| Lambeth Palace | | | | chandelier and a vast carpet there is very little |
| Lambeth Palace on of the most recognisable | | | | furniture in the Mosque. All visitors must remove |
| sights on the bank of the River Thames, the | | | | their shoes as a sign of respect and there is a |
| Palace has been the home of the Archbishop of | | | | separate gallery for women who must cover |
| Canterbury since 1200AD. The Palace was | | | | their heads. The inside of the dome is decorated |
| originally closer to the waterfront and the | | | | with broken shapes in the Islamic tradition. |
| Archbishops came and went using the | | | | The Mosque is joined to the Islamic cultural |
| archiepiscopal barge. Many believe that the word | | | | centre, which was officially opened by King |
| Lambeth originates from the word loamhithe | | | | George VI in 1944 and was given as an |
| meaning 'muddy bank'. | | | | unconditional gift to the UK Muslim community. |
| | | | Within the complex are a library, administrative |
| Architect Edward Bore replaced the two East | | | | department and residential area. Representatives |
| wings of the Palace with a single block built from | | | | tour local schools and colleges to educate local |
| Bath stone during the nineteenth century. The | | | | children on their faith and increase awareness of |
| Palace Gardens contain a herb garden and rose | | | | the Islamic and Muslim communities. |
| terrace. They are among the oldest and largest | | | | The building is an unmistakably vibrant and |
| Gardens in London and are open all year round. | | | | prominent landmark and a fine addition to the |
| Lambeth Palace is not open to the general public | | | | London skyline. |
| though tours can be arranged by writing to the | | | | London Oratory, South Kensington |
| bookings department. | | | | The London Oratory in South Kensington is |
| Leicester Square | | | | actually called the Oratory of St. Philip Neri. The |
| Leicester Square was originally set out in 1670. | | | | Oratory is located on Brompton Street. Building on |
| The site was south of Leicester House a former | | | | the structure began in 1878, but was not |
| royal building that has since disappeared. Leicester | | | | completed until 1896. Boasting some breathtaking |
| square was once a very fashionable place to live | | | | architectural features including a Baroque dome |
| and boasted among its residents Sir Isaac | | | | and an impressive Nave, which is only dwarfed by |
| Newton, the scientist who theorized the idea of | | | | Westminster Abbey and York Minster. |
| gravity. The famous artist Hogarth was also a | | | | The obvious Italian influence on the building is |
| resident here and painted many of his society | | | | deliberate, as it is the home to the Catholic |
| portraits from his studio at number sixty-eight. In | | | | Oratorian Order which was started by Philip Neri. |
| 1801 Hogarth's house was converted into the | | | | The task of designing the building was given to |
| areas first restaurant; named Hotel de la | | | | unproven architect Herbert Gribble, who was only |
| Sablionere. | | | | 28 when construction began. Gribble wanted to |
| The Empire Cinema on Leicester square was | | | | show Italian architecture to those who would |
| formerly a popular music hall with the same name. | | | | otherwise not have the opportunity to see it. |
| Towards the end of the twentieth century the | | | | Gribble died before the building was complete and |
| Leicester square area had become a somewhat | | | | the breathtaking interior of the Oratory owes |
| undesirable location until Westminster Council | | | | more to twentieth century design than he had |
| invested heavily in the area during the 1990s. | | | | intended. The interior of the dome is decorated |
| Leicester Square is now home to some of | | | | with mosaics by Comandatore Formilli. |
| London's largest cinemas and is the venue for | | | | Though a relatively young building the London |
| many premiers. The movie influence is apparent | | | | Oratory boasts some classic features. The twelve |
| from the statue of Charlie Chaplin. | | | | apostles seen in the Nave were carved in 1680 |
| To the North of the square is the Swiss Centre | | | | for the Cathedral in Siena. The alter also dates |
| famed for its hourly chiming clock. The Society of | | | | back to the 17th century. The London Oratory is |
| West End Theatre's 'half-priced ticket booth is | | | | easily accessed via Kensington Underground |
| located in the Clock tower buildings and sells | | | | Station. |
| reduced tickets to many of London's shows on | | | | Millennium Dome - The O2 |
| the same day as the performance. | | | | It was first suggested in 1994 that Britain should |
| London Central Mosque | | | | hold a national exhibition as part of the |
| Surrounded by trees on the edge of the beautiful | | | | celebrations of the new Millennium. Tony Blair took |
| Regents Park stands the magnificent London | | | | the idea onwards after his election and the |
| Central Mosque. Designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd | | | | Millennium dome was conceived as the venue for |
| and completed in 1978, the Mosque is instantly | | | | a huge, educational exhibition venue. Though the |
| recognisable by its breath-taking gold dome. The | | | | Dome cost many hundred of millions and is truly |
| Mosque was built to cater for the increasing | | | | an impressive structure it was met will a mixed |
| numbers of Muslim residents and visitors in | | | | reception by many Londoners. The Millennium |
| London. | | | | Dome has a circumference of over one kilometre, |
| The main hall of the Mosque can hold almost two | | | | covers more than 20 acres and is more than |
| thousand worshipers. Apart from a magnificent | | | | 320m in diameter. |