don just opposite the Houses of Parliament. It is the most important and famous of all historic buildings in Britain. Since the time of William the Conqueror (1066) Westminster Abbey has been the crowning place of the kings and queens of England.
It was founded as a monastery but later it was rebuilt. The pre - sent building dates from about 1480 but the West Towers were added in the 18th century.
There are tombs and memorials of almost all English monarchs, famous statesmen and scientists, writers and musicians. Some monuments are made of gold and precious stones.
In Poets Comer the most important English literary men are bur - ied: Dickens, Shakespeare, Burns, Byron, Kipling, W. Scott, etc. There is also the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
Pupil 6. On the north side of Trafalgar Square you can see the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery next to it.
The National Gallery was begun in 1824 when 38 pictures were bought by the Government. The collection contains pictures of all the European schools of painting between the 13th and early 20th century. Now there are more than 2. 000 paintings in the collection. There are no pictures by living artists. Some pictures are bought by the Gallery, some are given by rich people and some are lent.
Pupil 7. The river Thames flows through London and there are 17 bridges over the Thames.
Tower Bridge is the gateway to London from the sea. It is the most famous but not the oldest bridge in London. It was built in 1894 not far from the Tower of London. This bridge quickly became the symbol of London. Its the only Thames bridge which can be raised.
Pupil 8. Trafalgar Square is the most famous of London squares. It is situated in the centre of London not far from Westmin - ster and B
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