Big Ben, the Queen and Houses of Parliament top London poll

  • Published
The Houses of ParliamentImage source, NIKLAS HALLE'N
Image caption,

The Houses of Parliament have been voted as the building which best sums up London, a poll found

London's first History Day will be held on the anniversary of Big Ben's first day in operation.

It will be first celebrated on 31 May in 2017 with celebrations and events run by Historic England.

The date was decided upon after a poll involving 1,000 Londoners. It was closely followed by 5 September - the date of the Great Fire of London.

The YouGov questionnaire also declared the Houses of Parliament as the building that best sums up London.

Princess Elizabeth working as an ATS girlImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Princess Elizabeth joined the Women's Auxillary Transport service during the Second World War.

People voted for the Queen as their favourite historic London hero for the moment she secretly joined the crowds to celebrate Victory in Europe Day.

The results of the poll were released to mark the launch of Historic England's "Keep it London" campaign.

Statistics showing how people voted for London History Day
Firefighters battling fires around the blitzImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Fire watchers who protected St Paul's Cathedral during the Blitz were among London heroes the public voted for

People were asked to select a date to celebrate the capital's history, their historic hero and the building that sums up London.

Big Ben's first day in operation was 31 May 1859.

Statistics showing how people voted for place that sums up the capital

The campaign is intended to encourage Londoners to notice, celebrate and speak up for the heritage of their city, Historic England said.

Chancellor of the Exchequer William Ewart Gladstone with directors and engineers of the Metropolitan Railway Company on an inspection tour of the world's first underground line, 24th May 1862.Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

London was home to the world's first underground line, run by the Metropolitan Railway Company

The public body has also launched a film entitled I am London, which celebrates the historic buildings and places that have borne witness to the capital's history.

Statistics showing how people voted for greatest London hero

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: "Our heritage is a source of pride, a reminder of the city's past, a foundation for its present and the building blocks for its future."

More on this story

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.