Europe's largest conurbation and one of the world's pre-eminent cities; London has a lot to shout about. Located on the River Thames in southeast England, the vibrant British capital is multicultural and cosmopolitan in every sense and also happens to be a major centre for fashion and finance.
London has a history stretching back 2,000 years, when the Romans founded it as Londinium. As a result it is loaded to the hilt with grand buildings, amazing museums and world famous galleries. It also has a vibrant theatre scene as well as cutting-edge nightlife, while the shopping and eating are incredible.
Must-see sights in London include: Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Museums like the British Museum and the Natural Museum can literally take days to explore properly, while the Tate Modern art gallery and the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace hold some of the country's finest artwork.
The London Eye and the O2 Arena (formerly the Millennium Dome) are also worth a look. Getting on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour is the best way to get the most out of London's sights in a short space of time.
There are numerous city parks and green areas in London where you can walk, cycle, go boating and even horseback riding. The old royal parks, like Hyde Park and St James's Park, are highlights. The skating options at the Serpentine in Hyde Park are particularly good. Spectator sports are also very popular in London, being host to three major Premiership footballs clubs, the home of tennis at Wimbledon and the home of cricket at Lord's Cricket Ground.
Hotel options in London go from luxury five-star at the Savoy, Dorchester and Hilton in Mayfair to budget backpacker dormitories in Earls Court. Prices for digs in the capital are high and you generally have to dig deep even for a modest bed and breakfast out of the city centre. The good news is that the London Underground goes just about everywhere.
There are five major airports within earshot of the city centre, including one of the world's busiest, Heathrow International Airport. Flights come in from all over the world including from cities within the UK, while Stansted and Luton are hubs for low-cost carriers. Underground trains, buses, coaches and taxis serve the city from Heathrow. Major motorways and rail lines converge on London, which is linked by rail to Paris and Brussels via the Channel Tunnel.
Sightseeing
Overview
London has some of the most impressive sights of any city including the likes of Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral. Some attractions stretch back 1,000 years or more while modernity is best seen at the London Eye and Tate Modern. Visiting the main sights as early as possible in the day is a must.
London Eye
The London Eye has become one of London's favourite attractions and landmarks. Located on Westminster Bridge Road this enormous wheel, over 440 feet high and the world's tallest when it was built, provides unrivalled views of the city from the observation capsules. On a good day you can see for 25 miles and easily pick out most of London's landmarks. Booking ahead is recommended.
St Paul's Cathedral
The early 1700s St Paul's Cathedral was one of the world's largest and most spectacular churches, second only to St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican for size and allure. It is the baby of renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren and took him 35 years to complete. The distinctive dome atop the church is one of the largest in the world and includes a spiral staircase leading to the roof of the building. Be sure to check out the Whispering Gallery and the choir in song if you can.
Buckingham Palace
The official London home of the British monarch is in the top five of London's most recognisable landmarks. Much of the 670-room palace is off-limits to the public, particularly when the queen is in residence, although the State Rooms, the Picture Gallery and the Throne Room are all open in August and September, when she is in Scotland. The Queen's Gallery is another highlight and is open year round.
Tower of London
Another must-see landmark related to the monarchy, the Tower of London (not to be confused with Tower Bridge) stems from the 11th century and famously contains the crown jewels. The White Tower is the focus of the castle and the oldest part of it. It was built by William the Conqueror and today features a huge collection of amour. It has served as a treasury, palace, observatory, zoo, and even a prison in the past. Keep a look out for the clipped ravens on the grounds.
