This place reminds you of Times Square in New York City, with lots of people and bright neon lights. You will also find in lights the name of major sponsors, like TDK, Sanyo, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Samsung.

In this case, the word circus represents a circle, or circular open space, which is how Piccadilly Circus is comprised. The more you stay there or the more you keep going back, you’ll probably run into someone you know. That is, if happen to be one of the locals.

Within this area, there are lots of places to shop, along with pubs and theaters. The name Piccadilly Circus came about in 1743. There was a fountain called the Shaftesbury Memorial that was placed there in 1893. This memorial fountain started out as a technical idea because cast aluminum was being used. It stayed there until it moved in the 1980s.

Also within Piccadilly Circus is the London Pavilion. This facility came about in 1859 and was first built as a music hall. The facility was torn down in 1885 and in 1923 a new music hall facility was put in its place. With the new facility, electronic billboards were installed. In 1986, the facility was rebuilt again. By that time, it had turned into a shopping area.

Now Piccadilly Circus has the Virgin Megastore, HMV and Lily Whites. Underneath, the London Underground or “the tube”, as the locals call it, makes their way to and from different destinations.

Another theater within Piccadilly Circus is called the Criterior Theater. Inside that theater you will find the reduced Shakespeare Company. This theater group is known for acting out Shakespeare’s works in one hour and thirty-seven minutes. They usually get through the entire piece.

The pieces move swiftly and the actors don’t go by word for word on the script. This group has been at Piccadilly Circus since 1995. In fact, these performances are so popular; you have to book them in advance.

London’s West End has lots of traditional theater, if that’s to your liking. Some of the works get used for Broadway plays and shows. They also have a large television screen that is curved in shape. It’s been said that the size of it can be a threat to the Times Square area.

There are lots of pubs located in Piccadilly Circus. It’s best to be selective as to which one you go to. Believe it or not, there some pubs that are biased toward locals and some are biased toward tourists. That may sound weird, but that’s the way it is there with the pubs.

Its status as a major traffic intersection has made Piccadilly Circus a busy meeting point and a tourist attraction in its own right.

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Big Ben is one of the most famous landmarks located in London. The BBC showed the chimes on television on December 31, 1923. Ever since then, the BBC has made it a tradition to do that. In 1941, while the World War II was going on, the Commons chamber in the Houses of Parliament destroyed by a bomb.

Even with that, Big Ben did not suffer any damages or loss of time. It kept going as though nothing happened. It continued to make that unusual sound and helped people to realize that it was still working in spite of what happened.

There are four dials on the clock, with the minute hand measuring at 14 feet long and the dials measuring 23 feet square and there are also figures that stand two feet high. Big Ben continues to work tirelessly day and night.

Speaking of night, during this time you can see the vivid illumination of the clock faces. In addition to that, there is an indicator to let you know when Parliament is in session. The clock face will have a special light shining upon it.

Big Ben keeps time by a bunch of coins that is put on the pendulum. This method helps the clock to continue working round the clock. This clock is so unique that it contains cells inside the tower. If any Parliament member breaches a privilege, they can be locked up.

Even though it’s been said that the clock gave birth after the fire, it’s really not certain where the name Big Ben originated from. Some people say that it was named in honor of the first Commissioner of Works, Sir Benjamin Hall. He had a large stature and therefore, people referred to him as “Big Ben”.

Others have said that it was named after Benjamin Caunt, who was a wrestling champion. In addition to that, anyone (male) who others felt was the largest person around was also referred to as “Big Ben”.

Even though the clock tower is sometimes referred to as St. Stephen’s Tower, most people refer to it as Big Ben. When people talk about Big Ben, they are really referring to the large bell that is inside the clock tower, not the clock tower itself. The large bell alone has a massive weight of over 13 tons.

As much as people would like to see the inside of the clock tower and the large bell, it is not open to the general public. Unfortunately, tourists aren’t allowed to view it, either. However, if you are a local, you are allowed to set up a tour. Locals have to ask for this in writing to the House of Commons in advance. It’s best to try and give as much of an advanced notice as possible.

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Diana’s apartment was located in the northwest area of the Palace and her aunt Margaret also had a private apartment residence there as well.

