London travel guide

Memory of London

"It is my most favourite place in the whole world.  Even if I do actually see the whole world, I am sure it will still be my favourite!"

Scully, Washington, USA

There's nowhere like London

There's nowhere in the world quite like London. The capital of England and Britain, and the biggest city in the EU, London is a vibrant, multicultural, 24-hour city. Guide your way through the stimulating blends of old and new, the buzz of the city and the tranquillity of its many open spaces make London unique for both tourists and locals alike. Over 300 languages are spoken in London, contributing to the city's own fascinating culture and making it a fantastic place to travel to and experience culture from all over the world.

Culture & heritage

London's ever-changing and diverse culture scene means there is always something new to see or do in London. And at the same time, the city retains its fantastic historical features, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Tower of London, Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey & St Margaret's Church and Maritime Greenwich, which are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Attractions

London has the greatest concentration of major attractions in Britain. There are 238 attractions which are free to enter, and there's nowhere else in the world where you can see so much for so little. The amazing views from the London Eye , and the world's most visited modern art gallery, Tate Modern , are just 2 attractions you can't afford to miss.

Shopping

If there's one thing you'll never get tired of in London, it's shopping. With over 30,000 shops to choose from and a burgeoning reputation in the fashion world, you won't be disappointed. Oxford Street is Europe's biggest shopping area, Bond Street is designer label paradise, and the street markets of Camden, Portobello Road and Brick Lane are perfect for vintage hunters.

Sport

As with most places in Britain, football is the most popular sport in London. The city is home to several of England's leading football clubs, and boasts 13 professional teams - more than any other city in the world. London also has 4 rugby union teams, and is home to 2 test cricket grounds (Lords and the Oval), as well as Wimbledon . London was also chosen to host the 2012 Olympic Games, making it the first city in the world to host the Summer Olympics 3 times.

Food & drink

London is a world-class destination for food-lovers. With its smart restaurants, informal gastropubs, superb delis and buzzing cafés, there really is something to suit all tastes. And the choice is staggering - you'll find cuisine from over 70 countries and over 6,000 restaurants from which to choose: 45 of which are Michelin-starred!

Music & nightlife

London's music scene and heritage is truly spectacular. It has 400 live music venues catering for everything from opera and jazz to rock and hip hop, and all over the city you’ll find famous musical landmarks and reminders of some of the capital’s biggest music stars. Summer is a great time for live music in London – you can enjoy everything from pop and rock festivals to the world’s largest classical musical festival – the Proms.

Buy before you fly

There’s so much to see and do in London, so don’t waste time in queues, buy your travel passes and attraction tickets online! Any Londoner will tell you that the Oyster Card is an essential piece of London kit – it’s a travelcard that you can use on a pay-as-you-go basis or load up with a 1-day or 1-week travelcard. You also won’t want to be without the London Sightseeing Pass , which gives you free entry to 50 top attractions, like Windsor Castle , Hampton Court Palace , London Zoo , St Paul's Cathedral and Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum – and that’s just 5 out of the 50!