LONDON

 

The political and economic capital of the United Kingdom, is one of the most visited cities in the world due to its special and cosmopolitan character.

London has four World Heritage sites: the Tower of London, the Royal Botanic Garden of Kew, the site of the Palace, Westminster Abbey, St Margaret's Church and Greenwich (where the Royal Observatory is located Marks the meridian of Greenwich and the mean time).

 

 

History of London

London is located in the south of England and is the political and economic capital of the United Kingdom. The center of the city is located 60 km from the mouth of the Thames, a river that runs through the city. Its privileged situation in the center of the south-west of England benefited it since, for a long time, it was the most populous and rich region of the country.

The Roman dominion extended from century I d.C. Until the fifth century, when the Empire fell. In the third century, Londinium, with its port, was an important nucleus of population, with about 50,000 inhabitants.Ruined by the Anglo-Saxon invasions of the fifth century, in the seventh century it became the capital of the small Essex kingdom and was episcopal seat.Although in the 9th century it suffered Scandinavian incursions, the establishment of Danish settlers in the vicinity encouraged the spirit of enterprise and the desire for commerce, which made it the first urban center of the country. Its wealth attracted to the Scandinavian and Danish kings who besieged the city and forced it to pay tribute.From 1067 the city had the same rights as a county and depended only on royal authority. The Tower of London dates from this period.In 1191 de city was constituted as a township when replacing a mayor to de premier (portreeve). In 1215, London had the privilege of electing its mayor every year.For a long time, England lacked fixed capital. From the thirteenth century, Westminster, a place close to London, became one of the main government headquarters. In addition, the rise of European trade was another stimulant to make London the capital of the kingdom.

 

London has four World Heritage sites: the Tower of London, the Royal Botanic Garden of Kew, the site of the Palace, Westminster Abbey, St Margaret's Church and Greenwich (where the Royal Observatory is located Marks the meridian of Greenwich and the mean time).

 SIGHTS

Big Ben

The tower, built in 1858, is a peculiar 106-meter high building built in a Gothic style that houses four huge clocks on their faces.

The clock of the Big Ben Tower, consisting of a clock of 7 meters in diameter on each of its faces, was launched in May 1859. Nowadays it has become a symbol of the nation.

 

 

 

London eye

After its inauguration in 2000, the striking 135 meter high ferris wheel known as The London Eye has become one of the most iconic icons in the city and all over Britain. 

The impressive structure is made up of 32 glass cabins, each 10 tons in weight and with a capacity for 25 people.

The structure rotates constantly at slow speed to allow people to climb without stopping. The journey through the heights of the city takes approximately 30 minutes.

The London Eye offers breathtaking panoramic views of both the city and the countryside. On clear days it is possible to reach a visibility of 40 kilometers in the round, although if there is too much sun, the clarity prevents to see some parts of the city.  

  As negative points, the main thing is that the price is quite high. Another problem is that at certain times the queues to mount can be more than an hour, although that is solved by reserving the entrance in advance.

 

  Change of Guard

The Changing of the Guard is one of the most important tourist attractions in London. During the ceremony, held at the main entrance of Buckingham Palace, the guards who are concerned with the security of the palace are relieved in a very special way, accompanied by a military musical band.

 

 

 

MUSEUMS

  National Gallery

Located in the north of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is the most important art museum in London and one of the most well known in the world. 
The beginnings of the gallery go back to 1824, when the British state purchased the 38 paintings from the private collection of banker John Julius Angerstein for 57,000 pounds.

From that moment, the gallery began a rapid and important development and currently has more than 2,300 paintings, of which two thirds have been private donations.

Since its creation and due to the rapid growth in the number of works, the gallery has been forced to change location on several occasions. Currently, the gallery is located in its third location, a building of notable extensions created by William Wilkins.

Museum of Science

The Science Museum of London is an interactive museum that brings visitors to the world of science and technology in a fun way, making it the favorite museum for children and adults with a research spirit.

  The museum was created in 1857 to unite some objects of the Great Exhibition of London of 1851 with the collection of the Real Society of Art. In its beginnings the museum was part of the South Kensington Museum, along with the Victoria and Albert Museum, but in 1858 they separated.

Since 1928 the museum has been located in its current location in South Kensington, home to more than 300,000 objects that make up the world's most complete collections of science, technology, industry and medicine.

Some of the museum's most notable objects are the Newcomen steam engine (1712), the Babbage calculating machine (1832) or the Apollo X command module (1969).

   

Sherlock Holmes Museum

 Inaugurated in 1990, the Sherlock Holmes Museum (The Sherlock Holmes Museum) is a house-museum dedicated to the life and time of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes.
According to the stories of the novelist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the Victorian house on Baker Street occupying the museum was home to the main characters of his successful novels, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, accompanied by his housekeeper, Miss Hudson.

 

 

POPULAR PARKS

Hyde Park

 London Hyde Park is one of the best urban parks on the planet. With an area of ​​142 hectares and over 4,000 trees, a large lake, meadow and ornamental gardens dotted with flowers, you will most likely forget that it is in central London.Hyde Park in London has something for everyone. You can swim, go boating, cycling and skating. There are playgrounds, tennis courts, riding tracks and a spectacular playground.The park has two lakeside restaurants licensed to sell alcoholic beverages and serve everything from meals with first and second courses plus dessert to a quick coffee. Hyde Park also boasts several fascinating buildings and monuments, such as the Serpentine Bridge, the Joy of Life fountain and the famous Achilles statue. With the fountain dedicated to Princess Diana (Diana Memorial Fountain) and outdoor events all year round, there is always something to see or do. If you spend on Sunday, do not forget that at Speaker's Corner you can hear some of London's most expressive speakers sharing their views with the world.

 

 

Battersea Park

Just a few miles from Marble Arch, there is the one that, for me, is the best park in London. Probably none of us ever imagined that a park within a big capital such as London could offer so many secrets, wildlife and fun. The most common animals in Battersea Park are birds that live on or around the lake, such as ducks or herons. It is also very interesting the flora that this park offers us, and to which sometimes we do not stop enough attention.