The UK is situated on the British Isles, north-west of the European continent between the Atlantic Ocean and the North sea. Where is the UK? The official name of the UK is the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". The official name of the UK is the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Great Britain Northern Ireland

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland If you look at the full name of the UK, you will see that the UK includes Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales If you look at the full name of the UK, you will see that the UK includes Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales People in the UK are called British although they have different nationalities

What have I done for you, England, my England? What is there I would not do, England, my own? With your glorious eyes austere, As the Lord were walking near, Whispering terrible things and dear As the Song on your bugles blown, England Round the world on your bugles blown!

Welcome to London…

Trafalgar Square

There are always a lot of people and pigeons on the square. Every winter there is a big Christmas tree which is a gift from Norway in the middle of the square. On New Years Eve people gather around the tree. In the middle of the square there is Admiral Nelsons Column. There are always a lot of people and pigeons on the square. Every winter there is a big Christmas tree which is a gift from Norway in the middle of the square. On New Years Eve people gather around the tree. In the middle of the square there is Admiral Nelsons Column.

Trafalgar Square is the popular place for political rallies and meetings. The Admiral Lord Nelsons statue surveys the memorial to his great naval victory in The Admirals statue looks towards the House of Parliament. To the other side of the column are fountains.

The Buckingham Palace

This is the Queens home. It was built in There is a great collection of paintings Buckingham Palace is the best known royal palace in the world. It was build in When Her Majesty the Queen is in the residence, the Royal Standard flutters over the east front. The palace is open to public in August and September.

The London Eye

The Queen of Great Britain The Queen of Great Britain is Elizabeth II. Her husband is Duke of Edinburgh. They have got 4 grown-up children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. The Queen of Great Britain is Elizabeth II. Her husband is Duke of Edinburgh. They have got 4 grown-up children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Westminster Abbey

This is a holy place. All English kings have been crowned and buried in the church since This is a holy place. All English kings have been crowned and buried in the church since 1308.

Westminster Cathedral

It was built between 1895 and This is the seat of the Cardinal Archbishop and the leading Roman Catholic Church in England. Its bell tower is 84 metres high. It was built between 1895 and This is the seat of the Cardinal Archbishop and the leading Roman Catholic Church in England. Its bell tower is 84 metres high.

The Houses of Parliament

Houses of Parliament stands on the River Thames at Westminster. It begun in 1840 after a Great Fire of London. It is officially known as the Palace of Westminster. The complex includes the House of Commons, the House of Lords, Westminster Hall, and the 320 foot high Clock Tower. It contains the world famous sight Big Ben.

This big palace is the most famous building in the world – the British Parliament. The building is 280 metres long. There are more than 1000 rooms. This big palace is the most famous building in the world – the British Parliament. The building is 280 metres long. There are more than 1000 rooms.

Big Ben

Big Ben, the big clock tower, is the symbol of London. It strikes hours

The Tower of London The Tower has been part of the capitals history for the past 900 years. The fortress first built by William the Conqueror as a citadel, royal palace, seat of the government. The Tower now protects the Crown Jewels.

The Tower of London has been a fortress, a palace, an arsenal, a mint, a prison, an observatory, a zoo, the home of the Crown Jewels and a tourist attraction.

Imperial State Crown

The Towers greatest treasure is the Imperial State Crown. There are diamonds on it.

Beefaters

The quards of the Tower are called Beefeaters. The legend says that if the ravens leave, the Tower and the country will fall.

Tower Bridge

The most famous bridge in London is a Tower bridge. The most famous bridge in London is a Tower bridge.

Tower Bridge is a bascule- bridge. The bascules will open to let ships pass through. Tower Bridge is a bascule- bridge. The bascules will open to let ships pass through.

St. Pauls Cathedral

St Pauls Cathedral is the spiritual centre of the City. It was first built in The present building is the fifth cathedral to built built on the site. The architect of the baroque-style building was Sir Christopher Wren. St Pauls Cathedral `is a fitting final place for many of the nations heroes.

St.Pauls Cathedral is a famous building too. Prince Charles and Princess Diana married here in St.Pauls Cathedral is a famous building too. Prince Charles and Princess Diana married here in 1981.

Double-deckers

There are big red buses called double- deckers in London. People sit upstairs and downstairs on these buses. Tourists like them very much. There are big red buses called double- deckers in London. People sit upstairs and downstairs on these buses. Tourists like them very much.

Taxis in London are old-fashioned black cars. Taxis

Telephone booths

From here you can call your friends.

River Thames

Thames flows through London. The River Thames is 338 km long. It is 245 m wide here. Even big seaships can visit London. Thames flows through London. The River Thames is 338 km long. It is 245 m wide here. Even big seaships can visit London.

Piccadilly Piccadilly is the centre of entertainment. It is the meeting point of six streets. Here you can find the most expensive shops, restaurants and entertainment places. This centre was created in 1980s.

The British, in the words of Napoleon, is 'a nation of shopkeepers. They are also a country of compulsive shoppers. They love to shop! It is their number one leisure activity and accounts for around 37% of all money spent in England.

Number one leisure activity

The main shopping street in many towns is called the High Street, where you should head for if you want to go shopping. A few small shops are owned by local people. Most are owned by national 'chains' of stores. This makes many town centres look the same. Some towns also have street markets where fresh food and cheap goods can be bought. Away from the town centre, small 'corner' shops provide groceries to local customers.

