Inspired by the referendum: "Who discovered Great Britain?" Which city is the capital of Great Britain? What is the capital of Great Britain

We asked Google to tell us what questions users are asking about the UK in light of the upcoming referendum to leave the European Union. We have selected the most common questions from residents of the United Kingdom itself, as well as France, Spain, Italy and Germany, and provided answers to them.

Essential questions about Britain in France

When was British democracy born?

The United Kingdom does not have a single, written constitution, but the origins of British democracy can be traced to the Magna Carta, ratified in 1215 by King John. Thus, Article 61 of the document provided for the creation of a special committee of 25 barons, which, if necessary, could override the will of the king. Over the following centuries, the British Parliament, divided into two houses, gradually wrested power from the monarchy.

One of the first documents that legally approved human rights was the Bill of Rights adopted by Parliament in 1689. Further reforms over time expanded the range of people eligible to vote. At first only men possessed it. In 1918, women over 30 years of age, without limited rights and owning real estate, received the right to vote and be elected. 10 years later, the age limit was lowered to 21 years. And since 1969, all citizens over 18 years of age have the right to vote in the UK.

Where is Great Britain located?

Great Britain is highlighted in red on the map.

Who discovered Great Britain?

The exact name of the discoverer has not yet been discovered in the annals. According to recent research, people lived in the territory of what is now Suffolk 700 thousand years ago. That is, 200 thousand years earlier than previously thought. Then “Great Britain was part European continent” and to settle there, you could just go there on foot.

Why do people drive on the left in England?

This is a centuries-old tradition, dating back to the times when people rode horses and used swords. According to the BBC, due to the fact that “about 85-90% of people are right-handed, walking on the right side makes carriages and riders more vulnerable to possible attacks from those moving towards them. Therefore, you should stay to the left so as not to give an advantage to potential opponents and be ready at any moment to meet him with a weapon in your right hand.”

Gradually - in the 18th and 19th centuries - this habit became law, while most of the rest of the world continued to drive on the right side of the road. Today, driving on the left is accepted in 35% of countries in the world.

Basic questions about Great Britain in Germany

Why does the UK want to leave the EU?

The main arguments of those who support secession are that this move will allow the UK to get rid of unnecessarily cumbersome European rules and red tape, regain control over its borders and regain the full sovereignty lost during the process of European integration. You can find out more about this position, as well as the position of opponents of Brexit, in.

How many inhabitants are there in the UK?

The population of England and Wales on census day 27 March 2011 was 56 million 75 thousand 912 people. With Northern Ireland and Scotland, the total population in 2015 in the United Kingdom was estimated at 64 million 716 thousand.

What is the difference between the United Kingdom and Great Britain?

In British terminology, the United Kingdom is a sovereign state in northwestern Europe, consisting of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. At the time of writing, it is part of the European Union. Great Britain is the island on which England, Scotland and Wales are located and is the largest of the British Isles archipelago.

Which city is the capital of Great Britain?

The capital of England and the United Kingdom is London. Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast are the capitals of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively.

Essential questions about Britain in Italy

What are British Conservatives called?

Conservatives in Great Britain are nicknamed “Tory” - this is the name of the party that grew into the modern Conservative Party.

What is the exchange rate between the euro and the pound sterling?

What happens if the UK leaves the EU?

Nobody knows for sure. If exit supporters hope to regain sovereignty, the Bank of England and the IMF warn of serious economic consequences for the UK and the world.

If Brexit supporters win the referendum, the exit will not be immediate. Negotiations to create conditions for Britain's exit will take at least 2 years. The conditions under which other Europeans will be able to remain in the UK will also be determined.

Basic questions about the UK in Spain

What to visit in the UK?

Great Britain is one of the most visited countries in the world. The number of visits in 2014 reached a record 34.4 million after several years of growth starting in 2010. For more ideas, visit the VisitBritain website.

What is Brexit?

An acronym for “Great Britain” and “exit”, a term used to describe what might happen after the vote if the British vote to leave the EU.

Great Britain (Great Britain ) is a kingdom located in northwestern Europe, on British Isles. Full title - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), consisting of four national regions (in fact 4 different countries with its own characteristics): England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Great Britain- these are mountains, lakes, corners wildlife and the sounds of the bagpipes of Scotland; amazing castles and national park Wales; architectural monuments, theaters, museums, art galleries, shops, bars and restaurants in England; unique natural monuments of Northern Ireland.

