Westminster Hall is one of London's most stunning spaces.

Today, I'd like to take a closer look at this place.

Westminster Hall: article summary

A brief history of the Palace of Westminster

The first Palace of Westminster was built for Edward the Confessor in the 1040s and 1050s. It was rebuilt and enlarged during the medieval period and beyond.

Visit Palace of Westminster was the main royal residence until 1512, when a fire destroyed much of the residential part of the palace. It later became the seat of both Houses of Parliament: the Commons and the Lords.

Most of the palace was again destroyed by another huge fire in 1834 and rebuilt to plans by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin.

The Palace of Westminster today

Remarkably, thanks to a change in wind direction and the heroic efforts of the firefighters, Westminster Hall managed to survive the blaze. It is now the oldest part of the palace.

Westminster Hall was built between 1097 and 1099 during the reign of William II, son of William the Conqueror.

Westminster Hall: a breathtaking interior

At 73 m, it was probably the largest hall in Europe at the time of its construction, designed to impress the king's subjects.

The stone walls are 2 meters thick. The hall has been the scene of some of the world's most important in the country's history.including :

• The first English Parliament in 1265
• The trial of William Wallace in 1305
• The trial of King Charles I in 1649

From 1189 to 1821, it was also the venue for the coronation banquet, immediately following the monarch's coronation.

Behold the impressive hammered-beam roof

The first thing that catches your eye when you enter the hall is the incredible hammered-beam roof.

Commissioned in 1393 by King Richard II during the renovation of the hall, it is the largest medieval wooden roof in Northern Europe.

It was built near Farnham in Surrey, then the 660 tons were transported on wagons and barges to Westminster for assembly.

At the ends of each beam are carved angels holding shields bearing the royal coat of arms of the period. It represents the fleur-de-lys of France and the 3 royal lions of England.

Westminster Hall: spot the royal symbols

All around the room, look for Richard II's emblem: the white heart. You'll also see the white deer on the central staircase.

Unfortunately for Richard II, after all this remodeling, the first major event to take place in his newly designed hall was his own deposition in 1399.

Commemorative plaques on the ground

On the floor are a number of brass plaques, easy to miss, commemorating events that took place in the room.

For example, there's a plaque stating that it was here, on 1ᵉʳ July 1535, that Sir Thomas More was sentenced to death.

There are also plates indicating where the bodies of various monarchs are laid to rest. George VI and the Queen Mother, Sir Winston Churchill and, of course, Queen Elizabeth II.

Westminster Hall: Saint Stephen Hall

OK, so it's not quite inside Westminster Hall, but I'd recommend a detour to St Stephen's Hall, which leads from Westminster Hall to the Houses of Parliament.

St Stephen's Hall is part of the palace rebuilt after the devastating fire of 1834. It is lined with statues of famous members of parliament and paintings depicting dramatic events in British history.

How to visit Westminster Hall

Everyone can visit Westminster Hall when Parliament is in session. You can watch the debates in the Houses on Wednesdays, or book one of their guided tours.

A trip to London isn't complete without spending part of your vacation in Westminster. You'll have the chance to discover England's political Mecca and attend debates in this large parliamentary room.

Visit Saint-James Palace is often lost among London's other famous royal monuments.

Today, let's stop off at a place that's sometimes overlooked on London tours.

Palais Saint-James: article summary

The Palais Saint James: at a glance

The palace was built by Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536. Its name derives from the leper hospital that once stood on its site in the 11th century.

Its original Tudor-style red-brick building and interior can still be seen today. However, a large part of the palace was destroyed by fire in 1809. As a result, most of the original palace was remodeled during the 19th century.

The palace served as Henry VIII's residence to "escape the formal life of the court". You can still see the initials "HA" decorated on some of the palace's Tudor fireplaces.

However, many sad events also took place inside the palace, such as the death of two of Henry VIII's children, including his illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy, who lived in the palace until 1536.

A history directly linked to the royal family

Mary I and Elizabeth I often spent the night at St James's Palace. Charles I spent his last night inside the palace before his execution.

Charles II restored the palace at around the same time as he designed nearby St. James Park. During this period, it became the monarch's principal residence.

St James's Palace was also an important venue for many events linked to the monarch, such as Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert in 1840.

Charles Iᵉʳ took communion on the morning of his execution inside the Royal Chapel, and William and Mary as well as George III and Queen Charlotte, Victoria and Albert and George V and Queen Mary all married here.

The palace dwellers today

Today, the Royal Court is housed inside the palace, and Princess Beatrice of York, Princess Eugene of York and Princess Alexandra of Alexandria are all members of the Royal Court. have taken up residence at the Palais Saint-James.

