London Travel Guide
Contents
- London — A Global City Shaped by Time
- London and Its Antipode
- The City
- Events Not to Be Missed
- Top Things to Do in London
- Do and See
- Dining in London
- Afternoon Tea in London
- Bars & Nightlife
- Shopping
- Tourist Information
London — A Global City Shaped by Time
London is one of the world’s great cities — a place where layers of history, culture, and commerce accumulate rather than replace one another. From Roman foundations to medieval fortifications, imperial institutions, and modern global finance, the city has evolved continuously for nearly two thousand years.
Set along the River Thames, London’s geography has shaped its growth as a trading centre, political capital, and cultural crossroads. Neighbourhoods unfold outward from the river in distinct characters rather than a single centre, giving the city its remarkable diversity and scale.
London and Its Antipode
Every place on Earth has an antipode — the point directly opposite it on the globe, connected by a straight line passing through the Earth’s core.
London’s antipode lies in the southern Pacific Ocean, far from any major landmass. This land-to-ocean antipode highlights the city’s historic orientation outward — toward maritime trade, global connections, and cultural exchange rather than geographic isolation.
The contrast between a dense, historic capital and open ocean on the far side of the planet underscores London’s long relationship with exploration, navigation, and global reach.
The City
London is both the capital of the United Kingdom and one of the world’s most influential cities. Its institutions — from Parliament and the monarchy to museums, theatres, and universities — have shaped politics, art, science, and culture globally.
The city is famously walkable at a neighbourhood scale, yet vast in overall size. Royal parks, historic markets, creative districts, and financial centres coexist, connected by one of the world’s most extensive public transport systems.
Events Not to Be Missed
- Christmas Markets (Leicester Square, South Bank, London Bridge)
- The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
- British Summer Time Music Festival
- RHS Chelsea Flower Show
- Trooping the Colour
- Notting Hill Carnival
- Totally Thames Festival
Top Things to Do in London
Palace of Westminster & Big Ben
The seat of British government and one of London’s most recognisable landmarks.
The British Museum
One of the world’s great museums, housing artefacts from ancient civilisations.
Buckingham Palace
The official London residence of the British monarch.
The London Eye
A 135-metre observation wheel offering panoramic views over the city.
Tower of London
A historic fortress, royal palace, and site of the Crown Jewels.
Tate Modern
Britain’s leading modern and contemporary art gallery, housed in a former power station.
St Paul’s Cathedral
A masterpiece by Sir Christopher Wren and a defining feature of London’s skyline.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
A reconstruction of the original Elizabethan playhouse.
The National Gallery
Home to one of the finest collections of Western European painting.
Hampstead Heath
Expansive green space offering views across London’s skyline.
Do and See
- Soho and the West End
- Covent Garden & Seven Dials
- Greenwich & the Royal Observatory
- Brick Lane & East London
- Camden & Camden Lock Market
- Kew Gardens
- Hampton Court Palace
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour – Harry Potter
Dining in London
London’s food scene reflects its global population. Traditional British cuisine sits alongside some of the world’s best international dining, from street food markets to Michelin-starred restaurants.
- The Wolseley
- Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
- Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
- Borough Market
- Sketch
- J Sheekey
- Kanada-Ya
Afternoon Tea in London
Afternoon tea is a longstanding London tradition, combining tea, sandwiches, pastries, and ceremony.
- The Ritz
- Fortnum & Mason
- Brown’s Hotel
- The Dorchester
- The Goring
Bars & Nightlife
London’s nightlife ranges from historic pubs and wine bars to world-famous clubs and live music venues.
- Ministry of Sound
- Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
- Soho nightlife
- Gordon’s Wine Bar
- The Vaults
Shopping
- Oxford Street
- Regent Street
- Covent Garden
- Portobello Road Market
- Harrods
- Liberty
- Westfield London & Stratford
Tourist Information
London is served by multiple international airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and London City Airport.
Public transport includes the Underground (Tube), buses, trains, river services, and cycle hire schemes.
The best time to visit London is late spring to early autumn, when weather is mild and events are frequent.
Electricity in the UK is 230 volts using type G plugs.
