskins and red jackets. If you want to get the best view of this ceremony, you should arrive early and stand near the railings of the Victoria Monument. After the ceremony the new guard leaves the detachment at Buckingham Palace and marches to St James’s Palace. Other then “Changing of Guards ceremony there are several other traditional ceremonies that take place at the Buckingham Palace, London such as State Opening of Parliament, Garter Day and Trooping the colour etc. All these traditions are symbolic and meaningful and they depict the cultural aspects of Britain.

You can also explore several other attractions after completing your tour at Buckingham Palace. Tourist’s attractions such as Westminster Abbey, Royal Mews, Apsley House and Big Benare located close to the Palace.