There are many sights of seeing in London. One of the best known and famous places of interest in London is the Tower of London, which has long history. Tower of London is about 1000 year old. During such long history the Tower of London was royal palace, fortress, prison, mint, jewel house, place of execution. The construction of the Tower was begun in 1078 by William the Conqueror. The stones were imported from France and the technique was created by Normans. This style was unusual for Londoners. The tower was built to protect the city from foreign invasion. Besides, the Norman conquering had to be defended from the citizens of London. During next centuries the tower protected the monarchs from other people. The needs of city changed and the tower became the complex of menageries. The collection was began by three cats (lions and leopards), which were presented to Henry III in 1235. By the 18th century the tower became an open attraction. In late 19th London zoo was open and the animals were transferred there from the tower. But still there is so called Lion Gates, which reminds the people about those times. During several centuries the tower was used ad place of execution and prison. The tower of London is also popular because of legends and mystery stories. One of the most widespread legends is connected with two sons of Edward IV. These two boys were imprisoned in a tower with the aim to be defended. Their father dyed and older son had to become a king. But his uncle had another plan. The destiny of boys is unknown till now, as they have vanished from the tower. During the World War Two the tower was also used as prison. Nowadays the tower is used as royal residence and museum of Crown Jewels. This building attracts the tourists from all over the world. The members of royal family do not live in the tower, but there are still many residents there. These residents are ravens. They never leave this place and this fact creates many terrible stories.
The city has also rediscovered its river. The area between the South Bank Arts Centre, which includes the National Theatre, and Tower Bridge, has been brought back to life and the city has found a new heart along the forgotten riverside. As you walk eastwards along the river from Westminster, you will discover that old warehouses have been transformed into galleries, shops and clubs.
Across the river from London Bridge is “The City of London" the financial district of the capital. The City has its own historic delights such as the 15th century Guildhall and churches designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The best way to explore the City is on foot. For instance, you can “walk through the ages", starting from Fournier Street and ending at the modern Lloyd’s building on Lime Street. Remember, however, that in London you are never far away from the past; the old-fashioned red telephone boxes are becoming popular again and many London pubs- where a visitor might ask for a pint of bitter- have been restored to the original Victorian beauty.
But the capital is not only a historical theme park. It is a lively and exciting metropolis which is well-known for its popular culture, music, clubs, street fashion, and visual arts. Today, many of its wide variety of restaurants claim to be as good as in any other European capitals. For example, Marco Pierre White’s highly recommended restaurant at the Hyde Park Hotel is a perfect example of new English cuisine- unusual, sophisticated and extremely expensive. When it comes to shopping, Covent Garden and King’s Road in Chelsea offer a mixture of reasonably priced chainstore clothing and unique boutiques selling everything from rave gear to skateboards.
Shoppers with full wallets and more sophisticated tastes should head for Knightsbridge, where Harrods and Harvey Nichols compete to be the most exclusive department store in London. Much of London’s energy and originality is now centered in Soho, the city’s liveliest and most bohemian area, squeezed in between the department stores of Oxford Street and the bookshops of Charing Cross Road. Soho, once considered one of the dirtiest and most dangerous parts of London, was cleaned up in the early 1980’s. Today, with its gurgling cappuccino machines and pavement cafes, it has become a meeting place for all kinds of people from all over the world, whatever the hour of day or night.
So, even if you are new to the city, you don’t have to try hard on order to experience the real London. Despite its heavy traffic and shaking underground railway, it’s still one of the world’s greatest and most cosmopolitan cities.
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