Great Britain - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

1. Capital

The capital of Great Britain- city London (London ) is one of the largest cities in the world by population, located on a plain at the mouth of the navigable River Thames, near the North Sea. London– an amazing, ancient city, whose history goes back almost 2000 years. Capital It is geographically divided into 4 parts: the City, West End, East End and Westminster. The City of London is the financial and business center of the capital, has the status of a ceremonial county, not subject to royal authority, and is a state within a state. The Bank of England and the London Stock Exchange are located here. The West End is the main entertainment center of the British capital, which houses a large number of theatres, galleries, concert halls, popular boutiques and restaurants. East End is an industrial area located in the eastern part London where he lives great amount emigrants. Westminster Historic District London and political center Great Britain. Here is the residence of British monarchs - Buckingham Palace.

2. Flag

— « Union Jack"("Union Jack") is a blue rectangular panel with an aspect ratio of 1:2. The canvas is crossed by two diagonal red lines with a white outline and a wide red cross with a white outline located on top of them.

  • The straight red cross in the center is the cross of St. George, the symbol of England
  • White diagonal cross - the cross of St. Andrew, patron saint of Scotland
  • Red oblique cross - St. Patrick's cross, symbol of Ireland

3. Coat of arms

State coat of arms of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland represents a shield held by a golden lion and a white unicorn standing on a green meadow overgrown with roses, thistles and clovers. The shield is divided into 4 segments: the first and fourth segment are coat of arms of England(three golden lions (leopards)); second - coat of arms of Scotland(image of a red lion); third - coat of arms of Ireland(musical instrument - harp). Around the shield is the blue ribbon of the Most Noble Order of the Garter with the motto: “ Honi soit qui mal y pense » (« Shame on anyone who thinks badly of it"). Above the shield are a golden tournament helmet and a royal crown, on which stands a golden crowned lion. At the bottom of the entire composition there is a gold-silver ribbon with the inscription: "Dieu et mon droit" ("God and my right").

  • a lion standing on a crown is a symbol of the power of the state
  • Royal crown - symbolizes the monarchy in Great Britain
  • a white unicorn chained is Scotland, subordinate to England within the United Kingdom
  • lion holding a shield - symbol of England
  • roses, thistles and clovers symbolize the unity of the three powers: England, Scotland and Ireland.
  • The Order of the Garter is Britain's highest honor.

4. Anthem

listen to the British anthem

5. Currency

National UK currency — GBP (Pound Sterling) (symbol £ ; bank code: GBP ), equal to 100 pence. There are coins in circulation in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 pence and 1.2 pounds, as well as banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 pounds. British pound sterling is a monetary unit that is also official for Great Britain, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the parallel currency of the crown lands of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man and legal tender for the British Overseas Territories: Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, St Helena. British pound sterling exchange rate to the ruble or any other currency in the world can be viewed on the currency converter below :

6. Great Britain on the world map

Great Britain — Island state, located in northwestern Europe. Kingdom occupies an island Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, the Isle of Man, Wight, the Channel Islands and numerous smaller islands. General UK area amounts to 244,820 km 2 , consisting of 4 national regions: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The country has a land border with Ireland, in the north and west it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, in the east and south by the waters of the North Sea and the English Channel and Pas de Calais.

Great Britain has a large number of rivers, many of which are navigable and interconnected by canals, the largest of which are the Thames, Trent and Severn. In the north of the country there are the largest lakes - Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland, Loch Ness and Loch Lomond in Scotland.

In the north and west, mountainous terrain predominates - the North Scottish Highlands, the South Scottish Highlands, the Pennines and the Cambrian Mountains. The eastern and southern parts of the kingdom are occupied by hilly plains.

7. How to get to the UK?

8. What's worth seeing in the UK?

Here's a small one list of attractions, which you should pay attention to when planning excursions around Great Britain:

  • Big Ben - the main bell of the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster in London
  • British Museum in London
  • Buckingham Palace - residence of Queen Elizabeth II in London
  • Windsor Castle in England
  • Westminster Abbey in London
  • Hyde Park is the largest of London's royal gardens
  • Balmoral Castle - Scotland
  • Warwick Castle - England
  • Stirling Castle - Scotland
  • Houses of Parliament - Palace of Westminster in London
  • The Millennium Wheel is a giant Ferris wheel on the banks of the Thames in London.
  • The Tower of London is a historic castle on the banks of the Thames in central London.
  • Beachy Head - natural monument southern England
  • Snowdonia National Park - Wales
  • Oxford University - England
  • Loch Ness - Scotland
  • Tower Bridge - London
  • Stonehenge is an architectural and archaeological monument in England

