CHAPPIDI ABHIRATH REDDY
C/O COL GKS REDDY
Tour of Central London
Since we had seen most of the important places in Central London on earlier occasions, we decided to utilise the Bright & Sunny day on 05 Sep 2013 to walk through the important roads of Central London, capturing the exteriors of some of the Icons enroute. However, the weather decided to play spoil sport and packed up, as we were nearing Westminister. But the spurts of sunlight in between gave us fleeting moments to take some snaps. We started with Westminister Palace (Houses Parliament)
Palace of Westminister
The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Commonly known as the Houses of Parliament after its tenants, the Palace lies on the Middlesex bank of the River Thames in the City of Westminster, in central London. Its name, derives from the neighbouring Westminster Abbey.
The first royal palace was built on the site in the eleventh century, and Westminster was the primary London residence of the Kings of England until a fire destroyed much of the complex in 1512. After that, it served as the home of Parliament, which had been meeting there since the thirteenth century, and the seat of the Royal Courts of Justice, based in and around Westminster Hall. In 1834, an even greater fire ravaged the heavily rebuilt Houses of Parliament.
The subsequent competition for the reconstruction of the Palace was won by architect Charles Barry and his design for a building in the Perpendicular Gothic style. Major conservation work has been carried out since, to reverse the effects of London's air pollution, and extensive repairs took place after the Second World War, including the reconstruction of the Commons Chamber following its bombing in 1941.
The Palace is one of the centres of political life in the United Kingdom; "Westminster" has become a metonym for the UK Parliament, and the Westminster system of government has taken its name after it. The Elizabeth Tower, in particular, which is often referred to by the name of its main bell, "Big Ben", is an iconic landmark of London and the United Kingdom in general.
Westminister Palace from the Abbey side (Main Entrance side)
The same view in a better Light
Statue of Lord Oliver Cromwell In the palace courtyard
A closer view of the southern Tower of Weatminister palace
A view of Westminister Palace from the Northern side (From the Big Ben side)
Big Ben and a portion of the palace from the River Thames side
A portion of the palace from River Thames side in better light condition
West Minister Abbey
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, is a large, mainly Gothic, church in the City of Westminster, London, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the most notable religious buildings in the United Kingdomand is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and, later, British monarchs. The abbey is a Royal Peculiar and between 1540 and 1550 had the status of a cathedral.
Since 1066, when Harold Godwinson and William the Conqueror were crowned, the coronations of English and British monarchs have been held here. Since 1100, there have been at least 16 royal weddings at the abbey. Two were of reigning monarchs (Henry I and Richard II), although before 1919 there had been none for some 500 years.
Church of St Peter at Westminister Abbey
A closer view of St Peter Church at Abbey from palace side
View of the church in better light conditions
A view of Abbey complex from Palace side
A view of Abbey complex from Westminister Square
Another view of Abbey Complex from the square in better light conditions
Big Ben
Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, and often extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower. The tower is now officially called the Elizabeth Tower, after being renamed in 2012 (from "Clock Tower") to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. The tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower. The tower was completed in 1858 and had its 150th anniversary on 31 May 2009, during which celebratory events took place. The tower has become one of the most prominent symbols of both London and England.
A view of Big Ben from Westminister Bridge
A view of Big Ben from the North
A closer view of Big Ben from the North Direction
The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London, England. The entire structure is 135 metres (443 ft) tall and the wheel has a diameter of 120 metres (394 ft).
It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually.[5]When erected in 1999 it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, until surpassed first by the 160 m (520 ft) Star of Nanchang in 2006 and then the 165 m (541 ft) Singapore Flyer in 2008. Supported by an A-frame on one side only, unlike the taller Nanchang and Singapore wheels, the Eye is described by its operators as "the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel". It offered the highest public viewing point in the city until it was superseded by the 245-metre (804 ft) observation deck on the 72nd floor of The Shard, which opened to the public on 1 February 2013
A view of London Eye from the Northern Bank of River Thames
A closer view of London Eye
A closer view of London Eye with Abhirath
A walk through White Hall Road
Whitehall is a road in the City of Westminster, in central London, which forms the first part of the A3212 road from Trafalgar Square to Chelsea. It is the main thoroughfare running south from the site of the original Charing Cross at the southern end of Trafalgar Square towards Parliament Square. Recognised as the centre of Her Majesty's Government, the street is lined with government departments and ministries; the name "Whitehall" is thus also frequently used as a metonym for overall British governmental administration, as well as being a geographic name for the surrounding area.
The name is taken from the vast Palace of Whitehall that used to occupy the area but which was largely destroyed by fire in 1698. Whitehall was originally a wide road that led to the front of the palace. Trafalgar Square was built at its northern extremity in the early 19th century. The southernmost portion between Parliament Square and Downing Street is named Parliament Street. Combined, Parliament Street and Whitehall cover a distance of about 0.6 mile (1 km).
A Monument to the Women of British Empire, who fought for Britain in WW II (On WH Road)
Hanging Flower pots on lamp posts along White Hall Road
Another Lamp post on White Hall Road
Flower Decorations in front of Shops on White Hall Road
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, an office now invariably held by the Prime Minister.
