Houses of Parliament

The City of Westminster is located in the centre of the Greater London area and is home to many of London’s iconic attractions including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace as well as beautiful parklands such as Hyde Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens which can also be found in the area.  With Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street and Piccadilly all within close proximity, those that love to shop, eat out and take in a show will be in their element in Westminster.

Historic Westminster
Westminster gained city status in 1965 following the establishment of Greater London which comprises of the City of London together 32 London boroughs, however a community of Benedictine Monks lived in Westminster as early as the 960s.

With a church already on the site which is now the location of Westminster Abbey, during the 11th century it was Edward the Confessor who was responsible for the extensive redevelopment of St Peter’s Abbey, as well as the construction of Westminster Palace.

The Abbey was the first example of an English church to feature Norman Romanesque architectural styling, and Edward the Confessor had built upon the Abbey to serve as his final resting place where he was buried following his death in 1066.  The coronation ceremony for William the Conqueror took place at the Abbey later that year, but it was during the reign of Henry III that construction of the present church took place, and since then all British monarchs have been crowned at Westminster Abbey with 16 royal weddings also taking place at the site.

Edward sought to develop the area with the purpose to house the Seat of the Government and in turn attract both power and wealth to Westminster.  Today the City of Westminster is renowned for attracting many of the biggest names in commerce with the likes of BAE Systems, AstraZeneca, Rolls-Royce Group, BP and British American Tobacco choosing to locate their Headquarters within the area.  With a concentration of media and creative organisations found in Soho, the Arts also strongly represented with Theatreland also found within the City of Westminster.

Popular Culture
Due to its political significance Westminster has also been a focus in popular culture.

Films & TV
House of Cards (1990) is a BBC political thriller based on the novel by Michael Dobbs. Set in Westminster at the end of Thatcher’s time in office, Ian Richardson stars as the ruthless Francis Urquhart, Chief Whip who has set his sights on becoming Prime Minister regardless of the obstacles that may stand in his way.

RED2 (2013) stars Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones, with Frank Moses, a retired CIA Agent, on a mission to locate a missing nuclear device with the help of the reassembled team of elite operatives.  Filming took place at the Central Hall in Westminster which was transformed to provide the backdrop of a Parisian hotel.

28 Days Later (2002) directed by Danny Boyle, stars Christopher Eccleston, Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris in this sci-fi horror in which a small group who have survived an devastating virus attack which has spread across the UK, seek sanctuary amidst the destruction and witness the breakdown of society. Scenes from this highly acclaimed film were shot in Westminster.

Books
Winston’s War by Michael Dobbs was published in 2003 and is the first of a series of fictional novels which depict Winston Churchill.  In Winston’s War Dobbs focusses on the issues surrounding the appeasement policies of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, the subsequent fall of Chamberlain and the election of Churchill to replace him.  Winston’s War and its sequel Never Surrender are both set in Westminster.

The Michael Dobbs political trilogy include House of Cards, To Play the King and The Final Cut, with the novels and subsequent television productions all proving hugely popular.  Dobbs received much acclaim for this work and the insight into the political world which it offered both the reader and viewer.

Social Media
Additional information on Westminster can be found on its official website Visit London as well as its Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest accounts.

Famous Faces
Tom Hiddleston was born in Westminster on the 9th February 1981, the English actor is famed for his roles in Thor, War Horse, The Deep Blue Sea and Only Lovers Left Alive.  A popular star of stage and screen Hiddleston has received many accolades including BAFTA’s Rising Star Award and an Olivier Award for Best Newcomer in a Play.

Rachel Weisz was also born in Westminster on the 7th Mach 1970, and has starred in a number of blockbuster films including The Constant Gardener, Enemy at the Gates, Constantine and The Mummy.  Married to Daniel Craig, star of James Bond, Weisz’s has also been the recipient of a Golden Globe, Academy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award.

Carey Mulligan is a British actress who has starred in many period drama’s including Bleak House and Pride & Prejudice in which she played Kitty Bennett, as well as taking roles in The Great Gatsby, The Greatest and Inside Llewyn Davis.  Born in Westminster on 28th May 1985 Mulligan has also received a BAFTA for Best Actress in a Leading for her portrayal of Jenny in An Education, as well as Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Nominations.

Landmarks

Palace of Westminster
Also known as the Houses of Parliament, the Palace of Westminster is the location of both the House of Commons and House of Lords, and is located on the banks of the River Thames.  The Old Palace which once stood on the site was destroyed in 1834 the result of a fire, but had provided the residence of the Kings of London following its completion in the 11th century.

Buckingham Palace

 Buckingham Palace
Queen Victoria was the first of the monarchs to reside at Buckingham Palace in 1837, although it was King George III who acquired what was then Buckingham House in 1761 to serve as a place of residence for Queen Charlotte.  One the most famous buildings in the world, Buckingham Palace was further extended in the late 1900’s with additions including the East Front, the balcony of which is where the Queen and the Royal Family famously greet the gathering crowds.

Westminster Bridge
Westminster Bridge is a Grade II listed structure that spans the River Thames linking Westminster to Lambeth, providing access for traffic and those on foot.  Located between Hungerford Bridge and Lambeth Bridge, Westminster Bridge is mainly green in colour reflecting the seats found in the House of Commons which is in close proximity. Opened in 1862 the arch bridge was the design of Thomas Page, and measures 252 metres in length and 26 metres in width, and is the oldest road bridge in central London.