9. Largest cities

List of the ten largest cities in the UK:
  1. London(London) the capital of Great Britain— England
  2. Birmingham (Birmingham) - England
  3. Leeds - England
  4. Glasgow - Scotland
  5. Sheffield - England
  6. Bradford - England
  7. Manchester - England
  8. Edinburgh - Scotland
  9. Liverpool - England
  10. Bristol (England)

10. Climate

Climate UK- temperate continental, fairly soft and humid, characterized by warm winters and relatively cool summers. The average summer temperature is +12 °C...+18 °C, and in winter - +4 °C...+6 °C. Features of the weather in Great Britain is instability and heavy rainfall, as well as “heavy” clouds and fogs. The maximum amount of precipitation is observed in the west of the country, where it falls from 1800 mm to 3000 mm per year. In the south and east of the country there are much fewer of them, 600 - 800 mm per year. The driest time is from March to June.

11. Population

Number UK population amounts to 65,373,099 people (data as of February 2017). The ethnic composition of the country's inhabitants differs from other European countries in its diversity: 83% are British, 9% are Scots, 4% are Welsh, 2.5% are Irish and 1.5% are other nationalities (Indians, Pakistanis and Africans). countries). The life expectancy of the female half of the population is 78-81 years, the male half is 74-76 years.

12. Language

State UK language — English , with Scots and two Celtic languages ​​active: Welsh and Gaelic. National language Wales– Welsh, which has equal rights with English. In the territory Scotland They speak three languages: English, Scottish Gaelic and Anglo-Scottish. IN Northern Ireland official official language– English, and Gaelic has the status of a national minority language. With the growing flow of immigrants, other languages ​​began to spread, such as Italian, Greek, Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali and others.

13. Religion

In Great Britain There are two officially recognized churches: Anglican in England And Presbyterian in Scotland. In the territory Wales And Northern Ireland There are no state religions. The predominant religion of the country is Christianity- 71% of the country’s total believing population (Anglicans, Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists). Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Judaism are also practiced.

14. Holidays

UK national holidays:

  • January 1 – New Year
  • January 5 – Twelfth Night
  • January 25 – Night of Bern. Birthday of Robert Burns - Scotland's national poet
  • February 14 – Valentine's Day
  • March 1 – Day of the patron saint of Wales, St. David
  • March 17 – Day of the patron saint of Northern Ireland, St. Patrick
  • moving date in March - April - Easter
  • April 23 – Day of the patron saint of England, St. George
  • April 23 – William Shakespeare Memorial Day
  • May 1 - Celtic Fire Festival - Beltane
  • May 1 - May Day - meeting spring
  • flexible date in August - Edinburgh Fringe Festival
  • movable date in August - Notting Hill Carnival
  • October 31 – Halloween
  • November 5 – Bonfire night
  • November 11 – Day of Remembrance of those killed in wars
  • November 30 – Day of the patron saint of Scotland, St. Andrew
  • December 25 – Christmas
  • December 26 – Boxing Day

15. Souvenirs

Here's a small one list most common souvenirs which tourists usually bring from UK:

  • ties
  • umbrellas
  • books
  • smoking pipes
  • juniper vodka and gin
  • models of a red double-decker bus, Big Ben, Tower and Westminster
  • scarves
  • scotch whiskey
  • porcelain and crystal
  • football paraphernalia
  • tea and tea accessories

16. “Neither nail nor rod” or customs rules

UK Customs Regulations do not restrict the import and export of any currency, but amounts over 10 thousand euros and the equivalent amount in other currencies must be declared (for countries outside the EU).

Allowed:

Persons over 17 years of age can import duty-free (to choose from) 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250 grams. tobacco, 1 liter of strong alcoholic drinks (over 22%), 2 liters of alcohol less than 22%, 60 ml of perfume, 250 ml of eau de toilette. Goods for personal use can be imported for a total value of £145 per tourist.

Forbidden:

The import and export of items of artistic and historical value, drugs, narcotic medications (special permission required), firearms and bladed weapons, ammunition, explosives, poisonous substances, and pornography is prohibited. It is prohibited to import and export without permission plants, flowers, wild animals and birds, various products from rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.

As in all EU countries, to the UK, it is prohibited to import meat and dairy products, including canned food and even milk chocolate candies. Exception - baby food and special nutrition for people with various diseases.

Animals

Pets can be imported only with an international veterinary certificate and a special license obtained no later than six months before entry to the UK.

17. Voltage in the electrical network

Electrical voltage: 230 volts at a frequency of 50 hertz. Socket type: TYPE G.

18. Telephone code and domain name

Telephone code countries: +44
Geographic first level domain name: .uk

Dear reader! If you have been to this country or have something interesting to tell about Great Britain . WRITE! After all, your lines can be useful and educational for visitors to our site "Across the planet step by step" and for all travel lovers.

London is the capital of England(capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain along with Northern Ireland). The city of London is the largest city located in the British Isles. 1706.8 square kilometers is the area occupied by the capital, and more than 8 million people are the population, this figure indicates that this city ranks seventeenth in terms of population on the globe.

For the third time, the capital of England is hosting the World Cup. Olympic Games, the last of which were held in the summer of 2012.

One of the most main feature and the landmark of London is the metro. It is the largest and oldest in the whole world. The London Underground began operating in 1863 on January 10th. The metro has more than 270 stations, some of which are on this moment closed.

With Moscow in the summer there is a time difference of plus 1 hour, therefore, any trips to the capital of Great Britain do not affect the long adaptation process. You just have to get used to the climate, which is why this city is also known as Foggy Albion. It can rain for hours here, there can be a long fog, there is high humidity, and the weather is often windy and chilly. But summer here is almost always quite warm and comfortable. But even if you are going on a trip in the summer, it is recommended to take warm clothes with you.

The city of London was founded in 43 AD. e. at a time when the Romans invaded these areas of London. Historians do not rule out the assumption that before the Romans entered this land, there was already some kind of settlement in this territory, although excavations have not yet confirmed anything, because they have not yet been carried out in the center of the historical part of the city. The city was called Londinium during the reign of the Romans and rapidly developed as Roman Britain.

To many different attractions. The most popular is Big Ben - this is the tallest clock tower, which is considered the symbol of the city. The tower clock began its operation on May 31, 1859. Official name The tower is considered to be the Clock Tower of a certain Westminster Palace or another name is St. Stephen's Tower. “Big Ben” is also the nickname of the Big Ben tower, in honor of the builder Benjamin Hall, who supervised and supervised the process of casting the heavy bell during the entire construction of this tower. There is one interesting fact that the tower once housed a prison and, during the entire period of its existence, only one person served time in it.

Another London attraction is Tower of London- This is one of the very old buildings of the city, which is located on the northern coast of the Thames. Such a fortress at one time served as a powerful defensive fortification and a special residence for monarchs. Today the Tower is a kind of museum and historical monument architecture. Now any tourist can visit the darkest dungeon of the Tower. On the lawn located next to the fortress, crowds of flocks of black crows always fly in, inspiring tourists with a kind of fear that is associated with the secrets and palace coups of England.

Only more than 70% of Londoners live in the whole of London (according to the 2001 census), 60% of the 70% are British, i.e. These are the English, Scots and Welsh, and the rest of the population is European. The remaining 30% of the population are represented by immigrants from the countries of the Middle East, South Asia, and Negroid races (more precisely, they are Caribbean and African). In addition, the Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese are also considered citizens of the capital.

London is the brilliant capital of the United Kingdom. This is a place that is especially worth visiting. This is the birthplace of all parliaments and, perhaps, the most famous royal family in the whole world. London has all the attributes of a world-class city, whose charm lies in the combination of complete opposites. London is the political, economic, commercial and cultural center of Great Britain.


Geography

London is located on flat terrain, on both banks of the River Thames, surrounded by small hills and forests. The city occupies more than 1,500 square kilometers, and together with its suburbs it makes up the largest European agglomeration. The general geography of the city is quite flat, with slight differences in elevation - highest point is located in the southeast and reaches only 245 meters above sea level. The plane of the plain is dissected not only by the main navigable river, but also by many tributaries, only some of which are collected in sewers under the areas of the British capital. Most of the small rivers flow through green areas designated as parks and recreational areas. Of great importance is the fact that in the mid-20th century it was decided to limit the spread of development to green spaces - therefore, an almost continuous forest area was built around London. London is located on the prime meridian, called Greenwich, from which all time zones on the planet originate. The starting point is the Greenwich Observatory. The time difference with Moscow is +3UTC (that is, in Moscow the time is three hours longer). Geographically, the British capital is made up of historical districts that have been formed throughout the existence of London, as well as due to the characteristics of the area. If you look at the city from space, it is quite compact and practically corresponds to a circle centered around Old London. Administrative division- municipalities and districts (the so-called boroughs), of which there are 32, as well as the City district, which has a separate status.

