LONDON FOR CHILDREN

London travel guide - Wikitravel wikitravel.org Facts and Information about London woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Top 10 London Attractions - Visit London visitlondon.com Facts about London woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Districts of London - West End. East End woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk What to see in London woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk British Royal Family - The British Monarchy woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Information on Buckingham Palace woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk The Queen's Guards - Royal guards at Buckingham Palace woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Getting Around in London - transport woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Shops and Markets in London woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Food and Drink in London woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk River Thames London woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk London souvenirs woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Telephone Boxes woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Post boxes in London woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk A Brief History of London activityvillage.co.uk History of London - The Romans and their wall woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk London Theme for Kids activityvillage.co.uk

London travel guide - Wikitravel

wikitravel.org Help Wikitravel grow by contributing to an article. Learn how. London
From Wikitravel
Europe : Britain and Ireland : United Kingdom : England : London For other places with the same name, see London (disambiguation). Host City for London 2012 Olympics Olympic Park The O2 Arena Wembley Stadium Regents Park Hyde Park London 2012 Olympics [1] London2012 [2] London is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings consider printing them all. Tower Bridge at night, bridging the River Thames. Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural, London is a megalopolis of people, ideas and energy. The capital and largest city of both the United Kingdom and of England, it is also the largest city in Western Europe and the European Union. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, Greater London has an official population of nearly 8 million people although the figure of over 14 million for the citys total metropolitan area more accurately reflects Londons size and importance. London is one of the great world cities, and remains a global capital of culture, fashion, finance, politics and trade. London will host the 2012 Summer Olympics.

[edit] Districts
The name London originally referred only to the once-walled Square Mile of the original Roman (and later medieval) city (confusingly called the City of London or just The City). Today, London has taken on a much larger meaning to include all of the vast central parts of the modern metropolis, with the city having absorbed numerous surrounding towns and villages over the centuries, including large portions of the surrounding home counties, one of which - Middlesex - being completely consumed by the growing metropolis. The term Greater London embraces Central London together with all the outlying suburbs that lie in one continuous urban sprawl within the lower Thames valley. Though densely populated by New World standards, London retains large swathes of green parkland and open space, even within the city centre. Greater London consists of 32 London boroughs and the City of London that, together with the office of the Mayor of London, form the basis for Londons local government. The Mayor of London is elected by London residents and should not be confused with the Lord Mayor of the City of London. The names of several boroughs, such as Westminster or Camden, are well-known, others less so, such as Wandsworth or Lewisham. This travellers guide to London recognises cultural, functional and social districts of varying type and size:

[edit] Central

London

Central London and inner boroughs. Bloomsbury Vibrant historic district made famous by a group of turn-of-the-century writers and for being the location of the British Museum, the University of

London and numerous historic homes, parks, and buildings. Part of the Borough of Camden. City of London The City is the area of London that originally lay within the ancient city walls and is now a major world financial centre. Covent Garden One of the main shopping and entertainment districts. Incorporates some of Londons theatreland. Part of the City of Westminster and Borough of Camden. Holborn-Clerkenwell Buffer zone between Londons West End and the City of London financial district, home to the Inns of Court Leicester Square West End district comprising Leicester Square, Chinatown, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus and the centre of Londons cinema and theatre land Mayfair-Marylebone Some extremely well-heeled districts of west central London and most of the citys premier shopping street Notting Hill-North Kensington Lively market, interesting history, the world famous carnival and diverse population Paddington-Maida Vale Largely residential district of northwest central London with lots of midrange accommodation Soho Dense concentration of highly fashionable restaurants, cafs, clubs and jazz bars, as well as Londons gay village South Bank South side of the river Thames with good views of the city, several theatres and the London Eye South Kensington-Chelsea An extremely well-heeled inner London district with famous department stores, Hyde Park, many museums and the Kings Road Westminster A city in its own right, the seat of government and an almost endless list of historical and cultural sights, such as Buckingham Palace, The Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey. [edit]

Inner boroughs
Camden a diverse area of inner north London which includes eclectic Camden Town East End a traditional working class heartland of inner London to the east of The City made famous by countless movies and TV shows, and home to trendy bars, art galleries and parks, especially in the Shoreditch, Hoxton, Old Street area. Greenwich on the pretty southern banks of the Thames, home of the Greenwich Meridian, Observatory and the National Maritime Museum Hackney Hackney has risen the ranks and become fashionable in recent decades and is home to a thriving arts scene as well as many trendy, cafs bars and pubs.

Hammersmith and Fulham Borough in west London with a diverse population and the home of the BBC, plus a hotbed for professional football Hampstead Bohemian and literary north London and the wonderful open spaces of Hampstead Heath Islington Area to the north of Clerkenwell which has undergone huge gentrification since 1990 Lambeth a diverse Caribbean-flavoured district to the south of the Thames which includes the buzzing, bright-lights of Brixton Southwark-Lewisham inner southern districts of London, traditionally residential, with a large melting pot of communities. The area retains some leftfield, quirky attractions. You can just about find a resturant from any ethnic group in the world too. Wandsworth grand Thames-side areas and open green parks in the north and dense housing in south [edit]

Outer boroughs
Outer boroughs. West Taking in much of the ancient English county of Middlesex (which many residents still identify with rather than London, and former parts of Buckinghamshire. Heathrow Airport is located in this part of the city. North Largely made up of lush green upper middle-class/bourgeois suburbs, many of which were formerly part of the counties of Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire before being absorbed into Greater London. East Mostly originally part of the county of Essex, taking in former industrial areas on the upper Thames Estuary such as Beckton, Dagenham and Barking. To the North East lies the gateway to the affluent Epping Forest area South containing many commuter suburbs as well as densely packed housing, as well as the well known urban centres of Kingston-upon-Thames and Croydon RichmondKew leafy Thames-side scenery, Hampton Court Palace, the botanical gardens and some major parklands Wimbledon the annual tennis championships [edit] Understand The Tower of London When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford Samuel Johnson [edit] History
Settlement has existed on the site of London since well before Roman times, with evidence of Bronze Age and Celtic settlement. The Roman city of Londinium, established just after the Roman conquest of Britannia in the year 43, formed the basis for the modern city (some isolated Roman period remains are still to be seen within the City). After the end of Roman rule in 410 and a short-lived decline,

