Famous sights of London‘’When a man is tired of London he is

tired of life’’

Done by the pupils of 6 form

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square

The largest square in London, Trafalgar Square, is often considered to be the heart of London. Ever since the Middle Ages Trafalgar

Square has been a central meeting place. In the middle of the square a tall column honoring admiral Nelson stands.

The square was originally called Charing. Later it became known as Charing Cross, after a memorial cross on the square. The nearest

underground station – in other words 'tube' - is still named Charing Cross.

The History of Trafalgar Square• From the 13th century there was

the site of the King's Royal Hawks and later the Royal Mews. In 1812 the Prince Regent asked architect John Nash to redevelop the area. Nash had the terrain cleared but he died before his plans were realized. The new design for a large square was finally implemented between 1840 and 1845 under supervision of architect Sir Charles Barry.

Nelson's Column• At the center of the square there is the tall

Nelson's Column which was built to commemorate the victory of Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson over the French fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar on the 21st of October 1805. Nelson was fatally wounded during that famous battle off the Spanish coast. His body was taken back to London and buried in the St. Paul's Cathedral.

The Corinthian column was built in 1842 and it is approximately 170 ft or 52 meters high (including the base). It was built after chosing the design by William Railton. On the top of the column tall statue of Lord Nelson stands.

National Gallery

• There are a large number of statues and two fountains by Sir Edwin Lutyens on the Trafalgar Square, added in 1939. The square is surrounded by many great buildings. On the north side there is the neo-classical National Gallery, built between 1834 and 1838. The gallery contains the collection of more than 2300 paintings, including works by Van Gogh, Renoir, Leonardo da Vinci and Claude Monet. On the east side of the square there is bordered the Canada House, finished in 1827. Opposite the Canada House there is the South Africa House opened in 1933.

St. Martin-in-the-Fields

• On the north-east corner there is St. Martin-in-the-Fields Parish Church. The church, with a large white steeple, was built in 1721 by James Gibbs and was used as a model for many churches, especially in the United States. It is the fourth church of that kind built in the 13th century.

Piccadily Circus

Piccadilly Circus

• Piccadilly Circus is a busy square in the heart of London. It is famous for the fountain that was installed here at the end of the 19th century and for the neon advertising that turned the square into a miniature version of Times Square.

• The Circus was created by John Nash as part of King George IV's plan to connect Carlton House with Regent's Park.

Piccadilly• The name 'Piccadilly'

originates from a 17th century frilled collar The Circus at night

• named Piccadilly. Roger Baker, a tailor who became rich making piccadillies lived in the area. The word 'Circus' refers to the roundabout circle with traffic.

Piccadilly Circus today

• Piccadilly Circus is now partly pedestrianized and a favourite place for people to congregate before going to the nearby shopping and entertainment areas. Soho, Chinatown, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square are all within walking distance.

Billboards

• The creation of Shaftesbury Avenue in 1885 turned the plaza into a busy traffic junction. This made Piccadilly Circus attractive for advertisers, who

installed London's first illuminated billboards here in 1895. For some time the plaza was surrounded by billboards, creating London's version of Times

Square, but Eros Statue currently only one building still carries large (mostly electronic) displays.

Shaftesbury memorial fountain

• At the center of the Circus stands the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. It was built in 1893 to commemorate Lord Shaftesbury, a philanthropist known for his support of the poor.The seminude statue on top of the fountain depicts the Angel of Christian Charity but was later renamed Eros after the Greek god of love and beauty. The fountain was made in bronze, but the statue is made of aluminum, at the time a novel and rare material.

The Tower of London• It has a long history. In the

past it was a fortress, a prison, a castle and a zoo.

• It was built to protect the city from the enemies. There are a lot of ravens at this place.

• There is a legend that without them the Tower will fall.

• Nowadays this building is a very popular museum.

The Tower of London• The Tower was founded in 1066 to

cement the Norman Conquest of England and it’s actually a castle. It takes its name from the White Tower built in 1078 by William the Conqueror.

• The White Tower is 27 meters above ground and is made of Caen stone imported from France.

• Several members of the British Royal Family were imprisoned there including the Princes in the Tower and Elizabeth I.

• Over 400 years, 112 people were executed on Tower Hill, with only 7 executed within the Tower walls.

Oxford Street• It is the biggest shopping

street in London. • There are 548 shops in

Oxford Street.• Each Christmas the street

is decorated with festive lights.

• In mid- to late November a celebrity turns on the lights and they remain on until January, 6.

The Greenwich Observatory

• It is the centre of time and space.

• The prime meridian of the Earth, which divides east from west passes there.

Madame Tussaud’s • It is a famous

museum of wax figures.

• They have wax figures of all the famous people in the world.

The London Eye• It’s the biggest

observation wheel in the world.

• It is situated on the bank of the River Thames in Central London

• It’s height is 135 meters.

Sources:

• http://www.aviewoncities.com/london/piccadillycircus.htm

• http://www.aviewoncities.com/london/trafalgarsquare.htm

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_London_Eye• http://

www.aviewoncities.com/london/toweroflondon.htm

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_Tussauds• http://

www.aviewoncities.com/london/madametussauds.htm

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Street