Explore LondonWhat to see in London:  When you explore London, be sure to take advantage of the many London sightseeing tours which will help you experience the medieval sites that survived the Great Fire of 1666. The
many London museumswill help you go back in time as well, as you wander and peruse this vast and interesting metropolis. But before you explore London, let's first start with a little history of the city. The connection between England's capital and the river Thames dates back more than 2000 years. The origins of what is now the City of London took root on the banks of the river. This area now includes the sites of the Lloyd's of London Building, the National Westminster Tower, and all the other skyscrapers around which are often referred to as the Square Mile, or as Londoners say; "The City". Commerce gave birth to the city, and that commerce was made possible mainly because of the River Thames. What the Roman conquerors called "Londinium" in AD 43, started previously as a hub of trade between Britain and the Continent. Today, the Thames is experiencing a new appreciation by Londoners. As you explore London, you will find even more attractions are opening up everywhere, especially on the south bank. Theatre is flourishing again in places like Southwark, thanks to the rebuilding of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Next door is the huge windowless former Battersea Power Station that has been converted into the Tate Modern Gallery. If you continue walking west on the south bank you will come to the British Airways London Eye, another "must see" adventure. Westminster Bridge is close to the London Eye attraction. Walking north over the bridge towards the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, you will be very close to Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus, another must see experience. The River Thames is spanned by the Millennium Bridge, also known as the Blade of Light. The bridge is very convenient if you want to walk from Tate Modern across the Thames to London's center piece, St Paul's Cathedral. Sir Christopher Wren's splendid cathedral has weathered countless changes, including surviving the bombs of the Second World War, but has always managed to keep itself intact, in the London style. 
Other prominent buildings of note are the Bank of England, the Guildhall, and the Tower of London, which is home to many things synonymous with the English capital such as the Crown Jewels, the ravens and beefeaters. You will find these buildings are a good distance from each other as you explore London, so my advice is to use the red double decker buses. Besides, you'll get a fantastic view of the city as well. London is a great place to base yourself for your day trips to other parts of England. Not only because there is lots to do here but because you are positioned to experience great days out around the capital of England. Don't forget your map. Also, you must spend time looking through the great great designer shops on Oxford St, Regent St and Covent Garden. If you have 48 hours to spare, you owe it to yourself to explore the literary haunts of London steeped in booklore. Also, the British capital is a treasure trove of pubs, museums, galleries, hotels, restaurants and theatre. 
Custom Search
London is more than just a collection of historical buildings, even though they are essential viewing. But, taking in a show or theatre performance in the Piccadilly area of the West End of town is a must do. Also, London shopping in the grand stores of the city is another must do, and top fashion labels and design shops can be found on Oxford Street, Regent Street, Charing Cross Road, and Covent Garden and that's just to mention a few. London walks are another wonderful experience when you explore London. Be sure to take along your digital camera and capture the uniqueness of this world class city in all its grandeur that you can share and will definitely remember for a lifetime. But most of all, plan to return to the Capital for the rest of your life, and visit the places you missed on your previous visit. London is the capital that has never quite made up its mind about its size. The City of London proper is only one square mile of very expensive real estate around the Bank of England, inhabited at night by only a few hundred nightworkers and caretakers, several hundred police and secruity personel including hundreds of cats. Having that, the West End of London never sleeps. All of the capital is made up of separate cities, boroughs, and corporations, which include Westminster, Chelsea, Hampstead, Kensington, Camden Town and a few more with its own mayor and administration and ready to fight for its independent status at the drop of a hat. Together, however, we add up to a very large metropolis, once the largest in the world. The multiple millions of people are governed by the Greater London Council and live within the more than 609 square miles. Most of the city dwellers live in the suburbs, stretching endlessly into the horizon with red tiled roofs and fairly small but long gardens. But at the heart of this giant city is one of the most fascinating locations on earth. For about one hundred years, one-quarter of the world was ruled from here. With almost every step you take within this land, you'll come across some sign or a feeling that this city has influence the rest of the world to some degree, and continues to this day. I know when you come to explore London, you'll feel very much at home here. 
Return fom explore London to Home page
|
