London. Places of interest

The Houses of Parliament are known to be designed by Sir Charles Barry. They are among the most beautiful buildings in Europe. This is the place where the English Government Parliament sits. The North or Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster is popularly known as Big Ben. The great bell, which, in fact, is Big Ben, was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the Chief Lord of the Woods and Forests, so nicknamed because of his immense physique. The North Tower is 320 feet high. The four clock dials are 22,5 feet in diameter, the hour hands are nine feet long, and the minute hands 14 feet. The bell weighs 13,5 tons and the hammer, which strikes it weighs 8 cwts. It is Big Ben, which chimes the hours to the tune of Handel.

We know the Houses of Parliament to be among the most beautiful buildings in Europe.

The Tower of London was a fortress, a palace and a prison many years ago. Now it is a museum.

St. Paul's Cathedral is also in the West End of London. It is the masterpiece of the well-known English architect Christopher Wren.

Westminster Abbey is famous for its architecture and historical associations. The twin towers were designed by a famous English architect Sir Christopher Wren. In Westminster Abbey English kings and queens are crowned and many famous men are buried there. In Poets' Corner one can see memorials to world's famous poets and writers: Charles Dickens, Kipling, Shakespeare, Burns, Byron, Scott and others.

Buckingham Palace is known all over the world to be the home of Britain's kings and queens. The house was bought by George III in 1762 from the Duke of Buckingham, from whom it takes its name. It was rebuilt by a famous English architect Nash. Queen Victoria was the first to make the Palace her official residence.

Buckingham Palace is known all over the world to be the home of Britain's kings and queens.

Crowds of visitors assemble to see Changing the Guard in front of the Palace. The Guardsmen in their redcoats and bearskin caps exchange duty and march behind the band. In front of the Palace stands the beautiful Queen Victoria Memorial.

Trafalgar Square is named in memory of Nelson's great victory. In the middle of the square stands the famous Nelson Column with the statue of Nelson on the top of it. It is a traditional place of mass meetings.

Piccadilly Circus with its famous central fountain on the top of which stands a statue of Eros, the Greek god of love, is considered to be the heart of the West End. About half a million people is said to pass through Piccadilly Circus daily.

The British Museum is really a history museum. It is one of the most famous museums of the world.

PLACES OF INTEREST

1. What famous English architects do you know? What beautiful buildings were built by them? 2. What English poets and writers can you name? What books by English writers have you read? Where were the famous English poets and writers buried? 3. What is Big Ben? Whom of English musicians can you name? 4. What do you know about the ceremony of Changing the Guard? Tell about it in Russian.

GB

1.What political parties are there in Great Britain? 2. What party is in power now? 3. Who is the Prime Minister? 4. Who is the General Secretary of the British Communist Party? 5. What newspaper is the organ of the British Communist Party? 6. What is the role of the Communist Party of Great Britain?