Westminster Abbey
Made famous in recent times by the marriage of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, and the subsequent princess's funeral, as well as featuring in the book and movie The Da Vinci Code, Westminster Abbey is a divine piece of architecture. It is almost 1,000 years old and has seen the crowning of all of England's monarchs since William I in 1066. Many monarchs also rest here and you can visit on a Sunday for Mass or pay as a tourist at any other time.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is one of the world's most impressive squares and is the heart of London. It has a large fountain at its core, along with the lofty Nelson's Column and associated huge lions at its base. Fine galleries flank the square on all sides, including the revered National Gallery. Trafalgar Square is ideal to spend a rainless lunchtime people-watching and if you are in London for New Year's Eve, this is the pace to come to see in the new year.
Tate Modern
Situated in a disused power station, Tate Modern is a recent addition to the London art scene, featuring a huge amount of modern art from past masters as well as up-and-coming unknowns. Picasso, Warhol, and Matisse are all represented as well as prominent British contemporary artists. The massive Turbine Hall is the focus of the gallery and has monumental changing exhibits.
Natural History Museum
London's Natural History Museum is one of the world's most visually inspiring museums. Housed in the stunning ‘cathedral of nature' building on affluent Cromwell Road and featuring a vaulted central hall, the museum is best known for its life-size dinosaur skeletons. Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, Palaeontology, and Zoology are the five main zones and the museum is loaded with fun interactive and up-to-date exhibits, including an earthquake simulator.
Activities
Overview
As far as spectator sports go, London is well known for its three Premiership football clubs as well as Lord's for cricket and Wimbledon for tennis. All these places heave when big games are on and tickets are hard to come by. For individual activities such as walking and cycling, London is not as concrete-jungle-like as many would imagine, being home to numerous refreshing parks and plenty of space.
Walking and cycling
London has many picturesque city parks where the whole family can relax or enjoy walking and cycling. There are eight royal parks alone - previously land used by the monarchy - including Hyde Park, St James's Park, and Regent's Park. Hyde Park is the best known and has a nice lake, the Serpentine, where you can swim and go boating. Horseback riding is also available here.
Skating
Serpentine in Hyde Park has good skating facilities and all types of skating options, including dance, street hockey, speed skating and slalom events. Inline and traditional quad skates are both popular. Serpentine Road sees group skating on Wednesdays and Sundays while Hyde Park Corner attracts skaters on Friday evenings.
Tennis
In the world of tennis, London is where it's at, with the all-England Wimbledon Tennis Club being the home of tennis. The Grand Slam Wimbledon Championships is held here every summer and you can play on one of the many courts at other non-events times as long as you are a member. Several other tennis options are available in London, with courts open to the public.
Golf
London has dozens of golf courses in and around the city, including the much ballyhooed Royal Blackheath Golf Club, one of the world's oldest courses. It was established in the early 1600s and even King James I played here. Wimbledon also has a couple of good courses where non-members can have a swing.
Cricket
London is the historical home of cricket, at Lord's Cricket Ground, while the famous Oval also resides in the capital. County games are played here throughout the season as well as Test internationals and the famous Ashes series at both grounds when held in the UK. Lord's is also home of Middlesex County Cricket Club and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Football
London has three major football clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham so it's no wonder that a vast amount of football tourists hit the streets every week before and after games are played. Prices for matches are expensive and tickets are generally difficult to come by so booking as far ahead as you can is a must.
Shopping
Dining and shopping
London has some of the best dining of anywhere and owing to its cosmopolitanism you can try virtually any taste that takes your liking. There has also been a resurgence in traditional English cooking of late and local outlets are popping up all over. Acclaimed chefs grace most top restaurants in the city although most budgets are catered with the humble fish ‘n' chip joint being an affordable favourite.
Several popular eating areas reside in London, most of which are in London's West End, the main touristy part of the capital. Soho is not only a buzzing entertainment district; it also has an excellent reputation for eating, with scores of fantastic cafés and restaurants in a compact area. Pedestrianised Chinatown is also nearby while Covent Garden and Mayfair are both affluent areas with amazing eateries.
In suburbia, Camden in inner north London is a unique part of the city with many fancy eateries that complement its lively nightlife well. Brick Lane in Camden is the place to head for a curry, while Chelsea and Fulham are also popular eating spots. In the city centre, the likes of Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Oxford Street have loads of fast food joints for those on the move.
