A detail of some of the towers of the Palace of Westminster (also known as the Houses of Parliament), with the famous Big Ben clock tower in the background. Big Ben is actually the nickname of the largest bell inside the tower; the tower is officially called the Elizabeth Tower and houses the Great Clock of Westminster. The current Palace was built between 1840 and 1870 in the Gothic Revival style after a fire in 1834 destroyed most of the original Palace (parts of which dated from the 11th century).
A detail of one of the towers of the Palace of Westminster (also known as the Houses of Parliament), with the famous Big Ben clock tower in the background. Big Ben is actually the nickname of the largest bell inside the tower; the tower is officially called the Elizabeth Tower and houses the Great Clock of Westminster. The current Palace was built between 1840 and 1870 in the Gothic Revival style after a fire in 1834 destroyed most of the original Palace (parts of which dated from the 11th century).
This statue of King Richard I or Richard the Lionheart is in Old Palace Yard outside the Palace of Westminster / Houses of Parliament. Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death on 6 April 1199 and is best known for his military exploits during the Crusades in the Middle East. The current Palace was built between 1840 and 1870 in the Gothic Revival style after a fire in 1834 destroyed most of the original Palace (parts of which dated from the 11th century).
This statue of King Richard I or Richard the Lionheart is in Old Palace Yard outside the Palace of Westminster / Houses of Parliament. Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death on 6 April 1199 and is best known for his military exploits during the Crusades in the Middle East. The current Palace was built between 1840 and 1870 in the Gothic Revival style after a fire in 1834 destroyed most of the original Palace (parts of which dated from the 11th century).
This bronze statue of King Richard I or Richard the Lionheart is in Old Palace Yard outside the Palace of Westminster / Houses of Parliament. Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death on 6 April 1199 and is best known for his military exploits during the Crusades in the Middle East. The statue was made by Baron Carlo Marochetti, completed in 1856 and has been in its present location since 1860.
View from Parliament Square of the famous Big Ben clock tower, with the London Eye ferris wheel in the background. The tower is part of the Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament. Big Ben is actually the nickname of the largest bell inside the tower, the tower is officially the Elizabeth Tower and houses the Great Clock of Westminster.
The view from the South Bank of the towers of the Palace of Westminster (also known as the Houses of Parliament) at sunset. On the right is the famous Big Ben clock tower, on the left is the Victoria Tower. Big Ben is actually the nickname of the largest bell inside the tower, the tower is officially called the Elizabeth Tower.
Two Scots guards appear to be sharing a sentry box while on duty outside Buckingham Palace. The Scots Guard are one of 5 regiments who make up the Queen's Guard, who are responsible for guarding Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace (including Clarence House). The regiment can trace their origins back to 1642.
Amused tourists watch while an Irish guard has his busby helmet adjusted by a superior officer before the Trooping the Colour ceremony. Since 1748 Trooping the Colour has also marked the official birthday of the British king or queen. It takes place on a Saturday in June and is a major London tourist attraction with parades by the various regiments of the Queen's Guard and Household Division.
A policeman chats with a royal guard in Pall Mall while waiting for the parades for the Trooping the Colour ceremonies. Since 1748 Trooping the Colour has also marked the official birthday of the British king or queen. It takes place on the 2nd Saturday in June and is an important tourist attraction with parades by regiments of the Queen's Guard and Household Division.
A beautiful pink sunset above the London Eye / Millennium Wheel and the County Hall building on the South Bank. The building behind the Eye is the Shell Centre (one of 2 central offices of the Shell oil company).