Tower Bridge
Situated in East London on the boundaries of the city, the famous Tower Bridge, named after its two impressive towers, is along with Big Ben one of London's best-known landmarks. This Victorian Bridge consisting of 20 towers is now more than 100 years old. It was strategically built near the river Thames as the seat of the British government and living quarters for monarchs. It also served as the repository of the Crown Jewels. As a prison, it has housed notorious traitors, members of court, lords and ministers, clergymen and knights. Until today, the Tower of London is inseparable from its ravens, which retain the power and stability of the British monarchy. A superstition dating from the 17th Century prophesies that when there are no longer ravens in the Tower, both the Great Tower and the British Commonwealth will fall. Big Ben
London's best-known landmark is perhaps the 106-metre-high Clock Tower named after the 13-ton bell found in one of the two towers of the Houses of Parliament. It owes its name to its first commissioner of works, Sir Benjamin Hall. The Houses of Parliament were primarily built in 1066 by William the Confessor at the site of The Palace of Westminster. Today's buildings, influenced by the Gothic style, were constructed between 1840 and 1888 by Charles Barry. His intention was to create buildings which blended with nearby Westminster Abbey. Next to Big Ben stands Victoria Tower, on which flies the Union Jack during the sessions of Parliament. Big Ben, also referred to as St. Stephen's Tower, is the main point of entry for attendees of debates and committees. It’s also the focus of the greatest celebrations in the United Kingdom, such as New Year’s or Remembrance Day, with radio and TV stations tuning in to its chimes. Wonderfully illuminated at night, it has become a symbol of Great Britain and London as much as a Routemaster bus or Hackney carriage. British Museum
This oldest museum in the world was founded in 1753, and houses over two million years’ worth of world history and culture. It contains 94 galleries, with the most famous exhibits being the Elgin Marbles, sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens, Egyptian mummies and the Rosetta Stone. Most impressive is the Reading Room, a stunning covered courtyard which has been visited by such famous names as Karl Marx, Mahatma Ghandi and George Bernard Shaw. Admission is free and there are many events and special exhibitions throughout the year which enlighten visitors from all over the world, who come here to admire the great masterpieces of art from all continents. The City
The City of London is the historical heart of London, from which this modern metropolis grew. Often referred to as just ‘the City’ or ‘the Square Mile’, it contains two independent enclaves, Inner Temple and Middle Temple. Some of the tallest and best-known modern buildings include the first skyscraper in the UK, the Natwest Tower, the 63-storey Bishopsgate Tower, the 48-storey Leadenhall Building, the 46-storey Heron Tower. Also, the City offers a great variety of pubs, cafés and department stores. There are also many parks, from formal gardens to churchyards. Don't miss the famous St. Paul's Cathedral dating from the 17th Century, which is one of London's most-visited sites, used for the marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer.