London
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Westminster Abbey
Church, burial ground, coronation site and much more, Westminster Abbey continues to attract visitors over 900 years after its founding.
In many respects the architecture is common. There's the traditional cross-shaped floor plan with a nave, north and south transepts and several round side areas. But both its execution and use raise The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster -the official name- to among the highest examples of church construction.
For, here lie buried kings and poets, scientists and philosophers who have themselves raised humankind to the highest levels. Isaac Newton and James Clerk Maxwell (discoverer of electromagnetic theory, which later lead to radio and TV), Chaucer and Kipling, Dr. Samuel Johnson (creator of the first English dictionary) and many other justly famous names are interred here.
Here lie many of the kings of English history. Henry III, for example, who reigned from the age of nine for 56 years, is buried in the Abbey. Much of the current structure owes its origins to his efforts.
New discoveries are still being made within its walls. As recently as 2005 the burial tomb of its founder, Edward the Confessor (Edward I) was discovered beneath a 1268 AD Cosmati mosaic. A number of other royal tombs dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries were also found using ground penetrating radar.
But far from being merely about the dead, here the centuries of history come alive. Still an active church, Westminster Abbey is the site of services and events for all denominations. Used for every coronation since William the Conqueror's in 1066, pageantry combines with austerity to create an atmosphere of grandeur.
That grandeur can be seen in the enormous vaulted ceilings, typical of early Gothic design. But the artistic grandeur combines with technological brilliance. Just as one example, the support arches are not the ornate visible ones, but are actually enclosed within the thick stone roof.
The art housed by the Abbey makes the site worth visiting. Inside the west entrance is a portrait of Richard II, painted in 1390, making it one of the oldest known contemporary portraits of a British monarch.
There are several outstanding monuments in the nave, including those depicting Winston Churchill and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior of WWI. This last was the last full-body interment in the abbey. Only containers of ashes are allowed now.
From the cloister, walk to the octagonal Chapter House near Poet's Corner, one of the earliest constructed sections, built at the time of Henry III. Here you can see the mixture of architectural styles forming the Abbey, as the result of additions made over the centuries.
Stroll over to the south transept to view the original rose window with its nearby rare medieval sculpture. Three dimensional art was often considered sinful during the period.
Then stand near the center where the various architectural elements join and take in a 360 degree view. Almost 1,000 years of history in a brief glance, still alive and still being made.
The Abbey is easily reached by the tube. Exit at the St James Park stop.
Buckingham Palace
Though one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, Buckingham Palace is still the official residence of Britain's monarchy, as it has been since Queen Victoria's designation in 1837.
Much of the building was constructed as early as 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham House -as it was then known- was purchased in 1762 by George III, who used it as a private residence. Over the following 75 years the house was expanded to form three wings around a central courtyard.
When Queen Victoria discovered the lack of several 'necessary' rooms - such as a formal ballroom, a nursery, visitor's bedrooms and others - major additions were undertaken, including adding an entire wing to form a quadrangle. The Marble Arch was moved to Hyde Park, where it still resides near Speaker's Corner. With the refacing using Portland stone in 1913, the palace received its last major change.
Still actively used as both residence and offices, over 50,000 guests and invited diplomats visit per year who interact with over 400 individuals for whom this is 'the office'. Nevertheless, several parts of the palace are open to the public.
During August and September, the West Wing admits visitors who can view the State Rooms. At other times of the year, various parts are open, where tourists can view spectacular jewels, dressing gowns, furniture and the building itself.
The Queen's Gallery near the Royal Mews -stables and, later, a garage- is open year-round and has an ever changing display of objects owned by 'the British nation'. Here you can see original paintings by Rubens, Vermeer, Canaletto and other great artists.
The Royal Mews are also open to the public, where you can see 30 horses and the golden State Coach. The four-ton coach, pulled by eight horses, is used for coronations and other state functions.
Outside, the 40-acre garden presents a peaceful walk full of well-tended flowers and shrubs and a superb view of the lake.
Of course, the major attraction outside is the Changing of the Guard, or as it's more formally known: the Guard Mounting. Household Troops have guarded the Sovereign since 1660, but today the task is carried out at Buckingham by soldiers drawn mostly from the regiments of the Foot Guards.
A Guards' band plays a traditional military march as one set of guards replaces the other. When the Queen is in residence, four sentries stand at the front of the building. While she's away, the contingent is reduced to two.
In their traditional red tunic and bearskins, with the distinctive helmet, the guards are highly trained to avoid interacting with the many visitors who try to distract them. Occasionally, other Commonwealth units participate in guard duty, as do the Scots Guards and the Brigade of Gurkhas.
The Guard Mounting ceremony is performed at 11:30 am and lasts for about 45 minutes, though it's skipped sometimes owing to inclement weather. The Palace location is easily accessible by the tube. Green Park is to the north of Buckingham Palace, Victoria Station and St. James Park stations are to the south.
Where to go from here? There are many options: Explore British food, get familiar with British pubs, travel to another city of the world, taste food in Europe, discover wine in Europe, or return to World Food and Wine home page and seek a new adventure.
