Let's take a look at the most famous sights of London in English and say a few words about their history.

The houses of parliament

Houses of parliaments serve to meet two legislative bodies (two legislative bodies). This complex of buildings is also called Westminster Palace. The new building was built after the previous one was destroyed in a fire in 1834. One side of the building faces the Thames river. Until the early 16th century, it was the capital seat of the kings of England.

Westminster Hall

Westminster Reception Hall survived better than other buildings in the fire of 1834. It is located close to the center of the House of Parliament. It is decorated with impressive semi-circular carved vaults. The hall was used for Christmas feasts, coronation banquets, and also as a venue for state trials. In 1974, a terrorist bomb slightly touched the hall.

Westminster Hall - Westminster Reception Hall

Victoria Tower

Victoria Tower is also created in the neo-Gothic style and is located in the southwestern part of the palace. Millions of parliamentary documents are stored here. When Parliament is in session during the day, the UK flag, also known as the Union flag, flies over the tower.

Big ben

Big Ben is a huge bell in the clock of the Saint Stephen's Tower. It may have been named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who was responsible for the restoration of the Houses of Parliament. When Parliament is in session at night, the light above the clock is on.

Please note: Big Ben is exactly the name of the bell in the tower, but the clock tower itself is called Big Ben all over the world.

Royal Gallery

The walls of the royal gallery are decorated with huge wall paintings depicting the Battle of Trafalgar and the Battle of Waterloo.

Westminster abbey

Westminster Abbey is one of the oldest buildings in London and one of the most important religious centers in the country. Many kings and queens were buried here. Its founder, Edward the Confessor, built it on the site of Saint Peter's old church. The abbey was consecrated on Christmas Day 1065, and Edward died a week later. After his death, he was given the face of a saint; he was buried in a separate chapel.

The abbey has hosted every royal coronation since William the Conqueror in the year. Monarchs are crowned sitting on the Coronation throne.

Westminster Abbey - Westminster Abbey

Museum of Abbey Treasures

The Abbey Treasure Museum houses the Crown Jewels that were used during the coronation rehearsals. There are also human-sized figures here. famous people made after their death.

Near the entrance to the abbey, you can see the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. It reminds of all British soldiers who died during the First World War.

Saint Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral is the most famous church in London. The church was built between 1675 and 1710 on the site of an old church destroyed during the Great Fire in 1666. The church's dome has become a symbol of London throughout the world. The construction of the church was supervised by Sir Christopher Wren. The north tower with a bell at the front of the church is called Big Paul. This is the heaviest bell in the country. Its sounds are heard every weekday (every weekday) at 1 pm, letting people know that it is time to take a break from work and have a snack. Another bell, Big Tom, only rings when a monarch or important church person dies.

The tower of london

The Tower of London is London's oldest landmark. It consists of a group of objects built around the White Tower in the 11th century. Construction was started by William the Conqueror in 1078. The Tower of London had a fortress, a zoo, a palace, a prison and a Royal mint. Today it is a national monument and a museum.

Madam Tussaud's

Madame Tussauds is the world's most famous wax museum. The famous waxworks collection was founded in Paris by Madame Tussauds. In the days before television, film and radio existed, the museum was a sensation. On the third floor there are figures of contemporary celebrities.

Madam Tussaud's museum - Madame Tussaud's museum

Palaces and castles

The palaces and castles of London also deserve our attention.

• Whitehall Palace was the main residence of the royal family from 1529 to 1689.
• Saint James's Palace was also used as the official royal residence from 1698 to 1837.
• Buckingham Palace has been the official royal residence since 1837.
• Kensington Palace was the personal royal residence. Queen Victoria was born here and lived here until she officially became queen.

London has a rich history, the number and significance of the buildings of churches and cathedrals clearly shows that Christianity, once brought by Roman preachers to Albion, was firmly established here for many centuries and became the main religion. Although several fires in London's history have destroyed magnificent cathedrals and churches, they have been rebuilt. See how the most famous places London:

There are a lot of places of interest in London. Among them there are: Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, the Tower of London.

London stands on the river Thames. Crossing the river by the Tower Bridge you can see the Tower of London. It is one of the oldest buildings of the city. Many centuries ago it was a fortress, a royal palace and then a prison. Now it is a museum of arms.

On the bank of the Thames, not far from the Tower of London, you can see Westminster Palace, or the Houses of Parliament. It is the seat of the British government and it is one of the most beautiful buildings in London. In one of its towers there is famous Big Ben, the largest clock of England. It strikes every quarter of an hour.

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official London residence. Tourists always go to see the ceremony of changing the Guard there.

