TRAVEL LONDON
(including day out tours of Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Bath & Oxford, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace & Shopping areas)
GENERAL INFORMATION-London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom. Located on the River Thames. London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who named it Londinium. London's ancient core, the City of London, largely retains its 1.12-square-mile mediaeval boundaries. London is a leading global city, with strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport all contributing to its prominence. It is one of the world's leading financial centers and has the fifth or sixth-largest metropolitan area GDP in the world. London is a world cultural capital. It is the world's most-visited city as measured by international arrivals. In 2012, London became the first city to host the modern Summer Olympic Games three times.London has a diverse range of peoples and cultures and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries. The London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world. London is one of the world's leading tourism destinations, and the city is home to an array of famous tourist attractions. London attracted 15.3 million international visitors in 2011, making it one of the worlds most visited in terms of international visits. Greater London is all of the area surrounded by the M25 orbital motorway, and consists of 32 London Boroughs and the City of London that, together with the office of the Mayor of London, form the basis for London's local government. London generates approximately 20 per cent of the UK's GDP. London's largest industry is finance and its financial exports make it a large contributor to the UK's balance of payments. London has over 480 overseas banks, more than any other city in the world. Over half of the UK's top 100 listed companies (the FTSE 100) and over 100 of Europe's 500 largest companies have their headquarters in central London.
HISTORY-The settlement has existed on the site of London since well before Roman times, with evidence of Bronze Age and Celtic settlement. The Roman city of Londinium, established just after the Roman conquest of Britannia in the year 43, formed the basis for the modern city. After the end of Roman rule in 410AD and with the collapse of Roman rule in the early 5th century, London ceased to be a capital and the walled city of Londinium was effectively abandoned. From around 500, an Anglo-Saxon settlement known as Lundenwic developed in the same area, slightly to the west of the old Roman city. By about 680, it had revived sufficiently to become a major port. From the 820s the town declined because of repeated Viking attacks and it was "refounded" by Alfred the Great in 886. Archaeological research shows that this involved abandonment of Lundenwic and a revival of life and trade within the old Roman walls. London then grew slowly until about 950. Edward the Confessor, son of Æthelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy, was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England and is usually regarded as the last king of the House of Wessex, ruling from 1042 to 1066. The Battle of Hastings, William, Duke of Normandy, was crowned King of England in the newly finished Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066. (The Normans themselves originated from Scandinavia and had settled in Normandy in the late 9th and early 10th centuries).William constructed the Tower of London, the first of the many Norman castles in England to be rebuilt in stone, in the southeastern corner of the city, to intimidate the native inhabitants. In 1097, William II began the building of Westminster Hall, close by the abbey of the same name. The hall became the basis of a new Palace of Westminster. While the City of Westminster developed into a true capital in governmental terms, its distinct neighbor, the City of London, remained England's largest city and principal commercial center and it flourished under its own unique administration, the Corporation of London. In 1100, its population was around 18,000; by 1300 it had grown to nearly 100,000. In 1762, George III acquired Buckingham House and it was enlarged over the next 75 years. With the rise of Britain to supreme maritime power in the 18th and 19th centuries and the possessor of the largest global empire, London became an imperial capital. London was the world's largest city from about 1831 to 1925.
GEOGRAPHY-London is a port on the Thames, a navigable river. The river has had a major influence on
the development of the city. The River Thames is by far the largest river of the London area, flowing west to east across the London Basin. A number of Canals Rivers have been constructed in the London area, mostly in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These were originally for goods traffic. Within London the canals carried coal from the docks to many canal-side gas works and power stations (for example Brimsdown), and timber to timber yards, furniture manufacturers etc. (for example in Edmonton).Although most of the canals still survive today,they are used primarily for leisure craft.
AREA- City -1572Km2 Metro-8382Km2
POPULATION- City -83, 08,369 Metro-150, 10,295
CO-ORDINATES- 51°30′26″N 0°7′39″W
TIME ZONE- UTC 0 Summer UTC+1
CLIMATE-
MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
HIGH 8 8 11 14 18 21 23 23 20 16 11 9
LOW 3 2 4 5 8 11 14 14 11 8 5 3
LONDON AIRPORT'S-Due to London's huge global city it is the most served destination in the world. London (all airports code: LON) is served by a total of Six Airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Stansted, Luton, Southend). Travelling between the city and the airports is made relatively easy by the large number of public transport links that have been put in place over recent years. However, if transiting through London, be sure to check the arrival and departure airports carefully as transfers across the city may be quite time consuming. In addition to London's five official airports (of which only two are located within Greater London), there are a number of other regional UK airports conveniently accessible from London. For transfers directly between London's airports, the fastest way (short of a taxi) is the direct inter-airport bus service by National Express. Buses between Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton run at least hourly, with Heathrow-Gatwick services taking 65 min (£18) and Heathrow-Stansted services 90 min (£20.50) (the services between Stansted and Luton run only every two hours).
HEATHROW AIRPORT- Heathrow Airport (IATA: LHR) is London and Europe's largest airport and the world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger movement, with services available from most major airports world-wide. Heathrow is dominated by the UK's flag-carrier British Airways, who use the airport as its home base and principal hub, and consequently operate nearly 40% of all the airport's flights. British Airways occupies all of Terminal 5 and has a major presence in Terminals 1 and 3. Flights landing at Heathrow are often delayed by up to an hour as a simple result of air traffic congestion and waiting for parking slots. To complicate the matter, airlines that fly into Heathrow are currently playing a system-wide game of musical chairs as gate assignments are cycled through the new terminal, making it even more necessary for travelers to check their terminal and gate assignment in advance. Do plan your itinerary to allocate some time needed to get through Heathrow Airport T3, it can be long.
LONDON GATWICK-London Gatwick (IATA: LGW) London's second airport, also serving a large spectrum of places world-wide. It is the world's busiest single runway airport and is split into a North and South Terminal. The two terminals are linked by a free shuttle train (5 minutes). The train station is located in the South Terminal. To get to the centre of the city, there are three rail options and two bus options.
LONDON SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS-
the development of the city. The River Thames is by far the largest river of the London area, flowing west to east across the London Basin. A number of Canals Rivers have been constructed in the London area, mostly in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These were originally for goods traffic. Within London the canals carried coal from the docks to many canal-side gas works and power stations (for example Brimsdown), and timber to timber yards, furniture manufacturers etc. (for example in Edmonton).Although most of the canals still survive today,they are used primarily for leisure craft.
AREA- City -1572Km2 Metro-8382Km2
POPULATION- City -83, 08,369 Metro-150, 10,295
CO-ORDINATES- 51°30′26″N 0°7′39″W
TIME ZONE- UTC 0 Summer UTC+1
CLIMATE-
MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
HIGH 8 8 11 14 18 21 23 23 20 16 11 9
LOW 3 2 4 5 8 11 14 14 11 8 5 3
LONDON AIRPORT'S-Due to London's huge global city it is the most served destination in the world. London (all airports code: LON) is served by a total of Six Airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Stansted, Luton, Southend). Travelling between the city and the airports is made relatively easy by the large number of public transport links that have been put in place over recent years. However, if transiting through London, be sure to check the arrival and departure airports carefully as transfers across the city may be quite time consuming. In addition to London's five official airports (of which only two are located within Greater London), there are a number of other regional UK airports conveniently accessible from London. For transfers directly between London's airports, the fastest way (short of a taxi) is the direct inter-airport bus service by National Express. Buses between Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton run at least hourly, with Heathrow-Gatwick services taking 65 min (£18) and Heathrow-Stansted services 90 min (£20.50) (the services between Stansted and Luton run only every two hours).
HEATHROW AIRPORT- Heathrow Airport (IATA: LHR) is London and Europe's largest airport and the world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger movement, with services available from most major airports world-wide. Heathrow is dominated by the UK's flag-carrier British Airways, who use the airport as its home base and principal hub, and consequently operate nearly 40% of all the airport's flights. British Airways occupies all of Terminal 5 and has a major presence in Terminals 1 and 3. Flights landing at Heathrow are often delayed by up to an hour as a simple result of air traffic congestion and waiting for parking slots. To complicate the matter, airlines that fly into Heathrow are currently playing a system-wide game of musical chairs as gate assignments are cycled through the new terminal, making it even more necessary for travelers to check their terminal and gate assignment in advance. Do plan your itinerary to allocate some time needed to get through Heathrow Airport T3, it can be long.
LONDON GATWICK-London Gatwick (IATA: LGW) London's second airport, also serving a large spectrum of places world-wide. It is the world's busiest single runway airport and is split into a North and South Terminal. The two terminals are linked by a free shuttle train (5 minutes). The train station is located in the South Terminal. To get to the centre of the city, there are three rail options and two bus options.
