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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.30mi , Attraction : Historic Landmark
Map Pin
67 A302, London SW1A 2PW, UK
POI 1 Tour Image
Big Ben and Parliament
Before we get started here on Bridge street, if anyone needs to use the restroom, the City Loos are to your right next to the statue of Boadicea the Celtic Queen.

Ok, now turn around. Westminster Bridge is one of London’s most famous and historic river crossings, connecting the north and south banks of the River Thames, near some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The bridge provides a scenic route between the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben on the north side and the vibrant South Bank, home to attractions like the London Eye, on the south side.

The bridge is painted in green, reflecting the color of the benches in the House of Commons, as opposed to the red benches of the House of Lords, symbolized by the neighboring Lambeth Bridge. Featuring seven elegant iron arches, Westminster Bridge is a fine example of Victorian engineering, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal.

No face forward, and tilt your heads upwards. Yup, that’s Big Ben. Officially known as the Elizabeth Tower, it is part of the Palace of Westminster, home to the UK Parliament. The name "Big Ben" originally referred to the great bell inside the tower, but over time, it has come to symbolize the entire structure.

The tower was completed in 1859 and was designed by architect Charles Barry in collaboration with Augustus Pugin, as part of the Gothic Revival style renovation of the Palace of Westminster after a devastating fire in 1834. It stands approximately 316 feet (96 meters) tall and houses a clock renowned for its precision and grandeur.

Big Ben’s great bell chimes the hours, with its distinctive sound heard far and wide. The clock mechanism itself is a feat of Victorian engineering, and its four clock faces are illuminated at night, making it a striking sight against the London skyline.

In 2012, the tower was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, celebrating her 60 years on the throne. After extensive renovations, completed in 2022, Big Ben has been restored to its original splendor, ensuring it remains a beloved symbol of London for generations to come.

The Palace of Westminster, commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, is a stunning Gothic Revival structure and is the home of the United Kingdom’s Parliament, comprising the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The site has been central to British governance for over 1,000 years, originally serving as a royal residence in the Middle Ages. The current building was constructed following the devastating fire of 1834, which destroyed much of the original palace.

Key features of the palace other than Big Ben, are the Victoria Tower, and the Central Lobby, a grand meeting point for members of Parliament. The House of Commons and House of Lords chambers are the heart of British democracy, where debates and legislative processes shape the nation’s future.

Read More

  https://www.parliament.uk/bigben/
Place #2
Distance: 0.26mi , Attraction : Historic Event
Map Pin
1 Horse Guards Rd, London SW1A 2HQ, UK
POI 2 Tour Image
Gunpowder Plot of 1605
As we come up upon the statue of Churchill on the left, allow me to tell you about one of the most infamous events in London’s history; The Gunpowder Plot of 1605. So, what happened? It was a failed attempt by a group of Catholic conspirators to assassinate King James the first of England and blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament, in a bid to end Protestant rule and restore Catholicism in England. The plot is one of the most famous events in British history and is still remembered every year on Guy Fawkes Night (November 5), when bonfires are lit, and fireworks are set off.

The plot was masterminded by Robert Catesby, a Catholic gentleman who was frustrated with the harsh treatment of Catholics under King James I, who had not fulfilled his promise to grant religious tolerance. Along with Catesby, the conspirators included several other men, the most famous of whom is Guy Fawkes, a former soldier and explosives expert. The plan involved placing 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar beneath the House of Lords, intending to detonate them when the King, his family, and many members of Parliament were present during the State Opening.

The plot was foiled due to a last-minute tip-off. On the night of November 4, 1605, authorities searched the Parliament building and found Fawkes guarding the explosives. He was arrested and tortured, and he eventually gave up the names of his co-conspirators. They were quickly hunted down, and many were either killed in the ensuing battles or executed.

The failure of the Gunpowder Plot led to severe anti-Catholic sentiment in England, and the event was commemorated annually with bonfires and fireworks to celebrate the King’s survival. This tradition eventually became Guy Fawkes Night, a popular event in British culture. Fawkes, the most notorious of the plotters, became the symbol of the conspiracy, and his face is often seen on effigies burned on bonfires during the celebrations.

Despite the historical significance of the Gunpowder Plot, its failure reaffirmed the Protestant establishment in England, and its legacy continues to shape British national identity and memory.

Continue on as Bridge street becomes Great George Street.

Read More

  https://www.history.com/topics/european-history/gunpowder-plot
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Big Ben and Parliament
Map Pin Place 2 Gunpowder Plot of 1605
Map Pin Place 3 Pubs
Map Pin Place 4 Cockpit Steps
Map Pin Place 5 St. James's Park
Map Pin Place 6 Spur Road
Map Pin Place 7 Queen Victoria Memorial
Map Pin Place 8 Buckingham Palace
Map Pin Place 9 Canada Gate
Map Pin Place 10 Green Park
Map Pin Place 11 The Mall and St. James Palace
Map Pin Place 12 Fable
Map Pin Place 13 Horse Guards Memorial
Map Pin Place 14 Horse Guards Parade
Map Pin Place 15 Admiralty Arch
Map Pin Place 16 Trafalgar Square
Map Pin Place 17 National Gallery
Map Pin Place 18 Architecture
Map Pin Place 19 Portland Stone
Map Pin Place 20 Strand
Map Pin Place 21 West End Theatre District
Map Pin Place 22 "Houses"
Map Pin Place 23 Royal Courts of Justice
Map Pin Place 24 Sweeney Todd and The Old Bank
Map Pin Place 25 Knights of Templar and Temple Church
Map Pin Place 26 Fleet Street
Map Pin Place 27 Tube
Map Pin Place 28 Food Court and Dining
Map Pin Place 29 St. Paul's Cathedral
Map Pin Place 30 Churchyard
Map Pin Place 31 Story Time
Map Pin Place 32 Church of St. Mary-le-Bow
Map Pin Place 33 St. Lawrence Jewry
Map Pin Place 34 Guildhall
Map Pin Place 35 A Dickens Tale
Map Pin Place 36 The Royal Exchange and Bank of England
Map Pin Place 37 Peabody Statue and Dining
Map Pin Place 38 St. Michael's Alley and First Coffee House
Map Pin Place 39 George and Vulture
Map Pin Place 40 Directions
Map Pin Place 41 Leadenhall Market
Map Pin Place 42 Leadenhall Market
Map Pin Place 43 Urban Legends
Map Pin Place 44 Sky Garden
Map Pin Place 45 Great Fire of London
Map Pin Place 46 Monument to the Great Fire of London
Map Pin Place 47 Thames
Map Pin Place 48 The Shard
Map Pin Place 49 StoryTime
Map Pin Place 50 Tower Bridge
Map Pin Place 51 Tower
Map Pin Place 52 Tower of London



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