The palace is also used for official receptions, such as visits by heads of state or royal charities.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall live at Clarence House, which is also attached to the Palais Saint-James.

Palais Saint James: things to see

Inside the palace, you'll find four courtyards known as :

• Ambassador Court
• Engine Court
• Friary Court
• Colour Court

There is also a four-storey guardhouse with two crenellated octagonal towers and a central clock.

The clock was added later in 1731 and was decorated with the initials "HA" for Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn.

You can also still see Henry VIII's "HR" at the Tudor gatehouse on the south side of St James's Street, which is located close to the original pedestrian crossings leading to Color Court.

A huge complex of royal buildings

The palace is also part of a "sprawling complex" of different buildings housing judicial offices and official apartments.

These include :

• York House
• Lancaster House
• Clarence House

See the Changing of the Guard from Saint James Palace

To obtain a good vantage point for changing the guard, avoid the entire Buckingham Palace and try to get as close as possible to Friary Court.

This way, you can avoid the crowd and stand three meters away from the guards as soon as the group begins to march past.

How do I get there?

To get there, you can borrow :

• Visit metrothe nearest station is Green Park
• Visit train thanks to Charing Cross and Victoria stations
• Visit bus by taking lines 9 and N9

How to visit Saint-James Palace

Unfortunately, the palace is closed to the public and access can only be obtained for official purposes or by invitation to special events.

However, you can still visit the Royal Chapel, an active place of worship.

Visitors can also see the guards of the Household Cavalry at St. James's Palace, which are inspected by the Captain of the Queen's Guard at 11am.

The changing of the guard also departs from Palais Saint-James every day at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on Sundays, and leads to the shopping center to the gates of Buckingham Palace.

What are the opening hours?

Services are held at the Chapelle Royale every Sunday at 8:30 and 11:15 a.m. all year round, except August and September.

The chapel may be closed at any time of year for scheduled events or royal celebrations.

Saint James's Palace is a rarely visited place. Yet it's a real gem in the heart of London. If you're planning a visit, I'd recommend a detour, you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Heralded as one of the best immersive cocktail experiences you'll ever visit, Alcotraz is a unique adventure that puts you right in the middle of history.

Today, we focus on this unique experience in London.

Alcotraz: article summary

Alcotraz: at a glance

Created by the team at Inventives Productions, Alcotraz is the iconic multi-location UK experience that follows the legend of notorious smuggler and criminal Cassidy.

The company also manages Moonshine Saloon, a Western-style prequel, as well as a cocktail delivery experience called Cassidy's.

Alcotraz has branches in :

• Brighton
• Liverpool
• Manchester
• London

The place is inspired by the cinema and television that brought to life the infamous famous stories from Alcatraz prison.

An immersive experience

The venue opened in 2017 and has been growing in popularity ever since. The cost is currently £37 per convict, with groups of all sizes welcome.

If you come with 6 people, you can all fit into one cell. Larger groups will be split up, and smaller groups may have to be split up. share a lounge area depending on the number of reservations.

With numerous slots available 6 days a week, you can visit us day and night on weekends.

Bring your own alcohol

Alcotraz requires you to bring your own alcohol to the experience. It can be any spirit you and your group enjoy.

Please note that the bottle you bring back must be sealed. You can then leave it with the mixologist, who will will use it to prepare concoctions for you during your stay there.

You can discover unique cocktails made with your favorite spirit.

Alcotraz: an experience in London

The experience begins outside the facility with your registration and knowledge of prison rules.

From there, you register with a prison guard who will help you smuggle in your alcohol.

You then meet the warden who runs the prison, who introduces himself to you and gives you your orange jumpsuit!

You are then redirected to your cell, where most of the experience is then hosted.

A life-size role-playing game

During your evening, you'll receive 4 cocktails prepared for you during your detention, which lasts just under 2 hours.

They were delivered in a prison mug, iced and perfectly dosed. The immersive show is also very interesting.

From the moment you arrive until the very end, there's plenty of interaction with a wide range of players, adding to the sense of immersion.

All in all, Alcotraz is one of the best London experiences you can have. The combination of cocktails with show elements and personal interaction adds a lot to an evening out with friends.

You'll leave with a head full of memories and a sense of adventure. you'll probably want to visit again.

Marble Archlocated in the north-east corner of Hyde Park near Speaker's Corner, is a must-see in London.

Today, I'd like to tell you more about this exceptional place.

Marble Arch: article summary

Marble Arch: an architect at work

In 1827, John Nash set to work designing the three-arch structure. It is based on the Arc of Constantine in Rome and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in Paris.

Nash was one of Britain's most celebrated architects of the Georgian and Regency periods.

