Overview
- London, located on the River Thames estuary, keeps reinventing itself, layering new culture onto deep heritage and drawing ever more visitors.
- Myth credits Brutus of Troy with founding the city, but historically, the Romans established Londinium after the AD 43 invasion.
- The Norman Conquest in 1066 ushered in a new era, and the world-famous Tower of London traces its origins to the White Tower, built in 1078.
- London is the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom, with about 9.1 million residents in 2024 and 15.1 million in the metro area.
- Its ancient core, the City of London, retains medieval boundaries and is the financial center, while Westminster is home to Parliament; since 1965, most of the metropolis has formed Greater London, governed by 33 local authorities and the Greater London Authority.
Attraction
British Museum
The British Museum is home to one of the most significant collections of artifacts related to human history, art and culture, including the Rosetta Stone.
Attraction
Churchill War Rooms
To run the government and military during World War II, Prime Minister Winston Churchill needed a place safe from German bombing raids.
Attraction
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, the mother church of the Diocese of London, is the seat of the Bishop of London.
Attraction
Tower Bridge
Of all the landmarks in London, Tower Bridge sits near the top of the list, perhaps trailing only its namesake tower.
Attraction
Tower of London
The Tower of London is perhaps the single most famous London landmark, best known for its history as a jail.
Attraction
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, better known as Westminster Abbey, was built in the 10th century.
Attraction
Albert Memorial
The Albert Memorial, located north of the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington Gardens, London, was constructed in honor of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s dear husband,…
Attraction
All Hallows by the Tower
All Hallows-by-the-Tower is a historic Anglican church located on Byward Street in the City of London, England.
Attraction
Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station is a preserved former coal-fired power station on the south bank of the River Thames in London.
Attraction
Cutty Sark
The British clipper Cutty Sark was built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1869 for the Jock Willis Shipping Line as one of the last tea clippers.…
Attraction
Dr. Johnson’s House
Dr. Samuel Johnson wrote the dictionary. Literally
Attraction
Hampton Court Palace
Restaurant
Anchor Bankside
The Anchor is an iconic pub in the London Borough of Southwark, specifically in the Bankside area on the south bank of the River Thames.
Restaurant
Browns Brasserie & Bar
Restaurant
Coach & Horses Mayfair
The Coach & Horses Mayfair boasts a long and impressive history dating back to 1744, making it the oldest pub in Mayfair. As the only…
Restaurant
Granary Square Brasserie
Granary Square Brasserie, an all-day dining haven that opened in December 2017, is located amid the lively bustle of London’s King’s Cross. The restaurant replaced…
Restaurant
Great Court Restaurant (British Museum)
The Great Court Restaurant in the British Museum offers a refined dining experience in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere within the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court and…
Restaurant
Greenwich Tavern
Located at 1 King William Walk in Greenwich, London, The Greenwich Tavern is a pub with a deep history. It was previously known by several…
Restaurant
Kings Arms
The Kings Arms was built in 1742 and was once known as the Three Jolly Butchers, which is more reflective of its traditional English menu.
Restaurant
McGlynn’s Free House
Restaurant
Noble Rot
Restaurant
San Carlo Cicchetti
Restaurant
The Argyll Arms
The Argyll Arms dates to 1868, though a pub has apparently stood on the spot since 1740. Designer Robert Sawyer redesigned the Argyll Arms, named…
Restaurant
The Clachan
The Clachan dates to 1827 and was originally known as the Bricklayers Arms. It was a favorite haunt of the local police officers and firemen.…
Person
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson was an English writer, literary critic and lexicographer best known for A Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1755.