Image Credit:
http://bit.ly/1miOt6U
http://bit.ly/1rQHkmP

Skyline View of London

As the nation’s capital, London is a city full of world class attractions and endless iconic buildings. Rich in heritage it is home to Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and Westminster with more modern additions to its skyline including the Shard and 30 St Mary Axe, more commonly known as the Gherkin.  With fantastic museums, beautiful parklands, a world renowned theatre district and a wealth of shops, hotels and restaurants, London really does have it all.

Historic London
Londinium was a large walled roman settlement founded in 43AD and today this area is referred to as the square mile and forms the City of London, a city within a city.  Evidence of earlier settlements have also be uncovered in the city dating back to the Bronze Age.  61AD would see the invasion led by Queen Boudica and the Iceni tribe, and a statue by Thomas Thornycroft can be found of Boudica leading the charge at Westminster Pier.  After the invasion much of the settlement had been destroyed, however the area would later see Anglo-Saxons regenerate the area into a successful port.

As the area quickly developed further, trade activity increased rapidly and by the 11th century buildings such as Westminster Abbey were constructed, confirmation of the level of status that London now held. The Abbey would see the crowning of William Duke of Normandy as King of England and it was under his instruction that the Tower of London would be built. In the 12th century, London would be the central location for Government at Westminster with the Tower housing the Treasury.

London would be hit by the Black Death in the 14th Century, which would see a third of its population wiped out by this terrible disease.  1666 would see the city devastated by the Great Fire which began in Pudding Lane and would take a decade to recover from.

The magnificent St Paul’s Cathedral would be completed in 1708 the work of Christopher Wren, the Cathedral remains a breath-taking experience for those who visit this stunning place of worship.

During the 1700’s development of the wider London area was achieved and bridges across the Thames constructed to extend the port area and connect and develop the area now known as South London.  1762 saw George III acquire Buckingham House as a place of residence for Queen Charlotte.  The house would be extensively built upon with the additions of three wings and the East front and became the official residence of the British Monarch by Queen Victoria in 1837.

London was heavily bombed throughout the First and Second World Wars, with many buildings destroyed and thousands of lives sadly lost. But the spirit of its people remained strong and 1948 would see London host the Summer Olympics.

Popular Culture
London is a historic and cultural city, and has also been a focus in popular culture.

Films & TV
V for Vendetta (2005) – Starring Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman, this action thriller focusses on a masked freedom fighter, seeking to overthrow those in charge of the country who are leading with force and fear.  Based on a novel by Alan Moore, the films shows many of London’s landmarks to dramatic effect, including Trafalgar Square and Westminster.

A Hard Days Night (1964) – This Beatles film follows the group from Liverpool to London and features many locations in London including Scala Theatre, the South Bank, Charlotte Street, the Hammersmith Odeon and Les Ambassaduers Club in Mayfair.

The LadyKillers (1955) – This comedy classic starred Peter Sellers, Alec Guiness and Cecil Parker and followed a criminal gang planning to rob a bank, posing a musicians to their unassuming landlady. Set in London, scenes shot in the capital include Argyle Street and St Pancras Station.

Books
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens – the classic tale of the orphan Oliver Twist is world famous, with the child experiencing the harsh life in the workhouse as well as London’s criminal underworld as he encounters the likes of Fagin and the artful Dodger.

Absolute Beginners (1959) – Written by Colin MacInnes and set in London, this novel reflects on life of London’s youth in the capital during the 1950’s, from Mod culture to Teddy gangs, this cult classic went on to become a film success starring Patsy Kensit and David Bowie.

Brick Lane (2002) – Monica Ali’s novel tells the tale of Nazneen who following her arranged marriage sees her moved from her home in Bangladesh to a high-rise flat in London, and the challenges she faces in her new life.

Social Media
Additional information on London can be found on its official website Visit London as well as its Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest accounts.

Famous Faces
Charlie Chaplin – Born in London on 16 April 1889, Charlie Chaplin was a British actor and filmmaker, whose role in The Tramp would lead to international acclaim and a successful film career which lasted for 75 years.

Sir Michael Caine – known for his London roots, Michael Caine was born in London on the 14 March 1933, and is a star of both stage and screen with films such as Zulu, Alfie and The Italian Job to his credit, in a career which has seen roles in over 100 films.

Daniel Radcliffe – Born in London on 23 July 1989, Daniel Radcliffe is famous for playing Harry Potter, his acting career has since included films and stage productions such as The Woman in Black, Equus, and How to Success in Business Without Really Trying.

Landmarks    

Palace of Westminster and Big Ben

Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster is home to the House of Commons and House of Lords, and one of the most famous of London’s landmarks with Big Ben located at the north end of the Palace. The amazing building features perpendicular gothic design and was rebuilt from 1840 following a fire which destroyed the Old Palace in 1834.

Tower of London
Set on the North Bank of the Thames, the Tower of London is a World Heritage Site and has been used as a royal residence, armoury and treasury as well as the previous location of the Royal Mint, in addition to famously being used as a prison from 1100 to 1952.  The Tower guards the Crown Jewels which have been held there since 1303 and can be found in the Jewel House of the Tower.

Trafalgar Square
A popular attraction for tourists, Trafalgar Square commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar and features Nelson’s Column, a monument built to Admiral Horatio Nelson who was killed in the Battle, one of a number of statues which are located within the Square.  The National Gallery can also be found in Trafalgar Square, with the Square’s fountains traditionally a focus for New Year Celebrations.  The Square itself leads to the Mall through Admiralty Arch, with Whitehall and the Strand also close by.

Image Credits:
http://bit.ly/1bDkhxJ
http://bit.ly/1cMMUNq