Situated in Downing Street in the City of Westminster, London, Number 10 is one of the most famous addresses in the world. Over three hundred years old, the building contains about one hundred rooms. There is a private residence on the third floor and a kitchen in the basement. The other floors contain offices and numerous conference, reception, sitting and dining rooms where the Prime Minister works, and where government ministers, national leaders and foreign dignitaries are met and entertained. There is an interior courtyard and, in the back, a terrace overlooking a garden of 0.5 acres (2,000 m2). Adjacent to St. James's Park, Number 10 is near to Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the British monarch, and the Palace of Westminster, the meeting place of both houses of parliament. Earlier, No 10 was open for public viewing. It is closed to public from the time of Margaret Thatcher and under heavy security cover. It can only be seen through the heavy iron gates at the White Hall Road end of Downing Street.
10 Downing Street Main Door (From the Gallery)
Heavy Iron Gates at Entry to 10 Downing Street
Another view of 10 owning Street
The Cabinet Room
The Cabinet Room located in the 10 Downing Street Complex has been the epicentre of Government decision-making ever since 1796 when William Pitt the Younger had two smaller rooms knocked through to create one large meeting room. Every week, the Prime Minister and other senior Ministers meet here, in 10 Downing Street’s Cabinet Room, to make Government policy.
The room has been out of action only twice – during the Second World War and following renovation carried out after an IRA bomb exploded in the garden in 1991, yards away from a Cabinet meeting being held by John Major.
The Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street (From the Gallery)
The Cabinet Room in the 10 Downing Street Complex
The Scotland Office (An Oifis Albannach in Scottish Gaelic) is a United Kingdom government department headed by the Secretary of State for Scotland and responsible for Scottish affairs. It is distinct entity within the Ministry of Justice
The office is responsible for the representation of Scotland in HM Government, facilitating the smooth operation of devolution, liaising between the government and the devolved Government in Edinburgh and the administering of certain reserved matters of government in relation to Scotland.
The Scotland Office next No 10 on White Hall Road
Horse Guards is a large grade I listed building in the Palladian style between Whitehall and Horse Guards Parade in London, England. The first Horse Guards building was built on the site of the former tiltyard of Westminster Palace in 1664. It was demolished in 1749 and was replaced by the current building which was built between 1751 and 1753 by John Vardy to a design by William Kent. Horse Guards Road runs north-south on the western boundary of the parade ground, while Horse Guards Avenue runs east from Whitehall on other side of the building, to Victoria Embankment.
The building served as the offices of the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces until 1904 when the post was abolished and replaced by the Chief of the General Staff. The Chief of the General staff moved to the Old War Office Building in 1906 and Horse Guards subsequently became the headquarters of two major Army commands: the London District and the Household Cavalry. The building is the formal entrance to St James's Palace via St. James's Park (though this is now entirely symbolic). Only the monarch is allowed to drive through its central archway, or those given a pass.
The Household Cavalry Museum is the official museum of the Household Cavalry and is located in the Horse Guards. Visitors can view the horses in the 18th-century working stables through a glazed partition.
The Horse Guards Building (From the Gallery)
At the entrance of Horse Guards Building
Another snap closer to the Horse Guard
At the Main Gate of Horse Guards Building
Trafalgar Square is a public space and tourist attraction in central London, United Kingdom, built around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. It is in the borough of the City of Westminster. At its centre is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base.
The name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), a British naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars over France. The original name was to have been "King William the Fourth's Square", but George Ledwell Taylor suggested the name "Trafalgar Square". The square consists of a large central area with roadways on three sides, and a terrace to the north, in front of the National Gallery.
Nelson's Column is in the centre of the square, flanked by fountains designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1937-9 as replacements for two earlier fountains of Peterhead granite (now in Canada), and guarded by four monumental bronze lions sculpted by Sir Edwin Landseer. The column is topped by a statue of Horatio Nelson, the vice admiral who commanded the British Fleet at Trafalgar.
A view of the Trafalgar Square from the White Hall Road
Another view of Trafalgar Square
The Base of Nelson's Column at Trafalgar Square
Near one of the Lions at the Base of Nelson's Column
National Gallery located at the Northern edge of Trafalgar Square
The Blue Cockerel newly erected on the 4th plinth at the Trafalgar Square. Art works by famous artists are displayed at this plinth. will be removed after 18 Months to be replaced by another work
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing and crisis.
Originally known as Buckingham House, the building which forms the core of today's palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1705 on a site which had been in private ownership for at least 150 years. It was subsequently acquired by George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte, and known as "The Queen's House". During the 19th century it was enlarged, principally by architects John Nash and Edward Blore, forming three wings around a central courtyard. Buckingham Palace finally became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837.
The state rooms, used for official and state entertaining, are open to the public each year for most of August and September, as part of the Palace's Summer Opening.
Entry Gate to Buckingham Palace from Trafalgar Square side (Outer side)
A view of the same gate from Palace side
Guard Changing Drill at Buckingham Palace
The Old Guard in position
Old Guard at the other side of the Gate
New Guard arrives for Relief
Guard Commander arriving for Debriefing / Briefing of Old & New Guards Respectively
Guard Commander Debriefing / Briefing the Guards
Both Guards in Position after the Briefing
Debriefing / Briefing of the Guards on the other side of the Gate
Old Guard Departing, after relief
New Guard in position
Flower Beds at Palace Entrance
Another view of the Flower Beds
Column in the Courtyard of Buckingham Palace
With Jahnavi & Abhirath in front of the Column
Main Palace from across the Flower Bed (From the Gallery)
Main Palace Building in the Background
In front of the Canada Gate at Buckingham Palace
Plaque on the Pillar of Canada Gate
Flower Beds at Rayners Lane Tube Station - Taken while going back home
Flower Beds at Rayners Lane Tube Station
Another Flower Bed at Rayners Lane Station
Note:- The information about the places visited has been Extracted from Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
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