The Mall was designed in the early 20th Century as a processional route from Admiralty Arch to the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. It has been packed with crowds on many memorable occasions - most recently for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Horse Guards Parade is where the annual Trooping of the Colour ceremony is held to mark the Queen's birthday and it has also been chosen as the venue for the beach volleyball events in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

This famous street is the official home of the prime minister, at No 10, and the chancellor of the exchequer, at No 11. It is also the headquarters of the government. The street has been closed to the public since the 1980s for security reasons.

Whitehall is lined with government ministries and Downing Street, home of the prime minister, leads off it. The Cenotaph, the principal war memorial of Britain, is in the centre of the road and is the site of the annual memorial ceremonies on Remembrance Sunday.

Opposite the Houses of Parliament, the square contains statues of famous statesmen and is often the site for demonstrations. The government plans to clear it of protest camps ahead of the royal wedding. London's mayor has won a case to evict an anti-Iraq war campaigner camped here since 2001.

After the ceremony, the wedding party will gather on the balcony to wave at the crowds. The reception, hosted by the Queen, will be held here and an evening dinner dance for close friends and family. The official wedding photograph is taken in the Throne Room.

Over its 1,000-year history, 38 kings and queens have been crowned and many have also been married at the Abbey, including the Queen. It is also the final resting place for 17 monarchs and was the venue for Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.