There are many all-English dishes worth trying that have been a staple for British stomachs for centuries. They range from shepherd's pie to fish and chips and jellied eels, as well as more exotic sounding dishes. The East End of London does particularly well for local foods, while those with deep pockets might like to try Rules Restaurant on Maiden Lane in the West End.
Shopping is one of London's big selling points. There are literally reams of shops in all areas of the city, as well as flashy department stores and popular permanent street markets. The most sought after shopping areas in town are South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street and King's Road.
Oxford Street has the best tourist shopping. It is a huge street to the north of Piccadilly Circus with loads of souvenir shops, boutiques, department stores, mega music stores such as Virgin and HMV, and bargain basement tack. Nearby Regent Street runs from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus and is more upmarket.
Harrods department store is one of London's best shopping points, spanning four floors in Knightsbridge and featuring all types of products, from high fashion to the latest electronics and even a fish market. Harvey Nichols, across the road, is even more upmarket, while Covent Garden has individual boutiques.
For a more intimate shopping experience with easier price tags, have a look at the shops of Soho, which lies between Oxford Street and Leicester Square. Carnaby Street is also in this area of town and although most of the fashion stores of old have given way to tourist souvenirs, it is still nice for strolling. Tottenham Court Road has the best bookstore options in the city.
If you enjoy market shopping where everything from second-hand clothes to old books, antiques and bric-a-brac can be had, then head for Portobello Road, Camden, or Spitalfields Market. Typical London tourist kitsch to pick up includes flags, t-shirts and Tower Bridge, double-decker bus and London Eye models. You will find these popular items at stalls and shops all over the London.
Restaurants
Another Gordon Ramsay restaurant that has won much acclaim, Petrus has delicious food in a comfortable setting at the Berkeley Hotel. Patrons get complimentary snacks while the special chef's table experience in the kitchen is a highlight.
Gordon Ramsay Restaurant
68-69 Royal Hospital, London SW3 4HP, England +44 20 73 52 44
The original Gordon Ramsay eatery in London is widely regarded as one of the best and although inherently expensive, its Michelin-star status is well deserved for the sheer quality and diversity of the menu. Food, service and wine are all exquisite, but unless your surname is Windsor you'll need to allow a month or two for reservations.
Chez Bruce
2 Bellevue Rd, London SW17 7EG, England +44 20 86 72 01
Chez Bruce is another of London's Michelin-star restaurants and although just outside the city centre, the effort to get here is worth it. One of the best aspects of Chez Bruce is the single-price, three-course menu structure.
Zuma
5 Raphael Street, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DL, England +44 20 75 84 10
Zuma is another London restaurant in the super-expensive bracket and has the best Japanese food and service in the city. The king crab and great shochu are particularly recommended.
Hummus Bros
88 Wardour Street, London W1F 0TJ, England +44 20 77 34 13
Perhaps the best Middle Eastern cuisine in the UK with great tasting hummus and a variety of toppings and side dishes, Hummus Bros offers value for money - one of the keys to the success of this favoured eatery in the heart of London.
The Ritz Restaurant
Mayfair, London W1J 9BR, England +44 87 08 50 84
The Ritz Hotel is one of the grandest lodgings in London and the restaurant is befitting of its appeal. Although very expensive, the service and quality of food is excellent. High tea at the Ritz is a pastime for those who like to be seen.
Hakkasan Restaurant
8 Hanway Place, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1HB, England +44 20 79 07 18
Hakkasan is a Chinese restaurant with a fine setting, very tasty dishes and fast service. The cocktails here are renowned and the champagne list is a bonus.
Wolseley
160 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 9EB, England +44 20 74 99 69
Breakfasts at the Wolseley in expensive Mayfair are superb, particularly the eggs benedict, while cappuccinos are also good. Despite its reputation, it is not pretentious and has great service even when busy.
