London
is a place where the historic past and the vibrant present come alive. A
blend of history, ground-breaking architecture and culture has created
an amazing and constantly evolving city.
London is one of the
world’s most remarkable and exciting cities and has something to offer
every type of traveller. Split into five distinctive areas, London’s
east, west, north, south and central areas all offer a very different
perspective on this vibrant metropolis that embraces the diverse
cultures of its population, reflected through cuisine, shops, music and
colourful festivals.
West London attracts millions of visitors
each year with its live music venues, parks and riverside villages. It’s
renowned for its plush and expensive areas such as Kensington and
Belgravia and is the home of many major attractions, from the Royal
Albert Hall to Kew gardens, and has excellent shopping grounds and
beautiful architecture. Some of the country’s top chefs have opened fine
restaurants and bars in Hammersmith, Chiswick and Ealing, and whether
your preference is Caribbean, Indian or Oriental – try Edgware Road’s
Oriental City foodhall – you’ll find something to tease your taste buds.
Famous for Chelsea and Fulham football clubs and the new National
Stadium, built to replace Wembley Stadium, West London is also home to
Wembley Arena, the Hammersmith Apollo and the BBC’s headquarters in
White City. London’s reputation as a destination for fine food continues
to grow and has been rated as “the world’s best place to eat”,
underlining the fact that it has become one of the gourmet capitals of
the world.
At the heart of Central London, you will find
everything usually associated with a trip to London from the lively
streets of the West End and Theatreland, to the historic sites of the
Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. Most places within this area
are in walking distance of each other so with a basic city map, you’ll
be able find your way around easily and take in some sights on the way. A
more recent landmark is the world’s largest observation wheel, the BA
London Eye, standing 135m high beside the River Thames and the country’s
most popular paid-for attraction, welcoming 3.7 million visitors
annually. Also home to the National Gallery, the delightful South Bank,
Chinatown and the unique atmosphere of Soho. The River Thames divides
the city into northern and southern halves, with Central London loosely
described as being within the loop of the Underground’s Circle Line to
the north bank of the river. Haute cuisine now comes from India and the
Orient (try Yauatcha, the capital’s first dim sum restaurant) as well as
from Europe and Britain (head to Lindsay House for modern British, or
Rules for traditional English). There’s everything from top-end, five
star restaurants to café-style options and plenty in between. What could
be more English than afternoon tea? The Art Deco Palm Court at London’s
Park Lane Hotel has become a member of Britain’s Tea Guild, which
promotes high standards in the art of afternoon tea. Renowned for its
elegant teas since the 1930s, it is the perfect escape from the bustle
of the capital’s streets. The hotel has also featured in well-known
movies, from James Bond’s Golden Eye to The Poseidon Adventure. Like all
great cities, London never stands still. Approaching the magnificent
National Gallery, you no longer dodge London’s traffic, for the north
side of Trafalgar Square is pedestrianised – and site of an open-air
café and regular entertainment. (And there is less traffic in the city
altogether, since a charge, now £8, has been levied to drive in the
centre).
Shoppers can find all the best high-street names in North
London with a visit to Brent Cross, plus boutiques and restaurants in
the villages of Islington, Crouch End, Walthamstow, Hampstead and
Muswell Hill. Those in search of international flavours should head to
the Turkish enclave of Green Lanes – if you time it right you might
catch a music festival in Finsbury Park. And further to the north is the
19th century Alexandra Palace, set in 196 acres of parkland and
offering ice-skating in the winter and open-air events in the summer.
Not far away is Epping Forest, a 10,000-year-old woodland that was once a
hunting ground of Henry VIII, the RAF Museum in Hendon, which boasts
more than 100 planes, and a museum dedicated to William Morris, founder
of the British Arts and Crafts movement. From Richmond upon Thames in
the west to Bromley in the east, South London is packed full of history,
culture and charming neighbourhoods. Picturesque riverside settings
provide the perfect opportunity to roll out the picnic blanket. Outdoor
attractions include the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, the London Wetland
Centre – 100 acres of wetlands in Barnes – and Richmond Park, London’s
largest open space, where deer roam free. Historical buildings such as
Down House – where Charles Darwin wrote The Origin of Species and
Hampton Court Palace are brimming with colourful tales. Shoppers will
marvel at the choice of shopping in places like Clapham, Barnes,
Kingston upon Thames and Croydon. Children find the capital especially
exciting and there’s so much for families to do, from a ride on one of
the River Thames cruise boats, to a visit to a museum or a trip to a
theme park.
Nowhere does the old sit more comfortably beside the
new than in East London, where diverse cultures and maritime heritage
make for great exploring. This is London’s fastest growing area as it
prepares for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Head to the
Bangladeshi and Indian restaurants on Brick Lane for a delicious and
authentic taste of the Asian sub-continent or visit the once rundown
areas of Hoxton and Hackney, now transformed into buzzing scenes
boasting great nightlife and eclectic markets like Spitalfields and
Columbia Road. London has a new Sunday market in the heart of the trendy
and ethnic Brick Lane area of the East End. The Sunday (Up) Market is
within the 11-acre site of the Old Truman Brewery, within walking
distance of Liverpool Street station. Products on sale, from a wide
range of traders, include vintage clothes and shoes, hand-made handbags,
jewellery, art, lighting, home-wares, accessories, food and drink. The
market aims to be a platform for designer-makers and is set to join the
capital’s other markets, including Old Spitalfields, E1; Camden Lock,
NW1; Greenwich, SE10 and Portobello Road, W10, as ‘must see’ attractions
for shoppers.
Despite a population of over seven million, more
than 30% of London is made up of parks and green space, greater than any
other city of its size in the world. This space provides the perfect
opportunity for walks, relaxation or sporting activities. London also
offers some of the best shopping opportunities in the world. From major
department stores to designer boutiques and street markets – the choice
is immense. As if that wasn’t enough, London is hard to beat when it
comes to nightlife. There are huge numbers of restaurants, pubs,
cinemas, theatres and nightclubs plus live music and comedy venues. So,
at any time of day, whatever the weather, you’ll always find something
extra special in London. For those on a budget, in the last few years
several economy hotel chains have moved into the city. There’s plenty of
choice from names such as Travelodge and Holiday Inn Express.
Attractive weekend rates are available at some of London’s best hotels,
to attract leisure business once the corporate clients have gone home.
London is a very accessible city; it has five international airports, an
efficient road network and extensive Underground, train, bus, and taxi
services. The city is famous for a wealth of history and culture. Home
to Britain’s national art collections, the Royal family and a host of
major attractions, London’s rich history, striking architecture and over
200 museums offer a unique cultural experience.
Not surprisingly
the capital has become a mecca for visitors and a great place to live.
There is something to appeal to everyone and whatever your interests may
be, the city has it covered.