LONDON SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS-
001-BUCKINGHAM PALACE - Buckingham Palace is the official residence of Queen in London science 1837 and main workplace for the British monarch. Previously it was known as Buckingham House and was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1705. Buckingham Palace became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. The Palace measures 108 meters x120 meters and is 24 meters high. The palace is home to the royal family and there are number of staff members living here. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices. Buckingham Palace is furnished and decorated with priceless works of art that form part of the Royal Collection and is the one of the best art collections in the world. On very special occasions like Jubilees, receives loyal addresses in the Throne Room and other use of the Throne Room is for the wedding photographs. The Ball room with 36.6m x18m and 13.5m high, is the largest multi-purpose room in Buckingham Palace. It is used by the Queen for State banquets and other formal occasions such as the annual Diplomatic Reception which is attended up to by 1,500 guests. The State Dining Room is one of the principal State Rooms on the West side of the Palace. The first State Ball was held in the Blue Drawing Room in May 1838 as part of the celebrations of Queen Victoria's Coronation. The Music Room was originally known as the Bow Drawing Room and is the center of the suite of rooms on the Garden front between the Blue and the White Drawing Rooms. The Prince of Wales, The Princess Royal, The Duke of York and Prince William were christened by the Archbishop in the Music Room. The White Drawing Room, it is the grandest of all the State Rooms. The Room also serves as a Royal reception room for The Queen and members of the Royal Family to gather before State and official occasions. The Union Flag flies from the Palace when the Queen is not in residence and has flown at half-mast upon the deaths of members of the Royal Family and other times of national mourning. The Royal Standard, the official flag of the reigning British sovereign is used to fly only when the sovereign was in residence at the palace. As the Buckingham Palace is a tourist attraction. The state rooms are open to the public each year in the summer when the Royal Family is not in the palace mostly in the months of August and September. The decorated State Rooms- the Throne Room, Green Drawing Room, Silk Tapestry Rooms, Picture Gallery, State Dining Room, Blue Drawing Room, Music Room and White Drawing Room are all part of the tour around the Buckingham Palace. The Queen's Gallery, where works of art from the royal collection are on display. The palace's stables, the Royal Mews can also be visited. One will find a number of royal horse-drawn carriages. The Buckingham Palace Garden is the largest private garden in London. Located at the rear of the palace is the large and park-like garden, which together with its lake is the largest private garden in London. Here the Queen hosts her annual garden parties each summer and also holds large functions to celebrate royal celebrations, such as jubilees. It covers 40 acres and includes a helicopter landing area, a lake, and a tennis court. The Garden Highlights Tour includes the beautiful Herbaceous Border, the summer house and Rose Garden, the Waterloo Vase and the Palace tennis court, where King George VI and Fred Perry played in the 1930s. Described as 'a walled oasis in the middle of London , it boasts more than 350 types of wild flower, over 200 trees and a three-acre lake. During the Summer Opening of the Palace, the Garden Shop offers a wide range of exclusive gift items by the works of art in the Royal Collection, many of which are displayed in the State Rooms. This ticket (Adult £34.50) gives admission to The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace, The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews.
i-QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL- Built in 1911 in honor of Queen Victoria ,right in front of the Buckingham Palace and at the center of Queen’s Garden ,who reigned for sixty-four years. It has a large statue of Queen Victoria facing north-eastwards towards The Mall. The other sides of the monument feature three dark painted bronze statues of the Angel of Justice (facing north-westwards toward Green Park), the Angel of Truth (facing south-eastwards) and Charity facing Buckingham Palace. On the top is a statue of unclear relating both to 'Peace' and to 'Victory', with two seated figures.
ii- CHANGING OF THE GUARD- The ceremony, which is accompanied by music played by a military band, always attracts visitors. Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace is colorful & spectacle and British pageantry. The ceremony lasts about 45 minutes and usually takes place daily at 11:30 from May until the end of July and on alternate days for the rest of the year, if weather permits. The Guard, march to Buckingham Palace from Wellington Barracks. The privilege of guarding the Sovereign traditionally belongs to the Household Troops, better known as ‘the Guards’, who have carried out this duty since 1660.
002-TOWER OF LONDON- The Tower of London is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and was a symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new rule. The Tower of London was built as a demonstration of Norman power. The Tower was in effect the gateway to the new Norman kingdom. Sited strategically at the bend in the River Thames, it has been a crucial demarcation point between the power of the developing City of London and the power of the monarchy. It had the dual role of providing protection for the City through its defensive structure and the provision of a garrison and of also controlling the citizens by the same means. The Tower literally ‘towered’ over its surroundings until the 19th century. The Tower represents more than any other structure the far-reaching significance of the mid11th-century Norman Conquest of England for the impact it had on fostering closer ties with Europe, on English language and culture and in creating one of the most powerful monarchies in Europe. The Tower has an iconic role as reflecting the last military conquest of England. The castle was used as a prison from 1100 (Ranulf Flambard), until 1952 (Kray twins) although that was not its primary purpose. A grand palace early in its history, it served as a royal residence. As a whole, the Tower is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat. The Tower of London has played a prominent role in English history. It was besieged several times, it has been important to controlling the country. The Tower has served variously as an armory, a treasury and the home of the Royal Mint, a public records office and the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. From the early 14th century until the reign of Charles II, a procession would be led from the Tower to Westminster Abbey on the coronation of a monarch. In the late 15th century the castle was the prison of the Princes in the Tower. Despite its enduring reputation as a place of torture and death, only seven people were executed within the Tower before the World Wars of the 20th century. Executions were more commonly held on the notorious Tower Hill to the north of the castle, with 112 occurring there over a 400-year period. Today the Tower of London is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. Under the ceremonial charge of the Constable of the Tower. There are often reenactments of historic events in the fortress. Entry Ticket is for £21.45.Ticket includes access to the Tower and the Crown Jewels display, exhibitions including Coins and Kings and Line of Kings and the Yeoman Warder guided tour and talk, live historical re-enactments, White Tower tour.
i-WHITE TOWER-The oldest part of the fortress is the called White Tower, which was completed in 1097. This was the tallest building in London at 90ft. Its walls are 4.6 meter wide. The tower was whitewashed during the reign of Henry III, which gave the tower's facade its white appearance. Ever since the tower has been known as White Tower. The building has four domed turrets at each corner. Three of them have a square shape and the other is round, due to its spiral staircase. The round turret was long used as an observatory.
ii- CROWN JEWELS -The Crown Jewels are currently stored in the Waterloo Barracks at the Tower. Some of the highlights of the collection are the 530 carat First Star of Africa, which is set in the Scepter of the Cross; the Imperial State Crown with more than 2800 diamonds and the famous Koh-I-Noor, a 105 carat diamond.
003- TOWER BRIDGE- Tower Bridge (built 1886–1894) is a bascule and suspension bridge across the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name and has become an iconic symbol of London. The bridge was officially opened on 30 June 1894 by The Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII) and his wife, The Princess of Wales. The proximity of the harbor and its location in the direction of the sea required for the bridge to allow the passage of large vessels. Hence the decision to create a bridge which can be opened to accommodate boat traffic. The mechanism to open the bridge is hidden in the two towers. The bridge consists of two towers tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways. The central span was split into two equal parts, which could be raised to allow river traffic to pass. The two side-spans were suspension bridges, with the suspension rods anchored both at the abutments and through rods contained within the bridge's upper walkways. The bridge is 800 feet in length with two towers each 213 feet high, built on piers. The central span of 200 feet between the towers ,each deck is more than 30 meters wide and can be opened to an angle of 83 degrees ,when opened the bridge has a clearance of almost 45 meters to allow river traffic to pass. The pedestrian walkways are 143 feet above the river at high tide. The center span is raised around 1000 times a year. Today, 24 hours' notice is required before opening the bridge. There is no charge for vessels to cross the bridge. One can also go inside the bridge, where he'll have a magnificent view over London from the walkway between the two bridge towers. Inside the bridge is the Tower Bridge Exhibition, a display area that encompasses the walkway and the two famous towers where you can observe the Victorian engine room. Visitors can learn about the history of the bridge via photos, films, and other media. Summer Opening Hours: April - September 10:00 - 18:00 (last admission 17:30).Tickets for adult-£8.0
004-ST. PAUL CATHEDRAL- St Paul's Cathedral, London, is the seat of the Bishop of London. It sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604.The cathedral is one of the most famous sights of London, with its dome, framed by the spires , dominating the skyline for 300 years. At 518feet high, nave width 121 feet and dome diameter 278 feet outer, it was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1962 and its dome is also among the highest in the world. Eight arches support the dome. On top of the dome is a large lantern with a weight of 850 ton. 560 Steps lead visitors through three galleries all the way to the top of the dome. The first gallery, the Whispering Gallery, just inside the dome, is renowned for its acoustics. The second gallery, the Stone Gallery, is situated at a height of 53 meter on the outside of the dome, right above the colonnade. On top of the dome, at a height of 85 meter is the narrow Golden Gallery, which encircles the lantern's base. From here one can have a magnificent view over the City. Important services held at St Paul's have included the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Sir Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher; Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria; peace services marking the end of the First and Second World Wars; the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer, the launch of the Festival of Britain and the thanksgiving services for the Golden Jubilee, the 80th Birthday and the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. St Paul's Cathedral is a busy working church, with hourly prayer and daily services. There is a £16.00 charge for admission to sightseers.
005-LONDON EYE-The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames. Also known as the Millennium Wheel. The entire structure is 135 meters tall and the wheel has a diameter of 120 meters. It is currently Europe's tallest Ferris wheel, the most popular tourist attraction in the United Kingdom. The wheel's 32 sealed and air-conditioned parabolic passenger capsules, each of the 10-tonne represents one of the London Boroughs and holds up to 25 people, one revolution takes about 30 minutes. It does not usually stop to take on passengers, the rotation rate is slow enough to allow passengers to walk on and off the moving capsules at ground level. The London Eye was formally opened by the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, on 31 December 1999, although it was not opened to the public until 9 March 2000.Ticket for adult is for £29.00.