Although the historical architects are not very famous, their work speaks for itself.

You're bound to have heard of Nash. In fact, he's the architect behind some of London's most important buildings, including :

• Park Crescent
• Carlton House
• Regent Street
• Trafalgar Square
• King's Opera House
• King's Road

Symbolic sculpted reliefs

A relief is a sculpture that is carved into a surface or wall and therefore appears to be attached to it. In the case of Marble Arch, classic motifs are carved in Ravaccione, a type of Carrara marble native to Italy.

On the north side, you will find reliefs of three female figures representing England, Ireland and Scotlandsculpted by Richard Westmacott. Westmacott also created the statue of Achilles in Hyde Park Corner.

The bas-relief is as follows:

• The woman in the center is England, wearing the helmet of Britannia
• On the left, Ireland holds a harp
• On the right, Scotland holds the Saint-André shield.

The south side of Marcle Arch is full of meaning

On this south side, you'll find "Peace with War Trophies", two female figures, or angels, sculpted by EH Baily, who sculpted Nelson in Trafalgar Square.

The angel on the left is the angel of peace and abundance. The angel on the right is virtue and value. The flame between them is a symbol of freedom.

Marble Arch: a displaced arch

The monument was commissioned to be the official entrance to the Court of Honour at Buckingham Palace, which is not where it currently stands.

It was in 1851 that architect and urban planner Decimus Burton, a pupil of John Nash, had the idea of moving to its current site.

In the 1960s, Park Lane was widened and the site on which Marble Arch stands became a crossroads.

Myths about the reasons for the move

The myth that the monument's rooms were used as a police station is not the only myth surrounding this historic lighthouse.

Another reason is that the reason Marble Arch was moved to Park Lane from the Buckingham Palace was that Queen Victoria's state carriage was too wide to fit through the arch.

However, this was disproved at Queen Victoria's coronation procession, where it slipped through the arch en route to Westminster Abbey in 1838, and the coronation procession of Queen Elizabeth II had no problems in 1953.

Marble Arch: a police station?

There are three small rooms inside the rebuilt arch. From 1851 to 1968, these rooms mainly housed the Royal Park Service and later the Metropolitan Police.

This led people to speculate that Marble Arch was therefore a "police station", but that's not quite the case.

For a location to be considered an "active police station", it would have to be a place where crimes can be reported and equipped with holding cells or interrogation rooms.

Marble Arch cash flow problems

King George IV, who commissioned the design and construction of Marble Arch, had a reputation for being a big spender.

So he didn't hesitate to involve John Nash in the design. When William IV became king, he asked the architect who had replaced Nash, Edward Blore, to remove a large part of the decorations and the entire attic in order to cut costs.

Once he had brought the costs down to the budget he deemed appropriate, construction began.

As with many London landmarks, Marble Arch has a rich and eventful history. During your visit, don't hesitate to take a look at its history. to discover this exceptional arch in the heart of London.

Spend an evening at the casino in London is an exceptional way to spend a night in the capital.

Today, I'm talking about the different places you can visit in the city.

Place your bets!

London Casino: article summary

London Hippodrome Casino

In many cities around the world, casinos can be located slightly outside the city center, because they require quite a lot of space.

However, this is not always true of London casinos. Find out by visiting Leicester Square Hippodrome Casino.

It is a large cosmopolitan casino with :

• Three floors of slot machines
• Tables and games
• The UK's only Pokerstars LIVE stage
• Giant screens for sports

Between bets, you can grab a bite to eat at Heliot Steak House. It's a place that serves some of London's most mouth-watering steaks.

The Hippodrome has everything you need for a chic evening out in London. To get there, exit at :

• Leicester Square

Empire Casino

Another casino in Leicester Square, London's entertainment district, is the Empire Casino.

Here you will find the usual elements:

• poker tables
• blackjack
• roulette wheel
• slot machines

Add to this a balcony cocktail bar, and you'll feel like James Bond ordering his martini with a shaker. You bet! spend an exceptional evening, alone or with friends.

London Casino: Palm Beach Casino

If you can't make it to Florida's sumptuous Palm Beach, then Palm Beach Casino de Mayfair is an equally interesting option.

You can expect poker tables open 24 hours a day, and enjoy the presence of a late-night restaurant.

The casino ticks all the boxes of sophistication, luxury and class. The restaurant is led by award-winning executive chef Mahmud Zaman, who serves night after night some of the city's most decadent dishes, accompanied by fresh cocktails.

To get here, take the metro and get off at :

• Green Park

Le Grosvenor Casino

There are a number of Grosvenor casinos in London, but being a chain has no influence on the customized experience available at each site.

