Standing solemnly in the middle of Whitehall, visitors could be forgiven for passing the Cenotaph by unnoticed. But every November it becomes the focus of Britain's Remembrance Service (the closest Sunday to 11th November). The service commemorates the British Empire and Commonwealth servicemen who died in the two World Wars. The monarch, representatives of the Church, State, the armed and auxiliary forces, all gather to pay respect to those who lost their lives defending the freedom of others. Hymns are sung, prayers are said, and the two-minute silence is observed. Wreaths of poppies are then laid on the steps of the Cenotaph. The monument was originally built of wood and plaster for the first anniversary of the Armistice in 1919. The memorial you see today was designed by Edward Lutyens, it was created from Portland Stone and was unveiled one year later in 1920. The inscription simply reads "The Glorious Dead".
Green Park to the South Bank
Distance & Difficulty - 2.5 miles. A peaceful meander through town.
Highlights - Strolling in St James's Park, the view from ... More
St George's Day Events
Covent Garden / Cenotaph / Shakespeare's Globe, WC2E 8HD
23rd April 2008
In the last few years, our dragon-slaying patron saint has been thoroughly... More
Ceremony at the Cenotaph
Saturday 19th April 2008
Standing solemnly in the middle of Whitehall, the Cenotaph is a suitably sombre place for reflection and remembrance of... More
Remembrance Day Service
13 November 2005
The official Armistice Remembrance is at 11 o'clock on 11 November, when the country observes a minute's silence. The following... More
The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square remained empty after its completion in 1841 - it was designed for an equestrian statue of one of Britain's ... More
Master tactician, inspirational leader, patriotic martyr, Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson is one of England's great heroes. His Nelson's Column statue is at the very heart ... More
Horse Guards Parade is the setting for various military ceremonies throughout the year including the Trooping the Colour which marks the Queen's official birthday. At the ... More
Visitors to the Household Cavalry Museum can watch troopers working with their horses in the original 18th century stables (via a glazed screen) and hear ... More
A fantastic nineteenth century exterior hides a thoroughly modern hotel, with clean, minimalist design in the rooms. The biggest draw is the location, in the ... More
From budding Harry Potters and bumbling Tommy Coopers to dynamic David Copperfields, Davenports is a haven for magicians of every level and ability. Non-magicians too ... More
Belgium's finest export, the first Godiva was opened in Brussels approximately 75 years ago by master chocolatier Joseph Draps and named after the legendary Lady ... More
The National Gallery's National Dining Rooms restaurant won Time Out's Best British Restaurant Award in 2007 for good reasons - they do all sorts of ... More
The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and ... More
Imperial College London is the foremost medical training faculty in the country but for non-medical graduates wishing for a change of career, King’s is the ... More
This day spa exclusively for women is a total pampering experience from the minute you step through the door. Located in bustling Covent Garden you'll ... More
Catalyst personal trainers are among the best in London. Get fit without doing yourself an injury, lose weight with a specially devised programme or build ... More
Hotel bar on Trafalgar Square with public roof terrace.
This bar is all about location, location, location. Just a few steps from Nelson's Column, the Trafalgar ... More
Part Victorian pub, part museum dedicated to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous sleuth.
Thirsty Sherlock Holmes fans look no further than this homage to the ... More
Concealed in a particularly squalid and touristy corner of Piccadilly Circus is Bar Rumba, the bar that has kept the UK's Urban scene alive in ... More
This
was once a sleazy Soho strip club, as the name suggests, and it really
shows. Deep reds are the dominant colour, with mirrors, booths and
velvet curtains ... More
Get the FREE monthly guide to London entertainment, arts, concerts, sport, book signings, and essential event information delivered directly to your inbox.
LondonTown.com has special discounts every week. The amount of discount will vary depending on the dates you are coming and how far in advance you book. All discounts are subject to availability.
Standing solemnly in the middle of Whitehall, visitors could be forgiven for passing the Cenotaph by unnoticed. But every November it becomes the focus of Britain's Remembrance Service (the closest Sunday to 11th November). The service commemorates the British Empire and Commonwealth servicemen who died in the two World Wars. The monarch, representatives of the Church, State, the armed and auxiliary forces, all gather to pay respect to those who lost their lives defending the freedom of others. Hymns are sung, prayers are said, and the two-minute silence is observed. Wreaths of poppies are then laid on the steps of the Cenotaph. The monument was originally built of wood and plaster for the first anniversary of the Armistice in 1919. The memorial you see today was designed by Edward Lutyens, it was created from Portland Stone and was unveiled one year later in 1920. The inscription simply reads "The Glorious Dead".
