Massive piers had to be sunk into the river bed to support the construction, over 11,000 tons of steel provided the framework for the towers and walkways.   This was then clad in Cornish granite and Portland stone, both to protect the underlying steelwork and to give the bridge a more pleasing appearance.   It is a beautiful and unique looking bridge.

The name Big Ben actually refers not to the clock-tower itself , but to the thirteen ton bell hung within.   The bell was named after the first commissioner of works, Sir Benjamin Hall.

During the second world war in 1941, an incendiary bomb destroyed the Commons chamber of the Houses of Parliament, but the clock tower remained intact and Big Ben continued to keep time and strike away the hours, its unique sound was broadcast to the nation and around the world, a welcome reassurance of hope to all who heard it.

To the left, the London Eye can be seen.   The view is just spectacular.   You can see up to 25 miles in each direction with views over some of the world's most famous sights, including St Paul's, the Palace of Westminster and Windsor Castle.   It is 135 metres above the London skyline. I had the pleasure of 'flying' on the wheel, but with all the excitement, I forgot to pack an extra roll of film...

The original palace dating back to the times of Edward The Confessor was burnt down in 1834, leaving only Westminster Hall and one of the Towers the Jewel Tower remaining.   It's an impressive view from across the Thames.

Buckingham House was built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703.   George III (There's a good movie based on the life of George III. It's called The Madness of King George.   Related Links) purchased the house in 1762 and used it as one of the royal family's London homes.   George IV employed John Nash to build a new palace around the old house.   Nash designed the building with Marble Arch as the main entrance.   Marble Arch was later moved to Hyde Park.   It was not until 1837 that Queen Victoria made Buckingham Palace the royal family's principal London residence.   The palace has about 600 rooms and is surrounded by 20 hectares of gardens.   With that many rooms, it wouldn't take me long to get lost.   Perhaps Buckingham Palace would be a great place to host a season of 'Survivor'!

William the Conqueror began building, what is now known as the Tower of London, in 1078.   The first buildings were the White Tower and its Norman chapel, which is the oldest church in London.   Over the next 400 years the garrison was rebuilt, altered and enlarged.   Henry II organised the construction of the inner wall which surrounds Tower Green, the White Tower and other buildings.   Edward I extended the walled fortress and built Traitor's Gate, Beauchamp and St. Thomas Towers.   The Bloody Tower was added in the 14th century.

According to legend when Princess Elizabeth arrived on Palm Sunday 1554 she refused at first to land at the gate, angrily proclaiming that she was no traitor.   A sharp shower of rain however, caused her to change her mind.   Later, when as Queen she visited the Tower she insisted on passing throughTraitor's Gate.   "What was good enough for Elizabeth the Princess is good enough for Elizabeth the Queen", she is supposed to have told the Constable.

The Yeomen Warders, also known as the beefeaters, are armed with a haberd or pike known as a partisan.   The Chief Warder carries a staff surmounted by a silver model of the White Tower, while his second-in-command, the Yeoman Gaoler, possesses a ceremonial axe.

More of London awaits.