Introduction to London

“By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show” – Samuel Johnson London is the largest financial hub in the world, rivaled only by New York City. London boasts the highest GDP of any European city, and over 65% of Fortune’s Global 500 companies are headquartered there.

Tourism in London, which brings in over 14.7 million international visitors, is an unparalleled industry.

The capital of the United Kingdom comes as no surprise as the second on the list of most visited cities in the world. With the largest urban zone in the European Union, London is a major gateway to Europe. The city is truly cosmopolitan, in the sense that the city effortlessly blends a variety of influences from around the world. A global hub for business, trade, finance, arts and entertainment, media, fashion, healthcare, and tourism, London is also a premier location for higher education. Around 43 universities, 12 arts and culture institutes, and 395 public library dot the city, which boasts 200 museums and 900 bookstores. A cultural hotspot, London hosts around 200 festivals, several sporting arenas, including Wembley Stadium – the largest football stadium in the world, and over 100 theaters.

Facts about London

City	London
Country	United Kingdom
Area	1,707 square kilometers / 659 square miles
Population	8.174 million
Districts	32 Boroughs
Average Summer High	24° C / 75° F
Average Winter Low	2.3° C / 36° F
Currency	Pound Sterling (GBP)
Dialling Code	Country – 44, City – 020
Major Airports	Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), London City (LCY), Luton (LTN)
Geographic Coordinates	51°30’29″N 00°07’29″W
Time Zone	Greenwich Mean Time
Official Website	london.gov.uk

From Londinium to London

The origin of London can be traced back to the Port of Londinium, founded by Roman Emeror Claudius in 43 AD. By the 7th century, Saxons had established Lundenwic to the west of the original township of Londinium. The Norman Conquest in the early second century left a legacy of growth and development. In 1190, London elected its first mayor, Henry Fitz Aylwin. With the ascent of Queen Elizabeth I to the throne, London grew to become the focus of international attention. The Royal Exchange was established and by 1600, the East India Company was formed. The latter part of the century was not a pleasant one – London experienced civil unrest and plagues, and was ravaged by the Great Fire of 1622. Robert Hooke, the Surveyor of London, supervised the Great Rebuilding of London, and master architect Chritopher Wren rebuilt the city, establishing some of the city’s best known landmarks, such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the neighborhoods of Mayfair and St. James. Queen Victoria came to power in 1838, and the Industrial Revolution brought a period of expansive growth in terms of transportation and industries in London. The London Underground opened in 1863, establishing London as the center of a growing colonial empire. Bombed by the Germans during World War I, the city’s economy suffered great losses. During World War II, UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill directed the nation’s war strategy from London. A period of austerity and rationing followed, only to be broken by the Olympic Games of 1948, which brought the city back into the limelight. In the 1950s and 60s, London became the hub of international culture and politics, fashion, and music. Today, the city has made a remarkable name for itself in the fields of education, politics, finance and trade, media, and fashion.  

On the Banks of the Thames

One of the most important cities in world history, London spans across both banks of the River Thames. London is located in southeastern England in the United Kingdom. London’s merit as a port city has been the key factor in the city’s growth and its clout in both political and economic arenas. London is an ever-expanding city made up of Kent, Surrey, and Berkshire to the south banks of the Thames, and by Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Essex to the north. The expansion of Greater London has now been arrested by the designation of the Metropolitan Green Belt. London Metropolitan Region, however, covers the entire commuter belt and Greater London. When in London, you’re likely to find people checking the weather, but carrying umbrellas and sunglasses regardless of what the weatherman forecast. The rains are unpredictable, but London rightly boasts a mild climate most months. From May through August, London enjoys all the glories of the British summer. Spring and fall are pleasant and colorful. Tourists typically avoid winter months, from November through February, but London is charming during the Christmas season.  

Transportation There and Around

With over 14.7 million annual tourists, the city’s air traffic is handled by its two major airports – Heathrow and Gatwick, followed by Stansted. Heathrow is one of the world’s busiest airports, and the city’s airports together make up the busiest airport system in the world. The sprawling city of London is well supported by its public transportation system. By speed and spread, the London Underground, locally known as the Tube, is your best bet. The black cabs around town are a good options, and their drivers are well versed in getting to tourist hotspots. Another option is the red Routemaster – the famous double-decker bus. Another fun way to see the city is to rent a bicycle – but you’ll have to brave the traffic.  

The Sights and Sounds of London

One of the best loved tourist destinations in the world, London can take a lifetime to soak in all the splendid sights and sounds of the city. Tourists are often at a loss to narrow down the list of architectural marvels, museums, galleries, parks, and gardens to fit them into the itinerary. The Buckingham Palace, the official residence and office of the British monarch, is the city’s biggest attraction. The Queen’s Gallery is home to some of the most prized works of art in the world, including paintings by Rubens and Rembrandt. And trying to make the Queen’s Guards smiles is a must. There are many palaces in London. The Hampton Court Palace is yet another imposing palace. It has connections with the Henry VIII. Several art works dating back to the 16th – 18th century are seen in the palace. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are iconic structures of quintessential London. Visitors are allowed to attend the House of Commons proceedings, but it’s best to make these arrangements months in advance. The Tower Bridge is the next stop for most London tourists. Built in 1894, the bridge delights as 1,000 ton bascules are drawn, and you might find time for the Tower Bridge Exhibition. No matter your interests – historic drama, treason, or the Koh-i-noor and the British crown jewels, the Tower of London is the place to be. Art lover or not, the National Gallery is one London attraction you can’t miss. Few galleries around the world can boast 2300 paintings that include Monet, Rembrandt, Turner, and Da Vinci. For an odd mix of London’s Old World charm and modern life, Trafalgar Square is the perfect spot. And for your fix of Royal Wedding goods and gowns, and other magic of the British Royals, put Kensington Palace on your itinerary. London is the Mecca for museum buffs. Not for nothing is the Tate Modern the most visited museum in the world, recording over 4.7 million annual visitors. The Natural History Museum gives insight into the ideas of Darwin and other scientific developments. Madame Tussauds, on the other hand, provides the perfect opportunity to get your picture taken with your favorite world leader, sports idol, or movie star – or at least with their wax clones. Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum for art collections from Asia and Renaissance Europe, and the Science Museum on Exhibition Road for a collection of scientific marvels. To travel to the center of the globe (literally), head to the Royal Observator of the National Maritime Museum, through which the Prime Meridian passes.  