006- PALACE OF WESTMINISTER/ HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT -The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the two houses, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Commonly known as the Houses of Parliament. Its name, which derives from the neighboring Westminster Abbey. The first royal palace was built on the site in the eleventh century and Westminster was the primary London residence of the Kings of England. After that it served as the home of Parliament which had been meeting there since the thirteenth century and the seat of the Royal Courts of Justice. The building was rebuilt after fire from 1840-70.The Parliament building have over 1100 rooms,100 stairs case and 4.8kilomtres of passageways with four floors. It is built in 8acres.It has 873 feet wide river front.
i-VICTORIA TOWER- It is the largest and tallest towers in the Palace of Westminster. Victoria Tower is 323 feet high and located on the south-western corner of the Palace. At the base of the tower is the Sovereign's Entrance, used by the monarch entering the Palace to open Parliament or for other state occasions. The 50 feet high archway is richly decorated with sculptures, including statues of Saints George, Andrew and Patrick, as well as of Queen Victoria. Victoria Tower houses the three million documents of the Parliamentary Archives in 8.8 kilometers of steel shelves spread over 12 floors. At the top of the cast-iron pyramidal roof is a 73 feet flagstaff from which flies the Royal Standard, when the Sovereign is present in the Palace. On the days when either House of Parliament is sitting and on designated flag days, the Union Flag flies from the mast.
ii- ELIZEBETH TOWER- At the north end of the Palace rises the most famous of the towers, the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben. At 316 feet (roughly 16 story’s). The bottom 200 feet of the tower is made of brick and lading of limestone. The reminder tower’s height is a cast iron .It houses the Great Clock of Westminster. In the lantern at the top of the Elizabeth Tower is the Light, which is lit when either House of Parliament is sitting after dark. It was installed in 1885 at the request of Queen Victoria-so that she could see from Buckingham Palace whether the members were "at work".
iii-CENTRAL TOWER-The shortest of the Palace's three principal towers is this tower which is 299 feet high, the octagonal Central Tower stands over the middle of the building, immediately above the Central Lobby. Apart from the top which rise from between the window bays along the fronts of the Palace, numerous turrets comes out to the building's skyline. Like the Central Tower, these have been added for practical reasons and mask ventilation shafts.
iv-GARDENS- There are a number of small gardens surrounding the Palace of Westminster. Victoria Tower Gardens is open as a public park along the side of the river south of the palace. Black Rod's Garden is closed to the public and is used as a private entrance.
iv-GARDENS- There are a number of small gardens surrounding the Palace of Westminster. Victoria Tower Gardens is open as a public park along the side of the river south of the palace. Black Rod's Garden is closed to the public and is used as a private entrance.
007-BIG BEN-Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. The tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower. The tower was completed in 1858 and had its 150th anniversary on 31 May 2009. The four clock dials are 180 feet above ground. The clock dials are set in an iron frame 23 feet in diameter having 312 pieces of opal glass, like a stained-glass window. The surround of the dials is gilded. Striking the hour to within a second of the time, the Great Clock achieved standards of accuracy considered impossible by 19th-century clockmakers and it has remained consistently reliable since it entered service in 1859. The time is shown on four dials 23 feet in diameter, which are made of milk glass and are lit from behind at night, the hour hand is 8 feet 10 inch long and the minute hand 14 feet long. Five bells hang in the belfry above the clock. The four quarter bells strike the Westminster Chimes every quarter hour. The largest bell strikes the hours; officially called The Great Bell of Westminster; it is generally referred to as Big Ben. It is the third-heaviest bell in Britain, weighing 13.8 tones. The Quarter Bells play a 20-chime sequence, 1–4 at quarter past, 5–12 at half past, 13–20 and 1–4 at quarter to, and 5–20 on the hour. At twelve o'clock, it is the first of the twelve chimes that signifies the hour.
008-WESTMINISTER ABBEY-Westminster Abbey is a large Gothic church in the City, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the most religious buildings in the United Kingdom and is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and, later, British monarchs. The history of the Abbey starts in 1050, when King Edward The Confessor decided to build a monastery. Only a small part of this Norman monastery, consecrated in 1065, survived. The abbey's nave is England's highest. In the nave, find the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, who died on the battlefields in France in World War I and were buried here. Nearby is a marble memorial stone for Winston Churchill his body is not buried here, but it is buried in the Bladon. The abbey is stuffed with tombs, statues and monuments. In total approximately 3300 people are buried in the church and cloisters. Some of the most famous are Charles Darwin, Sir Isaac Newton and David Livingstone .Since 1066, when Harold Godwinson and William the Conqueror were crowned the coronations of English and British monarchs have been held here. Since 1100, there have been at least 16 royal weddings at the abbey.
009-TRAFALGAR SQUARE-Trafalgar Square is a tourist attraction in London, built at Charing Cross and the underground is Charring Cross Station. At its center is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a so many statues and sculptures in the square. The name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars over France on 21 October 1805 near Cadiz, Spain. The square consists of a large central area with roads on three sides and the National Gallery on the north & fourth side. The square joins the Mall which is entered through Admiralty Arch to the southwest. There is a beautiful fountain decorated with dolphins and mermaids and sharks.
FOUR PLINGTHS-They are on the lower level of Trafalgar Square. On north –east side on the plinth is the statue of George V, on south –west corner is the statue of Charles Napier and on western side is the statue of George Gamon Adams and the fourth on the north-west corner there is a display of a modern sculpture.
FOUR PLINGTHS-They are on the lower level of Trafalgar Square. On north –east side on the plinth is the statue of George V, on south –west corner is the statue of Charles Napier and on western side is the statue of George Gamon Adams and the fourth on the north-west corner there is a display of a modern sculpture.
010-NELSON COLUMN-Nelson's Column is in the center of the Trfalgar Square, with fountains .The column is more than 170 feet high made from granite, topped by a sandstone 18 feet tall statue of Nelson and at the bottom is guarded by four lions on four sides, Nelson he was the vice admiral who commanded the British Fleet at Trafalgar. Nelson was fatally wounded during that famous battle off the Spanish coast near Cadiz. His body was transported back to London and buried in the St. Paul's Cathedral. The four bronze bas-relief panels on the sides of the base were added. They glorify Nelson's naval victories.
011-ADMIRALITY ARCH- The structure was completed around 1911. Admirality Arch has five arches faced with Portland stone. The center arch can accommodate auto or hose traffic but is only used for ceremonial occasions. The large arches on either side of the central arch are used for automobiles and the two smaller arches next to those are for pedestrian traffic. As it is located adjoin the Old Admiral Building so the arch gets its name but it was constructed in the memory of Queen Victoria.
012 -THE MALL-The Mall is a road in running from Buckingham Palace to Admiralty Arch and on to Trafalgar Square. It is the ceremonial route of London. The length of The Mall from the Victoria Memorial to Admiralty Arch is exactly 0.93 km. The surface of The Mall is colored red to give the effect of a red carpet up to Buckingham Palace. During state visits, the monarch and the visiting head of state are escorted in a state carriage up The Mall and the street is decorated with Union Flags and the flags of the visiting head of state's country.
013- 10 DOWNING STREET- Number 10 is one of the most famous addresses in the world. Number 10, is the headquarters and official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury now for the Prime Minister of UK. The building has 100 rooms and used from last 300 years. Here are offices and numerous conference, reception, sitting and dining rooms where the Prime Minister works, and where government ministers, national leaders and foreign dignitaries are met and entertained.
014-ROYAL APRKS-The Royal Parks are lands owned by the monarchy of for the recreation and hunting of the royal family. They are part of the hereditary possessions of The Crown. There are 8 parks in London and the famous one are-i-Regent Park-410 acres, ii-Hyde Park-350acres, iii-Kensington Garden-270acres, iv-Green Park-47 acres, v-St. James Park-57acres.
015-HYDE PARK- The Hyde Park was opened to public in 1637 and its area is 350 acres. It is also a popular place for jogging, swimming, rowing, picnicking and even horse riding and hosts many large events, including celebrations and concerts. The Serpentine, a large artificial lake, is located at the south end of the park.
i-DIANA, PRINCES OF WHALES MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN- The modern fountain, which resembles an artificial stream than a fountain. The circular fountain consists of 545 pieces of Cornish granite. Water flows from two sides at the top into a small pool at the bottom.
ii-SPEAKERS' CORNER-Speakers' Corner was established to create a venue where people would be allowed to speak freely. Here, every Sunday people stand on a box and give speech and show their views on political, religious or other items, sometimes interrupted and challenged by their audience.
i-DIANA, PRINCES OF WHALES MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN- The modern fountain, which resembles an artificial stream than a fountain. The circular fountain consists of 545 pieces of Cornish granite. Water flows from two sides at the top into a small pool at the bottom.
ii-SPEAKERS' CORNER-Speakers' Corner was established to create a venue where people would be allowed to speak freely. Here, every Sunday people stand on a box and give speech and show their views on political, religious or other items, sometimes interrupted and challenged by their audience.
016-REGENT PARK-Regent Park is a royal park and here are located the Zoo on its northern part and Regent’s College is at the south. The area of the park is 270 acres. The park has an outer ring road called the Outer Circle which is 4.3 k long and an inner ring road called the Inner Circle, which surrounds the Queen Mary's Gardens. The south, east and most of the west side of the park are lined with elegant white stucco terraces of houses. In the inner circle there are Queen Mary Garden, Open Air Theater. There is boating on the main lake and many sports are played in the Northern parkland area of the park. Nine villas were built in the park.
