Britain's heroes are buried there- Admiral Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Christopher Wren.

Not far from this cathedral stands the Monument commemorating the place in Pudding Lane where the Great Fire of London started. It is about a 60 metre-high column whose 311 steps lead visitors to the terrace from which they can admire a beautiful view of the city.
Today the cathedral is surrounded and over-shadowed by modern concrete and glass buildings rearing into the City skyline. This is the heart of London's financial and commercial interests represented by the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange, and the internationally famous insurance institution Lloyds of London.

The Houses of Parliament are the political centre of the United Kingdom, the home of the British Parliament. They were rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style in 1840 on the site of the Old Palace of Westminster, which was destroyed by fire. Almost the only remaining part of the old building, dating from 1097, is Westminster Hall. Great Britain, with its House of Commons and House of Lords, is the oldest democracy in the world today. The parliamentary system as we know it today, throughout the world, can trace its roots to the British Magna Charta, an agreement between a British king and his nobles to share power in 1215. The House of Lords is gothic, lavishly decorated in red, with the throne of the Sovereign, in front of this is the Woolsack, the seat of the Lord Chancellor who presides over the House. The House of Commons, more restrained in style, consists of parallel rows of green leather benches, which face the table where the mace (a symbol of authority) is placed. The House of Commons is presided over by the Speaker.

97.5 metres above the Parliament rises the clock tower called Big Ben, one of the best known of London's landmarks. Big Ben is not really the name of the clock; it is the name of the bell (named after Sir Benjamin Hall who gained recognition for having had it made). The strike of Big Ben is known worldwide because the BBC as a time signal uses it.

Facing the House of Parliament, just across Parliament Square, is the most important church in the country- Westminster Abbey, where monarchs are crowned and heroes buried. The History of Westminster Abbey goes back to the 11th century although many parts were added later. You can see the Coronation Chair, made in 1300 and containing the historic Stone of Scone, a symbol of Scottish Royalty, which was carried off to Westminster by Edward I.