London has been a major settlement for 2,000 years going back to the Romans. The heart, the City of London, still retains many of its mediaeval boundaries.
London is a leading global city where arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, tourism, finance and the media all contribute to its prominence. In 2012 it will become the first city to host the Summer Olympics three times.
London contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London; Kew Gardens; the Palace of Westminster and the historic settlement of Greenwich. Other famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the Gherkin, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and Trafalgar Square. Home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries and theatres there will never be a shortage of things to see and do.
Its extensive underground network, the oldest underground railway network in the world and the most extensive after the Shanghai Metro, will ensure that these places are easy to get to and if you don’t fancy the tube you can go by bus, taxi or, if you’re feeling energetic why not go by Boris Bike? Launched in July 2010, Boris bikes are London’s cycle hire scheme.
The West End is London’s main entertainment and shopping district, attracting millions of tourists every year. the East end is the area closest to the original Port of London, known for its high immigrant population as well as for being one of the poorest areas in London. Parts of it are presently being redeveloped for the 2012 Olympics.
London has over 3,000 green spaces and parks making it one of the greenest cities in the world: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park, Green Park and St. James’s Park are all a short walk from the West End while the more expansive parklands of Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park are easy to get to by tube or bus.
With a population of nearly 8 million and covering an area of more than 620 square miles, London dominates the national horizon despite Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish devolution: this is where the country’s news and money are made and why the capital has a unique aura of excitement and success.
Check out some of the things you can do in London below…
Park Chinois
Live music venue Opulent, high-end Chinese restaurant, with elegant live music, an extravagant menu and posh decor. Address: 17 Berkeley St, Mayfair, London W1J 8EA Hours: Open today · 12–5pm, 6pm–2am Reservations: opentable.co.uk Phone: 020 3327 8888
Corrigan’s Mayfair
Irish Modern British gourmet cuisine in a timeless gentleman’s-club setting with leather seats.
Website: corrigansmayfair.co.uk
Chelsea Football Club
Chelsea Football Club is a professional football club based in Fulham, London, UK that competes in the English Premier League, of which they are reigning champions. Founded in 1905, the club’s home ground since then has been Stamford Bridge.
Capacity: 41,663
The Natural History Museum
Life on Earth and the Earth itself are vividly explained here using hundreds of traditional and interactive exhibits.
Roka Mayfair
Japanese Premium Japanese charcoal-grilled dining in a setting of concrete, wood and stainless steel.
Website: rokarestaurant.com
National Maritime Museum
Comprising three sites: the Maritime Galleries, the Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House, the National Maritime Museum illustrates the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people.
John Lewis
Famous for being “never knowingly undersold” this reliable institution can’t be beaten for basics from buttons in their haberdashery department to well-made clothes, furniture and household goods. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly too.
Royal Opera House
Opera house in London, England The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London.
Capacity: 2,256
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
White Hart Lane is the home of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club from 1899 to 2017. Its capacity varied over the years; when changed to all-seater it had a capacity of 36,284 before demolition. They currently play at Wembley Stadium for the 2017/18 season.
Fortnum & Mason
Established in 1710 by William Fortnum, a footman to Queen Anne, today they have the reputation for selling the finest luxury goods and sparing no expense to provide quality items to those who can afford it.
The Comedy Cafe
Long-established club on the edge of the City, often with impressive lineups and free admission for the new-acts slot on Wednesday nights.
Maddox Club
Nightclub Chic members’ nightclub with stylish minimalist interior, Italian restaurant and celebrity crowd. 3-5 Mill St
Website: www.maddoxclub.com
Buckingham Palace
If you want to make the most of your trip to London, you’ll want to visit Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of the UK’s sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch.
Whitechapel Gallery
An excellent champion of contemporary art, holding major shows by living (or not long dead) artists.
Big Ben
Of all the attractions in London, Big Ben epitomizes the culture of the capital.
You’ll find Big Ben in Westminster, right in the heart London. The attraction is amongst countless other sightseeing attractions, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, all located within walking distance of one another.
Brixton Academy
A refurbished Victorian hall, the Brixton Academy can hold 4,000. Hosts mainly mid-league bands.