Kensington Palace was the private residence of King William III and Queen Mary II. They selected this residence because they wanted to reside in a place that provided clean air. Before it was Kensington Palace, it was called Kensington Village. Kensington Palace is now considered one of the wealthiest residences in the London area.

Before there were Princesses Margaret and Diana, there was Queen Victoria, whose birth took place at Kensington Palace. One day, while she was in her bedroom, she was also given a prophecy that one day, she would be queen.

For that to happen, she had to move to Buckingham Palace where the Queen’s official residence is. When she turned 80 years old in 1898, Queen Victoria decided to open Buckingham Palace to whoever wanted to visit.

The London Museum was in charge of Kensington Palace from 1911 – 1914. After 1976, it received a permanent stay at the Barbican.

In July 2007 through January 2008, there was an exhibition about Princess Diana. This exhibition included a tour of her home in Kensington Palace. This project was created as an audiovisual celebrating her life and what she did to make London and the world a better place. It also included interviews of those who knew her fondly and what it was like to work with her.

At the end of this project tour, there will pictures of Diana and showed some of her most elegant dresses up for auction that raised several million dollars for charity. The Princess of Wales was really involved in a lot of charity work.

Kensington Palace is available for tours, including a tour of Princess Margaret’s apartment. You can purchase tickets singularly or as a family. You can also purchase tickets to include a discount voucher from one of the retailers. You can order tickets by phone, online or in person.

When you purchase your ticker, you will also receive an audio guide. The good thing about this is the guide is translated into six different languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Japanese. So if English is not your native language, then you have other choices.

The audio guides do not include tours to Princess Margaret’s residence. You will have to sign up for one of the tours that requires a guide. The tour of her residence can last at least a half hour. You can also explore sacred areas of her residence, but a guide must be with you at all times.

If you wish to take public transportation to Kensington Palace, you can do so by taking the London Underground and get off at either High Street Kensington or Notting Hill Gate. You can also take the bus to get here. There are certain bus routes in London that will drop you off there.

The amount of people that visit yearly is in the six-figure range. Once you visit Kensington Palace, it will be a memorable experience for you, especially because of the prominence of some of the royals that lived there.

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London is one of the largest cities in Europe and you would be amazed at some of the tourists’ spots you would stumble upon.

Prior to going, read up about the best time you should travel to London. The best time to go is when the travel season begins. This starts in late spring and runs through early fall. This time is the best time to come because of the weather. Or if you can’t come then, try closer to the end or fall to the beginning of spring.

Actually, it’s been noted that the best time to visit London is in September. In September, the weather is dry. You can really feel the dryness during the second half of the month.

On a weekend called Open House Day, you are allowed to visit facilities that are usually closed to the public. You can go to the theater, and choose from a variety of different performances. Also during this time, you can go and hear opera. Also in September, London has a seafood festival. There is also a jazz festival during this time.

When you look for lodging, be selective in the hotels you choose. You want to stay in a facility that is close to where you’ll be visiting and touring. This way, you won’t have to spend a lot of time getting to your destination.

To assist you in your travels, purchase a guidebook that provides you with all you need to know about visiting London. Make sure it includes maps and information about public transportation.

If you’re going to do a lot of walking, make sure you have comfortable clothing to walk in. You should also have comfortable shoes, like walking shoes. If you plan on attending or visiting a church there, contact them prior to arriving. Some churches may have different codes of dress.

Some of the major tourist spots, such as Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus and Westminster Abbey may require you to wait due to the long lines. You may want to get there early or see if you can reserve your ticket prior to going.

When you use public transportation, like the London Underground or as the locals call it, “the tube”, keep enough change on your person. You should also have enough money in the event you have to catch a taxi.

Or, if you just want to sight see, get on one of the double-decker buses. Make sure the guidebook you have has the scheduled for the London Underground and the bus.

It’s also important that you have some type of identification on you, whether it’s a passport or a driver’s license. It may be better if you keep a credit card or traveler’s checks on your person. Just because you’re in a different environment that may look safe, don’t let your guard down. Be mindful of your surroundings.

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When people come to the church for a tour, they like to see St. Edward’s Chair, which is located in the Chapel of Edward the Confessor. Tourists find this site very fascinating and if they don’t see anything else, they’ll look at this.

