Victoria Embankment

L is for London - CleopatraCleopatra’s Needle in more than 3,000 years old. It was a gift from the Eyptian ruler, but nearly sank on its voyage to London in 1877. It was one of a pair found in Heliopolis and given to the British as a gift in 1819 by the Egyptian ruler Mohammed Ali. Its partner is in Central Park in New York.

Careful what you say

The dome of St Paul’s Cathedral is the second biggest dome in the world, after St Peter’s in Rome.  At its base is the Whispering Gallery, a circular walkway halfway up the inside of the dome. Due to the acoustics of the curved surface, a phrase whispered against one wall can be heard against the far wall 112 feet away.

St Paul’s

Saint Paul's Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral was built between 1675 and 1711 by Sir Christopher Wren. The foundation stone was laid in 1675 when Wren was 43 years old, and the last stone was put in lace by his son 35 years later. It was the fifth cathedral on the site. The previous Norman one was even larger than Wren’s building and had the tallest ever spire. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666.