London Calling

London is a huge city with a huge diversity of areas, character and people. It's vibrant and multicultural, exciting and hectic; it's almost impossible to get bored in the bustling capital of the United Kingdom.

It is the largest city in the United Kingdom, as well as the largest city in Western Europe, with a population of almost eight million people in the Greater London area and over fourteen million in the total metropolitan area.

The city has a rich history, with evidence of pre-Roman settlements dating from the Celts and the Bronze Age. The Roman city of Londinium was established in the year 43 and formed the foundations on which our modern city is now situated. In the medieval age, the city became the capital of England. With Britain's rise as a huge naval power in the 18th and 19th centuries, London became the largest city in the world. The decline of the British Empire coincided with London being superseded in this role, but the city remains a global leader in the world of finance, culture, education, fashion and many more areas.

The city is packed with excellent bars, restaurants, museums, galleries, parks, theatres and shops; there are so many fantastic things to do for both the resident and the tourist that it is impossible to list them all and probably impossible to accomplish them all in one visit to the capital, no matter how long you stay!

Transportation around the city is easily found and there are a wide range of options. Residents can often be heard complaining about the unreliability of the various methods of transport on offer; however London has one of the most comprehensive transport systems in the world.

London is a remarkably compact city and walking is often a wonderful opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of the city and really see the sights. Delays with traffic can sometimes mean that walking is quicker than some other options.

The London Underground, or the Tube, is the largest underground rail network in the world and can be a quick and convenient method of transportation around the city. It can, however, be subject to delays and can be very crowded at peak times of day.

London's iconic red buses are another option and can be quicker than the tube for short journeys at off-peak times. Different parts of the city also offer trains, trams, rented bicycles, taxis and river boats along the Thames.

It would be impossible to adequately encompass London's wide range of fantastic attractions into a piece of writing. There are numerous iconic and significant landmarks around the capital, both historic and modern: Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square and Big Ben are just a few of the not-to-be-missed landmarks.

Many of London's excellent museums and art galleries offer free entry to all visitors and it is worth visiting a Tourist Information Office to discover the wide range of activities throughout the city, suitable for all visitors and residents, whatever you're into.