London Travel Guide
EuropeanTravel Magazine
London Introduction London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom. It is the most populous region, urban zone and metropolitan area in the United Kingdom. Standing on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who named it Londinium. London’s ancient core, the City of London, largely retains its 1.12-square-mile (2.9 km2) mediaeval boundaries and in 2011 had a resident population of 7,375, making it the smallest city in England. Since at least the 19th century, the term London has also referred to the metropolis developed around this core.The bulk of this conurbation forms the London region and the Greater London administrative area, governed by the Mayor of London. London has a diverse range of peoples and cultures, and more than 300 languages are spoken.
“The Monument in the City of London provides views of the surrounding area while commemorating the Great Fire of London, which originated nearby. Marble Arch and Wellington Arch, at the north and south ends of Park Lane respectively�
Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace finally became the principal royal residence in 1837, on the accession of Queen Victoria, who was the first monarch to reside there as her predecessor William IV had died before its completion. While the state rooms were a riot of gilt and colour, the necessities of the new palace were somewhat less luxurious. For one thing, it was reported the chimneys smoked so much that the fires had to be allowed to die down. Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch.[1] Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing. Originally known as Buckingham House, the building which forms the core of today’s palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1705 on a site which had been in private ownership
for at least 150 years. It was subsequently acquired by George III in 1761[2] as a private residence for Queen Charlotte, and known as “The Queen’s House”. During the 19th century it was enlarged, principally by architects John Nash and Edward Blore, forming three wings around a central courtyard. Buckingham Palace finally became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. The last major structural additions were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the East front, which contains the well-known balcony on which the royal family traditionally congregates to greet crowds outside. However, the palace chapel was destroyed by a German bomb in World War 2.
Top Luxury London Hotels
“A great 5* contender Delivered on all fronts on the rooms side. Massimos restaurant good on fish but limited on meat must try the other restaurant next time. Unhesitating recommend”
“Friendly staff, great location, very comfortable stay Great location, very central. Very friendly helpful staff, upgraded us to a deluxe room and gave us a late checkout because it was my birthday.”
“Excellent stay in London One of the best hotels I have stayed in, in London. Fantastic location, staff, room & service.”
The Trafalgar London
Corinthia Hotel London Radisson Blu Edwardian
“Well, what can I say...... We were treated like royalty as soon as we pulled up in our car. The hotel is beautiful the staff we’re amazing “
“Weekend stay in London The May Fair was a lovely Hotel very central for most places ,for walking or taxi.Staff very friendly and most helpful, felt very comfortable.”
THE SAVOY
The May Fair
“Booked the Doubletree as we were going to a party in Bloomsbury Place, 150 feet away! Very, very happy with a lovely big room, large comfy bed “Hotel was clean, staff friendly & and spotless en-suite. Curtains room was immaculate with great were good and thick, so room views of London would definitely recommend.” was properly dark.”
DoubleTree by Hilton
H10 London Waterloo
London Zoo – Days
A day at the London Zoo with the kids can be one of the most memorable days of their childhood. Wheth the sea, the slithering reptiles, the magnificent airbound, the flightless or the swinging monkeys, an unfo The London Zoo is located in the heart of London near Primrose Hill and Regents Park. You will be abl important to note that the zoo does not allow for re-entry once you leave the premises, so be certain to pla
The zoo is quite large with a number of exhibits and animal attractions. In order to fully maximize your t
s Out With The Kids
her the kids seek an adventure filled with animals of orgettable animal adventure awaits the entire family. le to access the zoo by automobile, bus or tube. It is an for the entire duration of your visit prior to walking through the entrance. time at the zoo and to ensure everyone in the family leaves happy, devise a plan at home.
London Guide “England’s royal family has, over the centuries, added much to the London scene for today’s traveller: the Albert Memorial, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Royal Albert Hall, Tower of London, Kew Palace and Westminster Abbey being prominent examples.” London is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — consider printing them all. Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural, London is a megalopolis of people, ideas and energy. The capital and largest city of both the United Kingdom and of England, it is also the largest city in Western Europe and the European Union. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, Greater London has an official population of nearly 8 million people — although the figure of over 14 million for the city’s total metropolitan area more accurately reflects London’s size and importance.
“The city has one of the most comprehensive public transport systems in the world. Despite residents’ constant, and sometimes justified, grumbling about unreliability, public transport is often the best option for getting anywhere for visitors and residents alike.”
London is one of the great “world cities,” and remains a global capital of culture, fashion, finance, politics and trade. London will hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics. Settlement has existed on the site of London since well before Roman times, with evidence of Bronze Age and Celtic settlement. 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. This paramount status for London was confirmed when William the Conqueror, a Norman, built the Tower of London after the conquest in 1066 and was crowned King of England in Westminster.
Museums And Art Galleries
“London is home to many museums, galleries, and other institutions, many of which are free of admission charges and are major tourist attractions as well as playing a research role. The first of these to be established was the British Museum in Bloomsbury, in 1753. Originally containing antiquities, natural history specimens and the national library, the museum now has 7 million artefacts from around the globe. In 1824 the National Gallery was founded to house the British national collection of Western paintings; this now occupies a prominent position in Trafalgar Square.
British Museum The British Museum is a museum in London dedicated to human history and culture. Its permanent collection, numbering some 8 million works, is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence and originates from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. The British Museum was established in 1753.
National Gallery The National Gallery is an art museum on Trafalgar Square in London. Founded in 1824, it houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. The Gallery is an exempt charity, and a non-departmental public body of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Its collection belongs to the public of the United Kingdom and entry to the main collection is free of charge.
Natural History Museum The Natural History Museum in London is a museum exhibiting a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history. It is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, the others being the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Natural History Museum’s main frontage, however, is on Cromwell Road The museum is home to life and earth science .
Science Museum The Science Museum is one of three major museums on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, London. It was founded in 1857 and today is one of the city’s major tourist attractions, attracting 2.7 million visitors annually. Like other publicly funded national museums in the United Kingdom, the Science Museum does not charge visitors for admission. It is part of the Science Museum Group
Tate Britain Tate Britain (known from 1897 to 1932 as the National Gallery of British Art and from 1932 to 2000 as Tate Gallery) is an art gallery situated on Millbank in London. It is part of the Tate network of galleries in England, with Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives. It is the oldest gallery in the network. opening in 1897. It houses a substantial collection of the works of J. M. W. Turner.
www.europeantravelmagazine.co.uk