Culture - London Landmarks

Big Ben

'Big Ben' does not refer to the whole clock tower, but to the huge thirteen ton bell that strikes the hour. One theory has it that the bell was named after a popular heavyweight boxer Benjamin Caunt. However, the consensus today seems to be that it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall*, a (literally) weighty politician of the time who was the Parliamentary Commissioner of Works.

Houses of Parliament

A draft law takes the form of a parliamentary bill. It must go through the necessary stages in both Houses of Parliament. The Queen must signify her approval, which is a formality. The Bill then becomes an Act and enters into force on the day the Bill receives the Royal Assent, unless the Act provides for other dates.

House of Commons

The House of Commons is traditionally regarded as the lower house, but it is the main parliamentary arena for political battle.

House of Lords

The House of Lords is the second chamber of the U.K. Houses of Parliament. Members of the House of Lords (known as 'peers') consist of Lords Spiritual (senior bishops) and Lords Temporal (lay peers). Law Lords (senior judges) also sit as Lords Temporal. Members of the House of Lords are not elected. Originally, they were drawn from the various groups of senior and influential nobility in Britain, who advised the monarch throughout the country's early history. Following the House of Lords Act 1999 there are only 92 peers who sit by virtue of hereditary peerage.

London Eye

The Eye stands a whopping 135 metres high on the South Bank between Waterloo and Westminster Bridges, right opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and provides stunning views over central London and beyond. It provides a 30-minute, slow-moving 'flight' over London. Designed to reflect the elements of air, water, earth and time

Tate Modern

Tate Modern was created in the year 2000 to display the national collection of international modern art (defined as art since 1900). This forms part of the Tate Collection which is the national collection of British art since 1500 and international modern art. The international modern art was formerly displayed alongside the British art at what was previously the Tate Gallery and is now Tate Britain. It was a former power station that had closed in 1982, so it was available.

Madame Tussauds

The globally famous wax museum is one of the most visited attractions in London and it's easy to see why. Constantly updated figures from the list of the rich and famous, ancient and modern, make a day trip to Tussaud's a memorable experience for visitors from all round the world.

Speakers Corner

Since 1872 people have been allowed to speak at Speaker's Corner on any subject they want to. 2 famous examples are; Lenin (1902-1903) Karl Marx (25 June 1855)

Chinatown

Gerrard Street in the late 50's was a shabby street. As a result property prices were very cheap, and short leases could be found for next to nothing in the area between Shaftesbury Avenue and Leicester Square. At the same time thousands of agricultural workers from Hong Kong, forced out of their traditional occupations by changes in the world rice markets, began to arrive in Britain. With the booming catering trade, these new immigrants found immediate employment, often with tied accommodation (a practice which continues to this day) as restaurants and takeaways sprang up in every major city and town in the country. Conditions, however, were not easy. Working 17 hours a day was not uncommon and this lead to no opportunity to learn English. Accommodation conditions were often overcrowded and basic. With the influx of Chinese, and the substantial business success of the catering trade, associated businesses designed to cater for restaurant workers, grew up on Gerrard Street, which became known as Chinatown. More families were reunited as wives and children joined their husbands. By 1950 there were some 2000 Chinese in Britain, all seeking new income opportunities as well as a place to live. This bleak situation was turned around by a new phenomenon in Britain: returning soldiers from the war in the Far East suddenly created a new customer base for Chinese cuisine. There were two or three Chinese restaurants in the West End. Their newfound popularity with the British attracted others to the area.

The knowledge

The rules are; You have to be old enough. To be of good character. To be fit, both physically and mental. To have a thorough knowledge of London. To be able to drive a taxi competently and safely. The 'All London' licence requires you to have a detailed knowledge of the 25,000 streets within a six mile radius of Charing Cross with a more general knowledge of the major arterial routes throughout the rest of London. Assessment is by means of an initial written test which determines whether you have reached the required standard to commence 'appearances.' These are a series of one to one oral examinations conducted by a qualified Knowledge of London Examiner. The examiner grades each applicant according to his or her performance. The higher the grade on each appearance, the quicker the applicant can expect to receive a licence. Some applicants pass the Knowledge with as few as 10 or 12 appearances while others take longer.