London experienced a gradual revival under the Anglo-Saxons, as well as the Norsemen, and emerged as a great medieval trading city, and eventually replaced Winchester as the royal capital of England. This paramount status for London was confirmed when William the Conqueror, a Norman, built the Tower of London after the conquest in 1066 and was crowned King of England in Westminster. London went from strength to strength and with the rise of England to first European then global prominence and the city became a great centre of culture, government and industry. Londons long association with the theatre, for example, can be traced back to the English renaissance (witness the Rose Theatre [3] and great playwrights like Shakespeare who made London their home). With the rise of Britain to supreme maritime power in the 18th and 19th centuries and the possessor of the largest global empire, London became an imperial capital and drew people and influences from around the world to become, for many years, the largest city in the world. Englands royal family has, over the centuries, added much to the London scene for todays traveller: the Albert Memorial, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Royal Albert Hall, Tower of London, Kew Palace and Westminster Abbey being prominent examples. Despite the inevitable decline of the British Empire, and considerable suffering during World War II (when London was heavily bombed by the German Luftwaffe in the Blitz), the city is still a top-ranked world city: a global centre of culture, finance, and learning. Today London is easily the largest city in the United Kingdom, eight times larger than the second largest, Birmingham, and ten times larger than the third, Glasgow, and dominates the economic, political and social life of the nation. It is full of excellent bars, galleries, museums, parks and theatres. It is also the most culturally and ethnically diverse part of the country, making it a great multicultural city to visit. Samuel Johnson famously said, when one is tired of London, one is tired of life. Whether you are interested in ancient history, modern art, opera or underground raves, London has it all.

[edit] The

City and Westminster

The world famous St. Stephens Tower (the main bell is Big Ben) If you ask a Londoner where the centre of London is, you are likely to get a wry smile. This is because historically London was two cities: a commercial city and a separate government capital. The commercial capital was the City of London. This had a dense population and all the other pre-requisites of a medieval city: walls, a castle (The Tower of London), a cathedral (St Pauls), a semiindependent City government, a port and a bridge across which all trade was routed so Londoners could make money (London Bridge). About an hour upstream (on foot or by boat) around a bend in the river was the government capital (Westminster). This had a church for crowning the monarch (Westminster Abbey) and palaces. As each palace was replaced by a larger one, the previous one was used for government, first the Palace of Westminster (better known as the Houses of Parliament), then Whitehall, then Buckingham Palace. The two were linked by a road called The Strand, old English for riverbank. London grew both west and east. The land to the west of the City (part of the parish of Westminster) was prime farming land (Covent Garden and Soho for example) and made good building land. The land to the east was flat, marshy and cheap, good for cheap housing and industry, and later for docks. Also the wind blows 3 days out of 4 from west to east, and the Thames (into which the sewage went) flows from west to east. So the West End was up-wind and up-market, the East End was where people worked for a living. Modern-day London in these terms is a two-centre city, with the area in between known confusingly as the West End.

[edit] Climate
Climate Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Daily highs (C) 8 8 11 13 17 20 23 23 19 15 11 9 Nightly lows (C) 2 2 4 5 8 11 14 13 11 8 5 3 Precipitation (mm) 52 34 42 45 47 53 38 47 57 62 52 54 See the 5 day forecast for London at the Met Office London Eye Despite a perhaps unfair reputation for being unsettled, London enjoys a dry and mild climate on average. Only one in three days on average will bring rain and often only for a short period. In some years such as 2010 there is no rain for several weeks. Winter in London is mild compared to nearby continental European cities, due to both the presence of the Gulf Stream and urban heat effect. Average daily maximum is 8C (46F) in December and January. Snow does occur, usually a few times a year but rarely heavy (a few years being exceptions such as the winters of 2009 and 2010, with temperatures dipping down to sub-zeros regularly). Snow in London can be crippling, as seen at the end of 2010. Just 7 cm (3 in) of snow will cause trains to stop running, airports to see significant delays, and mail service will halt. London is a city which does not cope well with snow; walkways, stairs, and streets will not be cleared by shovels or plows. The streets will be salted/gritted, but will remain slick and snow/slush covered until the sun melts it away. Daylight hours are short with darkness filling up the sky by 4pm in December. Summer is perhaps the best season for tourists as it has long daylight hours as well as mild temperatures. The average daily high temperatures in July and August are around 24C (75F) The highest temperature since 2000 was recorded once in August at 38C (100F). This means London can feel hot and humid for several days in the summer months. Also, because of urban heat effect, during night time it could feel muggy. Regardless of which time of the year, the weather in London could change quickly from sunny to rain and from hot to cold.

[edit] London

2012 Olympic Games

The International Olympic Committee decided in 2005 that London will serve as the host city for the Games of the XXX Olympiad [4], the Summer Olympic Games of 2012. This will make London the first city to hold the Olympic Games three times, having hosted the games previously in 1908 and 1948. The vast majority of events will be held in a regenerated area in East London.

Facts and Information about London

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales Facts and Information about London Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England Learn about England | Learn about Scotland | learn about Wales

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Top 10 London Attractions - Visit London

visitlondon.com Read about Londons top 10 most popular tourist attractions, including the London Eye, the National Gallery and Tower of London. You can also book attraction tickets below. Some free London attractions are also listed: theres no better place to soak up some culture. Whether you prefer history or modern art, youll find it here. The capitals top 10 attractions are listed below in order of popularity based on visitor numbers in 2010 or latest available numbers in the case of the London Eye and Madame Tussauds. For accessibility information see Top 10 London Attractions Accessibility

British Museum
The world-famous British Museum exhibits the works of man from prehistoric to modern times from around the world. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and the mummies in the Ancient Egypt collection. Entry is free but special exhibitions require tickets.

Tate Modern
Sitting grandly on the banks of the Thames is Tate Modern, Britains national museum of modern and contemporary art. Its unique shape is due to its previously being a power station. Inside youll find temporary exhibitions by top artists from Damien Hirst to Gauguin. The gallerys restaurants offer fabulous views across the city. Entry is free.

National Gallery
The crowning glory of Trafalgar Square, Londons National Gallery is a vast space, filled to the rafters with Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. In this iconic art gallery you can find works by masters such as Van Gogh, da Vinci, Botticelli, Constable, Renoir, Titian and Stubbs. Entry is free.

Natural History Museum

As well as the permanent (and permanently fascinating!) dinosaur exhibition, the Natural History Museum boasts a collection of the biggest, tallest and rarest animals in the world. See a lifesized Blue Whale, a 40-million-year-old spider, and the beautiful Central Hall. Entry is free but special exhibitions require tickets.

EDF Energy London Eye

The EDF Energy London Eye is a major feature of Londons skyline. It is the worlds highest observation wheel, with 32 capsules, each weighing 10 tonnes, and holding up to 25 people. Climb aboard for a breathtaking experience, with unforgettable views of more than 55 of Londons most famous landmarks all in just 30 minutes!

Book Online Science Museum

From the future of space travel to asking that difficult question, Who am I?, the Science

Museum makes your brain perform Olympic-standard mental gymnastics. See, touch and experience the major scientific advances of the last 300 years; dont forget the awesome Imax cinema. Entry is free but some exhibitions require tickets.

Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A celebrates art and design with 3,000 years worth of amazing artefacts from around the world. A real treasure trove of goodies, you never know what youll discover next: furniture, paintings, sculpture, metalwork, and textiles, the list goes on and on Entry is free but special exhibitions require tickets.

Madame Tussauds
At Madame Tussauds, youll come face-to-face with some of the worlds most famous faces. From Shakespeare to Britney, youll meet influential figures from showbiz, sport, politics and even Royalty. Sing along with Kylie; strike a penalty with Rooney or receive a once-in-a-lifetime audience with Her Majesty the Queen.

Book Online Royal Museums Greenwich

Visit the worlds largest maritime museum, the historic Queens House, and the Royal Observatory Greenwich: all now part of the Royal Museums Greenwich. Stand astride the Prime Meridian, touch a meteorite, and see the stars in the planetarium. Some are free to enter; some charges apply

The Tower of London

Take a tour with one of the Yeoman Warders around the Tower of London, one of the worlds most famous buildings. Discover its 900-year history as a royal palace, prison and place of execution, arsenal, jewel house and zoo! Gaze up at the White Tower, tiptoe through a medieval kings bedchamber and marvel at the Crown Jewels. Book Online visitlondon.com

Facts about London

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Facts about London Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England London is made up of two ancient cities which are now joined together. They are: the City of London, know simply as the City which is the business and financial heart of the United Kingdom. It is also known as the Square Mile (2.59 sq km/1 sq mi). It was the original Roman settlement (ancient Londinium), making it the oldest part of London and already 1,000 years old when the Tower of London was built. the City of Westminster, where Parliament and most of the government offices are located. Also Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the Queen and the Royal family are located there too. Together they all make up a region known as Greater London. London is the biggest city in Britain and in Europe. London occupies over 620 square miles London has a population of 7,172,036 (2001) About 12 per cent of Britains overall population live in London London has the highest population density in Britain, with 4,699 people per square kilometre, London is in the southeast of England. London is the seat of central government in Britain. The tallest building in London is the Canary Wharf Tower. London was the first city in the world to have an underground railway, known as the Tube. Some of the most important people from countries all over the world visit the Queen at Buckingham Palace. There are over 100 theatres in London, including 50 in the West End. London theatre accounts for 45% of all UK theatre admissions and over 70% of box-office revenues. Source: GLA Economics Back to London Index Learn about England and the other countries in Britain from the children who live in ther Follow this link to report typos, bad links or general mistakes About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

Districts of London - West End. East End

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Contact me Follow me on Twitter British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales Districts of London Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England Central London The City of London is the principal financial district not only of London, but of the UK and Europe. The City also has its own police force, the City of London police. The West End To the west and north of Trafalgar Square is the West End, the main shopping and entertainment district in London. Most of Londons major theatres are located here, as is the Royal Opera House. Shopping (Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Bond Street) Oxford Street is one of the best known shopping streets in the world. Running from Tottenham Court Road in the east to Marble Arch in the west, via Oxford Circus where it crosses Regent Street, it is home to many large department stores and shops (Selfridges, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer). Covent Garden Soho and Covent Garden are lively areas with a huge variety of shops, restuarants, cafes and bars. Further west are residential areas broken up by areas of green parkland, such as Hyde Park, Kenssington Gardens and Regents Park. West London West London includes many of the traditionally fashionable and expensive residential areas such as Notting Hill, made famous by a film of the same name starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. Nearby is the famous antique market at Portobello Road. Kensington and Chelsea are the most expensive places to live in the country. The area is also famous for the Kings Road, a distinguished and attractive shopping street and thoroughfare. Further to the west, at White City, near Shepherds Bush, is the principal operating centre for the BBC while in the extreme west, in the London Borough of Hillingdon, lies Heathrow Airport. East London The East End ( The East End of London) The East End was formerly the centre of Londond docks and heavy industry. The area was heavily bombed during World War Two (1939-45). The East End has many of places of interest including many of Londons markets, (for example Columbia Road Flower Market, Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane Market, Petticoat Lane Market). The East End is an area of uncertain delimitations. It abounds with legend, sentimentality and cockneys. A large majority of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in the Old Park in Stratford in East London. Events will also be held in other venues across London and the UK (England, Scotland and Wales). Docklands is a thriving and vibrant area with a wide range of shops, restaurants, pubs and wine bars. South London South London is a multi-cultural area of nearly 2 million people. London Eye South London includes the historic towns of Greenwich and Wimbledon Greenwich is on the banks of the Thames where the river broadens into a wide meandering reach

of muddy water. It is an historic neighbourhood and boasts a fine park and the Royal Greenwich Observatory. It is also has a popular market. Brixton, Camberwell and Peckham are home to many families (and their descendants) who immigrated to London from the West Indies during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, sometimes known as Afro-Carribeans. North London North London includes suburbs such as Hampstead and Highgate which retain a village atmosphere. North London is more hilly than the south, and many of the hills give excellent views across the city. Large parks include Hampstead Heath, which includes Parliament Hill, noted for its fine views over the city, and the Hampstead bathing ponds; and Alexandra Park, site of Alexandra Palace. Back to London Index Learn about England and the other countries in Britain from the children who live in ther Follow this link to report typos, bad links or general mistakes About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

What to see in London

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales What to see and do in London Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England London attracts very large numbers of visitors and tourists and can be an expensive place to visit. However, there is still much you can see and do for free. Tourist attractions are mainly in Central London. Plan your day well. London is a big place and if you are not careful you may find yourself spending most of the day travelling. Its worth booking or getting tickets in advance for any major attractions - including The Tower of London - which will save you a lot of time - sometimes the queues can take hours - you can usually book online at the website of the attraction. Use the Tube Map to work out how you would travel to the places mentioned below. The most popular and our favourite attractions are: Take a ride on the London Eye The big wheel which gives you a panoramic view of London. It is the worlds highest observation wheel and offers passengers spectacular views of over 55 of Londons most famous landmarks - all in just 30 minutes. Changing of the guard Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards at Whitehall. I prefer Whitehall as you can get closer to the guards. See a Musical - Theyre amazing Tower of London and Tower Bridge Home to the Crown Jewels, the Tower of London is over a thousand years old. Hamleys The worlds biggest toy store Shop at Picadilly Circus Follow this link to watch a video Covent Garden Street entertainment, shopping and nightlife Museums and Art Galleries British Museum - Best museum for history and its FREE Madam Tussauds - Wax models of the famous Buckingham Palace Home of the Royal Family Take a trip down the Thames to Greenwich See many sites along the river. Greenwich is the home of Greenwich Mean Time Also consider visiting some of Londons markets. They all all free to enter and are some of the best markets in Europe. Back to London Index Click here to tell us your favourite attraction or place in London Buildings and Landmarks in London Sightseeing in London and the rest of Britain The cost of attractions Armchair Travel Find the answers to questions during your imaginary visit to London. Back to London Index Learn about England and the other countries in Britain

from the children who live in ther Follow this link to report typos, bad links or general mistakes About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