Savoy Grill
The Strand, London WC2R 0EU, England +44 (0)20 7592
Located in the heart of the West End on the Strand, the Savoy is a London favourite with excellent food and service. It is a traditional restaurant with pricey food yet is perfect for special occasions.
Rules Restaurant
35 Maiden Lane, London, England +44 20 73 79 02
One of London's oldest restaurants, Rules has wonderful food and ambience and also boasts a comprehensive wine list. The service here is good while those who go for the private dining option get special treatment.
Transport
Overview
London is served by a gaggle of airports and the transport options from within the UK and elsewhere in the world are excellent. Heathrow Airport is the main hub and the closest airport to the city, while international rail services hit London from Paris and Brussels. You can also get in quickly via the string of motorways that serve the capital while getting around is lots of fun on the expansive London Underground.
Airports
London has five airports - Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Luton and Stansted - with Heathrow having the most flight options and the easiest connections with the city centre. Flights serve Heathrow from just about every world destination as well as from around the UK with many major airlines.
Heathrow Airport is 15 miles from the centre of London and currently has five operational terminals, with a sixth tentatively on the planning table. The new Terminal Five is given over primarily to British Airways activities and can handle as much passenger throughout as many major airports around the world.
Facilities at Heathrow Airport are excellent, with every terminal having banking and currency exchange facilities and being accessible from each other. Duty-free shopping options are extensive, particularly at terminals 4 and 5, while standard shops, bookstores, games rooms, bars and restaurants are also onsite.
Transport options to the city from Heathrow Airport include the useful Heathrow Express train which connects with the London Underground and runs every 15 minutes (journey time 15 minutes). You can also get into the city by public bus or by taxi.
The other main airport option in London is Gatwick Airport, which is located father out than Heathrow, to the south of London. It is also a very busy airport receiving flights from hundreds of world destinations and is linked to the city by the Gatwick Express train in 30 minutes. Thameslink trains, buses and taxis serve the city.
Luton is 30 miles north of London and Stansted is about the same distance to the northeast. These airports are popular with budget airlines and also have extensive passenger facilities. Trains and buses serve both airports from the city centre. London City Airport is used primarily by business travellers.
Public transportation
London is a major rail hub receiving trains from all over the UK as well as from the continent via the Channel Tunnel. The high-speed Eurostar service makes the journey from Paris in less than three hours and there is also a service direct from Brussels which takes a little over two hours. Twelve main line stations in London receive services from all over the UK and are all linked to the London Underground network.
Options for bus travel to London from UK destinations and the continent are also good. National Express has services from just about every corner of the UK while Eurolines coaches come in from France. Victoria Coach Station in the centre of London is the city's main bus station. Drivers from elsewhere in Europe can make use of the Channel Tunnel or several cross-channel ferry ports. Major motorways converge on London from all over England.
Options for getting around London are very good, with the London Underground system, locally known as ‘the tube', being the mainstay of tourist travel. It is the world's oldest and most extensive subway system and an attraction in itself. There are scores of stations covering six zones and trains generally run from 06:00 to midnight. Overland trains are operated by Thameslink, Silverlink Metro, and Docklands Light Railway.
The iconic double-decker London buses have sadly been discontinued in favour of greener, more efficient buses. Services go all over London, and outside of rush hours bus travel can be easy going and cost effective. Getting on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour of the capital's main sights is a must.
London's famous black cabs are ever present on London's streets and have been completely modernised of late, along with inflation and insatiable price rises. They are the most convenient way to get about if time is of the essence and budget is of no concern and you can hail them from the street.
Various discount passes are available for London transport and it pays to buy a Travelcard if you intend to use public transport a lot. A prepaid Oyster Card is another good idea and is valid for Underground and bus travel. Travelcards can be purchased using an electronic Oyster Card and are available from all tube stations.
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