Oxford Street

Oxford Street today is probably the most popular, busy and one of the most crowded shopping districts in the UK and is increasingly attracting international retailers Official Police Warning London and in particular Oxford Street has its share of sharks. You should avoid individuals displaying their wares in plastic bread-baskets perched on litter bins. Should you dare to give any of these villains the time of day, the person standing next to you, encouraging you to buy whilst he/she buys, will be one of their team. Designer shirts, jeans, ties and sunglasses are FAKES and not even good fakes. Do not be tempted to buy their bargain perfumes. Chanel, CK and Estee Lauder they may appear to be, but they are NOT! The scent of the toilet water will disappear as quickly as the sharks and their clothes do when a member of the police force arrives. London is still one of the safest cities in the world, but watch out there can be a thief about. Do NOT let any of your possessions out of your sight anywhere, even for one second. Don't give a thief a holiday with your holiday money!

Millennium Dome

The Dome costs £758 million, and is the biggest dome in the world. The £20 admission fee has obviously not helped the attendance figures, indeed in November 2000 several people resorted to using a bulldozer to break their way into the exhibition, a not very subtle protest against the high admission cost no doubt! The cover story of a diamond robbery being merely a smoke screen!

Tower Bridge

Originally, London Bridge was the only crossing over the Thames. The east end of London became so densely populated that public pressure mounted for a bridge to the east of London Bridge. Finally in 1876, the Corporation of London, who were responsible for that part of the Thames, decided that the problem could be put off no longer. 1912 During an emergency, Frank McClean had to fly between the bascules and the high-level Walkways in his Short biplane, to avoid an accident. He actually flew through the spans of Tower Bridge and then under every other bridge to Westminster. 1952 A London bus had to leap from one bascule to the other when the Bridge began to rise with the bus still on it.

London Underground

London Underground was formed in 1985, but its history dates back to 1863 when the world's first underground railway opened in London 12 lines, Total number of stations served: 275

Beefeaters

The Beefeaters used to guard the Tower of London and its prison. Today, they work mostly as guides for the many visitors to the Tower of London.

The Royal Guards

The responsibility of guarding the Sovereign by the Household Troops (as they were known at the time) dates back to the time of Henry VII (1485-1509). These are some of the best soldiers in the British Army and have fought in virtually every major area of conflict with great distinction since the 17th Century.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837. It evolved from a town house that was owned from the beginning of the eighteenth century by the Dukes of Buckingham. Today it is The Queen's official residence. Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen, areas of Buckingham Palace are opened to visitors on a regular basis. The State Rooms of the Palace are open to visitors during the Annual Summer Opening in August and September. They are lavishly furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection - paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto and Claude; sculpture by Canova and Chantrey; exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain; and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world.

Number 10, Downing Street

Number 10 has been the setting for violent riots, passionate protest and surprising activities. It has been the nerve centre of the British Government through two World Wars. Pioneering policies have been developed inside its walls and world-changing meetings have been chaired by Britain's greatest leaders. It is used as a busy office and workplace for the Prime Minister and the staff employed to support him in his role. Not least it is also home to the PM and his family. Downing Street began its association with the office of the Prime Minister in 1730. That the house is still being used today by Tony Blair is down to the refusal of first-ever PM Robert Walpole (1676-1745) to accept the house as a personal gift. Instead he insisted it be used by future 'First Lords of the Treasury'. During its history the house has undergone major development to be turned into a grand residence fit for the most powerful politician in the country. While in office, prime ministers traditionally live with their families in Downing Street in the private flat on the second floor. Prime Minister Tony Blair lives in the larger flat above Numbers 11 and 12, which has more room for his family. Until the twentieth century, prime ministers who lived in Downing Street used to bring their own households with them. Prime ministers today have an opportunity to select the art that hangs on the walls of Number 10.

Westminster Abbey

It has been the setting for every Coronation since 1066 and for numerous other royal occasions. Still today, a daily pattern of worship is offered to the Glory of God. Special services, representative of a wide spread of interest and social concern, are held regularly. In 1965-66 the Abbey celebrated its 900th anniversary, taking as its theme ‘One People’. Such a theme seemed to be fitting for a church which, through a long history of involvement with the developing life of the British people, has become known throughout the world.