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London Icons |
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2010-12-23 |
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London is home to some of the most famous and iconic attractions in the world. From Big Ben to the red telephone box, from black cabs to the Tate Modern, London's sites are instantly recognisable. With so many sights to choose from, we asked real Londoners to name their favourite London landmarks, and tell us why they think they're so special
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London's Tower Bridge |
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"It's a spectacular bridge built in the late Victorian era. Tower Bridge is truly magnificent! It's great to see the bridge open to let ships through, which happens more often than you'd think; around 900 times a year. Walking across the bridge, you see the amazing views of London, although it can get quite windy. It really gives you a sense of old London – for me, it's the ultimate London icon."
Hugo, 40, Battersea
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The London Eye |
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"I love the big wheel at a fair ground, so I think the London Eye is a fantastic way of getting a bird's-eye view of the city. On a good day you can see for miles and miles – at the peak, the whole of London is laid out for you, almost like a game of Monopoly. The Eye is definitely my favourite London icon. A friend hired a private capsule for her birthday, so we were up there with all of our mates, oohing and ahhing. It was fantastic!"
Jenny, 47, Dalton
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Covent Garden |
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"It's a bit of continental Europe right in the middle of London, with tables from restaurants and eateries spilling out onto the piazza. Covent Garden is also where you'll find London's best street performers, from singers belting out arias to mime artists performing crowd-pleasing stunts. Whenever my family comes to London, this is where I take them."
Sanjay, 26, Neasden |
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Piccadilly Circus |
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"There's always a real buzz in Piccadilly Circus – the buildings are lit up with dazzling electric signs, and there are always people standing by the Statue of Eros, waiting for friends. Eros is another great icon of London, too! Piccadilly Circus leads you into Soho, Chinatown and Leicester Square, areas where you'll find restaurants, pubs, clubs, theatres and cinemas. It's where I spend my Friday nights!"
Sam, 23, Dulwich |
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St Paul's Cathedral |
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"I was only 10 when I watched Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding on the television. I remember the 25-foot-long (7.6m) dress train trailing behind her as she walked up the aisle in St Paul's – it looked so dramatic! I've been a fan of the cathedral ever since: it's my nomination for the best London icon. You can walk around the whole of the ground floor, visit the crypt, and climb all 530 steps to the top of the dome."
Liz, 33, Shepherd's Bush |
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Westminster Abbey |
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"For me, Westminster Abbey is more of a historic site than a religious one. It's where every King and Queen has been crowned since 1066, and it's also the final resting place for many sovereigns, politicians and artists: it has to be one of London's greatest icons. I also love the choral concerts they hold here. Last Christmas Eve I went Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve – it was amazing."
Richard, 53, Walthamstow |
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Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament |
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"The Houses of Parliament stand on the site of the old Palace of Westminster, the main London residence of Kings and Queens. It's a really stunning riverside building: a real London icon! The clock tower is the main timepiece of the nation and home to Big Ben (the bell). I took my son on a tour around Parliament during the summer opening and he loved it! We even managed to climb all the stairs to the top of Big Ben."
Chris, 45, Hammersmith |
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