Activities in London

When asking a Londoner what his favorite London activity was, the answer turned out to be “living in London.” With the range of activities and entertainment London offers, the reluctance to pick just one is perfectly understandable. From listening to one of the heated debates at Speakers’ Corner, to taking a trip across the city in a vintage double-decker bus, attending a choir concert at Westminster Cathedral, to discussing the weather at a pub, London can be quite a demanding vacation. Wise tourists save up for their trip and splurge on a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, or visit the original Hard Rock Cafe, catch a Shakespearean play, or shop for books. Speaking of which, shopping is the favorite activity of many Londoners, and with the many fashion designers around, we can’t blame them. The Great River Race on the Thames, the London Literature Festival, the BFI London Film Festival, and the Wireless Festival make London a hodgepodge of colors and culture. If you are the sporty type, join the London Marathon or catch a cricket match at the Oval or the Lord’s. If you’re in luck, you can catch a Wimbledon match, if you’re visiting in June or July. Take a ride around the London Eye; catch some spectacular views of the city on this giant Ferris wheel that takes riders to a height of about 135 meters (443 feet). Each ride lasts about 30 minutes, but the cost is fairly high. Locateed in the Jubilee Gardens of Lambeth, the Golden Eye attracts over 3.5 milioin visitors every year.  

Dining in London

From fish and chip takeaway to fine foods, dining in London is an experience to be discovered and enjoyed. Try one of the quaint Oxford Street cafes, or have a spot of tea and scones at a bistro. Don’t miss trying one of London’s real ale clubs. Here are our picks:

Cocktail Bars	Connaught Bar	16 Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 2AL	0 20 7499 7070
	The May Fair Bar	The May Fair Hotel, 70 Stratton Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8LT	0  20 7915 3894
Ale Pubs	Dog and Duck	18 Bateman Street London W1D 3AJ	0 20 7494 0697
	The Toucan	19 Carlisle Street, London W1D 3BY	0 20 7437 4123
Wine Bars	Gordon’s Wine Bar	47 Villiers Street,Embankment,London,WC2N 6NE	0 87 1971 6835
	Vinoteca	7 St John Street, Smithfield, London,EC1M 4AA	0 87 1971 4561
British	Harwood Arms	Walham Grove, Fulham, London SW61QP	0 20 7386 1847
	Hawksmoor Seven Dials	11 Langley Street London WC2H 9JG	0 20 7856 2154
International	Benito’s Hat	56 Goodge Street, London W1T 4NB	0 20 7637 3732
	Princess Garden of Mayfair	8-10 North Audley Street, London W1K 6ZD	0 20 7493 3223
Café Food	Café Oscars	Ladywell Road 48, Ladywell, London SE13 7UX	07 590 690825
	The Rainforest Café	20 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7EU London	0 20 7434 3111
Vegan and Health Food	Blah Blah Blah	28 Clifton Road, London W9 1ST	0 20 7289 6399
	Vanilla Black	17 – 18 Tooks Court, London EC4A 1LB	0 20 7242 2622

 

Where to Stay

Luxury Hotels London offers the best in class and comfort. One of the premier cities of the world, London is also home to some of the best luxury hotels. The Ritz London, 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR http://www.theritzlondon.com/ 44 0 20 7493 8181   The Savoy London, Strand, London WC2R 0EU http://www.fairmont.com/savoy 44 0 20 7836 4343   Boutique Hotels

For the aesthetically inclined and for those who like a laid back home-away-from-home here are some of London’s best boutique hotels.

41, 41 Buckingham Palace Road, London www.41hotel.com 44 0 20 7300 0041   Sanderson, 50 Berners Street, Soho London W1T3NG www.sandersonlondon..com/en-us/ 44 0 20 7300 1400   Economy Hotels

London-on-a shoestring options are not uncommon. While getting a London pass with the Travel option allows visitors free access to over 55 attractions and free access to the Underground and city buses, the city also has a number of economy hotels that are designed to provide comfort at inexpensive rates.

Caswell Hotel, 25 Gloucester Street, Pimlico, SW1V 2DB London Westminster www.hotellondon.co.uk 44 0 20 7834 6345   Jubilee Hotel, 31 Eccleston Square, Greater London www.jubilee-hotel.co.uk 44 0 20 7834 0873   B & B Options

London offers great B & B options. A number of hostels and inexpensive hotels dot the city. With the Olympic Games coming up, though, getting a prior booking could save you a lot of hassle.

ABC Hyde Park Hotel, 121 Sussex Gardens London W2 2RU www.abchydeparkhotel.co.uk 44 0 20 7706 4660   Notting Hill Gate Hotel, 7Clannricarde Gardens, Notting Hill, London W2 4JJ www.nottinghillgatehotel.co.uk 44 0 20 7243 3203   ACOD~20130709 Last Updated on: July 10, 2013