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London Information and London Tourism
(London, England)



The cosmopolitan city of London is the capital of England and its very name suggests history and grandeur. It is the premier city in Europe in terms of size, population and per-capita wealth. What strikes visitors more than anything about London is the sheer size of the city, spreading across a huge area from its core on 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 London underground train Circle Line on the north bank of the River Thames. The trendy and tourist-ridden West End of London lies within the western portion of the loop and includes Soho, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Regent Street. Those without local roots will find London surprisingly diverse, and besides English, around 200 different languages are spoken within its confines and all the major religions are represented. At times London can seem more like a country than a city.




There are several tourism and tourist information offices situated in the city centre of London and these provide up-to-date tourism and tourist information about London tourist attractions, museums, the London underground train network, sightseeing and indepth tourism advice.

Visitors will find that there is an enormous selection of London hotels, with accommodation ranging from the five-star luxury hotels to the smaller hotels and bed and breakfast lodgings. London accommodation is usually in short supply during the months of July and August, so visitors should always book hotel rooms in London well in advance. Earl's Court is a major centre for inexpensive hotels, but there are other good centres in Bloomsbury and Notting Hill. Less cheap alternatives are Paddington, Bayswater and Pimlico.

In Great Britain, London is where the country's news and money are made. It is where the central government resides and is the home of the Royal family. The city of London has an undeniably exciting atmosphere and is full of endless opportunities for entertainment both day and night. London's public transport is frequent, although often busy, and includes buses and the London underground train service. Also popular are the famous black cabs, which can be easily hailed.

London museums and galleries - the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate and countless other attractions - are some of the finest in the world. Monuments from the capital's glorious past are everywhere to be seen, from the great churches of Sir Christopher Wren to the eclectic Victorian architecture of the British Empire. The major sights - Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Tower of London and the British Airways London Eye to name but a few - draw in millions of tourists every year. However, there is still much enjoyment to be gained from the city's more quiet Georgian squares, parks, narrow alleyways and river walks. More information on London Tourist Attractions...

You could spend days shopping in London and buy virtually anything that you want. Sample the delights of the famous stores such as Harrods and Selfridges, and the shopping districts, such as Oxford Street, where there are two miles of wall-to-wall shops. The many markets can also provide a way to see some of the capital's home talent and are a good place to pick up a real bargain. London restaurants are also a big attraction and are comparable to the best of its European rivals. The city offers a wide range of establishments covering all types of cuisine, including traditional food and more contemporary interpretations of British dishes; many highly rated.

London City Airport (LCY) Guide - useful London City Airport (LCY) information.

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) Guide - useful London Gatwick Airport (LGW) information.

London Heathrow International Airport (LHR) Guide - useful London Heathrow International Airport (LHR) information.

London Luton Airport (LTN) Guide - useful London Luton Airport (LTN) information.

London Stansted Airport (STN) Guide - useful London Stansted Airport (STN) information.

More London Information / Fast Facts and Orientation

• Country: England
• Status: capital city
• Area: 1,600 square kilometres / 620 square miles
• Population: 12 million
• Language: English
• Currency: pound sterling (GBP)
• Time zone: GMT / UTC and BST (British Summer Time), 5 hours from Eastern Standard Time
• Country dialling code: +44
• Telephone area code: 020

 
LONDON TRAVEL GUIDE...