017-ST. JAMES PARK- St James's Park is the oldest Royal Park in London and is surrounded by three palaces. The most ancient is Westminster, which has now become the Houses of Parliament, St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace. St. James's Park is located in the heart of London, right near Whitehall and Downing Street, its area is 57 acres. St James's Park provides habitats for a variety of different species of fauna. The park's lake is home to 15 different species of waterfowl and pelicans etc. who were introduced to the park in the mid-1600s. Changing the Guard is one of the most familiar ceremonies associated with Buckingham Palace where the New Guard exchanges duty with the Old Guard. Over two successive evenings, 12 - 13 June 2013, Horse Guards Parade plays host to the floodlit musical spectacular of Beating Retreat by the massed bands of the Household Division.
018-MADAM TUSSAUDS MUSEUM-World famous museum of wax statues. It has ten galleries showing Garden Party, Chamber of Horrors, Sprit Of London etc. It requires at least two hours duration to see.
019-BRITISH MUSEUM- This Museum was established in 1753 and it is dedicated to history and culture and have about 80, 000, 00 collections from all continents. It has seven permanent galleries of Ancient Egypt and Sudan and illustrate every aspect of the cultures of the Nile Valley (including Nubia).The Greek and Roman galleries represents sculpture from the Parthenon in Athens, as well as elements of two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesos. Other galleries are-Middle East, Prints & Drawing and Department of Pre History & Europe. Department of Asia, Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, Department of Coins and Medals, and Prints and Drawings
020-NATIONAL GALLERY-National Gallery is an art museum .The building was constructed in 1876 located at Trfalgar Square. It has collection of 2300 art pieces. The National Gallery's collection includes European paintings from the 13th to the 19th century. Late Renaissance works from Titian, Michelangelo and others were shown in the West wing. Paintings from Italy, Flanders, Spain and the Netherlands are displayed in the North wing, from masters Rubens, Van Dyck, Rembrandt and Caravaggio. Paintings from the 18th and 19th century are on display in the East wing. Entry to the museum is free.
021-NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM-It is the museum of Life & Science. Collection of 70 million items within five main collections - botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology. It has Red Zone which shows about earth, the Green Zone shows about birds and plant, Blue Zone shows about Human and mammals, fish and other living beings. The orange Zone is for the Wildlife & Darwin Centre.
022-SCIENCE MUSEUM-The Museum was founded in 1857.The entry in the museum is free. The Science Museum holds a collection of over 3,00,000 items, such as Stephenson's Rocket, Puffing Billy and the oldest surviving steam locomotive, the first jet engine, some of the earliest remaining steam engines
023 -ROYAL ALBERT HALL-The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington. It is known for holding the annual summer concerts since 1941. It has a capacity of up to 5,272 seats. The hall was opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria. Each year it hosts more than 350 events including classical concerts, rock and pop, ballet and opera, sports, award ceremonies. The hall is an elliptical shape with 272ft and 236 feet as axis and with a dome roofing which is 135ft high. Around the building is mosaic frieze depicting various subject.
024-ALBERT MEMORIAL- The Albert Memorial is located in Kensington Gardens on Albert Memorial Road opposite the Royal Albert Hall. It is one of London's most ornate monuments. Unveiled in 1872, The Albert Memorial commemorates the death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, who died of typhoid fever at the age of 42.The memorial shows Prince Albert holding the catalogue of the Great Exhibition, held in Hyde Park in 1851, which he inspired and helped to organize. Marble figures representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America stand at each corner of the memorial and higher up are further figures representing manufacture, commerce, agriculture and engineering. Near the top are gilded bronze statues of the angels and virtues. All around the base of the memorial the Parnassus frieze depicts celebrated painters, poet’s sculptors, musicians and architects, reflecting Albert's enthusiasm for the arts. There are 187 exquisitely carved figures in the frieze.
025-ROYAL OPERA HOUSE-It is the home to the Royal Opera, Royal Ballet and Orchestra .It is located in Covent Garden. The building was constructed in 1732 and renovated from time to time and has seating capacity of 2256 seats.
026-WELLNGTON ARCH-It is a landmark that commemorates the British victory in the Napoleonic Wars. The arch was built between 1826 and 1830. The arch presently is located at the south of Hyde Park in an island of traffic rotary and but in older times it was to serve as a gateway towards Buckingham Palace (like Trafagar Square). On the top of the arch is a Quadriga, an enormous bronze sculpture depicting the angel of peace who descends on the chariot of war, led by a small boy.
027-TATE MODERN-Tate Modern is a modern art gallery, based in the former Bankside Power Station, in the Bankside area. Tate has the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day and international modern and contemporary art. The power station was closed in 1981 and the museum was opened in 2000. The Turbine Hall, which housed the electricity generators of the old power station, is five story’s tall with 3,400 square meters of area. It is used to display large specially-commissioned works by contemporary artists. It is reached by the Millennium Bridge.
028-GLOBE THEATRE- The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company. The present reconstruction of the Globe, named "Shakespeare's Globe", opened in 1997 which is 230 m from the site of the original site of the theatre.
029-LONDON ZOO-London Zoo is the oldest zoo of the world, the zoo was opened in April 1828 .It is in 36 acres area and houses 806 species of animals. The zoo is located in Regent’s Park. It has areas – Gorilla Kindom, Into Africa, Rainforest Life and Nightlife, The Outback, Reptile House, Giants and Galapagos, Butterfly Paradise, Africa bird Safari and The Snowdon Aviary.
030-LONDON AQUARIUM- It is located near London Eye on the Southbank. It was opened in 1997.It has about 500 species of sea creatures.
031-KENSINGTON PALACE- Kensington Palace has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century and is the official residence at London. Queen Victoria was born at Kensington Palace and lived here until 1837. Diana Princess of Wales had an apartment at the palace from 1981-1997.It is a four story with 40 rooms palace and is now the home of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester as well as the Duke and Duchess of Kent. At present, it is also the home of the “Diana, Princess of Wales by Mario Testino” memorial. Areas of Kensington Palace are open to the public. Visitors can walk through the King's State Apartments, the Queen's State Apartments and the Gardens. There are also exhibitions plus a shop and The Orangery café. A normal adult price to visit this attraction is approximately 12£.
032-THE O2 ARENA/MILLENNIUM DOME-The Millennium Dome is a huge metal tent for exhibitions, lying on a bend of the Thames near Greenwich. It was opened to the public on 1st January 2000.It is the largest single-roofed building in the world, measuring 3,280 feet in circumference. Presently it is an entertainment complex called the O2 Arena.
033-WEMBELEY STADIUM-It is a football stadium in Wembeley Park, opened in 2007.It is the second largest stadium with 90,000 seats, in Europe. There is a partially retractable roof and the 440 feet Wembeley Arch. A "platform system" has been designed to convert the stadium for athletics use. The stadium has a circumference of 1 km.
034-LONDON DUNGEON-Opening in 1974, the Dungeon is an actor-led, interactive experience. It is at Tooley Street near County Hall and the London Eye. The London Dungeon is a London tourist attraction, aimed at younger audiences. It uses a mixture of live actors, special effects and rides. The Dungeon’s shows are staged on theatrical sets with special effects. The London Dungeon is one of the eight Dungeons in Europe and in London it features 18 shows, 20 actors and 2 rides.
035-CITY HALL-One of London's most modern buildings, City Hall houses the Greater London Authority (GLA) including the mayor of London office and the London Assembly. Completed in July 2002 and situated on the south bank of the Thames River near the Tower Bridge. It is a bulbous-shaped building has been compared to a misshapen egg, a motorcycle helmet or and an onion. At the entry there is a long helical walkway, which measures about 500 meters and ascends from the bottom all the way to the top of the building, which measures 10 stories tall. The walkway provides excellent views of the interior and the river and at the top of the ramp is a large exhibition hall known as "London's Living Room", which is sometimes opened to the public. Solar panels are installed on the roof to reduce electrical consumption, making City Hall one of London's "greenest" buildings.
036-CANARY WHARF -It is a large old dock area and which was not in use due to many wharves and warehouses fell into decay. The first office tower, Canary Wharf Tower, was built in 1990. At 800ft (243m) the pyramid-topped steel tower was the tallest building in Europe at the time of building. There is an underground stop Canary Wharf, which is 30 minutes from Heart of London. Canary Wharf now boasts a cluster of skyscrapers.
037-THE GHERKIN - The 41 story skyscraper was built in 2004 and was built in the heart of London's financial center. Originally known as the Swiss Re Building, it was later renamed to its street address 30 St. Mary Axe after Swiss Re sold the building in 2007. Even before its construction was complete Londoners dubbed the building the 'Gherkin' for its distinctive shape and it is still known by that name. The cigar-shaped structure has a steel frame with circular floor plans and a glass facade with diamond-shaped panels. The swirling striped pattern visible on the exterior is the result of the building's energy-saving system which allows the air to flow up through spiraling wells. On the street level, the Gherkin's base is well integrated with an open public plaza. Huge white X braces create a dramatic entrance. The top of the tower, where visitors find an open hall covered by a glass conical dome is even more spectacular. From here you have great views over the city. Unfortunately the building is not open to the public.
038- SHARD-Opened in 2012, the Shard is London’s tallest skyscraper. Standing at a height of 1,016 feet. The Shard is also the second tallest building in the UK, after the tower at the Emley Moor transmitting station. Its pyramidal shape and glass exterior lent it the nickname "The Shard of Light" or "Shard of Glass", and its 72nd floor boosts the UK’s highest observation deck. A further 23 floors on top create the pointed spire. The remaining floors consist of residential apartments (floors 53 to 65), a hotel (34–52), restaurants (31–33), offices (2–28) and a spa (52).
