London City Guide

London is a cosmopolitan mixture of the Third and First worlds, of chauffeurs and beggars, of the establishment, the avowedly working class and the avant-garde. Unlike comparable European cities, much of London looks unplanned and grubby, but that is part of its appeal. Visiting London is like being let loose on a giant-sized.

Westminster Abbey, resting place of the royals, is one of the most visited churches in the Christian world. It's a beautiful building, full of morose tombs and monuments, with an acoustic field that will send shivers down your spine when the choirboys clear their throats.

Visit the Tower of London, once a castle and palace, is now a beautifully preserved monument to cruelty. The cells have played host to an illustrious crew which includes Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, Rudolf Hess and Wham! Bloodcurdling attractions include torture implements displayed in Martin Tower. You'll have a fun time here.

You can also visit the awesome neo-Gothic brilliance of the Houses of Parliament which has been restored thanks to a recent spring clean of the facade. The building includes the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Be here for a memorable trip.

The British Museum is the oldest, most august museum in the world. It is so big and so full of "antiquities" collected. See as much as you want to see. Highlights include the weird Assyrian treasures, Egyptian mummies; the 2000-year-old corpse found in a Cheshire bog and others. You can also visit the Victoria & Albert Museum or Natural History Museum for more fun!

Another splendid spot for you, Holland Park is both a residential district, full of elegant town houses, and an inner-city haven of greenery, complete with strutting peacocks and scampering bunnies, the restored remnants of a Jacobean mansion (now set aside for the world's backpackers), two exhibition galleries and formal gardens.

Art enthusiasts can visit the nearby Arabic splendour of Leighton House, is full of pre-Raphaelite paintings of languorous, scantily dressed Grecian ladies slipping their hands into the milky waters of public baths.

If you feel like a ride on the river, hire a row-boat for an hour or two and boat the Serpentine. If faster water sports are your style, Docklands has jetskiing, waterskiing and windsurfing.

London's parks - especially Hyde Park and Regents Park - are delightful for walking. You can even hire a horse in Hyde Park if you're keen for a canter.

Getting There and Moving Around

By air

England's principal international airports are in Heathrow (LHR). The airport has three passenger terminals grouped together in the airport's central area. The fourth terminal is a short distance from the main complex. There are inbound and outbound flights from here to the big cities in United Kingdom.

By river

Leisure and commuter services on the River Thames are run by London River Services, a subsidiary of London Transport. The new Central London Fast Ferry provides a link every 40 minutes between Canary Wharf (Docklands) and central London, stopping at six piers, including Rotherhithe (Holiday Inn), London Bridge City, Bankside, Embankment and Festival Pier.

By rail

The 'tube' is the oldest and one of the most extensive underground railway networks in the world. There is also an extensive network of overground rail services in the London area, particularly in the southeast, many of which connect with Underground services. All of the railway terminus stations connect with at least one Underground line, with the exception of Fenchurch Street.

By road

The Intercity network serves all main cities in the UK mainland. All rail routes radiate from London. Terminus stations in London serve the following regions: Southern England and South London: Charing Cross, Victoria and Waterloo. East Anglia, Essex, North East and East London: Liverpool Street and others.

Many coach companies offer express and stopping services throughout England and the rest of the UK. National Express. All towns and cities have bus services. London is served by an excellent network of buses.

Black cabs can be hailed in the street or ordered by phone. Mini-cabs and cars for hire are also available.

There are also bike hire joints all over the city, although if you're planning to ride in traffic you might be taking your life in your hands.

Moving Around

The availability of various transport mode in this city is a convenience of visitors moving around London.