The church managed to survive the Great Fire of London, which did not reach as far as the City of Westminster. Never the less it was replaced with a new building which was designed by James Gibbs in 1721 and was completed five years later. The design was widely criticized at the time but subsequently became very famous. The church is essentially rectangular, with Classical style and is supported by large Corinthian columns. The tall steeple is topped with a gilt crown…

Soon after being built, numerous 18th century noblemen were buried in the new church, including Thomas Chippendale, the famous furniture maker. Jack Sheppard is also buried in the adjoining churchyard.

The church also had its own Pension Charity, which was established in 1886, and Almshouses. It had 19 trustees who administered Almshouses for women and provided them with a weekly allowance. In 1818 the almshouses were built on a part of the parish burial ground in St. Pancras and Camden Town but were replaced in 1683 with new ones.
The church has also has a very close relationship with the Admiralty and the Royal Family, who belong to the parish.

St. Martin-in-the-Fields is the most famous of all non cathedral churches in London because of its prominent position. Its ethos as the Church of the Ever Open Door in the early 20th Century continues today, even though it is not possible for that to literally to be the case. It is famous for its work with the homeless though. The church is known for its regular lunchtime and evening concerts. Numerous ensembles perform there, including the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields which was co-founded by John Churchill and Sir Neville Marriner, then the Master of Music at St Martin’s. In the Crypt there is a popular Café, where jazz concerts are held. All profits from this go to the work of the church. The crypt is also home to the London Brass Rubbing Center, which is a gift and book shop and art gallery.

A £36 million renovation project was begun project in January 2006. The project includes renewing and cleaning of the church and the provision of social care, parish, music, and visitors, which not only encompass the church’s crypt and a row of buildings to the north including some significant new underground spaces. The crypt and church have now reopened, since the work was completed in 2008. As part of the public fundraising, it is possible to sponsor a pane of glass and Give light to St Martin’s’.

The Prince Regent, who later became King George IV, asked architect John Nash to redevelop the area in 1812. Although he died before his plans came to fruition, Nash had the terrain cleared. Between 1840 and 1845, Architect Sir Charles Barry, better known for Landseer Lion his Houses of Parliament, the new design for the large square was finally implemented.

The Corinthian column is approximately 170 ft. (52 m) tall, including the base. It was built in 1842 and was designed by William Railton, who was chosen from a selection of 124 competition entries. An 18ft tall statue of Lord Nelson stands on top of the column which was designed by Edmund Hodges. There are four large lions which were designed by Sir Edwin Landseer and were added to the base of the column in 1868.

There are two fountains contained in Trafalgar Square, by Sir Edwin Lutyens, which were added in 1939, as well as a large number of statues. Numerous great buildings surround the square. On the north side is the neoclassical National Gallery stands on the north side and was built between 1834 and 1838. It houses a collection of more than 2300 paintings, including work from Claude Monet, Leonardo da Vinci, Renoir, and Van Gogh. The square is bordered on the east side by the Canada House which was completed in 1827. The South Africa House, opened in 1933, is opposite the Canada House.

The St. Martin in the Fields parish church sits of at the north east corner. The church was built by James Gibbs in 1721, has a large white steeple, and was used as an example for numerous churches, particularly in the U.S. It was the first built in the 13th century and is the fourth church at this site.

In 2003, the north side of the square was redeveloped. The area around the front of the National Gallery was redesigned to accommodate pedestrians and a flight of stairs now reaches the museum. This change represents a great improvement from the past when, in order to get to the museum, people had to cross a busy road.

The tower, which holds the bell, is also called the clock tower. The clock itself is immense. Its minute hand is 14 feet long and the figures are 2 feet high while the four dials are 23 feet square. Despite its size and age, Big Ben is an excellent timekeeper and rarely stops. The accuracy of the clock is maintained by using old coins. A light shines from the top of St. Stephen’s Tower when Parliament is in session after dark. At night when the four clock faces are alight, the clock tower looks spectacular.

Timekeeping on Big Ben is accomplished by placing a stack of coins on the huge pendulum. The clock tower managed to survive a bomb destroying the Commons chamber during the Second World War and afterwards Big Ben continued to strike for hours.
The BBC first broadcast the chimes of Big Ben on 31 December 1923, a tradition that continues to this day.
In 1834, fire destroyed the Palace of Westminster. In 1844, it was decided the new buildings for the Houses of Parliament should include a clock and Tower. In 1858, the bell itself was redesigned in Whitechapel and on 31 May, 1859, Westminster first heard the clock ring.

Big Ben cracked just two months later. The bell was rotated to its present position to a section of the hammer that wasn’t damaged section of the hammer and a much lighter hammer was then fitted. This is the bell that we hear today.

Although the origin Big Ben’s name is not known, there are two different theories. The first says that it was named after the commissioner of works, one large man named Sir Benjamin Hall who was affectionately known as Big Ben. The second theory is that it was named after Benjamin Caunt, who, at the time was a heavyweight boxing champion. He was also known as Big Ben and this nickname was routinely bestowed to all things that were the heaviest in its class in society.

