Westminster and Trafalgar Square

Westminster lies on the north bank of the river, to the west of the City. It’s the political centre of the United Kingdom- the home of the British Parliament. The nation’s leaders and the men and women who represent the British people meet and debate in the two Houses of Parliament- The House of Commons and The House of Lords.
Next to Parliament is Westminster Abbey. Almost every coronation has happened here since William the Conqueror. And above Parliament rises London’s famous clock tower- Big Ben. Its four white faces look north, south, east and west. But Big Ben isn’t really the name of the clock. It’s the name of the bell inside the clock.

Trafalgar Square- in the middle of the Trafalgar Square is Nelson’s Column. This commemorates the sea victory of Admiral Lord Nelson at Trafalgar in 11805. Nelson spent his life looking over the sea. And his statue also looks over a sea- a se of pigeons. These pigeons are probably the fattest in the world. They’re popular with the tourists, but unpopular with the people who look after the buildings. One of these is the National Gallery- home of many famous paintings.