London has many fine squares. Some of them are quiet, others are busy like Trafalgar Square. Trafalgar Square is the central square of the city. To the right of the square there is the National Gallery which has a fine collection of European paintings.

St Paul's Cathedral is the biggest English church. Another famous church is Westminster Abbey where kings, queens, and many famous people are buried.

London is also famous for its beautiful parks. Hyde Park is the most democratic park in the world, as anyone can say anything he likes there. Regent's Park is the home of London Zoo.

sights of London

There are many attractions in London. Among them are Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, Tower of London.

London stands on the Thames. Crossing the river on the Taur bridge, you can immediately see the Tower. This is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Many centuries ago it was a fortress, a royal palace, and then a prison. It is now a weapons museum.

On the banks of the Thames, near the Tower of London, you can see the Palace of Westminster, or Houses of Parliament. It is the seat of the British government and is one of the most beautiful buildings in London. One of the towers houses the famous Big Ben, England's largest clock. They hit every quarter of an hour.

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official London residence. Tourists always go there to see the guard change ceremony.

There are many squares in London. Many are quiet, others lively, such as Trafalgar Square. Trafalgar Square is the central square of the city. To the right of the square is the National Gallery, which contains a rich collection of European paintings.

St. Paul's Cathedral is the largest English church. Another famous cathedral is Westminster Abbey, where kings, queens and many famous people are buried.

London is also famous for its beautiful parks. Hyde Park is the most democratic park in the world, as everyone can say whatever they want here. London Zoo is located in Regence Park.

Who among you does not remember the notorious phrase “London is the capital of Great Britain”? It was learned by heart by all our compatriots in school English lessons. But the time has come to learn something new and really interesting about London. Today we will take a virtual tour of one of the world's greatest capitals to find out why it is worth visiting London.

One of the most mysterious blue topaz in the world is called London Blue. The stone got its name thanks to London gemologists, who for the first time gave it an extraordinary depth of color. In the restrained tones of topaz, romantic natures see the hazy sky somewhere over the Thames. In their opinion, this stone perfectly conveys the atmosphere of foggy and mysterious London, into which we will plunge today.

Let's continue our course in modern regional studies and explore the sights of London in order to understand if this city is what we imagine it to be.

Iconic landmarks of London

Let's start our journey with the iconic sights of London.

1. Big Ben

Big Ben is a real symbol and a landmark of the capital of Great Britain. All guests of London rush (to head to) the embankment of the Thames or London Bridge (not to be confused with Tower Bridge) in order to catch (to catch) the most favorable angle (an angle) for a photo against the background of Big Ben - this is what we used to call the sentry tower (a clock tower). But not everyone knows that in fact Big Ben is the name of a bell, which is hidden from the eyes of strangers and beats the time every hour. Now the legendary bell is under restoration, and until 2021 you can enjoy its sound only on special occasions.

2. Westminster Palace

The Parliament of Great Britain consists of the House of Lords or the House of Lords and the House of Commons or the House of Commons, which meet in the Palace of Westminster. In Parliament, bills are put forward for discussion (to propose new legislation for discussion), which, after debate, are either adopted (to pass a bill) or rejected (to defeat a bill).

3. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge, along with Big Ben, is one of the most familiar sights of the capital of Foggy Albion. The bridge captivated (to fascinate) many directors and musicians - you must have heard about it in the song of the singer Zemfira. The Tower Bridge used to be raised (to raise a drawbridge) about 50 times a day for cargo ships, but now it is only done a few times a week.

4. Tower of London

Few places in the UK are steeped into legends and superstitions as fabulous as a fortress. The Tower of London is not only an architectural wonder. It also houses an impressive collection of weaponry and armor. A tour of the fortress will be led by the magnificently attired ceremonial guards of the castle - beefeaters. Only the most conscientious non-commissioned officers of the country's armed forces who have served for at least 22 years can get into their ranks.

5. Westminster Abbey

Adorers of medieval ecclesiastic architecture should definitely visit this sublime cathedral - the hallowed coronation site of English sovereigns. Here you can see the UK's oldest door, a 900-year-old garden, a sarcophagus and more. It was in Westminster Abbey in 2011 that the royal wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William took place.

6. St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral (St Paul's Cathedral) is considered one of the most grandiose (majestic) buildings in London. For residents of the city, the dome (a dome) of the 300-year-old cathedral is a pride and resilience. St. Paul's Cathedral is also famous for the performances of choristers.

7. Ferris wheel

From the altitude of the London Eye, a spectacular view unfurls (to unfurl). As soon as you lift off the ground, the wheel begins to rotate (to rotate) extremely slowly - just as the queue moves towards it - and you can leisurely enjoy the London panorama. If you are staying in the city for a few days, go first to the London Eye: this way you can honestly say that you have seen all the sights.