London climate

The greatest influence on the weather conditions of the city is exerted by the warm Atlantic Gulf Stream, thanks to which the climate of the British capital is defined as temperate maritime. A short distance from the ocean ensures fairly mild winters and warm summers. The winter months in London can only be determined by the calendar, as the average air temperature ranges from +5°C to -3°C. In history, the lowest figure reached only -16°C. Winter in the British capital is more similar to the same period in the subtropical regions of the planet. The spring months are characterized by slight temperature changes with no frosts or heavy precipitation. During the year, the thermometer rarely drops below 0°C and occurs between November and March. Almost all months of the year have an equal level of rain, and therefore are not divided into any specific periods. Summer in London is moderate and not hot - the average temperature is around +22-23°C, with rare periods of July and August, when the possible maximum reaches +37°C. But this does not happen often and hot weather lasts no more than a few days. Autumn begins in October and lasts almost until mid-December. This season is characterized by a gradual decrease in temperature and rare night frosts. Autumn in the British capital is practically no different from other seasons in terms of precipitation, and sometimes a storm or storm is possible.

When is the best time to go to London?

Spring and summer are warm seasons, when ordinary clothes are enough to visit all the sights. The blooming gardens, parks and royal reserves attract many tourists with their incredible colors and diversity. The hot summer months can be diluted with a trip to the city beaches, as the Thames warms up almost at Mediterranean Sea and gives a pleasant bathing experience. The length of the day in summer allows you to walk more during daylight hours. Autumn and winter also attract tourists - pleasant weather does not require special clothing, as in the Russian capital. In addition, infrequent snowfalls leave virtually no traces on city streets - utility services carefully monitor this. There is no feeling of winter in London, since warm air masses from the Atlantic Ocean completely neutralize the effects of frost.

Story

The main British city is many hundreds of years old, as it dates back to the ancient Roman fortress of Londinium, the remains of which can still be seen in the form of ruined remains of fortifications. The Anglo-Saxon period of the 6th and 7th centuries is characterized by the fact that London became the main residence of the king and began to be intensively built up. The most significant examples of architecture of that time are the Tower, Westminster Abbey and the old Palace of Westminster. It was during this period that the English capital was divided into two areas - the city itself, which is now known as the City; former island Thorney, who became Westminster. The year 1216 is chronicled as the last time the city was captured by foreign forces, and this saw London develop rapidly and vigorously while remaining secure. The greatest losses for London were brought by the Great Plague of 1666 and the subsequent Great Fire, which destroyed both the population of the capital and almost all wooden buildings. After this, a decree was issued that all buildings in London should be made of stone. In memory of the victims of the disease, a Plague Column was erected in the city center.

By the beginning of the 18th century, London finally became the world's financial and commercial capital, which was greatly facilitated by fairly loyal laws and the authorities' predisposition to everything new. At this time, the Bank of England and the East India Trading Company opened - ensuring the colonial development of Britain and the entry of new types of goods into London. Various scientific institutions are opening, including the Greenwich Observatory. Having established itself as the capital of Great Britain and the largest city in Europe, London began rapid development in the 18th and 19th centuries. Almost all major architectural monuments date back to this period - Buckingham Palace and St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge and Trafalgar Square, Albert Hall and London Bridge. The first railway was opened in the city in 1836, the first metro was opened in 1863, and by the end of the 19th century the entire city was surrounded by an extensive sewerage system. In the 20th century, during the First and Second World Wars, the British capital was subjected to air raids and bombings several times, which left a mark on the development of London, but did not have any tangible impact on its development. Being a relatively safe haven, the city continued to attract emigrants from Europe. London is the only city in the world that has hosted the Olympic Games three times.


London Attractions

  • One of the oldest and most famous landmarks in the city is the Tower of London, founded by William I. Over the course of history, it has been a fortress, a royal palace, a state prison and an arsenal. Now the Tower is a unique museum where you can experience past centuries and touch the walls that witnessed many tragic events in British history. There is an exhibition of weapons and life-size figures of kings on horseback. All exhibits can be examined carefully - they are not placed in glass cases, and interactive conditions allow you to get closer to historical times.
  • The collegiate church of St. Peter is called Westminster Abbey. This is where the monarchs of Great Britain are crowned. Construction (with interruptions) lasted from 1245 to 1745. Famous writers and poets are buried in the abbey, next to the royal tombs. Here lies the immortal author of The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer, Robert Browning, Alfred Tennyson, Lord Byron and many others.
  • The Palace of Westminster is the building where meetings of the British Parliament are held. After the fire that happened in 1834, the palace was rebuilt. The construction of the complex was carried out on the old Westminster Hall, as well as the remains of St. Stephen's Chapel with a crypt. The old palace survived several fires and was destroyed during the Second World War. Recent restoration work led by Charles Bury has revealed the original use of golden yellow sandstone in the palace's construction.

  • Trafalgar Square is the main square and geographical center of London. It was named in memory of Admiral Nelson's victory over Napoleon's fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery.
  • Madame Tussauds Wax Museum has its own interesting story. This woman lived at the court of Louis XVI and created wax figures of everyone famous people executed during the French Revolution. These exhibits were presented at the first exhibition in 1835. Since then, the collection has been constantly expanding - life-size statues of politicians, artists and celebrities are depicted, who often donate their own clothes for their wax doppelgängers.
  • Another very important and significant landmark of London is the London Eye - one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world (its height is 135 meters). This attraction is relatively new; the wheel was built in 1999 (in honor of the new millennium), and the first launch was carried out in 2000. From the highest point of the wheel you can see the entire city. The ticket office and café are located in former building County Hall. One lap (including boarding and disembarking) takes approximately half an hour. On clear days, visibility is up to approximately 40 kilometers. These days, the London Eye is one of the most visited tourist attractions. The trip should be made in the first half of the day to enjoy the best illumination of the city. Don't forget to bring binoculars and a camera on this exhilarating journey!

  • The docks were considered dangerous areas of London. Edgar Wallace describes these life-threatening places in the famous work about Jack the Ripper. However, these days these places are very attractive to tourists. The area has a great selection of old classic pubs. The revival of the docks shows what metamorphoses occur with old buildings in the context of modern architecture. A good example of such a transformation is the Hays Galleria.

Events and festivals

The multinational appearance of London, the mass of ethnic groups and the influence of diverse cultures have led to the fact that the city traditionally has many purely English holidays, as well as all kinds of events that almost never stop:

  • January - The grand New Year's parade begins on the 1st, in which dozens of musical groups take part. The procession passes through the city center and ends with a large fair. At the end of January, as a rule, Chinese is also celebrated grandly. New Year in Chinatown.
  • February - London Fashion Week starts in the middle of the month, where all the famous couturiers of the world are presented. It is not for nothing that the British capital is considered one of the capitals of fashion, as many famous brands work here, for example, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney.
  • March is the famous St. Patrick's Day, which stretches for almost a week of festivities. During the festival, various festivities, parades, fairs, processions and other entertainment events are held. The ancient Celtic holiday of the Spring Equinox on the night of March 21 is also vividly celebrated. The last week of the month is the Head of the River, a traditional rowing competition held on the Thames.
  • April is famous for the most popular and large-scale London Marathon, as well as elite events - the London Golf Show and an antiques exhibition. April is the time of the Easter holidays, which are marked by fairs, festivities, festivals and concert events.
  • May - starts with MayDay - a simple reason to relax in nature with friends. On this day, picnics and fun are organized in numerous parks in London. The Chelsea Flower Show is the most iconic event of spring and the largest in the world. The FA Cup final is held in May famous stadium Wembley, International Theater Festival, three-week Festival of Opera and Musicals in Covent Garden.
  • June - on the first or second Saturday of the month, when the weather permits, the most important British holiday is held - the Queen's Birthday. There are two events in the Tower Hamlets and Islington area in June. music festival- the first is dedicated to classical and ethnic music; the second - to the modern direction in music and theater.
  • July - famous for free morning concerts as part of the City Festival. In the same month, the prestigious Wimbledon tennis tournament, a flower show in Hampton Court, and a festival of emerging performers in East Barnet take place. The oldest regatta in the world, Dogget`s Coat and Badge, starts in mid-July. The Soho Festival surprises with its original concerts and championships. One of the most beautiful events is the “Swan Upping” ceremony, which usually takes place on July 20-24 and has long historical roots.

Ceremony "Raising the Swans"

  • August - the last month of summer is famous for one of the largest Festivals of Caribbean culture in Notting Hill, as well as the opening of Buckingham Palace to visitors in last days August.
  • September - early autumn will be marked by a grandiose and traditional boat parade on the Thames, when boats from different eras are presented to the attention of spectators. Also in the first autumn month, another Fashion Week is held in the city.
  • October - this month is famous for the opening of the Parliament session - or rather, the Queen’s official passage through London and mass street events. There is also the London Restaurant Festival, which brings together chefs from all over the world. The end of the month is marked by the beginning of the International Film Festival.
  • November - Food festival and opening of the ice sculpture exhibition in Hyde Park. In November, Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night are traditionally celebrated, which are famous for torchlight processions and burning of effigy, fireworks and festivities. Since 1215, there has been an annual Lord's parade.
  • December is the time of Christmas and preparation for it. Fairs and festivals begin almost from the first days and last until the New Year's parade.