Many of Britain’s famous people are buried here, includes a majority of the Kings and Queens, poets such as Geoffrey Chaucer, the scientist Sir Isaac Newton, authors Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling and British actor Sir Laurence Olivier. The funeral of Princess Diana was held here in 1997.

Even though they weren’t buried here, Winston Churchill and William Shakespeare have been fondly remembered at Westminster Abbey.

Being part of the Church of England, people worship God here every day. For the majority of the time, you can hear the Westminster Abbey choir singing in most of the services daily.

Within the confines of the Abbey, you will find the Church of the House of Commons, the Chapter House and Museum, and College Garden, which provides serenity to those who need it. Also within Westminster Abbey you will find Westminster School and the Westminster Abbey Choir School.

The purpose of Westminster Abbey is to:

* serve God at all times by worshipping him every day;
* handle any prayer requests that come from the Queen herself;
* continue to foster a tight-knit relationship with members of the House of Commons and House of Lords
* to help others with a humble spirit

You will also find here pieces of unique art, such as paintings, stained glass and textiles just to name a few. In their Library, you will find lots or archives, manuscripts. You will find a lot of rich history in these.

Westminster Abbey also has about 600 monuments and wall tablets. The Abbey considers this an important history collection. Over 3,000 people are buried in this area. The Unknown Warrior is one of the important ones.

Within the church, you will find a lot of history overall. In fact, the Abbey has over a thousand years worth of history in the church. Even with that, it remains loyal to being a place where people can come and worship every day.

The Abbey has a schedule of worship and service times in the event you are visiting or you’re a local that needs to know the schedule. The Abbey also conducts special services on a regular basis. These services are usually held for the good of the locals regarding social issues. There is a price for admission and families, students and seniors can get discounts.

You can also get audio guides and guided tours for an additional small fee. You are not allowed to take pictures. Whenever you decide to go, check the schedule because they do have other things going on during the day.

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This area was named in memory of the Battle of Trafalgar. The British Navy fought in the wars of Napoleon. Trafalgar Square is full of history. In 1845, the area was redeveloped.

Prior to that, the King’s Mews and Charing Cross was located in Trafalgar Square. In the 1820s, that changed. The King’s Mews were then relocated to Buckingham Palace per orders of Prince George IV.

Within Trafalgar Square, the area is centered with roads built on three sides of it. On the last side, the National Gallery is located there. You will also find lion statues made out of recycled metals and painted a bronze color. In 1939, fountains were added to the lion statues.

Each of the four square corners has a statue of a prominent person from London. One has Prince George IV, another one has Sir Charles Napier and anther one has Henry Havelock.

At the fourth one, William IV was supposed to be at that one. However, due to lack of funds, it didn’t come to fruition. Ever since 1999, different artists have displayed their work in this area, because the powers that be could not agree on what to do.

Pigeons were welcomed in the square for a while. However, people became drained with them coming around. The more that came, the more droppings they deposited on the buildings, causing them to look dull.

In the year 2000, people could no longer sell bird seeds in Trafalgar Square. This in turn, forced a complete stoppage of feeding the birds. Now, you hardly see any pigeons in that area.

Trafalgar Square is also used to hold political rallies. In 1886 and 1887, a set of prominent rallies were held in this area, the Black Sunday and Black Monday gatherings.

Nowadays, you’ll see people rally about the war and nuclear weapons. You can also find them going against things like the poll tax, apartheid and anything that the locals feel is unconstitutional.

In addition to the Christmas tree from Norway, during the Christmas season, there is caroling in the square. Many groups of carolers from different countries sing carols to raise money for different charities and other causes deemed appropriate. Tourists are also welcome to come to the Café on the Square where they can partake of Christmas treats.

In addition to touring Nelson’s Column and the National Gallery, you can also visit St.-Martin-in-the-Fields. You can walk to Chinatown, Parliament Square or Buckingham Palace.

Your best bet to get to Trafalgar Square is to get on the London Underground. There are several “tube” stations where you can access it from. You can get there from Charing Cross, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus or Embankment “tube” stations.

Or you can reserve a hotel that is nearby the area, so you won’t have to walk that far. However you decide to do it, you can’t leave London without coming to Trafalgar Square.