British Royal Family - The British Monarchy

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Contact me Follow me on Twitter British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales The British Royal Family Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England The Queen Queen Elizabeth II Where does the Queen live? Why does the Queen have two birthdays? Birthdays Who are the members of the Royal Family? Members Where can I find information about the guards outside Buckingham Palace? What are the roles and duties of the Queen and members of the Royal Family? Roles and Duties Who will be the next King or Queen? Where can I find interesting facts about the Queen? Facts What famous Kings and Queen have ruled Britain? Timeline Which Kings and Queens of England have reigned the longest? What are the palaces and homes of the Royal family? Palaces and Castles What is the Royal motto of the UK and England? What does the British Royal Coat of Arms look like? Where can I find out about Royal Ceremonies in London? Click here for more questions asked by students about the Royal Family Latest blog posts 06/11 Remembrance Poppies 10/01 River Thames Frost Fairs 09/01 Plough Monday 08/01 Twelfth Night London 03/01 Mummers Play - a piece of Christmas History 01/01 When is Twelfth Night? Powered by Feed Informer Where does the Queen live? asked by Rebecca Canada The Queen lives in Buckingham Palace in London. She also has other homes too. Her favourite is Balmoral Castle in Scotland where she spends Christmas. Windsor Castle is another of the Queens homes. Does the Queen live in Buckingham Palace all the time? asked by Erica - Canada No The Queens has other places where she lives. Her Majestys official residence in London is Buckingham Palace, but she also owns Balmoral Castle in Scotland and Sandringham House in Norfolk, which she inherited from her father. What are the guards that stand in front of the castle wearing red coats and those large black fur hats? Are they called sentries or just guards? How come they dont move? They are called the Queens Guard. They red tunics and bearskins (hats). Traditionally they are not allowed to move. Typically, a Guardsman spends two hours on duty and four off. He is not expected to stand still for any more than ten minutes at a time. Every so often, he will march up and down in front of his sentry box, rather like a policeman walking the beat. Learn about England and the other countries in Britain from the children who live in ther About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read

All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2012 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK The British Monarchy Customs and Traditions by Mandy Barrow projectbritain.com Who will be the next King or Queen? Learn about Christmas in England from the children who live in Britain Christmas traditions why do what we do at chrsitmas time HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales Prince Charles is presently heir to the British throne. He will not become king until his mother, Queen Elizabeth, abdicates (gives up the throne), retires or dies. When either of these happen, Prince Charles may abdicate and pass the throne to his eldest son Prince William. The heir to the throne is always called the Prince of Wales. The title was introduced by King Edward l in 1301, after the conquest of Wales. If the eldest child of the monarch is female, will she become heir to the throne? Yes, if she does not have any brothers. No, if she has a brother. In Britain the crown normally passes from monarch to eldest son. As King George VI had no son, it passed to his elder daughter, now Queen Elizabeth II. If a monarch has sons, they take precedence over daughters: thus, although HR The Princess Royal is older than her brothers HRH The Duke of York and HRH The Earl of Wessex, they (and their children) precede her in the order of succession. Succession in the United Kingdom is governed by the Act of Union 1800, which restates the provisions of the Act of Settlement 1701 and the Bill of Rights (1689). Only Protestant heirs of Princess Sophia, granddaughter of James I, may succeed to the British throne. Neither Catholics, nor those who marry a Catholic, nor those born out of wedlock, may remain in the line of succession. (see also the Royal Family Tree ) HRH The Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales (1948), eldest son of HM Queen Elizabeth II HRH Prince William of Wales (1982), elder son of HRH The Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales HRH Prince Henry of Wales (popularly referred to as Prince Harry), (1984), younger son of HRH The Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales HRH The Prince Andrew, The Duke of York (1960), second son of HM Queen Elizabeth II HRH Princess Beatrice of York (1988), elder daughter of HRH The Prince Andrew, The Duke of York HRH Princess Eugenie of York (1990), younger daughter of HRH The Prince Andrew, The Duke of York HRH The Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex (1964), youngest son of HM Queen Elizabeth II James Windsor, Viscount Severn (2007), son of HRH The Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex Lady Louise Windsor (2003), daughter of HRH The Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex HRH The Princess Anne, The Princess Royal (1950), only daughter of HM Queen Elizabeth II

Peter Phillips (1977), son of HRH The Princess Anne, The Princess Royal Zara Phillips (1981), daughter of HRH The Princess Anne, The Princess Royal David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley (1961), son of HRH The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon The Honourable Charles Armstrong-Jones (1999), son of David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley The Honourable Margarita Armstrong-Jones (2002), daughter of David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley Lady Sarah Chatto (1964), daughter of HRH The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon Samuel Chatto (1996), son of Lady Sarah Chatto Arthur Chatto (1999), son of Lady Sarah Chatto HRH Prince Richard, The Duke of Gloucester (1944), son of HRH The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, 3rd son of HM King George V Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster (1974), son of HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester Royal Family Tree About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright Mandy Barrow Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK customs traditions britain, scotland customs and traditions, traditional british christmas dinner, christmas customs traditions, christmas traditions, british culture customs traditions, british christmas customs, british christmas carols, british christmas crackers, british christmas pudding,british christmas trees, british christmas dinner, british celebrate christmas, british royal family, chrsitmas traditions, christmas customs, england, wales, scotland, Christmas Celebrations, british traditions, british customs, british culture, December, Christmas, food, christmas dinner, mince pies, advent, christmas eve, christmas day, boxing day, 12 days of christmas, new year, christmas pudding, christmas cake, christmas carols, christmas cards, christmas stocking, pantomime, santa claus, st nicholas, christmas presents, christmas crackers, christmas trees, mistletoe, holly, ivy woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