Restaurants and cafes in London

London is a city of many cultures and nationalities, so finding cuisine from any country here is not difficult. The rich colonial past and close ties with the Commonwealth countries mean that in the British capital you can try almost any dish that exists in the world. It is very remarkable that gourmets can use guidebooks and find a variety of catering establishments for themselves:

  • national cuisines - in addition to standard types, for example, French or Chinese, you can taste dishes of regional cuisines. Thus, lovers will be able to try Celtic dishes, African food, a variety of Indian cuisine, Scottish or Irish food.
  • branded restaurants - in an expensive business city or in the area of ​​fashionable boutiques, you can visit establishments with signature cuisine, many of which are marked with Michelin signs. For example, The Ledbury, Gastron home and many others.
  • establishments of the middle price category - located in tourist centers, shopping and entertainment complexes, in the cozy streets of the Inner City.
  • cafes can be found anywhere and everywhere - from huge business centers to parks. In addition to chain establishments like McDonald's, there are a lot of small cafes that offer original and inexpensive dishes, drinks and desserts.
  • pubs - you can’t go to London without visiting at least one beer establishment. Their popularity is so great that even in the City you can find them on almost every corner. Pubs typically serve a variety of British beers, as well as stronger national drinks.

Shopping

London is a universally recognized center of world high fashion, but shopping here can be done in completely different ways. Price categories will also allow everyone to buy the things they like. Brand boutiques, salons, multi-brand stores, outlets - all this can be easily found in the British capital. Shopping centers Harrods, Selfbridges, Liberty, Covent Garden Market are popular among tourists, as well as the most central streets for shopping - Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly. But the most important thing is still the souvenirs that can be bought in specialized stores, at street vendor stalls, and in large shopping and entertainment complexes. To remember London, in addition to the standard set of postcards or a refrigerator magnet, you can buy:

  • English tea - traditional drink, which is strongly associated with London. There are a lot of companies in the city that have more than a century-old history of tea production and offer gift and souvenir packaging with an exquisite drink.
  • attributes sports clubs and universities - there are many of them in the British capital, and therefore for everyone you can find a scarf, sweatshirt, cap, flag with an image and inscription, for example, of the Chelsea Club or Oxford University.
  • figurines - London landmarks in the form of small copies that everyone will like. Here are the famous guardsmen, Big Ben, a red telephone booth, a double decker, and other options. Most are made in the form of piggy banks, caskets, cases, so they will also bring benefits to their owners.
  • cult things - remember that London has a lot of museums and other iconic places. Museum of Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes, the Beatles, where they always sell a lot of different souvenirs.
  • scarves, umbrellas, shawls - these things have always been very important for Londoners, they can be bought in different corners cities.

How to get to London?

The easiest and most convenient way to travel to London is to use airlines. Near the British capital there are two largest international airports - Heathrow and Gatwick, as well as 4-5 small air terminals that accept international flights. Almost all airlines in the world provide flights to London, as it is also a major transit hub. You can choose different flight options - from business class to low-cost. All airports are located quite close to the city and have developed connections through ground, underground and railway transport. The second travel option is by train under the English Channel. London can be reached by high-speed rail from Paris or Brussels, from where trains run to the British capital. Usually the trip does not take much time and passes through a unique architectural object - an underwater tunnel. You can also get to London by car, but you will have to travel all over Europe and take a ferry to cross to the islands. In addition, entry into the city is limited due to smog and air pollution, and the cost of entry is quite high, so you will have to leave the car in the suburbs.

Transport

The city is famous for the fact that the metro first appeared in it and to this day it is considered the most modern and one of the most extensive in the world. If you look at the map of London, there are stations in almost all significant and important places, and the metro covers almost all residential areas. Distinctive feature The London Underground is that its cost depends on the travel distance, and the direction is determined by the cardinal points - for example, at the transfer hub it will be written “to the South-West” or “to the North”. The next popular type of public transport is the famous double-decker buses - “double deckers” - painted in the traditional red color. They travel throughout the city, but are more common in the center and surrounding areas. Taxis are represented by many private companies that use a wide variety of vehicles. But the black “cab” is considered traditional - a car of original design with a high body. Since cabs are in great demand, you can only call one by phone, and you won’t be able to catch one on the street. Car rental in London is represented by several dozen companies, but the entire center has entry restrictions with a significant fee, and parking will require additional funds. Even Londoners themselves try to use public transport, which is cheaper and does not stand idle for hours in traffic jams.