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The majority of the old stomping grounds were damaged when a fire came through in 1834. The chapel crypt, The Jewel Tower and Westminster Hall were the only thing left standing. A godsend, Lord Melbourne, asked the firemen to save Westminster Hall by extinguishing that area first.

Within the confines of this place, there are buildings that are derived from the Gothic Revival. It was constructed somewhere between 1840 – 1888. The artist, Charles Barry, constructed the buildings to fit in with Westminster Abbey.

These two buildings, the clock tower with a bell (Big Ben) and the Victoria Tower, are well known throughout London. The Union Jack flag, which is the flag of London, is flying whenever Parliament is in session.

You can only get to Westminster Hall when you are touring; other than that, you’ll have to see it from the porch of St. Stephen’s. Westminster Hall is designed with a beam of oak and is very unique.

They used to have banquets for coronations here until 1821. It was also used as England’s Supreme Court until the 19th century. There is also a statue of the former Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell, on the grounds.

In St. Stephen’s Hall, you will find vaulted ceilings and artwork that looks like the chapel when the commons convened until 1834. There is also an area called Central Lobby. This area is unique because of its octagonal shape and design.

Mottos written in Latin adorn the tiled walls of St. Stephen’s. Also in the Central Lobby, this is where the Members of Parliaments meet with lobbyists to get their bills passed. You will also be able to get to the House of Commons from here.

In 1941, a bomb totally destroyed the House of Commons. The restoration was completed in 1950. The original design was used to replicate the building. What’s unique about the restoration of this place is that there are red lines that are marked on the floor. These lines indicate how much space is between the benches.

House of Common members are not to go over these lines. The reason behind this is because when there are debates, the lines help to keep everything in order. The Table of the House is located in the middle of the floor; this is where the Speaker presides and works to keep order among the members.

You will know who the House of Lords are by their scarlet red and gold attire. At the House of Lords, the Queen opens Parliament in November every year. She is also responsible for giving the opening speech. On the other side of the Queen, the Lord Chancellor sits on a red scarlet pillow that contains wool. This ritual has gone on since the middle ages.

If you want to visit the Houses of Parliament, you will have to enter through the entrance of St. Stephen’s. You can look at the galleries and watch the debates at the times specified. If you’re looking to reserve a time to go, you have to makes reservations to get your ticket through your embassy or MP.

There are no debates or meetings held during Easter, Christmas, and from mid-August to October.

This is a nice place to come and see how Britain’s government actually operates. It is definitely different than what you’re accustomed to, especially if you’re from the United States.

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Now Buckingham Palace is famous for being the official residence of Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Phillip. Buckingham Palace has been in the royal family since 1837. Ever summer, Buckingham Palace opens to the public for tours. Initially, it was supposed to be created as a way to get funds to pay for the rebuilding of Windsor Castle.

Windsor Castle was damaged in 1992 and the first year of the Summer opening was 1993. Ever since then, she has made it a yearly event to open the doors of her residence.

Of course, Queen Elizabeth stays at one of her other homes during this time.

In the State Rooms, you will find a lot of expensive paintings by some well-known artists, such as Rembrandt. You will also be able to see some of their English and French furniture.

The tours usually start in July and end in September. It is important to note that when you get your ticket, you must tour on that date and specific time that is there. Buckingham Palace admits people every 15 minutes.

With so many people coming to tour, it’s imperative that you’re timely about being at the tour; otherwise you will not be able to participate. Also, another reason why they’re strict about timeliness is because the tour lasts 2 – 21/2 hours. They are only able to let so many people tour the Palace each day.

Tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person. You can also sign up for unlimited admission. You will get a form that you need to fill out and return while you’re there for your initial visit. After the tour is over and you have left Buckingham Palace, you will not be able to turn in your registration form.

If you want to get free admission for future visits, keep your ticket (original). It has a referenced number that you’ll need. During future visits, you will have to show that ticket along with the number and an ID. If you have children that are 18 years or under, you can provide the staff with a birth certificate.

There are restrooms and baby changing areas available after you’ve completed your tour. In the State Rooms, you will have to use a baby carrier. Pushchairs and strollers are prohibited. You can check them in and get them on your way out. You can also have someone meet you with your stroller at the end of the tour.

