London is the capital and most populous city of England and the United Kingdom. Standing on the River Thames in the south east of the island of Great Britain, London has been a major settlement for two millennia.

London has a diverse range of people and cultures, and more than 300 languages are spoken in the region.Its estimated mid-2016 municipal population (corresponding to Greater London) was the largest of any city in the European Union and accounting for 13.4% of the UK population. London's urban area is the second most populous in the EU, after Paris, with inhabitants at the 2011 census.The city's metropolitan area is the most populous in the EU with 14,040,163 inhabitants in 2016, while the Greater London Authority states the population of the city-region (covering a large part of the south east) as 22.7 million. London was the world's most populous city from around 1831 to 1925.

There are many reasons to visit London:

1. You can't fail to be excited by London's amazing attractions. See London from above on the London Eye; meet a celebrity at Madame Tussauds; examine some of the world's most precious treasures at the British Museum or come face-to-face with the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum.

2. Free London attractions

London is home to some of the best museums and galleries in the world - many of which are free. Spend a few hours in the British Museum, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum or the Science Museum, where you can browse the permanent collections at no cost. Read More

3. Shopping in London

You're spoilt for choice when shopping in London; from the flagship stores on Oxford Street, to gifts and bric-a-brac at London's markets. Shop in Europe's largest urban shopping centre at Westfield Stratford, or visit an iconic department store such as Harrods or Selfridges

4. London's River Thames

The Thames provides a stunning backdrop to many of the city's top tourist attractions. River bus services and river tours are great ways to beat the traffic and enjoy wonderful views. Don't forget London's canals as well, including Regent's Canal and Little Venice.

BRITISH MUSEUM

The British Museum was established in 1753, largely based on the collections of the physician and scientist Sir Hans Sloane. The museum first opened to the public on 15 January 1759, in Montagu House, on the site of the current building. Its expansion over the following two and a half centuries was largely a result of expanding British colonization and has resulted in the creation of several branch institutions, the first being the British Museum of Natural History in South Kensington in 1881 (it is nowadays simply called the Natural History Museum, and is separate and independent). The collection of Egyptian and Greek antiquities are without a doubt amongst the largest and best known in the world.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

The Natural History Museum in London is a natural history museum that exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history. It is one of three major museums on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, the others being the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The museum is home to life and earth science specimens comprising some 80 million items within five main collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology. The museum is a centre of research specialising in taxonomy, identification and conservation. Given the age of the institution, many of the collections have great historical as well as scientific value, such as specimens collected by Charles Darwin. The museum is particularly famous for its exhibition of dinosaur skeletons and ornate architecture—sometimes dubbed a cathedral of nature—both exemplified by the large Diplodocus cast that dominated the vaulted central hall before it was replaced in 2017 with the skeleton of a blue whale hanging from the ceiling. The Natural History Museum Library contains extensive books, journals, manuscripts, and artwork collections linked to the work and research of the scientific departments; access to the library is by appointment only. The museum is recognised as the pre-eminent centre of natural history and research of related fields in the world.

BUCHKINGAM PALACE

Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning.

The palace has 775 rooms, and the garden is the largest private garden in London. The state rooms, used for official and state entertaining, are open to the public each year for most of August and September and on some days in winter and spring.

 TOWER OF LONDON

From medieval torture to grim executions and infamous royal prisoners, the Tower of London has long found itself at the center of the city's dark history. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, the historic castle has served as a Royal Menagerie, Her Majesty's prison, an execution site, a royal observatory, a Royal Mint, and a military storehouse over the course of its existence.

Today, the tower famously displays the Crown Jewels (which include the Imperial State Crown) and holds centuries of history within its walls, drawing travelers from near and far. It remains guarded by members of the Royal Bodyguards, known as Beefeaters. Visitors can admire the Royal Armouries in the White Tower, walk along the battlements, and see where Anne Boleyn was executed by order of Henry VIII. The popular Torture at the Tower exhibit, the Coins and Kings exhibit at the Royal Mint, the Fusilier Museum, and the Line of Kings all shed light on the tower's history.

Hyde Park:

Hyde Park is one of London’s largest and most well-known parks. The park connects with Kensington Gardens and the two combined cover 630 acres (253 hectares). Together they form the centrepiece of a network of parks known as “London’s Green Lung.” Once the private hunting grounds of King Henry VIII, today the park is filled with heritage sites, monuments and events to attend all year-round.

From March through October, rent a rowboat and glide across the expansive Serpentine Lake, which separates Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. During warmer months, take a dip in the Serpentine’s special swimming area.

KEW GARDENS

There’s an impressive 250 years (and counting) of history in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, but they’re also paving the way for the future with not one, but two national bases for research into botanical studies.

Nowadays the Gardens stand at a whopping 300 acres, but they started out a little more humbly in the back yard of what was once the royal palace – favoured most by George III. There’s loads to see here, whether you like green stuff or not. The grand Victorian glasshouses remain a favourite with visitors, one of which (Temperate House) holds the record for the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse. Plus it’s just about to reopen (at the beginning of May 2018) following a five year makeover.

