London Vacation
1999

Friday, August 13

Sightseeing in London

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Waterloo Midi

busS.jpg (14299 bytes)

On Friday, we took a tour of London by way of a "hop-on and hop-off again, open-topped double-decker bus. It was a great way to get the "feel" of London.

Along the way, we visited many of London's top sights, including Piccadilly Circus and the Tower of London.

We completed our tour with a cruise down the majestic Thames, between the Tower of London and Westminster.

Piccadilly Circus
Leicester Square
Charing Cross

The West End

This is what you might loosely call "downtown" London.  For most people, it's synonymous with the theatres, entertainment, and shopping areas found around Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. But the West End actually includes a host of neighborhoods.


Picadilly Circus
The area's major traffic hub and best-known tourist destination.

Tower of London
City of London


The Tower of London

The City's best-known and oldest historic site, the Tower, was built by William the Conqueror in 1066. It served as his fortress and later as a prison and held such famous captives as Sir Walter Raleigh and Princess Elizabeth.




Entering the Tower of London

London's most historical monument.
 


Tower of London, The Medieval Palace

The group of buildings known today as the Medieval palace give visitors an opportunity to see part of the Tower of London that was generally used by the kings of England when in residence. The King's private hall (above), has been reconstruct to how what the room might have looked like in the reign of Edward I (1272-1307).

 


The Medieval Palace

The upper chamber of the Wakefield Tower build for Henry III between 1220 and 1240.

 


The Crown Jewels

The Crown Jewels have been on public display at the Tower of London since the 17th century. The Jewels on display in the Jewel House are largely those items used at the coronation of a sovereign and are collectively known as the Coronation Regalia.

 


The Imperial State Crown

Made for the coronation of George VI in 1937 and altered for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It is set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 5 rubies, ad 273 pearls.

Thames Cruise

Our sightseeing tour in London was not confided to land. We ended our tour with a cruise down the river Thames. Along the way, we saw many of London's greatest monuments--the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower and Tower Bridge.


Tower Bridge

Since its grand opening on June 30, 1894, Tower Bridge has become one of London's most distinctive landmarks. The original steam engines (in use until 1976) can still be seen, and there are great views from the upper walkway.

 


Houses of Parliament and Big Ben

The Thames-side of House of Parliament, with the landmark tower know as Big Ben, are an undeniable impressive example of Victorian architectures.

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