039-PICCADILLY CIRCUS- It is a famous road junction and rotary in the West End area. Shaftesbury Avenue, Haymarket, Coventry Street-Leiester Square and Glasshouse Street. It is a major traffic intersection so it became a meeting place and a tourist attraction. There are neons sign and video display boards. There is a Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain in the center of the rotary and with a winged nude statue. The statue at the center of Piccadilly Circus represents the Greek god of Love – Eros – but it is not correct. It actually represents the Angel of Christian Charity. It was erected in 1892 to commemorate Anthony Cooper, the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, whose tireless work for the poor and mentally ill led to calls for a memorial. The Piadilly Circus Underground Station which is built underground the Circus. The buildings around the circus are-Crierion Theatre, London Pavilion,
040-LEICESTER SQUARE- The area around Leicester Square, often called West End, is the entertainment heart of London. The area also includes Chinatown, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. This square of London is the site of the most British film premieres and the square itself is surrounded by very expensive cinemas houses. At night, Leicester Square becomes exceptionally busy with tourists and locals, for visiting the surrounding clubs and bars. The square is the prime location in London for world leading film premières and co-hosts the London Film Festival each year. The Square is also the home for TKTS, formerly known as the Official London Half-Price Theatre Ticket Booth. The Square is home to several nightclubs, making it often very busy, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings. In the middle of the Square is a small park, in the center of which is a 19th-century statue of William Shakespeare surrounded by dolphins.
041-COVENT GARDEN-It was the London's first public square, surrounded by arcaded buildings and dominated by the church of St. Paul. The current square was a vegetable field known as the convent garden, it supplied food to the monks of the nearby convent of St. Peter, Covent Garden Westminster. In 1830 a central market building was constructed in the center of the square. The glass roofs over the aisles were added later, the first in 1875 and the other in 1889. The Flower Market building was added in 1870 and in 1904 the Jubilee Market was completed.
042-CAMDEN MARKET-It is a market in Cadmen Town near the Hampstead Road Lock of the Regent's Canal. A small local foodstuffs market sold on the stalls are crafts, clothing, bric-a-brac, and fast food. The markets originally operated on Sundays only, which is the main trading day.
043-ST. PANCRAS RAILWAY STTAION-St. Pancras is better known for an International Railway Station in London. Located on Euston Road and between British Library and Regent Canal in Camden Borough. It was opened in 1868 and at that time it was having the largest single span roof in the world. It serves Euro Star train which links English Channel through Channel Tunnel. There are platform for domestic lines and underground railway system which is served by London Underground King’s Cross St. Pancras Station. From this railway station to board International Trains the Euro Star Train to Paris, Brussels and Lille.
044-LONDON VICTORIA STATION-London Victoria Station, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex named after nearby Victoria Street. It is the second-busiest terminus in London. There are 17 stations and an air terminal for passengers going to Gatwick Airport. It has also local bus station and a long distance road coach station.
045-LONDON PADDINGTON STATION-This is a central station of London with Underground Station. This station was established in 1854 and served by the underground in 1863.The station is connected with the Heathrow Airport. It’s also the London destination for services from Cardiff, Reading, Oxford, Bristol, Exeter and Penzance, amongst others.
046-LONDON UNDERGROUND- This is the first underground of the world, built in 1863.Tube has 12 lines with unique color, there are 275 stations and 63 are in central London. It has- 6- zones in concentric circle. Zones 3,4,5,6 are cheaper and zone 1, 2 are costly. Timings- Mon to Sat- 5.00 to 24.30, Sat- 7.30 to 23.30. During rush hour- 8.00 to 9.30 &17.00 to 18.30 one has to pay extra on the underground. One Day Travel Card- £5.50- unlimited travel after 9.30 to rest of the day
047-HARRODS-Harrods was opened by Henry Harrod in 1849, and started out as a small grocery store. The shop now boasts that it can sell you anything from anywhere even once selling a baby elephant from their pet department. Its motto is a simple Omnia, omnibus, ubique – Everything for everyone, everywhere. The interior is worth the visiting and has been fitted out with decorations, don’t miss the Egyptian Hall, with gold-leaf columns. There is also a famous tiled ceiling in the first-floor food hall, even the toilets are worth a visit.
048-THE DIANA PRINCESS OF WALES MEMORIAL WALK-The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk takes visitors through four of the most beautiful parks. i-St. James Park, ii-Green Park, iii-Hyde Park, iv-Kensington Garden. The seven-mile-long walk, charted by 90 plaques set in the ground, takes you within sight of famous buildings and locations associated with the Princess during her life. During the walk, visitors will see three palaces and two mansions which figured in the life of the Princess and are- i-Kensigton Palace, ii-Buckingham Palace, iii-Clarence House, iv-St. James Palace, v-Spencer House.
049- DIANA MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND- Located next to her Kensington Palace home, the playground is a fitting tribute for a Princess who loved the innocence of childhood. A huge wooden pirate ship is the amazing centerpiece of the Diana.
050-MILLENNIUM BRIDGE- It is a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians crossing the River Thames from Bankside to City of London. It is sited between Southwark Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge. Total length of suspension bridge s 370 meters with 4 meters width and opened on 10 June 2000 to public. The southern end of the bridge is near the Globe theatre, the Bankside Gallery and Tate Modern.
051-KINGSLEY HALL-Mahatama Gandhi Ji stayed here in 1931, during his visit to Queen. Located at Powis Road E3, in the East End of London, built in 1929, it was used as shelter to labors. The Gandhi Foundation is established here and the room has been preserved. The building also has a clubroom and dining room, kitchen, office and a space of worship. Mahatma Gandhi during the stay at London for the Round Table Conference, he had refused to stay at a hotel, but would come if he could live with the working class, so he was to stay at Kingsley Hall. Gandhi lived at Kingsley Hall for 12 weeks.
052-BLUE PLAQUES - London's blue plaques scheme, founded in 1866, is believed to be the oldest of its kind in the world. They are blue signs placed on the wall of a building permanently. They are around 800-where well-known people lived. It tells the link between notable figures of the past and the buildings in which they lived and worked. It is a uniquely successful means of connecting people and place.
053- CENOTAPH - The Cenotaph is London’s memorial to the war dead. Its name comes from the Greek words Kenos and Taphos, meaning ‘empty tomb.’ The Cenotaph was built at the end of World War I. The body consists of a simple carved wreath on either side of the words The Glorious Dead. This is a memorial without the remains as the remains were buried in other countries. The flags of the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force join the Union Jack around the base. Every year, on the Sunday closest to November 11th, a steady stream of veteran’s marches down Whitehall past the Cenotaph for the Remembrance Day Parade. The Queen, Prime Minister, and other leading dignitaries gather for a sombre service and lay poppy wreaths at the foot of the tower. It is located in Whitehall.
054-ROYAL OBSERVATORY- The Royal Observatory was founded by Charles II in 1675 to provide the Navy with new navigation devices. The big problem of the day was the lack of reliable longitudes and it was hoped that the Observatory might help to provide the scientists with better information. A location was found in Greenwich atop the highest piece of ground. The Royal Observatory’s first success was the publication of the British Nautical Almanac which charted star positions throughout the seasons. The importance of this book led to the adoption of Greenwich Mean Time throughout the world. The Prime Meridian marks the point at which the earth’s eastern hemisphere meets the west, the line which splits the world in two. Anything west of the line is ahead of GMT and anything to the left is behind. This is what gives the world its time zones. A pleasing tradition that still remains today sees a large red ball lowered from the turret every day at noon (or 1PM in the summer) – so that passing ships might check their chronometers. The observatory’s second success was to provide an instrument capable of measuring longitude within an accuracy of a few seconds. The Royal Observatory also has its own planetarium with daily shows.
055-MARBLE ARCH – Design is based on the Constantine Arch in Rome, intending it to be the triumphal gateway of Buckingham Palace. It is presently located on a large traffic island at the junction of Oxford Street, Park Lane, and Edgware Road. Only senior members of the Royal Family as well as the Royal Horse Artillery and King's Troop could pass through the center Marble Arch. Today however anyone can freely walk through the arches.
056-SWAMINARAYAN TEMPLE- Located in Neasden, north London and popularly known as the ‘Neasden Temple’ – the Mandir is a masterpiece of Indian stonework and craftsmanship, replete with its towering white pinnacles, smooth domes and intricate marble pillars, all based on ancient Vedic principles of art and architecture. It is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, whose fifth spiritual successor, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, is also the Mandir’s creator and the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). The first traditional Hindu Mandir in Europe, every one of the 26,300 individually carved pieces that make up Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in its entirety were carved in India and shipped over to London. All of these pieces were then fitted together in just three years, between 1992 and 1995.