Information on Buckingham Palace

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Contact me Follow me on Twitter British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales Buckingham Palace Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England Buckingham Palace is the Queens official and main royal London home. It has been the official London residence of Britains monarchy since 1837. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live there. One of the two traffic gates Buckingham Palace is not only the home of the Queen and Prince Philip but also the London residence of the Duke of York (Prince Andrew) and the Earl and Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward and his wife) and their daughter. Buckingham Palace is used also for the administrative work for the monarchy. It is here in the state apartments that Her Majesty receives and entertains guests invited to the Palace. History of Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace was originally a grand house built by the Dukes of Buckingham for his wife. George IV began transforming it into a palace in 1826. The Queen has other homes too including Windsor Castle and Balmoral in Scotland. Find out about her other castles and palaces Royal Flag When the Queen is at home, you can see her royal flag flying from the flag pole on top of Buckingham Palace. This flag is called the Royal Standard. The flag is split into four quadrants. The first and fourth quadrants represent England and contain three gold lions walking (passant) on a red field; the second quadrant represents Scotland contains a red lion standing on the left hind foot (rampant) on a gold field; the third quadrant represents Ireland and contains the gold Coat of arms of Ireland on a blue field. In flag protocol, the Royal Standard is supreme. It must only be flown from buildings where the Queen is present. It flies above the British Union Flag (Union Jack), Standards of other Royal Family members, and other British flags. It never flies at half staff. Standing guard outside Buckingham Palace Foot Guards Five regiments of Foot Guards guard the Palace. They wear red jackets and tall, furry hats called bearskins. Click here to find out more about the guards and see pictures When the first guards come on duty, there is a ceremony called the Changing of the Guard. Changing of the Guard A familiar sight at Buckingham Palace is the Changing of the Guard ceremony that takes place in the forecourt each morning. The monarch and the royal palaces have been guarded by the Household Troops since 1660. Read more about the Changing of the Guard ceremony Inside Buckingham Palace The Palace has around 600 rooms, including 19 State rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, 92 offices, a cinema and a swimming pool. It also has its own post office and police station. About 400 people work at the Palace, including domestic servants, chefs, footmen, cleaners, plumbers, gardeners, chauffers, electricians, and two people who look after the 300 clocks. Royal Parties

Every year, more than 50,000 people come to the Palace each year as guests to banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions, and Royal Garden Parties Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live at Buckingham Palace. From Buckingham Palace you can walk through Green Park to Horse Guards Parade where you will see the soldiers on horseback. Back to Buildings and landmarks of London Back to London Index Learn about England and the other countries in Britain from the children who live in ther Follow this link to report typos, bad links or general mistakes About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

The Queen's Guards - Royal guards at Buckingham Palace

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales Royal Guards at London Palaces Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England The men you see in front of Buckingham Palace (and other locations in London as well as Windsor) are the Queens Guard. As well as upholding the traditions of the past through their ceremonial duties, the Foot Guards also carry out operational duties in the UK and throughout the world as professional soldiers. The Queens Guards are all part of the Household Division who have guarded the Sovereign and the Royal Palaces since 1660. The Household Division is made up of seven regiments of the British Army: The Household Cavalry Regiment The Life Guards The Blues and Royals Five Regiments of Foot Guards The Grenadier Guards The Coldstream Guards The Scots Guards The Irish Guards The Welsh Guards Find out about the Foot Guards outside Buckingham Palace Find out about the Queens Guards on Horseback Back to London Index Learn about England and the other countries in Britain from the children who live in ther About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

Getting Around in London - transport

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Contact me Follow me on Twitter British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales Getting to London and travelling around London Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of

England

Railway London now has seven major stations providing long distance and local services. Eurostar trains run from St Pancras Station to the Chunnel Tunnel and onto mainland Europe. The railways came to London in Victorian times. The first important station was Euston, which opened in 1837. London has a railway that goes under london. It is known as the Tube or the London Underground. Taxis Londons distinctive taxis, black cabs, are as much a feature of city life as its red double-decker buses. Like the buses, black cabs are also being modernised and many are now painted other colours with advertising. All black cab drivers must pass a stringent test known as The Knowledge before they are licenced to operate a taxi. This tests their knowledge of Londons streets and the quickest traffic routes. You can phone for a black cab, hail one in the street or find one in a rank, especially near large railway stations or some major hotels. They carry a yellow For Hire sign above the windscreen which is lit up when they are free. To stop one hold out your arm in a purposeful, and determined way. When the taxi stops tell the driver your destination. Taxis are a good option for groups of people sharing the fare, which can be steep - there is a 2.20 minimum fare at all times. Tipping at about 10% is expected. Where credit or debit are accepted there is a typical surcharge of between 10% and 15% of the metered fare.

The meter calculates the maximum fare based upon time of day, distance travelled and taxi speed. Please note fares and journey times may be higher if there are delays or heavy traffic. Distance Approx journey time Monday to Friday 06:00 - 20:00 (Tariff code 1) Monday to Friday 20:00 - 22:00 Saturday and Sunday 06:00 - 22:00 (Tariff code 2) Every night 22:00 - 06:00 Public holidays (Tariff code 3) 1 mile 5 - 12 mins 4.60 - 8.40 4.80 - 8.60 5:20 - 8.60 2 miles 8 - 15 mins 7:20 - 11.20 7:20 - 11.20 8.00 - 12.40 4 miles 15 - 30 mins 11 - 19 13 - 19 15 - 23 6 miles 20 - 40 mins 17 - 28 19 - 28 23 - 34 Between Heathrow and Central London 30 - 60 mins 43 - 75 43 - 75 43 - 75 Last update April 2010 There are no extra charges for luggage or additional passengers. Some taxis accept credit or debit cards, and there is a maximum charge of 1.00 or 12.5% of the metered fare, whichever is greater. Back to London Index Learn about England and the other countries in Britain

from the children who live in ther

Follow this link to report typos, bad links or general mistakes

About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

Shops and Markets in London

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Contact me Follow me on Twitter British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales Shops and Markets Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England London is a major centre for entertainment, shopping and dining. There are thousands of shops and many markets in London. (Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus ) Both streets are Londons busiest shopping areas. Many of their smaller shops sell tourist souvenirs, but there are may other shops too. They have lots of departments stores and clothes shops. There are big music shops, bookshops too. Oxford Street and Regents Street are decorated with Christmas lights each year. The lights are turned on with a special ceremony in mid-November. Off the eastern side of Regent Street, close to Liberty department store, you will find Carnaby Street, one of the icons of the swinging sixties. Carnaby Street Carnaby Street is a pedestrianised shopping street in London. (Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge) Fashion / Designer boutiques The Knightsbridge area of London is home to the biggest department store not only in the city but in the whole of Britain. This is Harrods, which has about 330 departments. Its domed, terracotta building is lit up spectacularly at night. (Nearest Tube: Covent Garden ) Overflowing with street markets, curbside entertainment, trendy cafes, English pubs, and small boutiques. A must visit for all tourists to London. Charing Cross Road is where book worms go. Mainstream bookshops, such as Foyles, Borders and Blackwells, line the street but perhaps the most unique feature about this road are its rare, second-hand and specialist shops. Foyles is famous for five floors containing thousands of titles. The best place for electronics shops and furniture stores. is famous for selling beautiful fabrics. The shop looks like a Tudor house and has an elaborate clock outside. Liberty of London Department Store 214-220 Regent Street (Nearest Tube: Marble Arch) This store has an extensive designer section for both men, women and children, constantly updated by the arrival of international labels. (Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus ) Hamleys, in Regent Street, is Londons largest toy shop. It has six floors filled with all kinds of toys, from dolls and teddy bears to models, electronic toys and robots.

