A Historian's Guide To London

By Author: Carolyn Clayton
Total Articles: 129
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Nowadays when people visit London all they see is tourists and shoppers for miles ahead of them. It is a bustling capital city that is known worldwide for its fashion, culture and attractions. What very few people know is the historical backdrop to this busy city. For anyone, be you historian or just an interested tourist, London can provide over 2000 years worth of history while still being at the cutting edge of modernity.

Few cities are capable of collecting together so many eras of history without seeming fragmented and out of place. The oldest and perhaps most fascinating of the historical attractions is the remains of the Roman Empire's "Londinium". You can take a guided walking tour of these remains every Thursday from 1.30pm. The tour takes between 2.5 and 3 hours and is an intriguing look into the amazing history of the city. It is a must see for all history buffs or lovers of London as it sets the whole city in context, making you feel like you are a part of the spectacular history.

You can then move forward to the first millennium by visiting the astonishing Tower of London. This is a big favourite ...
... of tourists, and for good reason! Open 7 days a week, this is a perfect example of history that is brought to life. You can gaze upon the crown jewels, with 23,758 gems, and in the same hour partake in a Yeoman Warden tour. These tours are included in your admission price and provide thrilling stories of London's history.

The most gorgeous and symbolic location is that of the Elizabethan Globe-Theatre. A favourite of many tourists due to its combination of culture in both historic and literary circles this theatre is the most exquisite in all of England. Upon stepping into the grounds you can feel the atmosphere that would have been present when the Globe functioned back in the 16th and 17th centuries and also relish the knowledge that some of Shakespeare's finest plays used this stage as their setting.

Jump forward into more recent history with a visit to the Tate Modern, where you can view a re-purposed 1950's power station which has since been turned into an amazing piece of art. You can then revel in the modern history of London that is the Gherkin, the oddly shaped piece of architecture developed by Swiss Re.

As a final port of call you can look into the future of London by visiting the site of the pending 2012 Olympics, which could soon be the biggest historical event in London's recent age. Definitely worth a look for all tourists as you can view the construction of the Shard London Bridge, which will soon be the tallest building in the entirety of the European Union, which is no easy feat!

So, for all your historical needs, don't overlook the bustling capital city that is London. It is one of only a few cities that straddle various epochs in our world's history.
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