London's Top Historical Attractions

1. The Tower of London

The Tower of London is nearly one thousand years old. A long time ago it was a castle. In Europe, it is the oldest castle and prison. In the 17th century, Guy Fawkes was held in the Tower when it was a prison. These days though, the Tower of London is only a popular tourist attraction.

Fun fact:

Ravens have lived in this place for hundreds of years. People believe that if they all fly away, England will not be a free country anymore.

2. The Houses of Parliament

One of the most famous landmarks and attractions in London is the Houses of Parliament. It was built in the 11th century. At that time, it was Westminster Palace. In 1530, King Henry VII gave the palace to the government. It then became known as the Houses of Parliament.

Fun fact:

The palace was nearly completely destroyed in 1834 by a fire.

3. Madame Tussauds

The Madame Tussaud Museum opened in London in 1835. Madame Tussaud was a French wax model maker. There are over 400 wax figures of famous people in this museum. All the models are extremely life-like. Each year, over 3 million tourists visit Madame Tussauds, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. Madame Tussauds Museums have opened in many other cities since 1835.

Fun fact:

At the entrance to the London museum, there is a wax self-portrait of Madame Tussaud which she made eight years before her death.