Back to Armchair Travel Back to London Index Learn about England and the other countries in Britain from the children who live in ther Follow this link to report typos, bad links or general mistakes About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

Food and Drink in London

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Contact me Follow me on Twitter British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales Food and Drink in London Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England Find out more about tradition British food Londons food doesnt come any more traditional - or tasty - than good old pie and mash. Locally caught eels were the usual pie filling but they have been gradually replaced by minced beef. Pie, mash and eel houses have been around in London since the 18th Century. Today, eels are still served, either stewed or jellied, and with or without pie and mash. The essential accompaniment is green liquor - a salty, parley-based gravy - or chilli vinegar for extra pep. F. Cookes pie and mash restaurant on Hoxton Street, Shoreditch, London F. Cookes pie and mash restaurant on Hoxton Street is one of the many restaurants still serving hot jellied eels today. Tube Old Street Tube Station (0.9 km) Old Street Station (1.0 km) Thanks to the capitals multicultural population, youll find more than 60 different national cuisines from French, Italian and Spanish to Thai and Japanese. Indian food is especially popular in Britain and many people often eat at their local curry house. Vegetarianism is an accepted part of Londons restaurant scene and most places offer at least a couple of dishes for those who do not eat meat. Londons fish and chip shops are part of a uniquely British take-away tradition. The city also has thousands of burger and chicken fast-food restaurants. It also has many Indian, Chinese and pizza takeaways. Pies are becoming a popular take-way food. Pies sold in Covent Garden, London Find out more about take-away food in Britain Londoners are famous for their love of a good cup of tea, at home, at work and in cafes. Coffee has been drunk in London since the 17th century, when coffee houses were hotbeds of political discussions and debate. Now-a-days American-style bars such as Starbucks are everywhere. Find out more about tea and coffee in Britain London is packed full of pubs (public houses), where people go to drink beer or wine, and perhaps have a bar meal. Find out more about pubs Find out more about the food in Britain What is typical English food? What food is eaten for pudding?(desserts) When are meals eaten? (Meal Times) What is Afternoon Tea ? What do you drink in the UK? Back to London Index Learn about England and the other countries in Britain from the children who live in ther Follow this link to report typos, bad links or general mistakes

About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

River Thames London

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Contact me Follow me on Twitter British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales The River Thames Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England Source (origin) Kemble, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire. Mouth North Sea Length 346 km (215 miles) Source elevation 110 m (360 ft) Avg. discharge Entering Oxford: 17.6 m/s Leaving Oxford: 24.8 m/s Reading: 39.7 m/s Windsor: 59.3 m/s London: 65.8 m/s Watershed area 12,935 km (4,994 mi) Travel down the Thames on our virtual tour The Thames is only 346 km (215 miles) long. It is Englands longest river and the second longest river in the United Kingdom. Long ago, before Britain was separated from continental Europe, the Thames was a tributary of the Rhine. The English Channel was formed about 7,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. The Route of the River Thames The River Thames rises in the Cotswold Hills in Gloucestershire, and flows roughly eastwards passed Oxford (where it is known as the River Isis), until the Chilterns and on through London to the North Sea. Travel down the Thames on our virtual tour. The river has been an important trade and transport route since prehistoric times. Londons fame and fortune is due its river. All through the Middle Ages the Thames was one of Londons main highways. Barges and river boats brought fish, wood and wool to the City, while hundreds of watermen in small rowing boats ferried people up and down. By the 1700s, trading ships were arriving carrying all kinds of goods for sale in the City. Tea, silk and a fortune of spices came from the East. Sugar was brought from the Caribbean, timber from Norway and iron ore from Sweden. The Thames was so busy that traffic on the river could hardly move. Sometimes, dozens of ships queued for days along the banks, waiting to get to a dock to unload. Royal Palaces along the River Thames Seven past or present palaces line the banks of the river at Windsor, Hampton Court, Richmond, Kew, Westminster, the Tower of London and Greenwich. The River Thames is prone to tidal surges. This happens when a high tide is blown up the Thames estuary by very strong winds. The water level of the Thames rises quickly and spills over the banks. The Thames Flood Barrier was built at Woolwich to protect London from flooding. It is usually left open to let ships go through. In times of tidal surges, the gates are shut to keep the water out of the estuary. Bridges over the River Thames The worst cold spells in Britain occurred between 1550 and 1750. The climate during this time was known as the Little Ice Age, when winters were so cold that the Thames froze over each year. It was not uncommon for the freeze to last over three months, as in the case of the winters of 1683 - 1684 and 1715 - 1716. The first recorded Frost Fair was held on the frozen river Thames in London in 1608. It had tents, sideshows, food stalls and even included ice bowling! The Thames had frozen over several times before 1608. In the 16th century, Henry VIII is said to have traveled all the way from central London to Greenwich by sleigh along the river during the winter of 1536 and Elizabeth I took walks on the ice during the winter of 1564. The last Frost Fair was held in the winter of 1814. It began on February 1, and lasted just four days. An elephant was led across the river below Blackfriars Bridge. Travel down the Thames on our virtual tour

Photographs taken by Adrian Pingstone in June 2005 Back to London Index Learn about England and the other countries in Britain from the children who live in ther Follow this link to report typos, bad links or general mistakes About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

London souvenirs
woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales London souvenirs Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England Typical English presents (souvenirs) to take back home Common themes depicted on many English souvenirs include The Royal Family, Policemen, Royal Guards, London Transport, Union Flag and famous London buildings. You can by thimbles, bells,T-shirts, soft toys, models, magnets, pens and pencils, mouse mats, caps, pin badges, post boxes, aprons and much more. On this page we show you some of the many souvenirs you could buy. Student Activity If you had 10 to spend on presents for your friends and family back home, what would you buy and who for? Tea - made by Twinings is very typical English. Flavours such as Early Grey or English Breakfast are too. Beefeater Doll (7:99) Shortbread Biscuits Probably more Scottish than English English biscuits Tea Towel (3:99) (used for drying up plates) Childs Policemans Helmet (5:99) Black Cab Model (1:99) Mug ( 1:99) Key Ring (99p) Souvenir London Street Scene (6:99) Big Ben (7:99) Tower Bridge (6:99) Postbox Money Box (4:99) Telephone Box Money Box (4:99) Tea Cosy (Put over a tea pot to keep the tea warm) Childrens T-Shirts (2:99) T-shirts 6:99 3:99 3:99 Caps (3:99) Jam (2:99) Photo Frame (4:99) Plate (4:99) Mouse Mat (1:50) Metal Fridge Magnets (99p) Wooden Fridge Magnets (99p) Policeman Queens Guard Beefeater Back to Armchair Travel What other things are associated with England and Britain? Learn about England and the other countries in Britain from the children who live in ther About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions

Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

Telephone Boxes
woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Contact me Follow me on Twitter British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales Telephone Boxes of London Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England The red telephone kiosk was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott at the request of the Post Office in 1924. (Gilbert Scott also designed Waterloo Bridge and Battersea Power Station.) Two different telephone boxes are seen in London. The first telephone kiosk was known as the K2 - the K stands for kiosk. Too expensive for national use, the K2 was produced exclusively for the London area. The royal emblem of the crown was made by pierecing holes through the top facia. This acted as a ventilator. All K2 kiosks now on the street are preserved as Listed buildings. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George the Fifth in 1935 the K6 kiosk was the first to be installed across the country. The K6 is smaller than the K2 Black Telephone Boxes (kiosks) A K6 design used by one of the new telecoms operators. (Red telephone boxes are owned and run by British Telecon) Internet Telehone Boxes (kiosks) BT introduced KXPlus in the late 1990s. It has a domed roof. Back to London Index Learn about England and the other countries in Britain from the children who live in ther Follow this link to report typos, bad links or general mistakes About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

Post boxes in London

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Contact me Follow me on Twitter British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales Post boxes in London Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England Red Post Boxes can be seen all around London and the rest of the UK. The most common post box seen in London is the red Pillar Box, a free-standing post box. The pillar box on the left is older than the box on the right Pillar boxes are not all the same. Some are much older than than others. Until the 1980s both the telephone and the postal service came under the control of the General Post Office. Post boxes older than 1980 will often have the words Post Office rather than Royal Mail as seen on modern post boxes. (Monarchs symbols or motif ) On every post box in the UK, the Royal Cipher can be seen of the reigning monarch at the time of the installation. It is made up of the Christian (first) name of the King or Queen together with the letter R which stands for Regina (Queen) or Rex (King). VR for Victoria Regina 1837 - 1901 ER for Edward Rex 1901 - 1910 GR for George Rex (George V) 1910 - 1936 or 1936 - 1952 ER for Elizabeth Regina 1952 - present day Note: in the Royal cypher of King George the fifth the V is always missing.

The door was replaced! Find out more about Letter boxes by visiting our Post Office page Back to London Index Learn about England and the other countries in Britain from the children who live in ther Follow this link to report typos, bad links or general mistakes About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

A Brief History of London

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The Romans eventually regained control and rebuilt London, this time adding a Forum (market) and Basilica (a business centre), and slowly building a wall around the city to protect it from further invasion.

The Square Mile

The area inside the defensive wall is now known as The Square Mile, or The City, and is the financial centre of the UK. There is much evidence remaining in the City of the Roman city of Londinium, and often when new buildings are built and excavations are made, exciting archaeological finds are made!

Anglo-Saxons

The Romans left at the beginning of the 5th Century as the Roman Empire crumbled, leaving London largely deserted. Britain was invaded by the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes (who came from Holland, Germany and Denmark). These Anglo-Saxons were farmers and tended to live outside big towns. We know very little about what happened to London in this period. By the beginning of the 7th Century the city had become important enough to justify the building of a cathedral, St Pauls. There is still a cathedral (but not the same one!) on the same spot. Once again we know very little about London for a few hundred years, although during the 9th and 10th Centuries there were many attacks by the Vikings. London Bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down, London Bridge is falling down, My fair lady. It is thought that this nursery rhyme probably records an attack against London by the Viking, Olaf, at the beginning of the 11th Century.

Medieval London (1066 1485)

Soon afterwards, the Normans invaded from France and William I (William the Conqueror) took control. He quickly began to build a stronghold to guard London, the Tower of London. The Tower has been used as a castle and a palace, a zoo and a weapons store, a mint (where coins are made) and a prison. You can learn more about the Tower here. We have a colouring page of the Tower of London here: London colouring pages A crowded and smelly city! The city grew up within the original Roman walls, which were repaired and built up. Houses were made of wood and plaster and crowded together very tightly, with the upper floors leaning out over the

streets, which were either cobbled or dirt. Rubbish was thrown out of the windows onto the streets below! Lord Mayor of London In the early 13th Century, King John showed how important London had become by granting the city the right to elect a Lord Mayor every year. The most famous of the early mayors is Dick Whittington, who was Lord Mayor four times between 1397 and 1420. You may already know the popular and very well-known story about Dick Whittington (not based on his actual life). If you go to the Square Mile today, you will find lots of evidence of Medieval London in the street names, which tell of the trades and shops which were established in those times. Pudding Lane, Bread Street and Milk Street are obvious examples! The tailor shops were based in Threadneedle Street, and you can find Ropemakers Square, Silk Street, and Poultry too. Explore! If you want to explore some of the street names in the City, find an online map service, type in Threadneedle and click on London street. You will see a number of streets with gate in their name, such as Bishopsgate, Moorgate, etc. These were the original gates in the defensive wall, where people could enter or leave the city.

Tudor London (1485 1603)

London was the centre of trade and government under the Tudor monarchs. We know that there were about 200,000 people living in London by 1600. There were three main areas of population: within the old City walls, in the nearby town of Westminster, and on the south side of the river, in Southwark. Most of London as we know it today was still fields. The Tudors established a number of palaces in London and the area around, and also made deer parks so that they could indulge in their favourite occupation of hunting. You can still see deer in Richmond Park, in south London. Shipbuilding and Exploration The river Thames was very important in Tudor times as Britains navy was expanded. Dockyards were built and ships were sent to explore the world - the Americas and India, for example. Shakespeare and The Globe The first theatres were built in London during this time. The most famous is of course The Globe, in which Shakespeare owned a share. His plays were performed there. The original theatre was burnt down in 1613 and immediately rebuilt, but closed by the Puritans in 1642. In the 1990s a new Globe Theatre was built, as close to the original as possible, and thrives with constant productions of Shakespeares plays.

17th Century
The 17th Century was an unsettled time for Britain, and particularly London. The Gunpowder Plot, 1605 Remember, remember the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot See our pages on The Gunpowder Plot here. Civil War In the 1640s civil war raged in England, with Charles I and his army battling against Parliament, led by Oliver Cromwell and based in London. The King lost and was beheaded in London in 1649. The reign of Parliament did not last long, however, and Charles II was crowned in Westminster Abbey in 1660. The Great Plague, 1665 In 1665, rats on board trading ships brought bubonic plague into the city of London. Because people lived in very close quarters and hygiene standards were very low, it spread very quickly. If you caught it, the chances of surviving were very slim.

