London is located in the Thames Valley, in the southeast of England. Home to over 8 million people, the capital of the UK has been an important financial, educational, and cultural center for hundreds of years. Of the many gifts England has given to the world, none has been greater than her language and literature. And if ever there's a city that reads like an epic saga, it's London.
The story of London began in the Bronze Age, but it didn't really get going until the Romans withdrew in the 5th century. Growing into one of the great medieval trading cities, she truly came of age in the 11th century, when William the Conqueror built the Tower of London, which was to become one of England's grimmest prisons.London is very easy to navigate and is compact enough to explore on foot.
Tower Bridge
This world city is filled with iconic symbols, and one of the most easily recognisable is Tower Bridge, an impressive reminder of London's rapid expansion during the Industrial Revolution.
Houses of Parliament
Just upriver, at the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben's reassuring chimes peal across the city every hour, on the hour.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, perhaps the most famous palace in the world, is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth. It's a popular London attraction, offering tours of staterooms and gardens.
Kensington Palace
Nearby, Kensington Palace is open to the public year-round. The palace and gardens will be remembered as the home of Princess Di and Prince Charles, and have recently undergone a multimillion-pound refurbishment.
Royal Parks
The Royal Parks of London are another legacy of England's monarchy.They were once reserved as private hunting grounds for the royal family, but nowadays they're open for everyone to enjoy. There are eight royal parks, and many of them are in central London and close to royal palaces and other historic monuments.
Green Park and St. James’ Park
Green Park and St. James's Park are right next to Buckingham Palace, Admiralty Arch, and The Mall.
Hyde Park
The Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park is perhaps the most famous, and Kensington Gardens, on the other hand, is a beautiful open expanse that stretches east towards Kensington Palace.
The Royal Albert Hall
The Albert Memorial is at the southern end of Kensington Gardens, and the striking bronze statue looks towards the Royal Albert Hall just across the road. The hall is yet another reminder of Queen Victoria's great love for her husband, Prince Albert.
Westminster Abbey
Many of London's greatest stories have begun in her houses of worship, and none is so impressive and important as Westminster Abbey. This is where kings and queens have been crowned, married, and even buried.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
London was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, and St. Paul's Cathedral is the most enduring monument to the city's transformation. It's a great testament to British strength and resilience.
West End
The West End in central London is a story in itself. Here, the streets are lined with ancient buildings, but the throngs of people are out to have fun. By day, the charming boutiques and cafés hum with shoppers, and by night, the bars along Carnaby Street are packed with patrons enjoying pre-show drinks. This is one of the largest theater districts in the world. And at times it can feel like you're on a Monopoly board, with Coventry Street, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus all close by.
Portobello Road Markets
Moving away from the historic center, London's trendy suburbs offer a different kind of story. The Portobello Road Markets in Notting Hill attract thousands of visitors.
Camden Town
especially to the antiques markets that are held on Saturdays, while the edgier Camden Town features six popular markets that are open every day of the week and operate along her streets, the canal, and in her historic stables. London is a city that honors not only her own story but also the story of humankind.
The British Museum
The British Museum is one of the finest in the world, and her treasures cover thousands of years of history and number in the millions. The museum is open every day, and best of all, it's free.
The London Eye
From the ancient to the modern, "The London Eye" offers a complete change of pace and perspective. The massive wheel is over 400 feet high, and takes 30 minutes to complete one rotation. From here, you can see both old London and some of the city's newest additions in air-conditioned comfort.