Guest post by Naileth Ariza B.
Have you ever wondered what lies beyond London’s beautiful locations? the alleys, abandoned tunnels, and life on London’s streets? This blog post will take you on a visual tour of London’s rich cultural diversity and abandoned structure history.
Diversity
Although it is rarely discussed, hospitality plays a significant role in London life. It is one of those cities where having an accent or having dark or fair skin doesn’t matter. London is the center of diversity because it has over 200 languages that are often spoken there. Therefore, if you’re seeking to reside in a culturally diverse metropolis without a dominant cultural identity, London is the perfect city for you.
Culture
One of the neglected aspects of the city is its cultural diversity. London has a long history of being diverse. As a result, it is a melting pot of various civilizations from throughout the world. It welcomes all cultures and encourages a peaceful environment for everybody. London has always welcomed outsiders and has no plans to do so in the future.
This diversity is owing to the number of major events held in the country each year. These events draw people from all walks of life, some of whom have made London their home. So if you are thinking of visiting London, enlist the services of international moving service.
Underground tunnels
Underneath the soil of London is one of the world’s biggest tunnel systems. There are over Fifty of these road networks buried below the ground in London. The history of these tunnels goes as far back as the history of the royals in London in the 1700s. They served different purposes, such as military movements and undercover operations. Much of this tunnel’s history remains unknown; however, they are amazing places to visit.
Monuments
Monuments are one way a nation honors the commitment of its people. There are many monuments in London that stand as witnesses and reflect the nation. In addition to celebrating the city’s rich history, the monuments enhance its beauty. People from all over the world find London to be a distinctive and alluring destination thanks to these landmarks.
Some of the monuments in the city include:
The statue of Oliver Cromwell
Cromwell was the one who took over the affairs of leading Great Britain. This was after the death of King Charles 1. He led Britain for a period of eleven years.
The Statue of Boudicca
Boudicca was one of the most respected leaders of her time. Also, she was a fierce queen. History has it that she fought against the Romans and drove them out of her country.
The Queen Victoria statue
Queen Victoria was one of the monarchs with the longest reigns in British history. During the 64 years she was in power, Britain was at its pinnacle of progress.
Street art and expressions
Londoners express their support of the city’s ethnic environment through their use of street art. It showcases the nature, culture, innovation, and politics of the entire nation rather than just one particular component of the city. It is legal to express oneself through street art in London. This is so that the inhabitants can express themselves and use their creativity. One of the means through which they express themselves is by using spray painting. It is therefore the perfect environment for expressing your artistic and creative talent.
Photo by Alexis Ricardo Alaurin from Pexels
Places such as Brick Lane, Peckham, and Shoreditch have a high concentration of artists. There, artists express themselves using different materials, such as stickers, to spray paint on walls. This is why you can find several artistic displays on the streets.
Abandoned buildings
London has a number of abandoned structures. This is a fascinating aspect of the city that few people are aware of. These are historic structures, not just ordinary homes that people grew bored of living in.
Here are a few of the deserted structures:
Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the buildings that is as old as the history of London. It was first built in 1078 by a man named William the Conqueror. This tower was first a royal residence for the royal family before it was changed to an execution site and prison. Then, sometime later, it also functioned as a zoo. Today, it is no longer used for the purposes it was originally built for but is now home to 33 yeoman warders. It is also open for people to tour the building.
The old Naval college
Its building was first constructed by Sir Christopher Wren in the year 1696 through 1712. The old Naval College served as a hospital for sailors who had sustained injuries and were no longer in active service. Not just that, it also doubled as a naval college to train sailors, which was until the year 1998. Currently, the building’s original purpose is no longer functional and now serves as a conference center and a World Heritage site.
The ruins of St Dunstan-in-the-East
The St. Dunstan church is in ruins, as opposed to other structures in the city. This once regal church was turned into a garden after the great London fire destroyed it beyond repair. It has become a popular location for photographers and picture enthusiasts to take stunning, artistic pictures.
The old Bedlam Hospital
The old Bedlam Hospital was built in 1247 to serve as a home for people who were mentally challenged. It took in different people with varying mental illnesses. However, as of 1815, the home no longer functions as a mental asylum. Currently, it is now a popular tourist site and home to the imperial museum.
Finally, underground music is another part of London’s lifestyle that is not talked about enough and popularised to the outside world. The exact location where these music and parties hold are not particular to a venue. Pubs, clubs, and basements scattered around the city are occasional venues for music parties. These music parties are fun places where music lovers can find new music. There are many other interesting sites in London, and you can discover other things to do.
