London is the capital of the United Kingdom and a sprawling metropolis offering endless opportunities to anyone traveling within her boundaries. From traditional English food to historical landmarks to modern attractions, it is not possible to see the whole of London within a week. It was at one time, the world’s largest city and although it no longer holds that title, it is still a popular destination for over 14 million international travelers each year.
10 Travel tips for London
- London has an oceanic climate so snow usually appears between December to February and the hottest months are between June to September. Rainfall typically happens from October to January.
- The vast landscape of London is split into districts; central areas are classed as the City of London, City of Westminster, Chelsea and Kensington
- Canary wharf is established as the financial and commercial hub of London
- The West End is the place to head to for shopping and entertainment
- The Mayfair district has the largest amount of luxury hotels and restaurants.
- There is no typical style of architecture in London because of an influx of foreign influences throughout the centuries. Many buildings were also rebuilt after the great fire in 1666
- The largest parks in the area are Hyde, Regent and Kensington.
- Regent Park is also home to London Zoo. While you are in the area, check out the nearby attraction of Madam Tussaurds Wax Museum.
- London is one of the most expensive cities in the world so anyone traveling on a budget, will need to be careful with daily allowances.
- Cycling in central London has made a comeback and it is often quicker to get around the city using this method than normal transport.
Top Five Most Visited Attractions in London
- The British Museum focuses on human history around the world. It is the largest collection totalling over eight million artefacts. It opened in 1759 and mainly followed the path of British colonization. These days it is also a national library holding over 150 million books.
- The Tate Modern Gallery receives over 4 million visitors every year. Located in the Bankside area of London, works of art held within the walls date from 1500 to present day.
- Located at Trafalgar square, the National Gallery is an art museum that opened in 1824 and to date is home to over 2000 works of art from the mid-13th century to present day.
- The Natural History Museum is in South Kensington and its focus is on the life that inhabits our planet. They have over 70 specimens from the field of Zoology, Botany and Palaeontology.
- The London Eye is the tallest viewing point from which to see the city of London. Even though it only opened in 1999, it has become one of London’s most popular attractions. Officially called the millennium wheel, it was built to mark the end of the last century.
Get Around London
Car hire: This option is suitable for short periods of time. Compare prices from all major suppliers here.
Car leasing: Provided by Renault, Peugeot or Citroen, this choice is ideal if you want to tour other areas within the United Kingdom. Find out more…
