Introducing London
London assumes the mantle of one of the world’s great cities with ease, crowning itself Napoleon-style by hosting its third Olympic games in 2012. It’s safe to say that London has not exuded so much confidence since the heady days of empire in the late 19th century, even despite the economic crisis that has seen the city’s status as the world’s pre-eminent financial centre take a wobble.
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London has been called a ‘world in one city’ and that’s not just empty rhetoric. The brilliant feat carried off here is that while immigrants, the city’s life blood, continue to flow in and contribute their energy and cultures to the capital’s already spicy melting pot, London nevertheless feels quintessentially British, whether it’s those boxy black cabs, the red double deckers or those grand symbols of Britain – the mother of all parliaments at Westminster, the silhouette of Tower bridge above the muddy Thames or the already world-famous London Eye, barely a decade old.
Don’t miss these essential sights of course, but equally ensure you partake in what really makes London great: a pint and a plate of fish n’ chips by the river, a day in the park or a night out in Soho or Shoreditch. Take a deep breath and prepare to fall in love with the British capital..
Ready to go?
- Check out the Lonely Planet London City Guide app, and the new Audio Walking Tours available via iTunes.
Last updated: Mar 14, 2011
Tips & articles
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Gay London: a pink tour of the British capital
31 January 2012
London, with over 8 million residents and a strong liberal tradition, has historically been the place for gays and lesbians...
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The most annoying habits of tourists
13 December 2011
Are you embarrassed by the antics of your fellow tourists, or guilty of some travel sins yourself? It’s hard to...
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London’s evening haunts: travel expertise from Wenzani
6 December 2011
The busy streets of London can certainly work up a thirst, but how do you find the drinking dens that...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Postal Indian tourist visa - sent to the Hanyes address
by emma396 14 September 2011
Is it requirement to include itineary??? I took mine to India centre in Cardiff, and it got rejected because I'd filled in Birmingham…
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Eastbourne and South day trip
by Moralista 14 September 2011
A student new to the UK, based in London, would appreciate your help again as my relatives are coming and they would like to check out…
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Re: Itinerary for Pakistan visa
by AdamTheTraveller 14 September 2011
Hello, how long did it take you to get your visa in the Pakistan high commission in London? They've had mine 2 weeks and I am leaving…
London
Things to do
- All things to do (1,425)
- Activities (164)
- Entertainment (344)
- Restaurants (396)
- Shopping (233)
- Sights (286)
- Tours (2)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For London
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1 Camp out at the Science Museum
Take the kids camping at the Science Museum. Science Night is packed full of activities for the kids, ending with a sleepover.
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2 Cruise the Thames
From the river, the skyline offers the classics: Houses of Parliament, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge; and the modern masters: the London Eye, Tate Modern, the Millennium Bridge, City Hall and the 'Gherkin'
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3 Sundays at Spitalfields Market
Sift through the stalls of clothes and accessories from independent designers, find new and vintage homewares, vinyl, old turntables...
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4 Lose time in Greenwich
Find out what it all means at the Royal Observatory, and lose time in its beautifully landscaped surroundings
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5 Sky high London Eye
The bird's-eye view from the world's tallest Ferris wheel makes London look like Toy Town. You can see 25 miles in every direction from the top (weather permitting).
Fast Facts about London
- The Great Frost In 1683 the Thames froze solid for eight weeks. A frost fair was held on the ice, with market stalls and buffoonery aplenty.
- Game, set, sweetness More than 27 tonnes of strawberries and 7000L of cream are consumed every year during the two weeks of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
- London characters - Harold Shand Cockney gangster played by Bob Hoskins in the 1980 film The Long Good Friday. Self-made brute-in-a-suit guvnor type done so well by on-screen Brits.
- London Characters - Ellen Bulfield During WW1, over 18,000 male bus conductors marched off to war. Ellen was one of thousands of women who replaced them and was the very last female 'clippy' to hand back the job at war's end.
- Wild animals of London If lucky you may spy such critters as hedgehogs, stag beetles, slow worms, dormice, great crested newts, badgers, bats and water voles. Rumours of werewolves abound.
Our favourite London Blogs (beta)
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Lady Makes a Pizza
Blog: A Lady in London - 3 February 2012
Since moving to London, I have spent most of my evenings eating at restaurants. This is partly because I love food, but mostly because I can’t cook. Left to my own devices, my diet consists mainly of scrambled eggs, spaghetti, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Last week my worlds collided when I was invited to make [...]
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weekly photo: changing of the guards at buckingham palace
Blog: The Road Forks - 3 February 2012
Changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace
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museum hopping with context london
Blog: The Road Forks - 1 February 2012
We of
