The United Kingdom has a rich history which goes back for centuries including one of the most famous cities in the world, London. London is a beautiful city very famous for it’s arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport and a growing diverse population.
ALong with New York city London is one of the world’s leading financial centres and has the fifth-or sixth-largest metropolitan area GDP in the world depending on measurement. London is a world cultural capital.
London is the world’s most-visited city as measured by international arrivals and has the world’s largest city airport system measured by passenger traffic. London’s 43 universities form the largest concentration of higher education in Europe. In 2012, London became the first city to host the modern Summer Olympic Games three times.
The history and origin of the city of London comes from the Roman Empire Almost two thousand years ago. The Roman city of Londinium, established just after the Roman conquest of Britannia in the year 43, formed the basis for the modern city (some isolated Roman period remains are still to be seen within the City). After the end of Roman rule in 410 and a short-lived decline, London experienced a gradual revival under the Anglo-Saxons, as well as the Norsemen, and emerged as a great medieval trading city, and eventually replaced Winchester as the royal capital of England.
There are contless things to do and see in London that will keep you on your feet until you can’t stand anymore! London contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London; Kew Gardens; the site comprising the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret’s Church; and the historic settlement of Greenwich (in which the Royal Observatory, Greenwich marks the Prime Meridian, 0° longitude, and GMT).
Other famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and The Shard. London is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries, sporting events and other cultural institutions, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, British Library and 40 West End theatres. The London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world.
You can visit the parks in London. The largest parks in the central area of London are three of the Royal Parks, namely Hyde Park and its neighbour Kensington Gardens at the western edge of central London, and Regent’s Park on the northern edge. Regent’s Park contains London Zoo, the world’s oldest scientific zoo, and is near the tourist attraction of Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.
The following are the most popular districts in London you need to see while in London:
Bloomsbury – Vibrant historic district made famous by a group of turn-of-the-century writers and for being the location of the British Museum, the University of London and numerous historic homes, parks, and buildings. Part of the Borough of Camden.
City of London – The City is where London originally developed within the Roman city walls and is a city in its own right, separate from the rest of London. One of the most important financial centres in the world with modern skyscrapers standing next to medieval churches on ancient street layouts.
Covent Garden – One of the main shopping and entertainment districts. Incorporates some of London’s theatreland. Part of the City of Westminster and Borough of Camden.
Holborn-Clerkenwell – Buffer zone between London’s West End and the City of London financial district, home to the Inns of Court
Leicester Square – West End district comprising Leicester Square, Chinatown, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus and the centre of London’s cinema and theatre land
Mayfair-Marylebone – Some extremely well-heeled districts of west central London and most of the city’s premier shopping street
Notting Hill-North Kensington – Lively market, interesting history, the world famous carnival and diverse population
Paddington-Maida Vale – Largely residential district of northwest central London with lots of mid-range accommodation
Soho – Dense concentration of highly fashionable restaurants, cafés, clubs and jazz bars, as well as London’s gay village
South Bank – South side of the river Thames with good views of the city, several theatres and the London Eye
South Kensington-Chelsea – An extremely well-heeled inner London district with famous department stores, Hyde Park, many museums and the King’s Road
Westminster – A city in its own right, the seat of government and an almost endless list of historical and cultural sights, such as Buckingham Palace, The Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey.
You have to catch a show while in London to experience the talent that is hidden inside it’s venues. London’s theatre district is here, as are many cinemas, bars, clubs and restaurants, including the city’s Chinatown district (in Soho), and just to the east is Covent Garden, an area housing speciality shops. The city is the home of Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose musicals have dominated the West End theatre since the late 20th century. The United Kingdom’s Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Royal Opera and English National Opera are based in London and perform at the Royal Opera House, the London Coliseum, Sadler’s Wells Theatre and the Royal Albert Hall as well as touring the country.