London

The largest city in Europe, covering over 600 square miles, London is jam packed with hundreds of magnificent museums, impressive art galleries, historic buildings and monuments, beautiful parks, bustling shopping centres and markets; it really has something to offer everyone.

What to see in London

Despite its size, London is relatively easy to explore, largely thanks to the efficient underground service. Buses are also very useful and allow you to see the famous sights as you travel, in particular, the open-top tourist buses which ply the streets offer a good introduction to the city. Among London’s many landmarks are the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, to name but a few! Running through the heart of London is the River Thames, dividing north and south; over the years, many attractions, restaurants and chic bars have appeared along its banks. 

Being one of the most multicultural cities in the world, there is a huge choice of restaurants offering a diverse variety of cuisine; food markets are dotted all around the capital. Shopping is another major feature of the city, from the famous Harrods store and Harvey Nichols to commercial Oxford Street and the street markets of Camden Town and Portobello Road. If all the crowds become too much, then head to one of London’s beautiful parks, such as St James’ Park next to Buckingham Palace, or Hyde Park, where you can take a boat trip along the Serpentine.

Places of interest

• London Eye: world’s highest observation wheel, reaching 443 feet. With 32 capsules carrying 25 passengers in each, it offers breathtaking views.
• Tower of London: home of the Crown Jewels and the Yeoman Warders.
• Tate Modern: contemporary art gallery housed in the converted Bankside Power Station.
• Natural History Museum: over 70 million items relating to the life and earth sciences.
• Kew Gardens: beautiful botanical gardens, with over 40,000 varieties of plants.
• Imperial War Museum: charting the impact of conflict from WWI to the present day.
• Hampton Court Palace: one of the best palaces in Britain, with a maze.
• British Museum: houses a treasure trove of objects from all over the globe.

Did you know?

• One in eight of the UK population live in London and over 300 languages are spoken.
• Following expansion in the 1930s and ’40s, less than 50% of London’s Underground railway is actually below ground.
• Founded in 1753, the British Museum is the oldest public museum in the world.
• The Great Fire of London destroyed over 13,000 houses and 87 churches.
• London’s licensed taxi drivers have to pass a test known as the Knowledge, which requires them to learn over 300 routes in the centre of the city.
• At over 900 years old, the Tower of London has been a palace, prison, treasury, arsenal and even a zoo.