London Tourist Guide » Buildings

History of the Palladium Theatre, London

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:29:26 +0000

The Palladium Theatre is one of many theatres that was designed by the famous Frank Matcham, who designed several famous theatres including the London Coliseum and the Victoria Palace. This area of London is now full of theatres, with the New London Theatre just down the road.

The Palladium was built in 1910 and is grade II listed building, but the facade dates back to the 19th century and was originally that of Argyll House and features six Corinthian columns.

A large mansion originally stood on the site that belonged to the Duke of Argyll but was demolished in 1865 before being replaced by the Corinthian Bazaar, and then occupied by a circus and then an ice skating rink, both of which were failed ventures.

The building became known as the Palladium Theatre from its opening on the 26th December, 1910 and held a variety of performances including ballet, opera, drama and comedy. The Palladium has always been well known for its variety shows and has seen a number of famous faces treading the boards including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland.

When Val Parnell took over management of the Palladium Theatre in 1945 he not only introduced a number of famous acts but also oversaw the use of the theatre for the ITV Variety TV show Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

The Palladium Theatre saw its first musical Golden Boy, starring Sammy Davis. Jr, open in 1968 and ever since the theatre has been home to a number of musical theatrical productions including The King and I, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Sound of Music. The current production is Sister Act the Musical, starring American star Patina Miller and Sheila Hancock. The London Palladium is now owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group and it will show the new Wizard of Oz musical there in the coming year.

One Canada Square and Mall

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:17:00 +0000

The tallest building in London – and anywhere in the United Kingdom as well – is a building known as One Canada Square. The tower also goes by the name of the “Canary Wharf Tower”. It is fifty stories tall and stands at a height of 235 meters. (It will soon be surpassed, however, by the Heron Tower in London which is currently under construction.) The building was under construction for a period of three years between 1988 and 1991. The majority of the building is not open to public access because it is primarily used to house offices. However, the ground floor lobby as well as the basement are open to the public, and serve as an entrance to the Canada Square shopping mall.

The adjoined mall, which is known as the Canada Square or Canada Place shopping mall, is a nice attraction to accompany a sightseeing visit to the tower. There is ice skating available inside the mall, perfect for a family visit or a relaxed dating environment. Of course, there is also a large selection of mainstream shops to choose from, as well as a modest food court for meals and snacks.

Although the Canary Wharf Tower will not hold the title of the tallest building in the U.K. for much longer, it deserves some credit for holding the title for just under twenty years. If you are a U.K. resident who goes to London for frequent day trips, the One Canada Square tower and mall can make for a nice afternoon.

Buckingham Palace

admin — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 07:32:12 +0000

The Buckingham Palace is a world renown structure, that also is known for being the home of the King and Queen of Britain. The palace has been featured in movies, historical documentaries, and various art for hundreds of years, ever since the palace was first constructed back in 1703. Over the past few decades, many portions of the palace have become more and more accessible to the general public, as well as tourists. As is expected, Buckingham Palace is a must-see for both Londoners and tourists alike.
The current image of the palace has been ingrained into many people’s minds; so much so that some might assume that it has had it’s current appearance since it was built in the 1700’s. However, the palace has undergone many expansions, and more recently, remodeling. It was remodeled to it’s current appearance back in 1913. The interior of the Buckingham Palace has maintained a fairly constant style. Although there are frequent technological updates within the palace, the color scheme and patterns in many areas of the building are the same that they have been for centuries.
Although the monarchy of Britain is becoming more and more symbolic, the symbolism of the Buckingham Palace is no less important. It will remain a very important piece of British history for years to come.

Westminster Abbey

admin — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 14:44:11 +0000

The Westminster Abbey, officially called “The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster”, is located in London, just west of the Westminster Palace. This building is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, as it is one of the most common locations for royal coronations and burials.
If you’re someone who is intrigued by vivid history or intricate building design, you’ll love the Westminster Abbey. Although the abbey wasn’t built until 1065, it is believed to have been established in the vicinity since 616 A.D, first established as a community for monks. Due to the great age of the building, it is one of the most reliable insights we have into gothic architecture. Nearly all British royalty since 1066 have been coroneted at the abbey. They have even used the same royal chair for coronations since 1308. It’s awe inspiring just to think of all the great leaders who once sat in that chair!
The museum experience at the abbey is extraordinary. There are royal effigies dating back one thousand years on display. Additionally, there is a portion of the museum dedicated to wax models. Not only do the figures bear an extreme likeness to the original kings and queens that served in Britain – they are also wearing some of the very same clothing that was worn back in the time period which they lived.
For those who are planning a trip to London, the Westminster Abbey is definitely a worthwhile stop. It’s combination of a rich history and beautiful architecture make it something that nearly everyone can be amazed by.

The Tower of London

admin — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:20:42 +0000

The Tower of London is one of the fortified complex buildings which was built during the middle ages along the Thames, as a fortress armory, royal palace and prison for the prisoners of the upper class. The coin, the State Archive, a weapons arsenal and an observatory was also included here and accommodated. All English kings and queens lived there temporarily till James I. He then stayed in a festive train through the city ride to Westminster during the day of his coronation in the tower. Currently, British crown jewels and a rich collection of weapons are kept in the tower.

In 1078, William the Conqueror ordered the White Tower to be build here. He should have the Normans before the people of the city of London but it was also a gift.

The fortress was consistently expanded during the next centuries which were headed by a wide moat surrounded. The inner building is protected from the outer wall. The powerful White Tower is found in the middle of the whole site. From afar, the tower is square but the three corners are no right angles and all four corners of different length.

Since the British crown jewels were issued here, it’s a famous Tourist Attraction of London. But the building is a collection of weapons and the rest of the city wall is of the ancient city of Londinium as London was called by the Roman Empire to pull the visitors.