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| The main geographical feature of the city is the River Thames. The central area and the most important sights, theatres and restaurants are on the north bank of the river. The trendy and tourist-ridden West includes
Soho, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Regent St. The East End lies east of the Circle Line; it used to be the exclusive preserve of the Cockney but is now a cultural melting pot. Accommodation in London is expensive and in short supply in July and August. |
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City of London: it's only one square mile in area and contains the Bank of England, The Stock Exchange, the share dealing and finance companies, and the international banks.
Trafalgar Square: It's the heart of visitors' London, beating with tour buses, cameras and flocks of persistent pigeons. On the square's northern edge is the National Gallery.
Houses of Parliament: The building includes the House of Commons and the House of Lords. There's restricted access to the chambers when they're in session, but a visit around 6pm will avoid the worst of the crowds.
Buckingham Palace: The Queen opened Buckingham Palace to the public for the first time in 1993 to raise money for repairs to Windsor Castle. |
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Tower Bridge was completed in 1894, after 8 years of construction. It is one of the world's most famous bridges. 150,000 vehicles cross it every day. Over 900 times a year the roadway parts and lifts to let tall ships, cruise liners and other large craft pass through. |
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