Published:
09/18/2011 02:44pm
See 6 London Landmarks in Less than 1 Mile
You don’t have to walk all over creation to see some of the most popular sights in London. In fact, you can see six of the most historical and culturally significant ones on a stretch of road less than one mile long!
Westminster Abbey
A towering Gothic cathedral in the heart of London, Westminster Abbey has served as the coronation, wedding and burial site for generations of British monarchs. Different apses and chapels inside the Abbey are dedicated as memorials to various notable figures in Britain’s history, sometimes even serving as their resting place. The Poets’ Corner, for instance, houses graves and memorials to some of the country’s most notable writers including Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, and Alfred Tennyson.
Houses of Parliament
Also known as the Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament is one of London’s most recognizable structures with its great tower and clock Big Ben. The two houses of Britain’s Parliament, the House of Lords and the House of Commons, both meet here to confer on matters of state and make policy. Tours of the House of Commons are available to visitors who can see history depicted in the buildings still used to day to make British law.
Whitehall
Whitehall is the road that leads from Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square. This street is home to numerous government departments and historically significant structures. The Churchill War Rooms, located beneath the Treasury Building, are now a museum for visitors. The Prime Minister’s resident, 10 Downing Street, is also just off Whitehall and visible behind the heavily guarded front gate.
The Mall
The Mall (in England, it rhymes with “pal”) is the main road that connects Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace. Indeed, on a clear day when the traffic is light, you can stand at the base of Nelson’s Tower and see clearly all the way to the Palace, residence of the Royal
Family.
Trafalgar Square
Named for Lord Nelson’s victory at the eponymous battle, Trafalgar Square is a grand public space full of fountains and memorials which attracts thousands of tourists daily. Standing in the middle of the square, you can see all the way down Whitehall back to Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament. During the holidays, Trafalgar Square hosts an enormous Christmas tree given to
the British people from the King of Norway.
National Gallery
The National Gallery sits at the head of Trafalgar Square overlooking the masses. The works of art contained within the Gallery stretch centuries and include pieces from masters like Van Gogh and Titian. The Gallery also houses classic paintings from Renaissance artists da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo.
Contributed by Analise Marcus, avid traveler and anglophile who recommends using a Travelocity promo code every time you want the most value for your travels.