The Tower Bridge plans were devised around 1876 when it became extremely crowded in the east of London and it seemed a bridge across the Thames in that area of the city was a necessity. It would take a lot of discussions and another eight years before actual construction of the bridge started.

The bridge was designed by city architect Horace Jones in collaboration with John Wolfe Barry and was eventually completed in 1894. Nearly 450 workers and five contractors were involved in the construction of the bridge which is 265 meter long bridge. It took about 11,000 tons of steel to build the framework. Although at the time many Londoners disliked its Victorian Gothic design over time the bridge became one of London’s most famous symbols.

It was decided that the bridge would allow the passage of large vessels because of its location in direction of the sea and its proximity to the harbor. Therefore a decision was made to create a moveable bridge which could raise and lower to accommodate boat traffic. The mechanism to open the bridge is hidden in the two towers. Steam power was used to pump water into hydraulic accumulators which powered the engines until 1976, when the mechanism became electrified.

Each deck can be opened to an angle of 83 degrees and is more than 30 meters wide. When opened the bridge has a clearance of nearly 45 meters. At one time it was opened as much as 50 times a day but these days t is only raised about 1,000 times a year.

While a favorite tourist activity is taking photographs of the Tower Bridge you can also go inside the bridge and have an excellent view over London from the walkway between the two bridge towers.

Inside the bridge is the Tower Bridge Exhibition which is a display area that encompasses the walkway and the two famous towers where you can observe the Victorian engine room. Visitors can learn about the history of the bridge via films, photos,and other media.

Currently the bridge is undergoing a renovation project that should be completed in 2012. The Tower Bridge may close for several months during the renovations sometime in 2010.

Although in use for the many official events and receptions held by The Queen, the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to visitors every year.

Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms including 78 bathrooms, 92 offices, 188 staff bedrooms, 53 Royal and guest bedrooms, and 19 State rooms. The building is 24 meters tall, 120 meters deep and 108 meters long across the front.

The Palace is the centerpiece of Britain’s constitutional monarchy and very much a working building. It houses the offices of those who support the day to day duties and activities of The Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen and their immediate families.

The Palace is also the venue for great Investitures, State Visits, and Royal ceremonies, all of which are organized by the Royal Household.
Although Buckingham Palace is furnished and decorated with priceless works of art that form part of the Royal Collection, it is neither a museum nor an art gallery.

More than 50,000 people visit the Palace each year as guests to dinners, lunches, receptions, and banquets, and the Royal Garden Parties.

Sometimes used as a second dancing room during Queen Victoria’s reign for various Court gatherings, the Throne Room has a large arch which is supported by two winged figures.

George IV’s palace originally lacked a large room in which to entertain. In 1853 through 1855 Queen Victoria corrected that shortcoming by adding the largest room in London at the time of its construction.
Along the East Gallery is where The Queen and her State guests proceed to the Ballroom for State Banquets which are normally held on the first day of the visit.

Around 150 guests are invited and include High Commissioners and Ambassadors, members of the Royal Family, and other prominent people who have associations or with the visiting country.

The Ballroom has been used variously for performances of the arts, as a concert hall for memorial concerts, and is the normal venue for Investitures of which there are usually 21 a year including ten in autumn, two in summer, and nine in spring.

At Investitures, The Queen (or her majesty’s representative, The Prince of Wales) will meet those receiving British honors, including awarding knighthoods.

From the Ballroom, the West Gallery leads into the one of the first great rooms which overlook the formal gardens which are the setting for the annual Garden Parties that were introduced in 1868 by Queen Victoria.

One of the principal State Rooms on the West side of the Palaces the State Dining Room. Numerous people of note have dined in this room including the 24 holders of the Order of Merit as well as prime ministers and presidents.

The 1850s, the first State Ball was held in the Blue Drawing Room in May 1838 as part of the celebrations leading up to Queen Victoria’s Coronation. This was prior to the Ballroom being added in the 1850s.
Originally known as the Bow Drawing Room, the Music room is the center of the suite of rooms on the Garden Front between the White and Blue Drawing Rooms.

Four Royal babies, Prince William, the Duke of York, the Royal Princess, and the Prince of Wales were all christened in the Music Room by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The White Drawing Room is the last of the suite of rooms that overlook the gardens on the main floor. It was originally called the North Drawing Room and is perhaps the grandest of all the State Rooms. The Room is also used as a Royal reception room for members of the Royal family and The Queen to gather before official State occasions.

Guests pass through The Bow Room on their way to the Royal Garden Parties on their way to the garden. The Queen holds the lunch for an arriving Head of State at the beginning of a State visit.

Most visitors to the Tower of London come to see the Crown Jewels. This is an incomparable collection of gold and silver plate, scepters, swords, orbs, and crowns. In 1649 parliament ordered all of the precious metals, including gold, to be melted down for use as coinage and it was refashioned in 1661.

