Buckingham Palace (future site of): The core of the Palace was built by the Duke of Buckingham in 1705 and acquired by George III in 1761. It became the official residence of the British monarch in 1837. Westminster Abbey: Originally a Benedictine monastery, Westminster Abbey has been the church for royal coronations, weddings and other events of state since 1066. It is the final resting place for seventeen British monarchs. Whitehall: Whitehall was the chief London residence for the Tudor and Stuart monarchs. As such, it was the scene of many court entertainments. Inigo Jones built a new Banqueting House for James I. A quarter century later, James' son, Charles I, was executed in front of the hall. Charing Cross: One of twelve crosses erected by Edward I as a memorial to his wife Eleanor of Castile in 1291, Charing Cross was the site of entertainments, executions, and public pillorying. The original cross was pulled down in 1647. Covent Garden: Formerly the "convent garden" attached to Westminster Abbey, it was later developed by the earl of Bedford into upscale housing and a public square. After 1660, it became a thriving theater district. Smithfield/Bartholomew Fair: London's largest livestock market and a favorite gathering place for tournaments, sporting events, and public executions. Bartholomew Fair was held from 1123 until its suppression in 1855. Blackfriars: Originally a Dominican monastery, the land and buildings were redeveloped into warehouses, upscale housing, and eventually a public indoor theater. Plays by William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Francis Beaumont, and others were presented at the Blackfriars. St. Paul's Cathedral: The Cathedral for the diocese of London. Paul's Churchyard was a popular public gathering place and a center of London's early book trade. Religious and political ideas were regularly expounded at the open-air pulpit known as Paul's Cross. Royal Barge: A ceremonial vessel used by the monarch to move between the Royal Palaces of Windsor, Westminster, Hampton Court, Greenwich, and the Tower of London. Bull and Bear Baiting: Immensely popular sports, bull and bear baitings were patronized by all social classes. First reference to the Bankside arenas was in 1546. The theaters on Bankside were added, beginning in the 1590s. The Hope Theater accommodated both drama and baiting. Cheapside: On one of London's busiest thoroughfares, Cheapside was the largest of London's markets, serving as the site for shopkeepers, traders, and even occasional executions. Guildhall: The center of civic government, where Lord Mayors and Sheriffs were elected. Also the place for important state trials, including those of Lady Jane Grey and Archbishop Cranmer. Royal Exchange: Founded by Thomas Gresham in 1565 as a center of international commerce for the city of London. Designated the "Royal" Exchange by Elizabeth I in 1570. London Bridge: The first bridge to be constructed across the Thames. A twentieth century bridge still connects the central city of London to the South Bank. London Wall: Probably built in the late 2nd century, the wall was approximately 2 miles in length and enclosed a medieval city of about 330 acres. Tower of London: William I began construction near the end of 1066. Home to the crown jewels, the Tower has served as a palace, a prison, and a site of execution. To the Olympics: 2.5 sq kilometers of land has been transformed into the Olympic Park in east London. After the games, the park will serve as a new green space for the city.
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