Stone experts recommended limestone from Bulgaria for the mandir exterior and marble from Italy and Ambaji (India) for the mandir interior. Italian marble is favored for its consistent white coloration, smooth texture and strength. Marble from Ambaji is noted for its snow-white appearance and good finishing. As part of the six-day Mandir Mahotsav, the Mandir was consecrated on 20 August 1995 in consonance with traditional Vedic rituals by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The festive opening was a grand finale to the divine grace of God and spirit of volunteerism. The murtis of Akshar Purushottam Maharaj and deities were ritually consecrated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Stone experts recommended limestone from Bulgaria for the mandir exterior and marble from Italy and Ambaji (India) for the mandir interior. Italian marble is favored for its consistent white coloration, smooth texture and strength. Marble from Ambaji is noted for its snow-white appearance and good finishing. As part of the six-day Mandir Mahotsav, the Mandir was consecrated on 20 August 1995 in consonance with traditional Vedic rituals by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The festive opening was a grand finale to the divine grace of God and spirit of volunteerism. The murtis of Akshar Purushottam Maharaj and deities were ritually consecrated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON-
TOUR 1- Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath Day Trip from London- Duration of tour is 11 hours.
TOUR 2- Oxford, Stratford, Cotswolds and Warwick Castle –Duration of tour is 10 hours.
TOUR 3- Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace Day Trip from London- Duration of tour is 10 hours.
TOUR 1- Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath Day Trip from London- Duration of tour is 11 hours.
TOUR 2- Oxford, Stratford, Cotswolds and Warwick Castle –Duration of tour is 10 hours.
TOUR 3- Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace Day Trip from London- Duration of tour is 10 hours.
001-BATH-Bath is set in rolling Somerset countryside just over 100 miles west of London and 86 minutes by train to the station –Bath Spa from London Paddington and by road it is about 120 miles( about 200kms) and makes a great day trip from the capital. It is probably one of England's most beautiful and unforgettable places to visit. Hot Springs, the only ones in Britain and that is the reason for this city’s existence. The mineral-rich natural spring feeds the world-famous Roman Baths which gave this beautiful city its name. Also worth visiting the Medieval heritage and stately Georgian architecture.
During the summer, the Roman Baths are open. UNESCO added the City of Bath as a ‘cultural site’ to its World Heritage List in 1987. Landscape setting of the Bath in the valley of the River Avon whose hills provided the stone to build the city and form the backdrop to the city. Distance from Bath to Salisbury is about 40 miles.
During the summer, the Roman Baths are open. UNESCO added the City of Bath as a ‘cultural site’ to its World Heritage List in 1987. Landscape setting of the Bath in the valley of the River Avon whose hills provided the stone to build the city and form the backdrop to the city. Distance from Bath to Salisbury is about 40 miles.
i-ROMANS BATH-This bath is the Britain's only hot spring and the Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex that still flows with natural hot water around 2000 years ago. The extensive ruins and treasures from the spring are beautifully preserved. Visit the open air “Great Bath”. Taste the Bath water in the restaurant at the end of visit.
ii-THE ROYAL CRESENT-The Royal Crescent is one of the world's best known landmarks in semi-elliptical shape. Built between 1767 and 1775, the crescent contains some 30 houses, one of which is now the Royal Crescent Hotel; another is No. 1, a recently renovated townhouse museum replete with a fascinating history of Georgian living both above and below stairs. In front of the buildings there is a semi –elliptical shape lawn.
iii- THE CIRCUS- This is a circular space in three parts with large buildings. Built between 1754 to 1768.The circular space has three entrances. The total length of the circus is 700feet.
iv- PULTENEY BRIDGE- Pulteney Bridge, is same as the Ponte Vecchio in Florence and is one of the world's most beautiful bridges. Like the Ponte Vecchio it is one of the four historic bridges in the world with shops built into it. Built for William Pulteney, the bridge was to connect central Bath to the other bank of the River Avon and make Pulteney's fortune. In spite of its practical origins it is surely the most romantic bridge in the world, best viewed from Parade Gardens park by the crescent weir. From Pulteney Weir one can have a boat trip in summer days.
v-THE PUMP ROOM- The Pump Room Restaurant in Bath is open daily for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea as well as for private hire for evening events. During July and August late afternoon tea and evening dining is also available. The Pump Room guarantees a fabulous dining experience serving first-class, British cuisine with an imaginative modern twist. Most famous for afternoon tea. The Pump Room Restaurant presents one of Bath’s most elegant backdrops in which to enjoy excellent food. Fresh food is prepared on the premises, cooked to order using local produce and suppliers. The Pump Room Trio plays every day throughout the year to add to your enjoyment during morning coffee or afternoon tea. It is situated at Stall Street, Bath.
v-THE PUMP ROOM- The Pump Room Restaurant in Bath is open daily for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea as well as for private hire for evening events. During July and August late afternoon tea and evening dining is also available. The Pump Room guarantees a fabulous dining experience serving first-class, British cuisine with an imaginative modern twist. Most famous for afternoon tea. The Pump Room Restaurant presents one of Bath’s most elegant backdrops in which to enjoy excellent food. Fresh food is prepared on the premises, cooked to order using local produce and suppliers. The Pump Room Trio plays every day throughout the year to add to your enjoyment during morning coffee or afternoon tea. It is situated at Stall Street, Bath.
vi - BATH ABBEY-Since 757 AD, three different churches have occupied the site of today’s Abbey .The present Abbey church was founded in 1499, the last of the great medieval churches of England. Magnificent stained glass windows, columns of honey-gold stone and some of the finest fan vaulting in the world, create an extraordinary experience of light and space. The first Governor of New South Wales in Australia and founder of Sydney city was buried in the Abbey. Tower Tours (every day except Sunday) offer the chance to go behind the scenes and enjoy stunning views of the city of Bath. One will also get to visit the Abbey bell and ringing chamber, sit behind the clock face and stand on top of the Abbey’s vaulted ceiling. Tickets available from the Abbey Shop: £6 Adults.
vii- JANE AUSTEN CENTRE- The Centre is at 40 Gay Street in Bath, it houses a permanent exhibition which tells the story of Jane’s experience in the city between 1801 and 1806 and the effect that living here had on her and her writing. Gay Street is the ideal location for the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, set between two of Bath’s architectural masterpieces, Queen Square and the Circus. Every year, the Jane Austen Festival is held for 9 glorious days of costume, music, drama, dancing, food, fashion, talks, tours and fun at a variety of venues in and around the city.
viii -NO 1 ROYAL CRESCENT-It is a building on the Royal Crescent. Number 1 Royal Crescent is a historic house museum, owned and maintained through its membership by the Bath Preservation Trust to illustrate how wealthy owners of the late 18th century might have furnished and occupied such a house.
ix-THERMAL BATH SPA-In the heart of the city, Thermae Bath Spa is a combination of ‘old and new’ where historic spa buildings blend with the contemporary design of the New Royal Bath. By day and by night, you can now bathe in Britain’s only naturally warm, mineral-rich waters including the indoor Minerva Bath and the open-air rooftop pool with spectacular views over the city of Bath. Additionally, you can refresh your senses in the aroma steam rooms and choose from over 40 spa treatments and packages. Simply choose a 2-hour or 4-hour spa session in the New Royal Bath, which gives full use of the Minerva Bath, steam rooms and open-air rooftop pool plus access to the Springs Café & Restaurant. Spa sessions cost £26 and £36 respectively. You are welcome to bring your own towel and robes or they can be hired from the Reception
x-VICTORIA PARK-It is a largest park in front of the Royal Cresent. There is a Botanical garden in the park.
xi-PARADE GARDENS- Situated in the city by the River Avon, overlooking Pulteney Bridge and the weir. It’s a place to relax in the Summer. The floral displays are one of the best in the country. There is a small charge for visitors during the summer.
002-STONEHENGE- The World Heritage Site of Stonehenge is located near Salisbury and about 100 miles from London and makes a great day trip from the capital. Who built Stonehenge? Was Stonehenge a temple for sun worship, a healing center, a burial site or perhaps a huge calendar? How did ancestors manage to carry the mighty stones from far away and then using only the most primitive of tools, build this amazing structure? No place has generated so much speculation and wild theories as the standing stones of Stonehenge. Surrounded by mystery. Stonehenge is perhaps the most famous prehistoric monument in the world. It has been excavated, x-rayed, measured and surveyed. Yet despite all that has been learned about its age and construction, its purpose still remains one of the great mysteries of the world. Around 3500 BC the semi-nomadic peoples that populated the Salisbury Plain began to build the monument now known as Stonehenge. The original construction was a circular ditch and mound with 56 holes forming a ring around its perimeter. The first stone to be placed at the site was the Heel Stone. It was erected outside of a single entrance to the site. 200 years later 80 blocks of bluestone was transported from a quarry almost 200 miles away in the Prescelly Mountains. Some of these massive stones weigh as much as 26 tons. It remains a mystery how such huge stones could have been moved from the quarry at north. Stonehenge remained important into the early Bronze Age (2,200–1,500 BC), when many burial
003-WIDSOR CASTLE & WINDSOR – It is less than 30 miles from London. Windsor is surrounded by the delightful countryside of Royal Berkshire and makes a great day trip from the capital. Situated on the outskirts of London, visitors can get to Windsor Castle from London Paddington or London Waterloo Train Stations in around 30 minutes. The castle is surrounded by some beautiful gardens and the picturesque English countryside. St George's Chapel is a fine example of gothic architecture and features the tomb of Henry VIII. Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and it has the longest continuous occupancy of over 900 years. The origins of Windsor dates back to the 7th century, Windsor Castle was first built by William the Conqueror, following his invasion of England in 1066. William the Conqueror decided to build the Castle next to the River Thames, another reason why William decided to build the Castle is that it held an obvious strategic position on a steep hill overlooking the River and it was a day's march from the Tower of London and intended to guard the western approaches to the capital. Windsor Castle is one of the official residences of Queen Elizabeth II, the others being Buckingham Palace, Balmoral and Sandringham, although it is said that Windsor is her favorite palace. She lives here and performs official duties during the month of April and the second week in June. The Royal Standard flies over the Round Tower of Windsor Castle when the Queen is in residence and at other times, the Union Jack flag flies. The outer walls of today's structure are in the same position as those of the original castle built by William the Conqueror in the 1070s. So is the central mound supporting the Round Tower and the Upper Ward, where successive monarchs have had their private apartments since the fourteenth century. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were devoted to Windsor, they spent much of their time. It was during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1845, the State Apartments were first opened to the public. Prince Albert died of typhoid at Windsor in 1861 and was buried in a spectacular mausoleum that Queen Victoria constructed at Frogmore in the Windsor Home Park. During the Second World War, Windsor Castle was home to the young Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose while their parents supported the war effort in London and around the country. Today The Queen uses the Castle regularly, spending most of her weekends there. Visitors can explore the magnificent State Apartments which are lavishly furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection, including masterpieces by Rubens, Holbein, Brueghel and Van Dyck. Self-guided audio tour that lasts around 2 hours and is full of all the information.