The Imperial State Crown which is worn by monarchs is set with jewels of great historical significance and antiquity. The oldest jewel is a sapphire originally belonging to Edward the Confessor which is now mounted in the cross patee above the monde which is and believed to have been in a ring worn by him. The great gem above the rim is the ancient balas ruby which is known as the Black Prince’s ruby and said to have been given to him by Pedro the Cruel of Castile.

Queen Elizabeth’s four superb drop pearl earrings hang from the arches but there is no evidence that she ever wore them in this way. At the back of the crown and set in the rim is the Stuart sapphire. Although it is probably much older than its name implies it is known to have been in the possession of James II when, after his deposition, he fled to France. It was originally mounted at the front in the rim, but was later displaced by the Second Star of Africa which was cut from the Cullinan diamond. The Imperial State Crown also contains, in addition to those, over 3,000 fine pearls, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.

Founded nearly a millennium ago and expanded upon over the centuries since, the Tower of London has imprisoned, housed, and protected, and for many was the last sight they saw on Earth.

It has been the living quarters of Monarchs, the seat of British government, the repository of the Crown Jewels, and the site of renowned political intrigue. It has housed bears, lions, and, to this day, flightless ravens, wrongly accused members of the court, knights, clergymen, ministers and lords, and notorious traitors.

The National Gallery was established not for just the privileged but rather for the benefit of all. It has always been committed to extended opening hours, keeping a central London location with access for everyone, and maintaining free admission. It is the Gallery’s position that the paintings belong to the public.

London’s National Gallery displays Western European paintings from about the 1250 to 1900 time period. There are guided tours, audio and visual programs, special exhibitions, and holiday events for adults and children.

In the National Gallery houses the most extensive and finest collections of the world’s greatest masterpieces. These include but are not limited to: Van Eyck (1395-1441), The Arolfini Portrait. A couple solemnly holds hands while the mirror behind them mysteriously illuminates what can’t be seen from the front view; Botticelli (1445-1510), Venus and Mars. Mars is oblivious to the lance wielded by mischievous cherubs while he sleeps exhausted by the love goddess; Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), The Virgin and the Child. This is a haunting chalk and black cartoon is partly famous for having been attacked at gunpoint which is why it now gets extra protection behind glass; Caravaggio (1573-1610), The Supper at Emmaus. A freshly resurrected and cinematically lightened Christ blesses bread in an astonishingly domestic vision from the master of chiaroscuro himself: Constable (1776-1837), The Hay Wain. This is the definitive image of golden age rural England rendered overly familiar by too many greeting cards; Turner (1775-1851), The Fighting Téméraire. This displays the final voyage of the great French battleship into a hazy, livid, sunset:

During the construction of the observation wheel, which took over a year and a half to complete, over 1700 tons of steel were utilized and more than 3000 tons of concrete were poured for the foundations. Accommodating as many as 25 passengers, the futuristic looking capsules were transported from France through the channel by train. Each of the egg shaped capsules weigh 500kg and are 8 meters long. The Czech Republic built the 82 ft (25 m) long spindle. The rim of the wheel has a diameter of 400 ft (122 m) and is about 200 times the size of a normal bicycle wheel. There are 80 Spokes connecting the rim with the spindle.

People can embark on the observation while it is moving because it moves slowly enough. A complete rotation takes about 30 minutes. Passengers have a great 360° view of London, thanks to the construction of the glass capsules on the outer side of the rim. Many famous landmarks are clearly visible, including the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Buckingham Palace. You can see as far as 25 miles (40 km) on a clear day.

You should also not miss the Windsor Castle, the Crown Jewels, and the Changing of the guard. If you have a few extra days, be sure to see Oxford, Strarford-Upon-Avon, the Cotswolds and Bath and Stonehenge.
Diner shows and Dinner cruises are also very popular activities in London. See the Medieval Banquet in London for an entertaining evening with fire eaters and jesters. The infamous Jack the Ripper Tour is also a favorite with many.

The Horse Guard Parade and the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace are free displays of colorful Royal pageantry. In September and August Buckingham Palace itself is open to visitors. Take a look at the clock tower that houses the famous Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.  Other London sights that you must see include the Madame Tussauds, Princess Diana’s memorial, the British Museum, the nearby Tower of London with its colorful Beefeaters, and London Bridge. Of course, you simply must ride on the London Eye, London’s latest landmark. London is also home to some of the world’s finest parks. Should you have enough time, pay a visit to Kew Garden and Hamstead Health and you will feel some peacefulness in the middle of a very busy city.

London is simply brimming with exciting things to do and see. Explore the Tate Modern, soak up the historical sights of the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral, or enjoy the stunning views from the London Eye, explore the amazing collections in museums, such as the Natural History Museum. You also have the option of taking in the history of the city at Westminster Abbey as you experience the past, present and future of this fantastic city.
In London you can experience thousands of years of royal history such as Windsor Castle, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and London Tower Bridge. You can also visit top Museums, such as the British at War Experience and the Churchill Museum, enjoy popular attractions such as Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, HMS Belfast, and London Zoo or take a Thames River Cruise.