London

DESTINATION INFORMATION

London is the most populous city and metropolitan area in the European Union. Its population is very cosmopolitan, drawing from a diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions, speaking over 300 different languages.  These days, London usually refers to the area known as Greater London, which covers an area of 609 square miles (1,579 km²), making it one of the worlds largest cities by area. 

At the heart of the conurbation is the small, ancient City of London which was historically the entirety of the city. The metropolitan area grew considerably during the Victorian era, between the two wars and again at the end of World War II.  

The City of London ~ usually just called The City ~ is the largest financial district and central business district in Europe.  Other well known areas include  the City of Westminster, the home of the UK's national government, and the West End, which is London's main entertainment and shopping district, with locations such as Oxford Street, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus acting as tourist magnets.  

One of the best ways to get acquainted with all that London has to offer is to take a tour on one of the many  London Sightseeing Bus tours.   Offering a hop-on-hop-off service, with full details of places visited provided by guides along the route.

Listed below are merely a dozen of the most popular attractions visited by tourists from overseas.  In addition to these, there are are numerous others, from the Thames Barrier in the east, Greenwich Meantime Museum, HMS Belfast, The London Planetarium, The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Market, Changing of the Guard in Horseguard's Parade, Big Ben, Downing Street, Marble Arch, Speaker's Corner at Hyde Park, Camden Market, London Zoo, and out as far as Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace to the west â€¦ the list is endless.

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WHAT TO DO

• Tower of London ~ One of the most famous castles in the world, the Tower of London has had a varied history since it was built by William the Conqueror. Two of Henry VIII's wives were executed at the Tower, as well as Lady Jane Grey. The future Queen Elizabeth I was imprisoned here by her half-sister, Queen Mary. Guy Fawkes was tortured before his confession and Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned in the Tower for 13 years. It was used during the reign of Charles II as the headquarters for the Royal Mint and converted to a prison for spies during both world wars. You can also visit the new Jewel House and see the renowned Crown Jewels via a moving walkway. The Changing of the Guard takes place daily at 11.30am on Tower Green.
• St Paul's Cathedral ~ The current Cathedral, the fourth to occupy this site, was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London.  Situated in the city of London, this is one of the world's best known cathedrals.  Visitors can climb to the top of the dome and test the acoustics int he Whispering Gallery.
• Millennium Bridge ~ The Millennium Bridge links St Paul's Cathedral on the north bank with Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe in Southwark. It is the capital's first dedicated pedestrain bridge and central London's first new river crossing since Tower Bridge was opened in 1894. 
• Globe Theatre ~ Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition is located adjacent to the reconstructed Globe Theatre on Bankside, opposite St. Paul's Cathedral and next to the Millennium Bridge.  Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition bring's Shakespeare's world to life using a range of interactive displays and live demonstrations, as well as a short film introducing the colourful history of the Rose, the Bankside area and the ongoing discoveries made at the site. 
• Tate Modern ~  The gallery in the former Bankside Power Station houses the Tate's collection of international modern art and new art as it is created including major works by Dalí, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko and Warhol and contemporary pieces by artists such as Dorothy Cross, Gilbert & George and Susan Hiller. Special exhibitions and events take place throughout the year.
• London Eye ~  The world's largest observation wheel offers a spectacular way to take in all of London's most famous landmarks in just 30 minutes!  Situated on the South Bank and opposite the Victoria Embankment.
• Madame Tassauds ~ Get  up close to your favourite celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Wayne Rooney, Robbie Williams, Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue and many more.  This waxworks museum is the third most popular London attraction.
• Buckingham Palace ~ Buckingham Palace opens its doors to the public for two months only, from late July to late September (dates can vary slightly) when the Queen and the family are not in residence.  Visitors may tour the 19 State Rooms, including the Throne Room, Picture Gallery and Ballroom, the largest room in Buckingham Palace used for investitures and State banquets. All the State rooms are opulently decorated with some of the finest pictures, tapestries and works of art from the Royal Collection. The extended visitor route includes a 450 metre walk through the south side of the Palace garden. 
• Houses of Parliament ~ This is a working institution, and visitors are welcome to the House of Commons or House of Lords public galleries during debates, whilst tours of the building need to be booked in advance.  During August and September (when parliament is out of session), visitors can tour the Houses of Parliament and see The Queen's Robing Room, the Royal Gallery, and many other special areas. Tours are timed and also available in French, German, Italian and Spanish.
• Harrod's Store ~ One of the world's most famous department stores, established in 1849 as a humble grocery store employing two assistants. Today, it offers everything from food to fashion, furniture to sportswear plus 20 in-store restaurants serving every kind of cuisine imaginable from pizza to sushi. Must-see sights include the Food Halls, the Egyptian Hall and the Pet Department. At night the exterior of the store is illuminated by 11,500 light bulbs.
• Kensington Palace ~ Kensington Palace was built in 1605 and re-designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1689. The State Apartments include the bedchambers of Queen Mary and Queen Victoria and the lavishly decorated Cupola Room where Queen Victoria was baptised. Visitors can also see the cot used by each of her nine children. Visitors can also see a collection of dresses belonging to Diana, Princess of Wales.
• Royal Albert Hall ~ An internationally renowned venue offering visitors a wide variety of quality entertainment - classical music, rock and pop events, jazz, sporting events, spectacular galas, banquets and balls.  The idea of Queen Victoria's hubsband, Albert, the concert hall opened in 1871.  Open during the day for tours of the building, which include a visit to the auditorium, a look at the Royal Retiring Room and the Queen's Box and a presentation featuring a selection of the huge range of events that take place. 

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