If someone in your household was infected, a red cross was painted on your door and it was boarded up so that everyone inside was isolated for 40 days. Over the year that the plague rampaged, 100,000 people died. The wealthy fled the city, while the bodies piled up in the streets and empty houses were looted. Did you know that a popular childrens nursery rhyme commemorates the plague? Ring a ring-o-roses, A pocket full of posies, Ah-tishoo, ah-tishoo, We all fall down. The first line refers to the red, ring-like rash which sufferers developed. The pocket full of posies is the little bunches of herbs and flowers which Londoners carried to protect themselves against bad smells and germs, called a nosegay. One of the first symptoms of the plague was sneezing, hence ah-tishoo, ah-tishoo. And while children now enjoy bumping down quickly to the ground as they sing we all fall down, this of course refers to the plague victims dying! The Great Fire of London, 1666 A small fire, accidentally started in Pudding Lane in the City of London in September of 1666, was the cause of an enormous fire which lasted four days and wiped out 80% of London. Amazingly, very few people lost their lives, but buildings which had been crammed very close together and were made of wood were easily destroyed. After the fire all new buildings were made of stone and brick. If you visit the City of London now you can see a tall monument called The Monument to the Great Fire. It is positioned so that if it fell over in the right direction it would point to the exact place where the fire started. We know a very great deal about the Great Fire of London because it was documented by a Mr Samuel Pepys, who kept an extensive diary.

18th Century London

Britain was a very powerful nation in the 18th Century and London, with its trading capabilities, was the centre of its power. Goods were brought into London from all over the world. During this century, London also became an important financial centre. Much of the business of the day was done in coffee houses in the Square Mile especially in Exchange Alley, the site of Londons stock exchange.

19th Century London

Queen Victoria Queen Victoria was crowned in 1837 and died in 1901. During her reign London expanded enormously as industry came to Britain and railways were built linking much of Britain to the capital. London was the centre of world trade and had a large, powerful Empire. Many of the buildings in London today were built in Victorian times. The most famous is probably the Houses of Parliament, built in 1834 after a fire destroyed the original buildings. Many many people live in houses built during Queen Victorias reign. The population of London exploded and the boundaries of the City spread outward. The Tube London had the first ever underground railway (The Tube) which opened in 1862. The Poor It was not fun to be poor in Victorian times! If you were lucky, you might have gone to a Ragged School rather than a Poor House!

20th Century London

London continued to grow both in population and spread during the 20th Century. Between 1919 and 1939, built-up London doubled in size as the suburbs were extended.

Shopping had always been good in London, but big department stores were built in the early part of the Century (Harrods and Selfridges): these were the first of their kind! The Blitz There was a lot of damage to London during the Second World War, with some of the worst damage being done to the City, around (and including) St Pauls Cathedral. You can often tell where a bomb landed by the fact that there is a modern building surrounded by older (usually Victorian) buildings. During the Blitz, many people took shelter in the underground railway stations. It wasnt much fun to live in London during the Blitz, and many children (known as Evacuees) were evacuated from London with just a small suitcase and a name-tag around their necks, to go and stay with strangers in the country. Many did not see their families for the duration of the war, and found it very strange to go back to the city.

The New Century

Londoners marked the end of the century by building The Millennium Wheel, or London Eye, a huge Ferris wheel overhanging the river Thames which gives far-reaching views of London. It is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Back to Themes Summer Doodle Fun 26 Creative Pages of Printable Summer Fun For Kids! Summer wildlife, summer clothes, summer food and summer outings! 120 Sudoku Puzzles designed just for kids! Download and print now! More in the Shop Copyright 2000 - 2011 Activity Village. All rights reserved. These pages are the property of Activity Village and are for personal, classroom and library use only A Small Publishing Website activityvillage.co.uk

History of London - The Romans and their wall

woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk Contact me Follow me on Twitter British life and culture - England, Scotland and Wales The History of London Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England People have lived in the London area for more than 5,000 years, but instead of a city, there used to be forests and marshes. Legend says that London was founded not by the Romans of the 1st century AD, but in a far more ancient time by Brutus the Trojan, around 1070 BC, about 1000 years before the Roman invasion. Brutus was the great-grandson of Aeneas, a Trojan prince who was one of the few survivors after the Greeks burnt Troy to the ground. Read the story how the Greeks made a big wooden horse and filled it with soldiers Following the destruction of the city of Troy, the inhabitants set off to find new lands. According to a 12th-century monk named Geoffrey of Monmouth, when Brutus lands in Britian its inhabited by a race of giants led by Gog and Magog. After wrestling them into submission, Brutus chains them to the doors of his palace, he builds on the site where the Guildhall is today. Drawings of the old wooden statues of Gog and Magog Wooden statues of Gog and Magog stood guard outside the entrance of the Guidhall until they were destroyed in an air raid in 1940. Today, Gog and Magog are considered as the traditional guardians of the City of London, and images of the two have been carried in the Lord Mayors Show since the reign of Henry V (1412-1422). Effigies of Gog and Magog carried at the 2007 Lord Mayors Show 43 450 793 1066 1485 1837 1914 Back to London Index Learn about England and the other countries in Britain from the children who live in ther Follow this link to report typos, bad links or general mistakes About Us | Search | Site Map | Feedback | User Information | Contact Us Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from Mandy Barrow, Woodlands Junior School. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us. Copyright 2010 Mandy Barrow - Terms & Conditions Woodlands Junior School, Hunt Road Tonbridge Kent TN10 4BB UK woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk

London Theme for Kids

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Activity Village visits London! This page is all about London for kids, with fun colouring pages, printables, crafts and lots more to celebrate Englands wonderful capital city! Even if you cant visit London yourselves, you can visit from the comfort of your computer. The Queen will be celebrating her Diamond Jubilee in June 2012, and London (and Activity Village) will be celebrating along with her! Diamond Jubilee NEW!

London Colouring Pages

Have some fun with our London colouring pages, featuring lots of favourite London landmarks, London transport and more! London Colouring Pages Lots NEW!

London Crafts
If you live in London, are visiting Englands capital, or are studying London, why not bring this wonderful city to life with some of our London crafts for kids! London crafts

Learn About London

Sarah has compiled a guide to the best online resources from the London museums so that you can take a virtual tour of the citys best museums with your kids without leaving home! London Museums For Kids

More About London

Coming soon! Do you know the muffin man, The muffin man, the muffin man, Do you know the muffin man, Who lives in Drury Lane?

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Royal Family Colouring Pages Back to Themes

Summer Doodle Fun 26 Creative Pages of Printable Summer Fun For Kids! Summer wildlife, summer clothes, summer food and summer outings! 120 Sudoku Puzzles designed just for kids! Download and print now! More in the Shop Copyright 2000 - 2011 Activity Village. All rights reserved. These pages are the property of Activity Village and are for personal, classroom and library use only A Small Publishing Website activityvillage.co.uk Archive All Download Newest