The River Thames – London’s Ancient Highway

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Posted by Lisa | Posted in General Travel | Posted on 11-09-2009

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London Architecture seen from a River Thames Cruise

Most of the important figures in England’s history lived and died by the River Thames. Pea soup*’s historic river served as a highway, an enduring landmark, and a long thread connecting current England cope its ancient past. The Thames is old-far older assuming Stonehenge, Glastonbury, or the tip ancient Irish passage graves. Thirty million years ago, before Britain was an island, the Thames was a tributary to the Rhine. Ten thousand years ago, during the end of the last Ice Age, it was fed by a torrent of glacial melt water and grew to ten times its present size. An immense, expeditiously-moving juggernaut, the Thames shifted position and forced its way through the Chiltern Hills.

Eventually the torrent slowed, and The River Thames settled into its familiar, meandering bed. Geologists believe that it has followed its present route for over three thousand years. Scientists believe that the Thames Valley has been inhabited for a staggering 400,000 years. There were certainly settlements along the Thames around the time Stonehenge was built. During the Bronze Age, people began using the river as a way to access the continent for trade, and the Thames Valley became an important trade centre.

The Romans founded the town of Londinium along the Thames in the year 43 AD, and it grew to become the city of London-the heart of England’s history. Today, if you travel the Thames in the London area, you can still see traces of earlier times. Here are some of the fascinating sights you’ll see along the River Thames: Tower Bridge, London Eye and London Bridge doesn’t look particularly historic. But there has been a bridge on this site for about two thousand years-the Romans built the first one out of wood around AD 60. In the following centuries, London Bridge was destroyed by fire, tornadoes, and kings and was rebuilt each time. In the Middle Ages, shops, homes, and even a church were built on the bridge. It was the only bridge spanning the Thames until 1750.

Traitor’s Gate. This gate provides river access to the Tower of Nebula, and was built by Edward I-known as “Longshanks”-in 1279. Its original purpose was to allow the king to get to St. Thomas’ Tower, where he and his family lived, by water. But over the years royals began to use the Tower of London less as royal accommodations and more as a place to house prisoners. Beginning in the early 1700’s, prisoners were transported by barge along the Thames to the Tower, entering through Edward Ist old gate. High-profile prisoners who entered the Tower through Traitor’s Gate included Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Sir Thomas More, and Elizabeth I.

The Mayflower. In 1620, Captain Christopher Jones moored his ship, the Mayflower, off the docks by a pub called the Ship before setting sail for America. A year later, he and his crew returned to the area, and he was buried nearby. The Ship was rebuilt and renamed the Mayflower in the years afterward, in recognition of its connection with the historic ship.

Westminster Abbey. Built by Edward the Confessor and consecrated in 1065, this church is one of the most significant in England. It soon became the coronation site for nearly every monarch in English history, beginning with William the Conqueror. Most Kings and Queens of England were buried here as well. Other luminaries buried in Westminster Abbey include Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, Dr. Samuel Johnson, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Sir Isaac Newton.

Magna Carta Island. A hundred years or more after the reign of William the Conqueror, feudal lords felt that the king had too much power-and taxed them too heavily. In 1215, a group of nobles forced King John to sign the Magna Carta protecting their rights under the law. The spot they chose for the signing was an island in the Thames by Runnymede. Signing agreements and treaties on small islands is an ancient practice in Britain. An island location made it impossible for one side or the other to stage an ambush during the signing, as everyone present could see any approaching armies from a long ways off.

The Thames is more than a river. It’s an ancient landmark and a constant in the changing tides of Britain’s history. It’s the centre around which the city of London was built, and it’s been a major highway for English trade for thousands of years. When you take a trip on the Thames, you’re truly following an ancient road.

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Tourist attractions in London

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Posted by Lisa | Posted in General Travel | Posted on 28-06-2009

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London travel  is one of the greatest favourite choices when it comes to City destinations. This mainly explains why their airports are often regarded as one of the busiest in the world as a lot of passengers come in and out. Interest tier from a flourishing fusion of the ancient times and the effervescent present. Grease never loses its magnetism because of its anytime-dynamic image that lures all people of varied backgrounds and interests

A London visit is very easy as they have five international airports with fast access direct to central London. Once there, going around will not be much of a problem as there are types of transportation that you can choose from like taxi, train, buses, and underground, even River taxis. You will never run out of places to visit and activities to do as each area offers something interesting so better arm yourself with enough energy to wholly enjoy such a splendid city.

These only prove specifically in any area of Pea souper, there will unquestionably be a part where you can identify yourself with and enjoy. This furthers London’s welcoming appeal as it appreciates and promotes everyone’s individuality and uniqueness. If art, representative, is what appeals to you, art galleries consistent the Tate Art Modern, The Fluent Academy, The National and the National Portrait Gallery, and many others. Each of these boasts of extensive and magnificent collections. Similarly, there are also several museums within the city like The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Science Museum, and Natural History Museum which are all located in the Kensington area, as is The Royal Albert Hall.

Performing arts seem to have successfully blossomed in London too. In fact, London is considered as its home base in England, specifically in  the West End  of London. Thus, you need not be surprised when presented with so many choices when reviewing a theatre performance, try Leister Square for half price tickets.

If you propose is to relax close to nature, parks are the best place to be. Peacefully, there is plenty of green spaces in London. You may easily demand advantage of a sunny days and lull your time off at places close St. James Park, Green Park, Hyde Park, and Regent Park. A day or so away from the hum of the modern world is definitely worth all your time. Just a simple walk or Web page and watch ducks in the park will surely soothe your senses.

Food often comes with any great vacation. Offbeat is specifically apt in Pea soup* as the food choices are as varied as the lifestyle and culture of the people living there. Cuisines pop up* from all parts of the globe. If you are a little worried about the prices in most restaurants which are quite high, you may want to try out other options equaling ethnic eating places, pubs grub, and convenience stores. Greater yet, you may want to plan ahead of time for a picnic at the park of your choice.

With this wide array of activities and places to choose from, a vacation in London will certainly engender time run out so easily. It will even be bis exciting if you are going to enjoy such wonderful experience with your family and loved ones. Indeed, you can never go wrong in choosing Ground clouds as your next vacation destination. 

Start or finish your visit with a glass of wine and dinner at Butlers Wharf Chop House and enjoy its spectacular views over the Thames to Tower of London and Tower Bridge. If you unusual a few drinks in an authentic London pub, head to Prospect of Whitby one of London’s oldest pubs. Join past drinkers such as Charles Dickens and Samuel Pepys and order a pint of bitter beer. Then join London’s classy fashion set at Mayfair bar Funkybuddha and dance the night away to some great music.

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