High Street – the main shopping street in every city and town

Time to go shopping Peak shopping days are Saturdays and Sundays. Shops are generally open on Bank Holidays. Bank Holidays are a great time to shop as there are many sales on especially around Easter and Christmas.

Shopping Hours In England, most retail shops are generally open 6 or 7 days a week.

Typical opening times are: Mondays - Saturdays 9 am to 5:30 pm Some shopping centres stay open until 8 pm or later. Sunday – 10 am to 4 pm (or 11 am to 5 pm) Sunday shopping has become popular in recent years and most large shops in towns are open for business. Shops are only allowed to trade for 6 hours on Sundays. Large supermarkets are open for 24 hours except for Sundays. Many supermarkets and superstores otherwise open from 8am until 10pm from Mondays to Saturdays and 10 am to 4 pm (or 11 am to 5pm) on Sundays.

Public Holidays / Bank Holidays On public holidays some shops open and some shops do not. As a general rule banks will be closed, most supermarkets and large stores will be open (although with reduced Sunday opening hours), and in larger towns many shops will open. Bank Holiday Shop opening times 10am to 4pm (or 11am to 5pm) Over the Christmas and New Year period, all shops are closed on Christmas Day (December 25) and a some shops are closed on New Year's Day (January 1). However, an increasing number of shops are now opening on Boxing Day (December 26), which is when many start their 'New Year' sales. It is likely that most shopping centres will be closed on Easter Sunday and there will be reduced shopping hours on Easter Monday (often from either 10 or 11 o'clock in the morning).

In Villages Some rural shops still follow the tradition of an early closing day (usually Wednesday) when the shops close at 1.00pm.

Banking Hours The major high street banks in England and Wales are Lloyds, Barclays, Midland and National Westminster (Nat West). In Scotland they are the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Clydesdale Bank. Generally Monday-Friday 9:30 am-3:30 pm. Some branches stay open until 5:30 pm, and a few are open Saturday morning. Most banks will have an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) outside the bank where you can draw out money with a credit or cash card. Many of these are available to use 24 hours a day, but some do still close for a few hours during the night.

Bluewater is the largest out of town shopping development in Europe, located in a disused chalk pit at Dartford in Kent. With more than 300 shops and parking for 13,000 cars, it attracts around 30 million visitors each year. Open: Monday to Friday: 10am – 9pm Saturday: 9am – 8pm Sunday: 11am – 5pm

Types of Shops in England

Shopping in London London has over 40,000 shops and 26 major street markets to choose from. Oxford Street (Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus) Oxford Street, London's busiest shopping street, is in the heart of the city's West End. It is the place for buying souvenirs, clothes, and so on.

When you will be in London, at night you will go in night clubs Bubble

Baroque Shadow Lounge

Holidays in Britain

New Years Day the beginning of the new year. People make resolutions.

Saint Valentines Day February 14 Was started in the time of Roman Empire. Is dedicated to St. Valentine. People send a card to someone they love, like, fancy or admire.

The Boat Race In March A rowing race between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. On the river Thames in London (7,2 km).

Pancake Day In March The last day before Lent. Pancake race-running while holding a pancake in a frying pan. Competitors have to throw it in the air and catch it again in the pan.

Good Friday The Friday before Easter. The church marks the death of Christ. British usually eat hot-cross buns, which are marked on top with cross.

Easter In April. The celebration of the Resurrection of Christ Schools are closed for two weeks. People give each other chocolate eggs that are wrapped in silver paper.

The London Marathon One of the biggest marathons in the world. Each year about 30,000 people start the race and about 25,000 finish. Raise money for charity.

May Day May 1 A pagan festival to celebrate the end of winter and welcome summer. Children dance around the maypole and sing songs.

Chelsea Flower Show In May Britains most important flower and garden show. Thousands of people come to see the prize flowers and specially built gardens.

Midsummer Day June 24 Summer solstice. People stay up until midnight to welcome in midsummer day. When the fires die down, men run or jump through it to bring good luck.

Trooping The Colour The second Saturday in June. Celebrates the Queens official birthday. Lots of marching, military music and the soldiers are dressed in colourful uniforms.

Saint Swithins Day July 15 Saint Swithin was Englands Bishop of Winchester. 40 days of bad weather will follow if it rains on this day.

Wimbledon The last week of July and the first week of June. At Wimbledon in South- West London. One of the four great world tennis championships and the only one which is played on grass.

Notting Hill Carnival The last weekend in August. Takes place in Notting Hill. People dress up in fabulous costumes. Steel bands play African and Caribbean music.

Harvest Festivals In September. A Christian festival. It was held to say thank you to God for a good harvest. Churches are decorated with fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Halloween October 31 A pagan festival celebrates the return of the souls that visit their former houses. People dress up as witches, ghosts etc. Houses are decorated with pumpkins.

Guy Fawkes Night November 5 He was a terrorist. The day marks the discovery of a plot to blow up Parliament in People make models of him and burn them on big bonfires.

Christmas Day December 25 Religious ceremony commemorating the birth of Christ. Children wake up early to find presents in their stockings. Traditional Christmas tree and dinner.

New Years Eve December 31 Traditionally Scottish celebration. At midnight everybody joins hands and sings Auld Lang Syne.

Good for Work low unemployment rate (under 5%) a typical work week of 35 hours generous leave, maternity and paternity benefits 12 public holidays good salaries reasonable taxes.

Social and Cultural it is a multi-cultural society most people are tolerant the crime rate is low lively theatre, music, art it has beautiful scenery fascinating historical sites & buildings.

Education Britain is a world leader in education world famous universities education is free