Accommodation in London

The huge metropolis provides hundreds of accommodation options that will suit any traveler, businessman or tourist. Hotel industry, as in most major cities represented by different places to stay:

  • 5-star hotels are represented by ancient residences and buildings that belong to chain brands - The Kensington, The Savoy, Royal Garden Hotel.
  • 4-star hotels also have a high level of service and are often located in the very center of the city - Hilton London Paddington, The Rubensatthe Palace, Hilton, Marriott, Novotel chains.
  • 3-star hotels make up the main hotel stock and can be located both in ancient mansions and in modern buildings throughout London - the Premier Inn, Holiday Inn, Ibis chains.
  • In addition, the British capital has hundreds of offers from 2-star small hotels, family hotels, apartment rentals and hostels.

For any tourist you can find inexpensive accommodation located in historical center or nearby. In some cases, the quality of service is quite low, but if you are traveling to walk and visit attractions, then this will be quite enough - especially for students and young people.

Connection

The capital of Great Britain has a very high level of Internet provision in public places - from hotels to large shopping centers and parks. All establishments are equipped with a Wi-Fi network. Telephone communication is provided by the GSM standard for mobile operators and conventional landline phones for domestic and international communications. Roaming in the UK is quite expensive, so it is recommended to purchase a card from a local company or use a regular phone for calls, both locally and abroad. Most often, tourists use the Internet to negotiate with relatives, but no one will deny themselves the pleasure of using a traditional red pay phone booth.

1. The best and fastest way to get to know London is a bus tour, especially if you have little time.

2. It’s not bad to go shopping in London for fun. The main shopping streets are Region Street, Oxford Street and Pont Street. It is worth knowing that it is best to go shopping on weekdays, in the first half of the day, since stores are open on weekdays until 18:00, and only large shopping malls are open on weekends.

3. For those who want to buy something, London is considered a paradise where even the most incredible desires come true. Near Oxford (40 minutes' drive from London) there is one of the largest discount centers in England, Bicester Village.

4. If your stay in London will take more than three days, it is worth purchasing an Oyster travel card. It will allow you to save significantly on transport.

5. If you come to London for a couple of days, then seeing as many sights as possible will help you sightseeing bus"Hop-on, hop-off" systems (come in, come out). The essence of the system is that you can get acquainted with the main attractions of the city through which the bus route arrives. You have the opportunity to get off the bus at any stop, see the sights, and then get on the next bus (they run every 15 minutes).

6. Most museums in London are open from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays, and on weekends from 14:00 to 17:00.

7. You should definitely know that smoking is prohibited almost everywhere in London, and all parks and squares are closed at night.

8. For those who want to save money in London, a list of some free attractions will be useful: British Museum, National Gallery, Houses of Parliament, Tate Britain and Whitechapel Gallery , Temple Church.

London on the map, panorama

London is capital United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the most big city on the British islands. The city covers an area of ​​1560 km2. Conurbation (the unification of municipal areas connected by the economy and transport network) of Greater London forms a special administrative unit - the metropolitan county.

The capital of Great Britain located 64 km from the mouth of the Thames River. Greater London, consisting of the City and the 32 municipal districts surrounding it (boroughs), occupies most lowlands between the Chiltern Hills and the North Downs. The bordering ridges, formed by Cretaceous limestones and reaching a height of 240 m, gently descend to the Thames Valley. The historic quarters of London are built on a pebble terrace, the height of which is approximately 15 m above the river edge. The lowland between the mountains was formed in the trough of the Cretaceous relief due to the deposition of Tertiary clays. Most of London's suburbs were built in areas of these deposits. Other areas were formed in areas composed of pebbles and coarse sands, and, since these areas were suitable for grazing, they remained undeveloped until our time, when they began to be used as recreational areas. London is supplied with water mainly from the Thames and its northern a tributary of the River Lea, as well as due to large reservoirs in the valleys of these rivers and the chalk aquifers located south of the Thames. At the end of the 20th century. Sewage pollution in London's main river has decreased due to improved treatment systems. Until the middle of the last century, only eels were found in the Thames within the city, but by the early 1980s. other species of fish began to return. To protect against flooding in central London, embankments were built and a barrier was erected across the Thames below the city, near Woolwich. The London basin receives much less rainfall than other areas of the UK - about 500 mm per year, but half the days of the year are cloudy , foggy weather and raining. London summers are warmer than in the rest of England, but there is practically no heat - the average temperature in July is about +20 ° C. Winters are quite cold, the soil is frosty for about 100 days a year, but even in January the temperature rarely drops below 0 ° C, and since 1814 the River Thames in London has never frozen. Spring in the English capital is the most unpredictable time of the year, when weather changes occur literally before our eyes. The shape of the basin in which London is located causes frequent fogs that form in winter and autumn. For a long time, London's famous smog had a thick, dirty yellow color due to the use of coal for heating.