London museums

London is a real treasure for lovers of museums and galleries, there are a great many of them here. You can get a closer look at the culture and art of Great Britain if you take a look at at least some of them.

1. National Gallery and British Museum

These museums are the first in the list of places of worship (a must-visit) in London. The British Museum stores historical artefacts from the time when England was still a powerful maritime state with colonies in control. And at The National Gallery, you can admire paintings and sculptures of classical and avant-garde art. The main thing is not to get lost among the tourist traffic from all over the world and have time to look at immortal masterpieces from behind the tops of the same admirers of beauty.

2. British Tate Gallery and Tate Modern

The Tate Britain and Tate Modern will allow you to plunge into the world of art even deeper. All pieces of art are located in chronological order(in chronological order), so you will be able to track how over time the outlooks of artists changed and whole art movements were born from new ideas.

The Tate Gallery contains works, the earliest of which date back to the 16th century. Among the exhibits are canvases by artists such as Rossetti, Turner, Blake and Monet.

The Tate Modern gallery houses the largest exhibition hall (an exhibition hall) in the world, where you can usually see large-scale art installations by contemporary artists. After examining all the rooms, do not forget to go up to the upper floor - from there you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city.

3. Madame Tussauds Museum

Despite the expensive (pricey) tickets, the waxworks museum is so popular that it has affiliated institutions around the world. The celebrity statues are so believable that they seem to be about to vivify and speak to you. If you are interested in politics, it will be interesting for you to get up close to the Queen of England, Barack Obama or Vladimir Putin, and if you are more attracted to show business, Lady Gaga, Daniel Craig, are waiting for you for a photo session (a photo op). Britney Spears and many others.

4. Harry Potter Museum

2. Banner march (June)

The Queen's birthday is celebrated on a pageantry, with flyovers, flag-waving at marches, and fireworks.

3. Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night (November)

On this night, Londoners honor the memory (to commemorate) Guy Fawkes and his foiled attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament back in 1605. People make bonfires and have fun on the night of November 4-5. The best firework displays are from Primrose Hill, Highbury Fields and Alexandra Palace.

4. Boxing Day (December)

Boxing day is one of the most important Christmas holidays (Christmastide), which is celebrated on December 26th. On this day, stores hold (to hold) the largest sales with significant discounts (dramatic price reductions). For all-under-one-roof shopping, check out Westfield London.

Food

After enjoying spiritual food, it’s time to eat ordinary food. London can offer food for every taste and budget.

A universal rule (a rule of thumb) - Londoners do not like to look for new catering establishments, preferring to dine in local gastropubs and simple eateries (no-frills cafes). It is not shameful to buy a sandwich at Marks & Spencer and dine in Hyde Park. The residents of the city prefer to go to restaurants on special occasions. Among the favorite delicacies of Londoners are: a sandwich with French fries between two slices of bread (chip butty), salted pasta (marmite), which is usually spread on toast, and jellied eel.

A full English breakfast has become a kind of national brand. If you order this dish, you will find bacon, sausages, baked beans in tomato sauce, scrambled or fried eggs on the plate, mushrooms ) and toast (toast).

Also, as breakfast you can be served salty (savory) or sweet porridge(porridge) with chocolate crumbs. The main thing is to refrain from the witty exclamation: "Oatmeal, sir!" Previously, such breakfasts were considered poor folk's food, but now it is a gourmet dish adorned (to glam up) by restaurants.

The legendary English dish is fish'n'chips. If you don't try it, you won't be let out of the airport. We haven't checked it ourselves, but it's better not to risk it. Time Out magazine has compiled for you a selection of 10 places in London where you can taste fish'n'chips.

The British preserve and honor the heritage of their country (to embrace one's heritage), especially the afternoon tea (5 o'clock tea). To make it at home, prepare a tea pot, cups, saucers, a serving tray and napkins. Next, boil water (to heat the water) in a kettle, add loose tea there, one teaspoon (a teaspoon) per guest. Remember: tea bags are not allowed! Let the tea steep (to infuse) for 3 to 5 minutes and pour into cups. The first cup must be poured (to pour) by the owner or hostess of the house.

Most Londoners drink tea with milk (to take tea with milk). This used to be done so that cold milk would prevent hot tea from leaving cracks or stains on expensive porcelain cups. Treat guests to traditional English scones, pancake-like crumpets or other pastries.

If you are in London, you should go for a real English tea party. The Telegraph has prepared for you a list of 10 cafes and restaurants in London where you can taste tea.

