Welcome to London

Trafalgar Square

There are always a lot of people and pigeons on the square.

Every winter there is a big Christmas tree which is a gift from Norway in the middle of the square.

On New Year’s Eve people gather around the tree. In the middle of the square there is Admiral Nelson’s Column.

Tower Bridge

The most famous bridge in London is a Tower bridge.

Tower Bridge is a bascule-bridge.

The bascules will open to let ships pass through.

Double-deckers

There are big red buses called double-deckers in London. People sit upstairs and downstairs on these buses. Tourists like them very much.

River Thames

Thames flows through London. The River Thames is 338 km long. It is 245 m wide here.

Even big seaships can visit London.

Buckingham Palace

This is the Queen’s home. It was built in 1703. There is a great collection of paintings.

The Queen of Great Britain

The Queen of Great Britain is Elizabeth II. Her husband is Duke of Edinburgh.

They have got 4 grown-up children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Westminster Cathedral

It was built between 1895 and 1903.

This is the seat of the Cardinal Archbishop and the leading Roman Catholic Church in England.

Its bell tower is 84 metres high.

The Houses of Parliament

This big palace is the most famous building in the world – the British Parliament.

The building is 280 metres long.

There are more than 1000 rooms.

Big Ben

Big Ben, the big clock tower, is the symbol of London. It strikes hours.

Tower

The Tower of London has been a fortress, a palace, an arsenal, a mint, a prison, an observatory, a zoo, the home of the Crown Jewels and a tourist attraction.

Imperial State Crown

The Tower’s greatest treasure is the Imperial State Crown.

There are 2 800 diamonds on it.