Welcome to London!

A Tour Guide Around London

London is the capital of Great Britain, its political,economic and commercial centre. It is one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. The population of London is about 8 million. It’s difficult to speak about the centre of London as of one definite place. As a matter of fact ,it has a number of centres. London is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End, the East End, Royal London and Knightsbridge.

I.The City,the oldest part of London,is the heart of it, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks,offices and firms are situated there including the Bank of England, The Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few people live here,but over a million people come to the City to work. There are some famous ancient buildings in the City. The most striking of them is St.Paul’s Cathedral. The Tower of London was founded by by Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt by William the Congueror. It was used as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison. Now it is a museum

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Gueen. II.Westminster is a governmental part of London.Nearly all English kings and gueens have been crowned in Westminster Abbey. Many outstanding statesmen,scientists,writers,poets and painters are buried here: Newton,Darwin,Dickens.Kipling,etc. Across the road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace,the seat of the British Parliament. The Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its big bell,known as “Big Ben”. Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Gueen. 10 Downing Street is the home of the Prime Minister. Whitehall stretches fromParliament Sguare to Trafalgar Sguare. It is associated with the government of Britain.In the middle of Whitehall is the Cenotaph,a monument to the fallen in the two world wars of the 20th century.

III. The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London III.The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. It is the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels,shops,restaurants,clubs and theatres are here. It includes Trafalgar Sguare,Oxford Street,Regent Street,bond Street, and the entertainment centres of Soho and Piccadilly Circus.

IV. The East End is the industrial part of London IV. The East End is the industrial part of London. It grew with the spread of industry to the east of the City and the growth of t he port of London.It covers a wide area, and there are many wharfs and warehouses along the river banks. The East End markets are famous throughout the world. Traditionally, someone born in the East End is known as a cockney.

Complete the sentences: London is one of the largest cities in _______ and the largest in _______. It’s population is __________ people. London is situated on the _________of the River Thames. Today in its full ______ Greater London _____ 625 square miles. Traditionally London is ________ into several parts. The City is the __________ of London. The City _______ over an area of about 2,6 square kilometers. The West End is the ______and most ______ part of London. Oxford Street in the West End is the endless________, which attracts visitors from all over the World. There are a lot of ________ and ________ in the East End.

Fill the blanks: London is ______ capital of Great Britain. It is one of ______ largest cities in the world and ________ largest city in _____ Europe. London is situated on _____ both banks of _____ River Thames. The City is __________ heart of London. ______ numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there. It is ______ financial centre of ______ UK. The City is also _______ market for goods from all parts of ______ world. About half ________ million people work there. _______ best hotels, shops, restaurants and theatres are situated in ______ West End. The East End is ____ poorest part of London. There are ________ lot of ________ factories and _________ here.

Trafalgar Square It was built at the beginning of the 19th century to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar. Admiral Lord Nelson’s statue stands on top of a column in the middle of the square. It is a traditional place for people to meet

Westminster Abbey This is a holy place. All English kings have been crowned and buried in the church since 1308.

Westminster Cathedral It was built between 1895 and 1903. This is the seat of the Cardinal Archbishop and the leading Roman Catholic Church in England. Its bell tower is 84 metres high.

The Houses of Parliament This big palace is the most famous building in the world – the British Parliament. The building is 280 metres long. There are more than 1000 rooms.

Big Ben Big Ben, the big clock tower, is the symbol of London. It strikes hours.

Tower Bridge There are 14 bridges on the river Thames. But the most famous bridge in London is a Tower bridge. Tower Bridge is a bascule-bridge. The bascules will open to let ships pass through.

St. Paul’s Cathedral St.Paul’s Cathedral is a famous building too. is the greatest of English churches. It was built in the 17th century by sir Christopher Wren St.Paul’s Cathedral is a famous building too. Prince Charles and Princess Diana married here in 1981.

PICCADILLY CIRCUS A busy square in central London known for the statue of Eros.

The Tower of London was founded in 11th century by William the Conqueror as a fortress to protect London from enemies. It was also a castle, a prison and a zoo. Now it’s the oldest museum.

It’s the largest observation wheel in the world and is The London Eye has become one of the sights of London. It’s the largest observation wheel in the world and is very popular with tourists.

Buckingham Palace This is the Queen’s home. It was built in 1703. There is a great collection of paintings.

Double-deckers There are big red buses called double-deckers in London. People sit upstairs and downstairs on these buses. Tourists like them very much.

Taxis Taxis in London are old-fashioned black cars.

Telephone booths From here you can call your friends.

The River Thames The Thames flows through London. The River Thames is 338 km. long. It is 245 m wide here. Even big seaships can visit London.

Do exercises: Match the sights and their names; Arrange the sentences in the right order and read the text aloud; Read the text and guess what London’s sight it is. Answer the questions.

Match the sights and their names: Buckingham Palace Westminster Abbey Trafalgar Square Tower of London Piccadilly Circus The Houses of Parliament

Tower Bridge Arrange the sentences in the right order: 1) It is next to the Tower of London. 2) This is Tower Bridge, built in 1894. 3) It is one of the famous bridges across the Thames [temz]. 4) It opens and ships go up and down the River Thames.

Big Ben Arrange the sentences in the right order: 1) It weighs 13,720 kilograms. 2) You hear it every hour. 3)It is a big bell. 4) Big Ben is really a bell.

Keys: Tower Bridge: 2, 3, 1, 4. Big Ben: 4, 2, 3, 1.

Read the text and guess what London’s sights it is: 3) It is not far from the Houses Of Parliament. It is a symbol of England. It was founded by St. Peter and built by King Edward in 1065. Some famous people are buried there. 4) They stand beside the river Thames. You can also see them from Westminster Abbey. The country’s leaders speak at this place. The famous clock Big Ben stands near them. 1) It is very old. It has a long and cruel history. You can see it from the river Thames. It is not just one building. Many years ago the Kings and Queens of Britain lived in this place. 2) It stands near the Houses of Parliament. It is really a bell. It weighs 13,720 kilograms. It has a deep tone and you can hear it on the radio. It is a famous clock.

Keys: 1) The Tower of London. 2) Big Ben. 3)Westminster Abbey. 4) The houses of Parliament.