In the Palace Garden, you can take pictures and use your cell phone. This is the only place where you can do this. Audio tours are part of the ticket prices and are translated into several languages: English, Spanish, French, and Russian, just to name a few.

If you have children ages 5 – 11 that accompanied you on the tour, there are activities available for them. This is a free service and an adult should be with them at all times.

You can also get to Buckingham Palace via the London Underground rail system. There are also certain bus routes that stop by there. Once you’ve experienced the tour of Buckingham Palace, it will be something that you will remember for a lifetime.

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However, if you’re a tourist, even if you don’t have a specific place, it’s nice to just ride on one. At least you could say you’ve rode one. You can take the double-decker bus to places like Piccadilly Circus.

You will need a ticket or what is called an “Oyster” card to board on the bus. Once you get on, you’ll want to sit on the top deck to get a better view of London. The stairs are located behind the driver and he sits on the right of the bus.

The Oyster cards are the size of a credit card, made out of plastic. You will be able to use these cards on the buses and the rail system as well. They can be purchased at convenience stores or at rail stations. If you’re staying in London at least a week, it would be well worth it to purchase one.

Or you can get tickets for each day or depending on where you’re riding to. They’re not easy to find, hence the reason the Oyster cards are promoted more. You can also get a one day ticket for about $4.00. A lot of locals don’t care for the tickets because you can get a better deal using the Oyster cards. In fact, the local government encourages it.

You must swipe your Oyster card when you get on the double-decker bus. Or if you’re using a ticket, place it in what is called a “maw”. When you get it back, you must keep it; otherwise you can incur a fine for not having one in your possession.

If you need a map, you will find them at bus stops all over the London region. They are easy to read and you will be able to get to your destination with hardly any problems.

If you’re not sure of where you’re traveling, you can always ask the driver. They will be more than happy to assist you. It’s been said that London bus drivers are very hospitable. It is very easy to figure out the transit system in London.

You don’t have to know all of the bus tops; just the ones that are nearest to your lodging and you destination. You can also find transit maps online for the double-decker buses.

Another thing you should know about these buses-there are not many of them that operate at night. The few that do will be indicated with the letter “N” by the bus route number.

There are also sightseeing tours that use the double-decker buses. These are called hop-on and hop-off tours. This is a nice way for you to tour London and some other parts of the city. The reason they’ll called hop-on and hop-off tours is because you can leave the bus at any time and get on another bus.

You will be excited to ride these buses because you’ll be able to see lots of things from up high, giving yourself a better view of the city.

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There are a total of 268 rail stations that covers about 250 miles of riding. Because of this, this is also the longest railway system in the world as far as how long it is. In 2007, the London Underground broke a record of having over one billion people riding on their trains. On average, a little over three million passengers use this rail service every day.

When you go to London and ride the train, by all means, don’t call it the subway. They think of that word to mean something else other than the rail system. For locals the word subway means a passageway that is underneath the street. This passageway allows you to walk to the other side, while you steer clear from the busy street above you. Whenever you refer to the London Underground, call it “the tube”.

Lots of people use the tube because it is reliable and it can get you where you need to go. Also, it isn’t costly and is the best way (and the quickest) to get around town. The system has continuously been upgraded. Millions of pounds have been spent to keep it current.

In Central London alone, there are lots of tube stations. Some of them are close together (like in walking distance) and sometimes if they’re that close together, it’s better if you just walk. Besides, you can get a workout in that way.

You will recognize tube stations with a red circle that is crossed onto a blue bar that says “Underground”. Some of the lines are coded by color. This helps people to be able to find their way easier.

If this is your first time using it, you may be confused and wondering where you need to go. There are so many lines and elevators; it can be complex for a moment. However, once you get a hang of the system, it’s a piece of cake.

Before you get on, you have to know where you’re going and what direction you’re going in. If you don’t you can be turned around and get on the train going the opposite way. In order to get on you will need one of the following: a ticket, a Travelcard or an Oyster card. Even though London is divided into several fare zones, most of the tourist activity is located in one Zone.

If you book your London trip through a travel agent, they will be able to get you one of the three types of rail passes. When you go through the turnstiles, you will need to keep your pass in order to enter and exit again.

So, with this in mind, enjoy the ride through the city of London.

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