i-QUEEN MARY TOWN HALL-An attraction at Windsor Castle is to see the Queen Mary’s Doll House .It is about 2m high and is a miniature version of a classic grand Edwardian home. It includes electric lights, running water and even a working lift.
ii-CONSERTL- There is a free concert every Sunday afternoon during the summer months given by the Bands of the Household Division in front of the Jubilee Garden.
iii- GARTER DAY-Every year in June the Royal Family take part in Garter Day ceremonies including a service in St. Georges Chapel, Windsor. King Edward the Third designed The Order of the Garter in 1348 in order to thank and reward his supporters of the war against the French and Scots. The Order of the Garter is a group made up of the king or queen and 25 knights which he/she appoints to the order
vi-CHAINGING OF THE GUARDS -Changing of the Guard is known as ‘Guard Mounting’. Guards are stationed at Victoria Barracks and march up to and from the Castle accompanied by the Guards Band playing traditional military marches as well as popular songs. The police and the Household Guards jointly provide the Queen’s security. During the summer (April - June) Changing of the Guard takes place daily. During the rest of the year Changing of the Guard takes place every other day although, Changing of the Guard never takes place on a Sunday.
v-OLD TOWN- The old town is located immediately opposite the exit gate from the castle (Henry VIII Gate.) Several of the streets are cobbled. The traditional English cup of tea at The Crooked House tearooms is famous tea house. Nearby is another of Windsor’s claims to fame, which is the shortest street in Britain: Queen Charlotte Street.
i-QUEEN MARY TOWN HALL-An attraction at Windsor Castle is to see the Queen Mary’s Doll House .It is about 2m high and is a miniature version of a classic grand Edwardian home. It includes electric lights, running water and even a working lift.
ii-CONSERTL- There is a free concert every Sunday afternoon during the summer months given by the Bands of the Household Division in front of the Jubilee Garden.
iii- GARTER DAY-Every year in June the Royal Family take part in Garter Day ceremonies including a service in St. Georges Chapel, Windsor. King Edward the Third designed The Order of the Garter in 1348 in order to thank and reward his supporters of the war against the French and Scots. The Order of the Garter is a group made up of the king or queen and 25 knights which he/she appoints to the order
vi-CHAINGING OF THE GUARDS -Changing of the Guard is known as ‘Guard Mounting’. Guards are stationed at Victoria Barracks and march up to and from the Castle accompanied by the Guards Band playing traditional military marches as well as popular songs. The police and the Household Guards jointly provide the Queen’s security. During the summer (April - June) Changing of the Guard takes place daily. During the rest of the year Changing of the Guard takes place every other day although, Changing of the Guard never takes place on a Sunday.
v-OLD TOWN- The old town is located immediately opposite the exit gate from the castle (Henry VIII Gate.) Several of the streets are cobbled. The traditional English cup of tea at The Crooked House tearooms is famous tea house. Nearby is another of Windsor’s claims to fame, which is the shortest street in Britain: Queen Charlotte Street.
vii-RIVER THAMES- There are a number of self-driven motorboats and rowing boats for hire and to go on boat rides to Boveney Lock and other places. There is also the opportunity to feed the swans as they are in plentiful supply on the Thames. Mostly they are the queen’s animals and every summer a process known as Swan Upping takes place where all of the cygnets are tagged and the swans’ health is checked.
viii-ETON COLLEGE- Eton College is the most famous public school in the UK and is well known worldwide. Both Prince William and Prince Harry attended Eton College amongst other high profile individuals. Eton College dates back to 1440; King Henry VI founded Eton College a year before the establishment of King’s College at Cambridge University. His statue stands in front of Lupton’s Tower at the entrance of the collage. Eton is a wonderfully quaint village located over the river Thames, a short walk from Windsor Town Centre. Eaton is a boy’s school and boys between the age 13 to 18 studies here and it is 100% boarding school. It has educated nineteen British Prime Ministers and generations of aristocracy. The school is known for its traditions, including a uniform of black tailcoat and waistcoat, false-collar and pinstriped trousers.
ix- ROYAL WINDSOR RACECOURSE- There are 3 enclosures to watch the racing from - The Club Enclosure, The Grandstand Enclosure and The Silver Ring Enclosure. All these areas have Tote betting facilities, bookmakers, bars, catering facilities and allow access to the Centre of the Course. Flat racing takes place at Windsor 22 times a year from April to October. In the summer, regular Monday evening fixtures and theme nights attract large and enthusiastic crowds.
x-LEGOLAND WINDSOR- Legoland is situated just a 5 minute drive from the town Centre of Windsor. Legoland hosts over 50 interactive rides and activities and the park is set in 150 acres of stunning park land, which, at one point was home to a safari park. Miniland uses Lego to recreate scenes from various places in Europe. It is estimated that around 35million pieces of Lego have been used to create landscapes from London, Paris and many other cities.
004-OXFORD-The City of Dreamining Spires, is famous in the world for its University (the oldest university in the English-speaking world ) and place in history and makes a great day trip from the capital. For over 800 years, it has been a home to royalty and scholars and since the 9th century an established town, although people are known to have lived in the area for thousands of years. Buildings in Oxford demonstrate examples of every English architectural period since the arrival of the Saxons. Many businesses are located in and around the town, whether on one of the Science and Business Parks. With its mix of ancient and modern, there is plenty for the tourist. Whether it’s visiting one of the many historic buildings, colleges or museums. It is 50 miles from London on the banks of river Thames but with a different name as Isis.
i-OXFORD UNIVERSITY- Oxford University has existed for more than 800 years. They began as medieval halls of residence for students under the supervision of a Master. Oxford University is not just one central college with a campus. Oxford University consists of 39 colleges, spread around the city as an independent entity, but also a part of Oxford University. Some colleges are large and visible. The colleges range from 50 to 750 years old. Many of them are open to tourists and some are definitely worth seeing. The oldest colleges are University, Balliol and Merton, they were founded in the late 13th century. Kellogg College is the newest and was established in 1990. All colleges except St Hilda's, which is for women only, are mixed. Harris Manchester recruits only mature students. Linacre, Nuffield, St Antony's, St Cross, Wolfson, Green and Templeton admit only graduate students. Templeton College is a postgraduate college dedicated to management studies. Kellogg College specializes in part-time, graduate and continuing education. Oxford has produced four British Kings and at least eight foreign kings, 47 Nobel prize-winners, 25 British Prime Ministers, 28 foreign presidents and prime ministers, seven saints, 86 archbishops, 18 cardinals, and one pope. Seven of the last eleven British Prime Ministers have been Oxford graduates. Scientists include Stephen Hawking, actors Richard Burton, writer Vikram Seth, explorers such as Lawrence of Arabia, media magnate Rupert Murdoch were also former students.
ii-CARFAX TOWER- It is situated at the Corner of St. Aldate's, Cornmarket Street, Queen Street, High Street. It is considered to be the center of the city. The name "Carfax" derives from the French "Carrefour", or "crossroads". The Tower is all that remains of the 13th century St. Martin's Church and is now owned by the Oxford City Council. It is 74 feet tall and still contains a ring of six bells, recast from the original five in 1676. These chime the quarter hours and are rung on special occasions by the Oxford Society of Change Ringers. It is possible to climb to the top of the tower for a good view of the Oxford skyline. Carfax Tower Ticket- Adults £2.20.
iii-UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN- The University Church of St Mary the Virgin is the largest of Oxford's parish churches and the center from which the University of Oxford grew. It is situated on the north side of the High Street and is surrounded by university and college buildings. St Mary's has one of the most beautiful spires in England and an eccentric baroque porch, facing High Street. Radcliffe Square lies to the north and to the east is Catte Street, pedestrianized. The 13th century tower is open to the public for a fee and provides good views across the heart of the historic university city, Radcliffe Square, the Radcliffe Camera, Brasenose College and All Souls College.It is worth the climb of 124 steps .Entrance- adults £3.
iv-MARTYRS' MEMORIAL- It commemorates the 16th-century Oxford Martyrs. The Martyrs' Memorial was built in 1843, is a stone monument positioned at the intersection of St Giles', Magdalen Street and Beaumont Street just outside Balliol College.
