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London Walking Tour: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, to Trafalgar Square

Free Tours by Foot - London・36 minutes read

Sinead leads a virtual tour of Westminster, covering key sites like Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, and Clarence House, among others, providing historical facts and interesting anecdotes about each location. The tour offers insights into royal residences, landmarks, and historical events, concluding at Trafalgar Square with an invitation to engage with more virtual tours of London.

Insights

  • Queen Victoria was the first royal to reside in Buckingham Palace, reigning for over 63 years until 1901, highlighting the palace's rich history and royal connections.
  • The Westminster tour encompasses iconic sites like Parliament Square, featuring statues of historical figures, and Admiralty Arch, serving as the royal entrance to the Mall, emphasizing the area's deep-rooted significance in British history and royal ceremonies.

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Recent questions

  • What are some major sites in Westminster?

    Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, Clarence House.

  • What is the Changing of the Guard ceremony?

    Five regiments protecting the Queen with specific duty schedules.

  • Where is the Horse Guards Parade located?

    Adjacent to the Mall in Westminster.

  • What is the significance of Parliament Square?

    Houses political landmarks like the Palace of Westminster.

  • What is the history behind Big Ben?

    Bell inside clock tower, named after Benjamin Hall.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Virtual Tour of Westminster's Royal Sites

  • Sinead is leading a virtual tour of the city of Westminster due to current restrictions.
  • The tour includes major sites like Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, and Clarence House.
  • Buckingham Palace was originally Buckingham House, built in 1702 by the Duke of Buckingham.
  • Queen Victoria was the first royal to officially reside in Buckingham Palace.
  • Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years, 7 months, and 2 days, until 1901.
  • The Changing of the Guard ceremony involves five regiments protecting the Queen.
  • The guards serve 48-hour shifts with specific duty schedules.
  • Clarence House is the residence of Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.
  • St. James's Palace is where monarchs' deaths are announced, and it was home to Prince Charles, William, and Harry.
  • St. James's Park is a royal park with animals owned by the Crown, providing a peaceful escape in central London.

14:56

Westminster Park: Historic Landmarks and Churchill's Legacy

  • The park adjacent to the Mall in Westminster spans 57 acres and is home to pelicans gifted by the Russian ambassador to King Charles II over 400 years ago.
  • Tourists can enjoy views of Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade from a popular bridge in the park.
  • The Horse Guards Parade is where Her Majesty the Queen's horse guards are stationed.
  • Visitors are advised not to feed the animals in the park, but squirrels are known to eat from one's hand, especially when food is scarce.
  • Parliament Square houses significant political landmarks like the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons.
  • Winston Churchill's sharp wit is highlighted through an anecdote involving Lady Nancy Astor in Parliament.
  • The Cabinet War Rooms of Winston Churchill, where he commanded during World War II, are a popular attraction with interactive displays.
  • Westminster Abbey, where numerous British monarchs have been crowned, is also the final resting place for influential figures like Mary Queen of Scots and Charles Dickens.
  • Saint Margaret's Church, known as the politicians' church, is where Winston Churchill married Clementine and Samuel Pepys was wed.
  • The Victoria Tower in the Houses of Parliament, named after Queen Victoria, houses parliamentary records and serves as the exclusive entrance for the Queen's annual opening of Parliament.

31:39

Notable landmarks and history in London.

  • William Wallace, of Braveheart fame, was condemned to death in the same building.
  • Big Ben, currently under construction, is not the clock tower but the bell inside it, weighing 13.5 tons.
  • Big Ben's name is believed to be derived from either Benjamin Hall or Benjamin Kant, a bare-knuckle boxing champion.
  • Parliament Square features statues of notable figures like Nelson Mandela, Robert Peel, Abraham Lincoln, and Mahatma Gandhi.
  • The newest addition to Parliament Square is a statue of Millicent Fawcett.
  • The Cenotaph, a British war memorial, commemorates fallen soldiers from all conflicts.
  • The Ministry of Defense building is rumored to have underground facilities and laboratories.
  • 10 Downing Street is the official residence of the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
  • Horse Guards Parade hosts the changing of the guard ceremony daily, with different regiments on different days.
  • Admiralty Arch serves as the royal entrance to the Mall, leading to Buckingham Palace, and plays a significant role in royal ceremonies.

48:04

Nelson's Tragic Death and Monument's Significance

  • Admiral Lord Horacio Nelson, famous for his victory over Napoleon, tragically lost his life in the Battle of Trafalgar, being killed by sniper fire within the first 20 minutes of action. Despite the usual practice of burying admirals at sea, Nelson's highly decorated status led to his body being preserved in a vat of brandy for a three-week journey back to the UK for a state funeral at St. Paul's Cathedral, but the brandy was significantly depleted due to the soldiers on board consuming it during the voyage.
  • The Nazis in World War II had plans to remove Nelson's Column from London and relocate it to Berlin, underestimating Britain's resilience. This historical monument stands in Trafalgar Square, where a more detailed video will be made, showcasing the significance of this location. The Westminster tour, typically lasting around two hours, concludes here, with an invitation to like, subscribe, and engage with the content for more virtual tours of London.
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