London (At a Glance)

London (At a Glance)

About London:-

Capital Of Britain-London is the political, economic and cultural capital of Britain. You can visit the Queen's official residence at Buckingham Palace and tour the Houses of Parliament, historic home of the UK government.

London is a city at the centre of the world – and a world in one city. Around 230 languages are spoken here and you'll find a wealth of different cultures and communities throughout the capital.

History:-

London's history stretches back over thousands of years, and the city boasts four World Heritage Sites: the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Maritime Greenwich and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Connectivity:-

London is incredibly well-connected, with five international airports and the high-speed Eurostar rail link. More than 50 countries are within a three-hour flight time and upwards of 300 international destinations have direct links to London

Attractions:-

London's world-class tourist attractions are renowned across the globe. Many of the most famous attractions are free to visit, for example Tate Modern, the National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum. There are also plenty of kid-friendly places to visit in London. Get up close and personal with underwater creatures at SEA LIFE London Aquarium or explore the Science Museum, London's interactive hub of science and technology. Both are perfect for fun family days out in London

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London:- 

The Making of Harry Potter, Have a magical day out with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Harry Potter films at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. See first-hand the sets, costumes, and props used in all the Harry Potter films, and step inside some of the films' locations including the Great Hall, Dumbledore's office and Hagrid's hut

Coca-Cola London Eye:- 

The Coca-Cola London Eye is a major feature of London's skyline. It boasts some of London's best views from its 32 capsules, each weighing 10 tonnes and holding up to 25 people. Climb aboard for a breathtaking experience, with an unforgettable perspective of more than 55 of London's most famous landmarks – all in just 30 minutes

Madame Tussauds London:- 

At Madame Tussauds, you'll come face-to-face with some of the world's most famous faces. From Shakespeare to Lady Gaga you'll meet influential figures from showbiz, sport, politics and even royalty. Strike a pose with Usain Bolt, get close to One Direction or receive a once-in-a-lifetime audience with Her Majesty the Queen.

Hop on Hop off Bus Tour:-

Book in advance for one of the best selling London tours. Buy a 24 hour ticket and enjoy the freedom to hop on and off the sightseeing buses and explore some of London's most famous places, such as Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and Trafalgar Square

Tower of London:- 

Take a tour with one of the Yeoman Warders around the Tower of London, one of the world's most famous buildings. Discover its 900-year history as a royal palace, prison and place of execution, arsenal, jewel house and zoo! Gaze up at the White Tower, tiptoe through a medieval king's bedchamber and marvel at the Crown Jewels.

The View from The Shard:- 

Rise high above London and see the city's iconic skyline from a unique perspective, with views stretching up to 40 miles (64km). Spot the likes of the Coca-Cola London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral and Wembley Stadium from The View from The Shard's observation deck, which sits 800ft (244m) up Western Europe's tallest building.

Westminster Abbey:- 

Fully deserving of its world heritage status, more than one million visitors a year flock to this 700-year-old building. Head to one of its highly popular tours and take in a site steeped in the history of British Kings and Queens of old.

London Dungeon:- 

Delve into the ancient capital’s most horrible history at the London Dungeon - experience live actors, thrilling rides and exciting special effects. Step back into the darkest of times… are you brave enough to face 90 minutes of London’s dark past?

St Paul's Cathedral:- 

With its world-famous dome, St Paul's is a major feature on the London skyline. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710, it houses famous works of art and intricate mosaics. Climb to the top of the spiral staircase for amazing panoramic views of the city.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium:- 

The SEA LIFE London Aquarium is home to 500 species of aquatic life, from sharks and piranhas to Nemo-style clownfish. Don't miss the daily feeds and talks, where you see sharks and species usually found in coral reefs and rainforests enjoying their lunch. A much nicer way to surround yourself with water than being soaked outdoors!

River Thames:-

The river Thames runs through the heart of London, from Richmond in the west, through the central London borough of Westminster, to Greenwich in the east. London river cruises and river buses are a great way to see the city.

Hotels:-

Whether you want to stay in a well-known 5-star hotel, a cosy bed and breakfast or a cheap backpackers' hostel, London offers a wide range of quality accommodation. You can browse and book accommodation in our Where to Stay section.

•  The Intercontinental London – The O2,
•  The Greenwich Hotel,
•  Novotel London City South,
•  Novotel London Tower Bridge,
•  Pullman London St Pancras,
•  Radisson BLU Portman Hotel,
•  DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Docklands Riverside,
•  Hilton London Canary Wharf

Restaurants:-

There are more than 6,000 restaurants in London so you'll never be short of new places to eat. London boasts 65 Michelin-starred restaurants and many celebrity chefs are based here, and there are plenty of good, cheaper options too. For Example

• OXO Tower Restaurant,
• Bar and Brasserie,
• Inamo Soho,
• Berners Tavern,
• Restaurant Gordon Ramsay or Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester,
• Kitchen Table,
• Clos Maggiore,
• Bateaux London Thames Dining,
• The Ritz Restaurant,
• Aqua Shard,
• Galvin at Windows

Shopping:-

According to the Globe Shopper City Index, London is Europe's best shopping destination. Whether you head to the West End, Westfield Stratford City or a quirky London market, there's a huge range of places to buy gifts, fashion and food. Top London Markets Are

• Borough Market,
• Brick Lane Market,
• Broadway Market,
• Columbia Road Flowers,
• Covent Garden London,
• Greenwich Market

Large Parks & Gardens:-

•  Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
•  Kensington Gardens
•  Hampton Court Palace
•  Eltham Palace
•  Syon House and Gardens
•  Buckingham Palace Gardens

Family Holidays:-

Want to bring your kids to London? They'll have a great time. London is full of child-friendly attractions, and many – including the Science Museum and Natural History Museum – are free to visit. See our Family Activities section for more ideas.

Transport:-

London's fantastic transport system, with its Tube, red buses and black taxis, will enable you to get around the city quickly and easily. Why not buy an Oyster Card in advance and download a free Tube map to help you plan your days out?

• London Buses
• London Underground
• Docklands Light Railways
• River Bus Service
• Local Trains
• London Trams
• Accessible Public Transport
• London Cycle Hire Scheme