Tower of London

For over 900 years the Tower of London has been one of the capital's most prominent landmarks and a world-famous visitor attraction. Throughout its long history, the Tower has served as a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, an arsenal, royal mint, menagerie and jewel house.

Further information
Tower of London - detailed information

Tower Bridge from the River Thames

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is one of the oldest buildings in London and one of the most important religious centres in the country. Many kings and Queens and famous people are buried or commemorated there. Its founder, Edward the Confessor, was made a saint after his death and he is buried in a special chapel dedicated to him.

Every King and Queen has been crowned in Westminster Abbey since William the Conqueror in 1066.

The Palace of Westminster
(Houses of Parliament)

The Palace of Westminster, known also as the Houses of Parliament, is where the two Houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (the House of Lords and the House of Commons) conduct their sittings. It is the place where laws governing British life are debated and passed.

The Queen rides in a State coach to Westminster to open each new session of Parliament, usually in the second week in November.

From the middle of the 11th century until 1512, the Palace of Westminster was the royal home to the Kings and Queens of England, hence the name.

The Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) contain the bell Big Ben that is struck each quarter hour. A light in the clock tower tells when the House of Commons is in session.

More photographs and information

Big Ben

Big Ben is one of the most famous landmarks in the world. The clock tower is situated on the banks of the river Thames and is part of the Palace of Westminster.

Officially "Big Ben" does not refer to the whole clocktower (also known as St Stephen's Tower), but to the huge thirteen ton bell that strikes the hour.

The Big Ben bell has the following measurements:
9'-0" diameter, 7'-6" high, and weighs 13 tons 10 cwts 3 qtrs 15lbs (13,760 Kg)

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is one of the most popular landmarks in London. It is the London home of the British Royal family. The 600 room palace is surrounded by a 40 acre garden.
40,000 tulips are planted each year in front of Buckingham palace.

Further information
More facts about Buckingham Palace

More information on other royal homes.

Canary Wharf Tower

The Tallest building in the UK is in Canary Wharf, part of the London Docklands. One Canada Square, known as the Canary Wharf Tower, is 244 metres high and covered in stainless steel.

St Paul's Cathedral

The photo on the left shows the main entrance to St Pauls.
You can see the distinctive dome of St Paul's from miles away.

The first St Paul's Cathedral was built in 604 AD but burnt down in 675. The rebuilt cathedral was again burnt down in the Great Fire of London in 1666.

The present St Paul's Cathedral was built between 1675 and 1711 by Sir Christopher Wren.

The dome of St Pauls Cathedral is the second biggest dome in the world, after St Peter's in Rome.

At the dome's base is the Whispering Gallery. A whisper to the wall on one side can be heard on the other.

The O2 - Millenium Dome

The O2 in London is the largest dome in the world, covering over 180 acres; it is 320m in diameter and 50m high with support towers reaching 100m. It can accomodate Nelson's Column standing upright and the Eiffel Tower placed horizontally.
It was built on the Greenwich Meridian (0 degrees longitude) to commemorate the new millennium.
Find out more

The London Eye

The London Eye, next to County Hall, is another of London’s most modern landmarks.

It is the world’s biggest ferris wheel, and will carry 800 passengers at a time on a thirty-minute ride. From its highest point of 450 feet, it promises views of up to 25 miles.
Find out more information

30 St Mary Axe

30 St Mary Axe opened on 27 April 2004, although its official opening was not until the end of May 2004. Infamously known as 'the Gherkin' due to its 3D oval shape, it is one of the first landmarks to become visible when you're travelling into London from many different places.

The outside of the building consists of 24,000 square metres of glass arranged in diamond-shaped panes.

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square was built in honour of Admiral Lord Nelson after his victory in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar.  Britain's most famous sea Lord, Nelson died in this famous battle against Napoleon.

Find out more about Trafalgar Square

The Monument

The Monument was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and erected between 1671 and 1677, it commemorates the Great Fire of London in 1666.

The tower is 62m high and 62m away from the baker's shop in Pudding Lane, where the fire began.

There are 311 stairs to the top of the monument where you can step out onto the viewing platform for an all round view of the City of London.

Related page

Buildings and landmarks you can see from the River Thames

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