What can be said about London that hasn't been said so many times before? That the grand resonance of its very name suggests history and might? That it is the premier city in Europe in terms of size, population and per-capita wealth? That its opportunities for entertainment by day and night go on and on and on? London is a cosmopolitan mixture of the Third and First Worlds, of chauffeurs and beggars, of the establishment, the avowedly working class and the avant-garde. Unlike comparable European cities, much of London looks unplanned and grubby, but it is precisely this 'organic' feel that provides much of the appeal.

Appealing, too, is the endless list of fantastic world-class museums, monuments, buildings, churches and historical sites. Visiting London is like being let loose on a giant-sized Monopoly board clogged with traffic. The city is so enormous and so jam-packed with attractions; visitors will need to make maximum use of the efficient underground train system. Doing some travelling by bus helps fit the city together. Travelling above ground is also a great way to soak up the sights and sounds of this diverse, multicultural city; and maybe soak up some of the falling rain in the process.

The main geographical feature of the city is the River Thames, which meanders through central London, dividing it into northern and southern halves. The central area and the most important sights, theatres and restaurants are within the Underground's Circle Line on the north bank of the river. The trendy and tourist-ridden West End lies within the western portion of the loop, and includes Soho, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Regent St. The East End, so beloved of Ealing comedies, lies east of the Circle Line; it used to be the exclusive preserve of the Cockney but is now a cultural melting pot.

Accommodation in London is ridiculously expensive and in short supply in July and August. There's the usual mix of hostels, university colleges, B&Bs and hotels. Earl's Court is a major centre for cheap hostels and hotels, but there are other good centres in Bloomsbury and Notting Hill. Less-cheap alternatives are Paddington, Bayswater and Pimlico. Eating out is also expensive, though Indian, Chinese and Italian restaurants are less threatening to your wallet. Culinary hunting grounds are Covent Garden, Soho and north of Leicester Square.

When to Go

London is a year-round tourist centre, with few of its attractions closing or significantly reducing their opening hours in winter. Your best chance of good weather is, of course, at the height of summer in July and August, but there's certainly no guarantee of sun even in those months - plus it's when you can expect the biggest crowds and highest prices.
April/May and September/October are good times to visit London: there's a better than average chance of good weather and the queues for popular attractions are hours shorter. During these periods the cost of getting to London is cheaper and you might even find some decent accommodation. If you don't mind braving the cold and shorter daylight hours, the cheapest fares and hotel prices are available from November to March.

Places to Visit

Trafalgar Square

It's the heart of visitors' London, beating with tour buses, cameras and flocks of persistent pigeons. On the square's northern edge is the cash-strapped National Gallery, which has one of the world's most impressive art collections. Famous paintings include Cézanne's The Bathers and van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding.

Also in the vicinity are the National Portrait Gallery, a place to see lots of faces from the Middle Ages to modern times, and St Martin in the Fields, with an adjoining craft market and a brass-rubbing centre in the crypt.

Westminster Abbey

The setting for various royal ceremonies and coronation since 1066, Westminster Abbey is the tomb and shrine of numerous well known and famous figures, kings and queens in the history of England. It is a church subject to none other than the Sovereign and under the jurisdiction of the crown, that’s why it is also called ‘Royal Peculiar’. An architectural masterpiece of 13th to 16th century, the church even today practices worship and celebration of any great events in the life of the nation. Originally called The Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster Abbey has some magnificent sights to be visited like the Coronation Chair, the Tomb of Mary Queen of Scots, and 10 statues of martyrs of 20th century, tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Royal Tombs and Shrine of Edward the Confessor, Lady Chapel and Poets' Corner, the Royal Chapels etc.

Houses of Parliament

Home to English Parliament, and also known as ‘The Palace of Westminster’, Houses of Parliament was built between 1840 and 1888. Its two magnificent and imposing towers, The Clock Tower and Victoria Tower, are a sight to watch and enjoy. The imposing structure consists of House of Commons and House of Lords. Used as England’s highest court of law until the 19th century, Houses of Parliament measures 240 feet by 60 feet and has restricted entry only as a part of a guided tour. The best and most interesting time to visit the place is during Prime Minister’s Question Time.