The London locations are at :

• Rialto
• Victoria
• Barracuda
• Golden Horseshoe

There are also establishments throughout the UK, including Cardiff in South Wales and Portsmouth in the south of England.

Casino London : Aspers Westfield

Further afield, in Stratford, east London, you'll find Aspers Westfield in Stratford City. This casino features :

• A floor entirely dedicated to games
• A separate poker room
• A restaurant open all day and all hours
• Cocktail bars

The smart-casual dress code makes it a fun and relaxing space, while staying within the spectrum of nightlife.

It's an event venue dotted with restaurants and good food, so you won't have to miss a thing. It's easy to fit an on-site dinner into your schedule.

To get there, take the metro to :

• Stratford

Genting Casino in Chinatown

Although they are part of a chain of casinos, one of the best locations for Genting casinos is the one in Chinatown.

The interior is as lively as its surroundings, London's famous entertainment district that never sleeps.

In addition to traditional table games and slot machines, they also offer authentic Squeeze Baccarat, as well as classic Blackjack, American Roulette and Poker.

Another exceptional Genting Casino location is Crockfords in Mayfair on Curzon Street.

To get there, you can take the metro stations :

• Leicester Square
• Tottenham Court Road

Planning a casino outing during your trip to London is an exceptional activity that shouldn't be overlooked. You'll enjoy the city's most popular entertainment venues and be able to spend a memorable evening with friends in the heart of the English capital.

If you're looking for best burgerLondon is a good place to do your research.

Today, I'm taking you to some of the city's finest establishments!

Grab your forks!

Best burger in London: article summary

Best burger in London: Bake Street

You can't consider yourself a connoisseur of London's culinary scene. before you've had brunch or lunch on Bake Street.

This popular spot on Evering Road offers alfresco dining only and is regularly frequented by regulars.

Burgers are the reason Bake Street is on this list. You can eat Bake Street's burgers with your eyes closed. The place probably serves the best burgers in town.

Bleecker

There are a number of Bleecker restaurants scattered around the city, and each of them is a great place to enjoy a delicious Bleecker meal. one of the best burgers in London.

For a long time, the establishment offered the Bleecker Black: a double cheeseburger that had a slice of black pudding sandwiched between slices of bread.

When Bleecker first appeared on the scene as a novelty, many people called it the best burger in London. To be honest, little has changed since then.

Best burger in London: Black Bear Burger

High-quality British meat is the secret to Black Bear Burger's success. The beef used to make Black Bear Burger burgers comes from native, grass-fed breeds. in the south-west of England.

This beef is then dry-aged on the bone and divided to create the steaks, giving each burger a rich, flavorful mouthfeel.

When you come and eat there, you're sure to discover a burger unlike any other. Enough to spend a unique tasting experience during your trip to London.

Patty & Bun

Whether you're eating in or taking away, Patty & Bun is one of the best burger joints in town.

P&B's regular menu is packed with tasty options. While you're there, I recommend you try the "Ari Gold", this burger is the stuff of legend.

But there are plenty of other specialities on offer, which really do make Patty & Bun one of London's best burgers.

Best burger in London: Beer + Burger

Beer + Burger is an establishment that offers nothing more than good beer and good burgers.

B+B's bacon cheeseburger is undoubtedly one of the best burgers in London. It's a real delight.

Beer + Burger doesn't do things by halves. The double cheeseburger actually contains not two, but three aged and smashed beef steaks, topped with the restaurant's signature "goop sauce".

Manna

Manna is the brainchild of Feroz Gaija and one of the rising stars of central London's Arcade Food Hall.

The fried chicken sandwiches alone are worth enduring the long, endless escalator from Tottenham Court Road.

Manna's signature smash burger is a simple, delicious construction where each steak is perfectly cooked on the grill before being layered with all the other ingredients.

It's a great example of what a burger should be. If you prefer spicy dishes, the "Hot One" is a perfect option thanks to adding Manna sauce, pickled jalapeños and spicy chili oil.

Best burger in London: Burger & Beyond

Burger & Beyond, an Essex burger van turned restaurant, is a perfect stop to end this article on London's best burgers.

Made from freshly ground, dry-aged beef from only the finest cuts of meat, steaks offer intense tastes to discover.

The regular burger is a customer favorite, but you can also try their famous "Candle Burger" with :

• Steak sauce
• Beef marrow mayonnaise
• Onions cooked in beef fat

If that whets your appetite, head to the nearest Burger & Beyond. There are numerous branches in London ready to welcome you.

If you're looking for the best burger in London, the city is a great hunting ground. During your visit, you could be surprised by the many offers available in the English capital.