v-SAXON TOWER OF ST MICHAEL - The Saxon Tower is the oldest building in Oxford and is worth a visit. Inside one can see the door to the Martyrs' cell, when they were imprisoned in the Bocardo. They have an ancient clock mechanism that you can see in action. There are six huge bells that are so heavy that if they rang them it would severely damage the tower. So they chime them instead. The Oxford Martyrs were imprisoned in the Bocardo Prison by the church before they were burnt at the stake in what is now Broad Street nearby, then immediately outside the city walls, in 1555 and 1556. Their cell door can be seen on display in the church's tower. The door of Archbishop Cranmer's prison cell from Bocardo Prison is held in the tower. From the top of the tower there is a view of the city of Oxford and its famous "dreaming spires". Admission £1.50.
vi-BODLEIAN LIBRARY- The Bodleian Library is a working library which forms part of the University of Oxford. It is housed in a remarkable group of five buildings which form the historic heart of the University. Known informally as "The Bod", the Bodleian was opened in 1602 by Thomas Bodley with a collection of 2,000 books. Today, there are 9 million items on 176 kilometers of shelving and the library can accommodate 2,500 readers .Books may not be taken off the premises. Admission to the interior of the buildings is charged for but the quadrangles of these buildings are at no charge.
vii-CLARENDON BUILDING -The Clarendon Building , stands in the center of the city in Broad Street, near the Bodleian Library and the Sheldonian Theatre. For many years it was the home of the Oxford University Press; today it is part of the Bodleian.
viii-RADCLIFFE CAMERA-Built in 1749 to house the Radcliffe Science Library is now a reading room for the Bodleian Library. The distinctive circular dome and drum of the structure makes it one of the most recognizable. This building is not open to the public except as part of a tour of the Bodleian Library.
ix-SHELDONIAN THEATRE- The Sheldonian Theatre was built in 1668. The building has a prominent eight-sided cupola in the centre of the roof, which is accessible via a staircase leading to the dome over the main ceiling. The cupola has large windows on all sides, providing views across central Oxford and is open to visitors. The theatre is used for music recitals, lectures, conferences, and for various ceremonies held by the University. The building seats 800–1,000 people and is situated in the grounds of part of the Bodleian Library adjacent to Broad Street.
x-BOTANICE GARDENS -Located on the banks of the Cherwell River, the gardens were started in 1621 as the Physic Gardens for the study of medicinal plants. These are the oldest botanic gardens in Britain. In addition to the gardens, there are greenhouses which grow many varieties of exotic plants and flowers. Just next to the gardens, there are rose gardens. Entry - £3.50
xi-HERTFORD BRIDGE- It was completed in 1914 to connect two sections of Hertford College. Hertford Bridge is often called the Bridge of Sighs because of the similarity to the famous bridge in Venice. Actually, it looks more like the Rialto Bridge.
005-HAMPTON COURT PALACE-It is a royal palace in Greater London area near Richmond on the bank of river Thames and makes a great day trip from the capital. The palace is about 19kms from London. Today, the palace is open to the public and a major tourist attraction. The Palace and its gardens and other points of interest for visitors include the celebrated maze, the historic real tennis court and the huge grape vine. Chief Minister of Henry VIII was Thomas Wolsey, who spent lavishly and built the palace. The Base Court was the first court yard with 40 rooms for guests. The second courtyard were private rooms and reserved for the King and his family and were the best state rooms in the palace. Henery VIII when he came in 1525 stayed in these rooms. In second court yard has an Astronomical Clock and still function. The clock shows the time of day, the phases of the moon, the month, and the quarter of the year, the date, the sun and star sign, and high water at London Bridge.
006-EDEN PROJECT-The Eden Project is a truly unique experience, in the heart of Cornwall's Clay Mining country and is about 270 miles from London. It will take about 5 hours by road transport. The Greenhouse Complex was opened on 17 March 2001 and took 2.5 years to complete. The world's largest geodesic domes at The Eden Project, contain two distinct biospheres, the Humid Tropical Biome featuring a jungle environment and the Warm Temperate Biome, featuring plant species from the Mediterranean, South Africa and California. The domes consist of hundreds of hexagonal and pentagonal, inflated, plastic cells supported by steel frames. Outside there is a series of landscaped gardens where one can enjoy a diverse collection of plants from the Wild Cornwall section to the terraced slope. The Tropical Biome covers 3.9acres area and is 100mx200m and 55m high. The Humid Tropical Biome features tropical plants, such as fruiting banana trees, coffee, rubber and giant bamboo and is kept in warm temperature and humid . Warm Temperate Biome (Mediterranean, South Africa and California) covers 1.6 acres area and is 135mx65m and 35m high. It houses familiar warm temperate and arid plants such as olives and grape vines and various sculptures. The Eden Project is very extensive, requiring a great deal of walking, often up and down sloping terraces. A train runs a regular service from the Visitor Centre to the entrance to the domes, but once inside the biomes there are a number of slopes to be contended with. Once in the domes, you will immediately notice the change in humidity as you enter the Humid Tropical Biome, where temperatures reach 28° Centigrade - so regardless of the outside temperature. On hot days, sun protection is also advisable (sun tan lotion and a hat) as the transparent ETFE film that the biomes are clad in, transmit UV light.
LONDON SHOPPING AREAS & STORES-
001-HARRODS- Harrods is an upmarket department store located in Brompton Road in Knightsbridge. The store occupies a 5-acre site and has over 90,000 m2of selling space in over 330 departments making it the biggest department store in Europe.( Europe's second-largest department store the KaDeWe in Berlin has a retail space of 60,000 m2). Harrods founder Charles Henry Harrod first established his business in 1824, aged 25.In the following year Harrod took over a small shop in the district of Brompton, on the site of the current store. Beginning in a single room employing two assistants and a messenger boy. Harrods rapidly expanded, acquired the adjoining buildings, and employed one hundred people by 1880.
002- HARVEY NICOLS – Harvey Nichols' flagship store opened in its present form on the corner of Knightsbridge and Sloane Street in the 1880s. There are a total of eight floors of fashion, beauty and lifestyle collections with the Fifth Floor dedicated to Food and Restaurants.
003-SELFRIDGE & CO (at Oxford Street) – The departmental store was opened in 1909 in area of 50,000 sqm2.It is the second largest store in London after Harrod.
002- HARVEY NICOLS – Harvey Nichols' flagship store opened in its present form on the corner of Knightsbridge and Sloane Street in the 1880s. There are a total of eight floors of fashion, beauty and lifestyle collections with the Fifth Floor dedicated to Food and Restaurants.
003-SELFRIDGE & CO (at Oxford Street) – The departmental store was opened in 1909 in area of 50,000 sqm2.It is the second largest store in London after Harrod.
004-FENVIC- In 1882 John James Fenwick, began a retail and he took over it a doctor’s house in a residential area of Newcastle upon Tyne. It cost him £181 and 4 shillings to convert 5 Northumberland Street house into a shop .Together with two assistants he sold mantles, silk goods, dresses, fabrics and trimmings. Sales were healthy. The business grew. Within three years he had purchased 37/38 Northumberland Street and when Fred Fenwick, his eldest son, joined the business in 1890, number 40 was acquired. Today the flagship Fenwick store remains on this exact same site.
005-OXFORD STREET- With over one and a half miles of high street brands such as Topshop, Gap, River Island and endless iconic department stores including Selfridges, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Marks & Spencer. Oxford Street really is the ultimate shopping paradise. Start at Marble Arch, the western most end for an branch of budget clothes chain Primark and designer department store Selfridges. Walk the length of the famous street toward Tottenham Court Road
006-BOND STREET- Parallel to Regent Street, the Bond Street area connects Piccadilly with Oxford Street. It's the hot address for international designers- Donna Karan has two shops here and Tiffany is quite at home .You can expect to find outlets of Dolce & Gabbana, BottegaVeneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, Smythson and Chopard are among many others.
005-OXFORD STREET- With over one and a half miles of high street brands such as Topshop, Gap, River Island and endless iconic department stores including Selfridges, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Marks & Spencer. Oxford Street really is the ultimate shopping paradise. Start at Marble Arch, the western most end for an branch of budget clothes chain Primark and designer department store Selfridges. Walk the length of the famous street toward Tottenham Court Road
006-BOND STREET- Parallel to Regent Street, the Bond Street area connects Piccadilly with Oxford Street. It's the hot address for international designers- Donna Karan has two shops here and Tiffany is quite at home .You can expect to find outlets of Dolce & Gabbana, BottegaVeneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, Smythson and Chopard are among many others.
007-PORTOBELLO ROAD MARKET- Portobello Road, the world’s largest antiques market with over 1,000 dealers selling every kind of antique and collectible. Visitors flock from all over the world to discover one of London’s best loved landmarks which contains the most extensive selection of antiques in Britain. Portobello Road really started to take form and be recognizable as we know it today around 1850 during the Victorian Era; By 1945 many “Rag and Bone” men began setting up stalls and selling second hand household items and antiques. The antiques and bric-a-brac stalls are open only on Saturdays and trading may start a little earlier. Portobello is really several markets in one, Saturday being the day when all are in full swing. The feature of Saturdays is the opening of hundreds of antique and specialist shops and stalls. There are some talented and bizarre street performers to be spotted too.
008-REGENT STREET- Regent Street is the best shopping and lifestyle destination in the West End. Added attractions include listed architecture, interiors, art galleries, hotels and spas. There are more than 100 global brands, including Liberty, Apple, Hamleys and Anthropologie.It include the world's largest Burberry store set in a listed building that was once a cinema. Two new restaurants Brasserie Zedel and MASH are set in Art Deco interiors, noted as some of the most prominent Art Deco interiors in Europe.