Tate Britain

Known as the largest collection keeper of British art from 1500 to present day, Tate Britain boasts of holding and exhibiting such great works of British art as that of Blake, Constable, Gainsborough, Hodgkin, Hogarth, Moore, Rossetti, Spencer, etc. Being the national art gallery of British art, it also arranges and hosts, guided tours, gallery talks, lectures and talks that aim at providing entertainment as well as enriching information to tourists about British art.

Buckingham Palace

It is the official residence of the Queen of England and also handles the administrative affairs of the monarchy. The Changing of the Guard ceremony that takes place every summer in front of the palace is one of the most popular activities attracting visitors. The palace also takes care of hosting luncheons, dinners, royal garden parties, and other royal ceremonies and banquets. The palace was built in 1705 for the Duke of Buckingham and was opened for public viewing in 1993.

Covent Garden

The Covent Garden of today was once called Lundenwich constructed by Saxons after the Romans left Londinium. Now it is a shopping and entertainment complex in Central London. A 40 acre patch in the county of Middlesex that started as a large kitchen garden to cater to the daily food needs of the people, it redeveloped and opened as a shopping centre as well as tourist attraction in 1980s. Covent Garden is a phrase commonly used to describe the open area at its centre. This was built from the original market for which 'Covent Garden Piazza' is the proper name.

British Museum

One of the largest and most important buildings in ancient history, the British museum was established in 1753 based mainly on the collections of the physician and scientist Sir Hans Sloane. The museum houses over seven million objects and artifacts related to human culture. Also known as ‘Universal Museum’, it consists of artifacts and objects of antiquity and ethnography. The entry to the museum is free of cost except for the special exhibitions.

St Paul's Cathedral

The oldest church in London and England’s historic property, St Paul’s Cathedral reopened in 1846 after being once burnt in 1844. Dating back from 17th century, the cathedral has been site for many famous funerals, including the marriage ceremony of some of the royal family members. The visit to the cathedral is free of cost except a charge for non-worshipping visitors. The cathedral will celebrate its 300th anniversary of opening in 2008 the year when the cathedral’s restoration program is coming to an end.

Victoria & Albert Museum

The Victoria & Albert Museum, on Cromwell Rd in South Kensington, has an eclectic mix of booty gathered together under its brief as a museum of decorative art and design. It sometimes feels like an enormous Victorian junk shop, with nearly four million artefacts on display. It's best to browse through the collection whimsically, checking out the Chinese ceramics, Japanese swords, cartoons by Raphael, sculpture by Rodin, the Frank Lloyd Wright study and the pair of Doc Martens.

Camden Markets

One of London’s top tourist attractions, Camden Market’s turnover makes it Britain’s fourth largest retailer. It is a market for young people where you can get anything from clothes, music, rugs, ethnic art, collectibles, food, drink, etc. The places to see in the market are Stables market, Chalk Farm tube station, Primrose Hill, Regent’s Park, Mosque to Madame Tussaud’s, Wallace Collection Gallery, St Christopher’s Place, etc.

Hyde Park

Covering over 350 acres, Hyde Park is one of London’s finest and best landscapes. The park has a playground, The Lookout (education centre for kids to learn about nature and wildlife), toilets, catering outlets, and deckchairs. The park also provides facilities for different sports and leisure activities as well as public events. Henry VIII acquired Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536 and it remained a private hunting ground till James I came to throne and opened it for some limited access.

Kew Gardens

The name Kew Gardens has emerged from the two estates, Kew Estate and Richmond Estate that were combined to form the Royal Botanic Gardens. They are called royal due to the fact that they were once owned by the members of the royal family. The gardens consist of landscaped lawns, formal gardens, and greenhouses. They also act as botanical research centre and boast of the largest plant collection in the world. Places that are a must see in the gardens are Kew gardens gallery, Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, and the Chinese Pagoda.