The city's roots go back to 43 AD when the Romans founded Londinium (a version of its old Celtic name) on the bank of the River Thames at what is now Southwark. Despite chaos brought on by rebellion by Queen Boadicea in 60 AD and the decline of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, London grew to be the largest city in Europe. From the 6th century, it flourished around two distinct areas, the City of London in the east and the city of Westminster to the west. By the end of Queen Elizabeth I's reign (1558-1603) the capital was home to about 200,000 inhabitants. Conditions were insanitary and overcrowded in 1655 and the plaque (the Black Death) wiped out half of the population. A year later the Great Fire raged through the city and destroyed most of the City of London. The subsequent rebuilding formed the basis of today's modern city. The addition of the overground and underground railways (which opened around 1836 and 1863) improved transportion tremendously around London. World War II bombing and commercial changes since the war has changed the appearance of London once more.

      Buckingham Palace was originally built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham but was later bought by King George III for himself and Queen Charlotte. Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to live in the palace - in 1837 - and it has been the London home of the Royal Family ever since.

Buckingham Palace	Gate into Gardens Park	Queen Victoria Monument

      The Palace of Westminster has been the seat of the two Houses of Parliament, called the Lords and the Commons, since 1265. The neo-Gothic building replaced the original which burnt down in 1834. The four-faced clock is probably the largest in Britain and included the famous 13.5 tonne bell, "Big Ben." Orginally hung in 1858, this vast bell chimes on the hour; four smaller bells ring every quarter hour. The Westminster Abbey is also located on parliament square but I did not have time to visit.

Houses of Parliament	Houses of Parliament	Big Ben

      The Changing of the Guard consist of three officers and 40 men but is reduced when The Queen is away or the weather is bad. The Royal Standard flag flies above the Palace when The Queen is in her residence.

      Trafalgar Square was constructed in the 1830s to commemorate Admiral Lord Nelson who died at the Battle of Trafalgar. The Corinthian column, built in 1842, is capped by a statue of Nelson.

Changing of the Guard	Trafalgar Square	Corinthian Column

      The HMSBelfast is Europe's only surviving Second World War cruiser. It is a gun armoured warship built for the Royal Navy and was launched in March 1938. She served in both the Second World War and the Korean War. She served mainly as a flag ship and her max speed was 32 knots (36 mph). Inside you can visit everywhere from the captain's bridge to the huge boiler and engine rooms well below water level.

Links:

The British Monarchy	Tower Bridge
The Tower of London	The Science Museum