London By Night Black Taxi Tour

The first records of Buckingham Palace date back to 1701, when it was known as Buckingham House. It was leased from Parliament by the Duke of Buckingham, who was known as Lord all Pride because of his arrogance! Unbeknown to many, when he avoided to pay the architect, the latter threatened to throw the Duke and his wife off the top of the building.

The Tower of London is officially known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London. The castle has been used as a prison from 1100 (Ranulf Flambard) to 1952 (the Kray Twins). Early on it was not just a prison but a grand Palace, and served as a Royal residence.

The Tower of London is officially known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London. The castle has been used as a prison from 1100 (Ranulf Flambard) to 1952 (the Kray Twins). Early on it was not just a prison but a grand Palace, and served as a Royal residence.

There were several phases of expansion, mainly under King Richard I, Henry III, and Edward I, in the 12th and 13th centuries AD. Despite some alterations, the layout today is similar to that of the 13th century. The Tower has also been a menagerie, used for the King’s Wardrobe, and also used for gunpowder storage.

Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock, situated at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, although it is commonly used to refer to the bell, the clock, and the clock tower.

The official name of the tower was The Clock Tower, but it was renamed The Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Designed by Augustus Pugin in the Gothic Revival look, Big Ben opened in 1859 and remains one of the most iconic buildings in London.

The London Eye is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames, and was the highest viewpoint in the United Kingdom until the opening of the Shard. On a clear day it is possible to see Windsor Castle from the top. Originally the Millennium Wheel was supposed to be here for one year only, but has proved to be so popular that it’s become the number one paid attraction in London, with over 3.75 million visitors a year. It has been used for many public events including New Year’s Eve celebrations. It has also been the venue for several weddings.

Westminster Abbey is formally known as the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter, and is mainly Gothic in design. It is one of the most notable religious buildings in the UK, and the place where every Coronation has taken place since William the Conqueror. It has also hosted sixteen royal weddings, and is the burial site of many English and later British monarchs.

The Abbey is a Grade One listed building and a World Heritage Site. It was founded in 960AD. In the 13th Century, under the reign of King Henry III, the Abbey sustained alterations, which is how Henry gained the nick name of Henry the builder. Further rebuilding took place in 1517 during King Henry V111’s reign.

The outstanding features we see today are the two towers that were added in the 18th century by Christopher Wren’s understudy Nicholas Hawksmoor.

The bridges of London have a long history dating back to the wooden bridges of the Roman era. The historical old London Bridge was built between 1176-1209 and was the first stone bridge across the Thames. It was the longest inhabited bridge in Europe, measuring almost 906 feet, and hosted shops, houses, restaurants, and a chapel. Todays London Bridge is the third (stone) London Bridge.

Tower Bridge was built between 1886 and 1894. It is a combined bascule and suspension bridge; ‘bascule’ means see-saw or balance in French. People today refer to Tower Bridge as the Wonder Bridge.

Albert Bridge connects Chelsea to Battersea. Its lighting is the most spectacular sight on the River Thames, and has been used in many films. There was a time when it was very unstable, which is why there is a sign at the foot of the north side of the bridge telling troops to ‘break step’. It is still known as ‘The Trembling Lady’.

The Victoria Embankment runs along the North Bank of the River Thames from the Palace of Westminster to Blackfriars Bridge in the City of London. It is noted for several memorials including The Battle of Britain, permanently retired vessels such as the H.M.S President and Public Gardens, including Victoria Embankment Gardens. Construction took place between 1865 and 1870 under the direction of Joseph Bazalgette. His work influenced the River Thames significantly which is why it is narrowed.

The first record we have of a building on this site dates back to 604 AD under Bishop Mellitus. There have been four Cathedrals on this site. The one seen today was built between 1675 and 1710. Today you can see the masterpiece of Architect Christopher Wren. Wren is also buried under the Dome!

What we refer to as Old St. Pauls was built between 1087 to 1314. St Paul’s was the largest building in the U.K until 1666 when unfortunately, it was lost in the Great Fire of London. The current St. Pauls Cathedral was built in English Baroque style and the height of the Dome is 365 feet high, weighing 65000 tons.

Between the years of 1710 and 1967, it was amongst the highest in the world. It was built on the highest point in the City of London, – Ludgate Hill, and is an Anglican Cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London and Mother, Church of the Diocese of London.