London is the capital and largest city of both the United Kingdom and of England, and the largest city in Western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, Greater London has an official population of roughly 7.5 million people. London is historically one of the great, "world cities," and remains a global capital of culture, fashion, finance, politics and trade.
The City of London is one of the world's three largest financial centers (alongside New York and Tokyo) with a dominant role in several international financial markets, including cross-border bank lending, international bond issuance and trading, foreign-exchange trading, over-the-counter derivatives, fund management and foreign equities trading.
Dominated by the Canary Wharf complex, the Docklands area to the east of the City is the London's new financial and commercial hub. Other businesses locate in the City of Westminster, the home of the UK's national government and the well-known Westminster Abbey.
The West End is London's main entertainment and shopping district, and locations such as Oxford Street, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus are main tourist attractions. The West London area is popular for fashionable and expensive residential areas such as Notting Hill, Knightsbridge and Chelsea.
The east of London contains the East End and East London. The East End is the area closest to the original Port of London, known for its high immigrant population.
Top London Attractions
Buckingham Palace: England’s most famous royal palace, and the official London residence of Queen Elizabeth II, opens the doors of its State Rooms to the public every summer.
Tower of London: With over 1000 years of royal history lurking within its highly fortified walls, a trip to the Tower of London is like being involved in one of the most spectacular dramas of all time. The Tower has been used as a prison, palace and place of execution, arsenal, mint and menagerie, since its construction following the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Madame Tussuads and Chamber: In 1835, Marie Tussaud - former sculptor to the court of Louis XVI - established a sideshow of waxworks of famous contemporary and historical figures. Kylie, Posh, Becks, Brad Pitt, Blair, Bush, Beyonce and Wax replicas of many such famous personalities can be viewed. The studios where the wax creations are made are top secret and can never be visited. The only exceptions to this rule are the subjects who come to be modeled.
London Aquarium: London Aquarium is house to stingray, shark, starfish, gigantic conger eels, seahorse, octopus, jellyfish, crabs and flapping, four-eyed fish, and many such water animals.
Queens Gallery: Queens Gallery offers close-up view of some of the rare works of art from the Royal Collection which is one of the finest art collections in the world.
London Dungeon: If you foster an interest in the past, the London Dungeon is an excellent way of peeping into real history, horror and humor to bring gruesome goings-on back to life in the 21st century. Apart from the jaw-droopingly repulsively real animatronics and waxworks, complete with appropriately gruesome sound effects, there are also some (very much alive) costumed actors who are just dying to give you a fright.
Kensington Palace: The birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to Princess Diana between 1981-1997, now warmly welcomes public visitors. Relive the past while visiting the Victorian Rooms, looking at family portraits and original furnishings adorning the homely Queen’s Apartments, and strolling in Orangey and Sunken Garden.
Tower Bridge Exhibition: View London and its ever-changing skyline from one of the best vantage points in the city - 140ft above the Thames - on one of Tower Bridge's spectacular high walkways.
St Paul's Cathedral: St Paul’s is the spiritual home of Great Britain, a fascinating store of British history and an architectural triumph all in one. The funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill were conducted inside these fortresses like walls, as was the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.
Dali Universe: Melting clocks, Mae West’s lips, space elephants, snails and angels are just a few of the extraordinary works of Dali art on display in this stunning 30,000 square foot exhibition centre beautifully located in the old County Hall, part of London 's cultural hub along the South Bank.
Weather & Climate
Though has a reputation for being unsettled, London enjoys a dry and mild climate on average. Only one in three days on average will bring rain and often only for a short period. From June through to September average daily high temperatures peak at over 20C with July and August the warmest months at 23C while London's highest temperature since 2000 was recorded one August at 38C. This means London can feel hot and humid in the summer months. Winter days are rarely cold and frost is rather rare, and while sunshine is at a premium and wet days are more common, the average daily maximum is 8C in December and January, making London milder than most nearby continental European capital cities.
Where to stay in London
London is popularly known as a city of many villages. Europe's biggest city is divided into 33 boroughs each with their own feel and characteristics. The hotels in London may be categorized as:
- London Luxury Hotels
- London Business Hotels
- London Family Hotels
- London Theatreland Hotels
- Hotels by London Area
If you are planning a holiday in London, view video reviews of the some of the popular hotels in London before you decide on to book your room online. Here are some video reviews:
Sheraton Heathrow Hotel, London
Sheraton Skyline Hotel, Conference Centre, London
Renaissance Heathrow Hotel, London
Grange Rochester Hotel, London
Portland Hotel, London
Purple Hotel London
Tiffanys Hotel
Lanayr Hotel
Britannia Bolton
Travelodge Manchester Central
Ifor Evans Hall Hotel, London
Parisienne Hotel
Travelodge Liverpool Docks
Premier Inn Blackpool East
Channins Hounslow Hotel, London