Whenever you visit Kew Gardens, there’s something in bloom. The website has a dedicated ‘what to see this week’ section, so even in autumn or winter, you can be assured you won’t just see a lot of old twigs.

LONDON ZOO

The zoo opened in 1828, and its initial collections were augmented by the additions of the royal menagerie from Windsor in 1830 and the menagerie from the Tower of London soon afterward. It opened the world’s first reptile house in 1849 and the first public aquarium in 1853. The zoo was severely affected during World War II, when its animals were killed or removed elsewhere; its edible fish ended up on London tables. In 1955 a reconstruction program was begun, and within 10 years a footbridge, the Elephant and Rhino Pavilion, a walk-through aviary, and an animal hospital had been built. A pavilion for small mammals followed in 1967. In 1972 the zoo added the Sobell Pavilion for apes and monkeys; the structure also houses the zoo’s giant pandas and the Zoo Studies Centre. A summer children’s zoo, originally established in 1938, was reopened in 1994. 

The 36-acre (15-hectare) zoo exhibits thousands of specimens. It has had outstanding success breeding Père David’s deer, as well as the pygmy hippopotamus, musk ox, Chilean flamingo, and polar bear. The famous giant panda Chi-Chi arrived there from China in 1958.

LONDON EYE

The Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, commonly called Big Ben, are among London's most iconic landmarks and must-see London attractions. Technically, Big Ben is the name given to the massive bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons (13,760 kg).  The clock tower looks spectacular at night when the four clock faces are illuminated.

Situated at the north-eastern end of the Palace of Westminster, the world famous Big Ben is the third largest free-standing clock tower in the world. One of London's most famous landmarks and tourist attractions, the name Big Ben actually refers to the bell hung within the clock tower, but has become the name of the tower and clock as a whole. The tower was completed in 1856 after 13 years of construction and measures 316 feet in height. Big Ben is the world's largest four-faced, chiming clock - the four dials of the clock are 23 feet square, the minute hand is 14 feet long and the figures are 2 feet high.

TRAFALGAR SQUARE

Trafalgar Square is a square in the centre of London and is named after the battle of Trafalgar. The focal point of Trafalgar Square is Nelson’s Column which towers 151ft above the square with an 18ft statue of Nelson on top.

At the bottom of Nelson's column are four bronze cast lions that appear to be on guard. 

There are four plinths within the square. Three of them support permanent statues of General Sir Charles James Napier, Major General Sir Henry Havelock and King George IV and the fourth plinth displays a piece of contemporary art that is on a changing programme.

On the north side of the square there is a cafe serving food and drinks from 10am until 6pm everyday. Heritage wardens are present in the square, 24 hours a day and can answer questions and advise tourists about local attractions.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Westminster Abbey is an iconic medieval structure and the site of many historic royal and national events, from coronations and weddings to burials and even deaths. Centrally located in London, Westminster Abbey was first constructed in the eleventh century by King Edward the Confessor, a Saxon king who dedicated this new church to St Peter.

ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

St Paul’s fascinating history is inextricably intertwined with that of the nation. It was at St Paul’s Cathedral that the marriage of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer. Many of important events from around the world have been marked at St Paul’s including the end of the First and Second World Wars, royal jubilees and birthdays and commemorations of events such Remembrance Day and 11 September 2001.

Visitors can see the magnificent architecture of St Paul’s Cathedral, originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren as well as the artwork and decorations which have been changed and added to over the centuries.

St Paul’s Cathedral is also a famous burial site. Its crypt houses many world famous icons, including Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Christopher Wren, whose funerals were hosted at the cathedral. Though not buried at St Paul's, the state funeral of Sir Winston Churchill was also held here.

LONDON BRIDGE

It does have a long history, with its first iteration having been erected by the Romans way back in AD 50. No visible trace remains of the original bridge, nor of the handful of structures that replaced it, including the one that became the subject of that famous nursery rhyme. Many visitors to the British capital see the bridge during London tours, whether on a guided evening cycling excursion, a cruise down the River Thames, or while traveling via hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. Some travelers also traverse the famous bridge on a walking tour or on their way to the London Bridge Experience and the London Tombs. The London Bridge Experience, situated within the still-standing vaults of the old 19th-century bridge, brings visitors on an interactive tour through time, with costumed actors enacting episodes from the bridge’s two-millennia-long history, while the London Tombs takes travelers to a former plague pit to relive some gruesome incidents from centuries past.

MADAME TUSSAUDS

At Madame Tussauds, you'll come face-to-face with some of the world's most famous faces. From Shakespeare to Lady Gaga you'll meet influential figures from showbiz, sport, politics and even royalty. Strike a pose with Usain Bolt, get close to One Direction or receive a once-in-a-lifetime audience with Her Majesty the Queen.

LONDON DUNGEON

Delve into the ancient capital’s most horrible history at the London Dungeon - experience live actors, thrilling rides and exciting special effects. Step back into the darkest of times… are you brave enough to face 90 minutes of London’s dark past?