About Monuments in London
The Tower of London is a beautiful monument in London that houses the priceless crown jewels of the British monarchs, such as crowns, orbs, scepters, and swords. Its history dates back nearly a thousand years, and it served as a royal residence, execution site, and prison. The prime attraction of the building is the Chapel Royal of St Peter and Vincula, which holds the remains of the prisoners executed at the Tower.
Buckingham Palace has served as the official residence and the principal workplace of the British monarch since 1837. It is the best monument in London with 775 rooms, out of which 52 are for the Royals, 19 are staterooms, 188 are allocated as staff quarters, and 78 are bathrooms. The Palace gardens house thirty species of bird and three hundred and twenty-two types of British wildflowers. Changing the Guard, a formal ceremony is held outside the palace every day from April until the end of July in which the New Guard exchanges duties with the old ones.
St. Paul's Cathedral is one of the most famous monuments in London, sitting at the city's highest point. It is an Anglican cathedral, a national treasure, and the mother church of the Diocese of London. The prime attractions of the cathedral include the Whispering Gallery, Golden Gallery, and Stone Gallery. It also houses a spectacular array of art pieces ranging from Sir James Thornhill's gilded dome murals to the delicate carvings of Grinling Gibbons in the quire. You can climb 528 stairs inside the dome to enjoy breathtaking views of the city.
Westminster Abbey is a Gothic church that has been the traditional coronation site of British queens and kings since 1066. It is also the burial site for seventeen famous figures, including Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Laurence Olivier, Charles Dickens, and many others. The abbey features a library and muniment room that houses extensive collections of books, archival material, manuscripts, and more. Royal weddings, funerals, and memorial services are also conducted here on a regular basis.
Big Ben is a massive clock tower and an object of national pride situated next to the Houses of Parliament. The 13.5-ton bell chimes every hour and is also known as the "Voice of Britain." Big Ben was constructed by British architect Augustus Pugin, and it serves as the standard clock of the city. You can enjoy a guided tour of Big Ben and climb the 334 spiral steps to the top of the clock tower. Tourists can also visit the mechanism room to learn how Big Ben's clock works.
Kensington Palace has been a royal residence of Kings and Qeens for over three hundred years. Today it houses the residences and offices of various members of the Royal Family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. You can take a tour of the King and Queen's State Apartments, see the collection of royal ceremonial dresses and walk through the rooms where Queen Victoria spent her childhood.
Marble Arch is one of the most splendid monuments in London, renowned for its elaborate architectural features and detailed carvings. This nineteenth-century triumphal arch was initially constructed to be the entrance to Buckingham Palace. But it was moved in 1851, and it now stands on a plaza beside Hyde Park. Some of the best eateries, like Prezzo and W1 Restaurant, are situated around the Marble Arch. There are also large department stores around the arch where you can find everything from accessories to fashion and food.
Victoria and Albert Museum has been named after Prince Albert and Queen Victoria and is an encyclopedia of British art and history. It's the world's largest design and decorative arts museum, housing a huge collection of sculptures, ceramics, fashion, drawings, paintings, and books from the ancient to the present day. The highlights of the museum include the Cast Courts and Photography Centre, where you'll find copies of Trajan's Column and Michelangelo's David.
Bomber Command Memorial is one of the most famous monuments in London commemorating the martyrs who died during the Second World War while serving in the Bomber Command. The memorial was designed by Liam O'Connor in a classical style using Portland stones. Within the memorial, you can see the beautiful bronze sculptures of a Bomber aircrew.
Nelson's Column is a popular monument in London built to commemorate the courage and resilience of British royal naval Admiral Horatio Nelson. The monument weighs around 2,500 tonnes, and four bronze lions sit at the base of the column. It has slender fluted columns decorated with acanthus leaves and scrolls. The four panels at the bottom of the monument depict scenes from Nelson's four main battles: the Battle of Copenhagen, the Battle of the Nile, his death at the Battle of Trafalgar, and the Battle of Cape St Vincent.
Crimean War Memorial is one of the most admired monuments in London that commemorates the victory in the Crimean War of 1853–56. The memorial comprises three Guardsmen, Coldstream, Grenadier, and Fusilier. Above the group of three Guardsmen, you can see a young female allegorical figure referred to as Honour and Victory. The famous statue of Florence Nightingale is also an integral part of the Crimean War Memorial.
Cenotaph is another popular monument in London that was built to honor the brave men who sacrificed their lives during World Wars I and II. This towering monument has been made from local granite and is sixty-feet high. It features bronze tablets that bear the names of the martyrs from the Straits Settlements who died while performing their duty. Cenotaph was gazetted as a National Monument on 28 December 2010 by the local authorities.
FAQs
What are the best London monuments to visit with kids?
The best monuments in London that you can visit with kids include the National Maritime Museum, the Tower of London, the London Dungeon, and Buckingham Palace.
What is the most famous building in London?
St Paul's Cathedral is one the most famous monuments in London, renowned for its majestic dome and breathtaking architecture. It served as the site of the marriage of Diana Spencer and Prince Charles and even made appearances in Mary Poppins and Harry Potter franchise. The cathedral also houses the tombs of the Duke of Wellington and Lord Nelson.
Do Checkout: Stonehenge Tours
What is special about London?
London is a treasure trove of historical attractions, world-class museums, varied neighborhoods, and royal palaces. It also has the most eclectic nightlife and is dotted with bars, nightclubs, and pubs. There are also ample green spaces like Hyde Park and Kew Gardens. Some of the prime monuments in London include the Bomber Command Memorial, the Tower of London, the London Dungeon, and Buckingham Palace.
How to reach London?
By Air
London has six international airports Heathrow, Luton, Gatwick, London City, Southend, and Stansted. Heathrow Airport is the largest in London, well-connected to all the major cities across the world. The airport is served by major airlines like Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, etc.
By Train
London is well-connected to all the parts of the UK through the railway system. Eurostar offers high-speed service to London and operates between London, Paris, and Brussels.
What is special about Bomber Command Memorial?
Bomber Command Memorial commemorates the brave aircrew who died during the Second World War while serving in the Bomber Command. It features a bronze sculpture of three Guardsmen- Coldstream, Grenadier, and Fusilier.