Food markets are a separate type of entertainment in London, somewhere between art and food. You will see cascades of fruits and vegetables, chunks of rosé ham and fresh hot buns on the shelves. And at the famous flea markets, you can find deposits of rare and antique souvenirs. Let's explore the best markets in the city:

1. Borough Market is one of the oldest markets in the city, specializing in farm and rural products. Behind the food stalls, you will find all kinds of delicacies. Blogger Mark Vince went to the market especially for you and tasted the most delicious.

2. The Camden market is the focus of various youth subcultures. Here you can eat at the food courts, listen to street musicians and wander through the vintage (gitchy) boutiques. Most shops and stalls (street-stands) are open only on weekends.

3. The Portobello market is ready to delight you with craft drinks and food, hand-made gizmos from craftsmen, as well as clothes from both famous designers and niche ones.

London is famous not only for its gastronomic delights, but also for its bars, which is confirmed by the following fact: in 2017, the London American Bar was recognized as the best bar in the world. Londoners themselves have gained a bad press for binge drinking. But this is an exaggeration. Many of the pub habitues are gregarious and harmless. Despite the high prices, generosity of bartenders in London is a commonplace. They enjoy drinking in open-air beer gardens or patios.

Unusual areas of London

1. Docklands

The Docklands was once a poor dockland, but is now home to skyscrapers and waterside restaurants.

2. Pop Brixton

Pop Brixton is a self-built shipping container quarter, a hub for startups and vibrant community activities. Large containers house cafes, educational sites and offices. You can spend the whole day here.

3. Underground art site

The Vaults is a contemporary art center located below Waterloo Tube Station. Unusual exhibitions, avant-garde theatrical performances - everything for lovers of art house and anything non-standard.

4. London Artists' Quarter

London Artists' Quarter is another creative cluster (a cluster) where you can find coffee shops, paintings, shops with rare books and, of course, inspiration.

You can write whole books about such different London, and the topics for them will never end. This city is alive, it feels the mood and captures the spirit of the times, changing with it. In London, everyone finds something of their own, so you can always look at the city in a new way. A selection of resources will help us with this.

Useful Resources

Blogs and sites about London:

• Londonist is perhaps the most popular website about the UK capital, with which you can plan your weekend in London or watch

London has many beautiful attractions that have great importance on the culture and arts not only of Great Britain, but of the whole world. Most of them are related to history. These are monuments, squares, majestic buildings. Anyone who learns the language should be able to describe the sights of London in English.

London landmarks in English

Big Ben

- one of the landmarks of London, which is considered the symbol of this city. This is not only what many associate with, but also the world's largest watch.

The following words can be used to describe this London landmark:

How to describe London landmark Big Ben in English:

Places of interest in London

There are a lot of places of interest in London. Among them there are: Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, the Tower of London.

London stands on the river Thames. Crossing the river by the Tower Bridge you can see the Tower of London. It is one of the oldest buildings of the city. Many centuries ago it was a fortress, a royal palace and then a prison. Now it is a museum of arms.

On the bank of the Thames, not far from the Tower of London, you can see Westminster Palace, or the Houses of Parliament. It is the seat of the British government and it is one of the most beautiful buildings in London. In one of its towers there is famous Big Ben, the largest clock of England. It strikes every quarter of an hour.

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official London residence. Tourists always go to see the ceremony of changing the Guard there.

London has many fine squares. Some of them are quiet, others are busy like Trafalgar Square. Trafalgar Square is the central square of the city. To the right of the square there is the National Gallery which has a fine collection of European paintings.

St Paul's Cathedral is the biggest English church. Another famous church is Westminster Abbey where kings, queens, and many famous people are buried.

London is also famous for its beautiful parks. Hyde Park is the most democratic park in the world, as anyone can say anything he likes there. Regent's Park is the home of London Zoo.

[ translation ]

London has many attractions. Among them: Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, Tower of London.

London stands on the River Thames. Crossing the river on the Tower Bridge, you can see the Tower. This is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Many centuries ago it was a fortress, a royal palace, and then a prison. It is now a weapons museum.

On the banks of the Thames, near the Tower of London, you can see the Palace of Westminster or Houses of Parliament. It is the seat of the British government and is one of the most beautiful buildings in London. One of the towers houses the famous Big Ben, England's largest clock. They hit every quarter of an hour.

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official London residence. Tourists always go there to see the guard change ceremony.

There are many squares in London. Many are quiet, others lively, such as Trafalgar Square. Trafalgar Square is the central square of the city. To the right of the square is the National Gallery, which contains a rich collection of European paintings.

St. Paul's Cathedral is the largest English church. Another famous cathedral is Westminster Abbey, where kings, queens and many famous people are buried.

London is also famous for its beautiful parks. Hyde Park is the most democratic park in the world, as everyone can say whatever they want here. London Zoo is located in Regence Park.