Discover London, is a very apt title for a guide about visiting this metropolis of a city. Those who come to the capital of England will find themselves on a voyage of discovery, through its ancient history, its vast and sprawling districts, and through its enormous range of sites and activities. London has a history that stretches back for two millennia and it has the attractions to prove this, from the thousand year old Houses of Parliament, to the equally ancient St Paul's Cathedral, London has historic buildings on every corner. Even these two are far from the city's oldest buildings. But London is not just about the history, it is a city that has embraced modernity and become a thriving metropolis, and financial centre for the entire planet. Renovation and rejuvenation of London's buildings, as well as the construction of modern architectural wonders, such as The Gherkin and the, soon-to-be completed, Shard, has meant that old sits beside new and comes together in a beautiful merging of architectural and cultural synergy.
The city was built by the Romans on the banks of the River Thames. It's a rich and diverse history is as filled with remarkable achievements as it is with some of history's darkest moments. For example, the Black Death saw a third of London's population wiped out, The Great Fire of London destroyed swaths of the city in the 1600s and the Blitz laid waste to many of the city's architectural wonders.
Despite this adversity, London has a string of accolades. It has been the home to some of the greatest scientists, writers, and artists in history. It was the capital of the largest empire in history, and today holds its place as one of the world's most important cities. London receives the most international visitors of any city in the world, and its leading airport, London Heathrow is the busiest internationally. Culturally, it is unmatched in its diversity, and as a symbol and recognition of this it has been made the first city in the world to hold the Olympic Games a record three times.
Tourism, is a major business this capital city and in a single year over 14 million visitors come to the city, where they spend £15 billion. This industry supports over 350,000 jobs and is a vital part of the city's economy. The attractions and sites in the city are internationally recognised; from the ancient, such as The Clock Tower, which is commonly known as Big Ben, to the ultramodern, such as the London eye. The remarkable thing about London is the incredible density of these remarkable attractions. For example, Big Ben and the London eye sit right across the river from one another. And if you walk for 15 minutes from the London eye you will find one of the world's leading modern art museums, the Tate Modern.
London has a somewhat well-deserved reputation for being expensive. However, the government has done a great deal to make tourism as affordable as possible in the city. Almost all of the museums, especially the most popular are free to enter. The British Museum, the Science Museum, and the Natural History Museum all have no charge and will each provide an entire day's entertainment, if not more. Galleries in the city, also host some of the most famous works of art in the world, for example the National Gallery hosts Vincent van Gogh's 'Sunflowers,' Claude Monet's, 'The Thames Below Westminster' and Leonardo da Vinci's, 'The Virgin of the Rocks.'
The city is also famous for its parks and gardens. These can provide a fantastic place to seek relief from the hustle and bustle of the city. Hyde Park is probably the most famous of them all and is a giant green space which is a delightful place to relax, especially in the summer months. Taking a walk through the park in the autumn, just as the leaves begin to change, is beautiful and will make you glad you brought a camera. Regents Park is another popular spot in the city and here you will find fantastic rose gardens and people rowing in the parks lake.
Shopping is another reason that many people come to visit the city. Oxford Street hosts some of the most famous stores in existence, including Selfridge's. You will also find the flagship stores for most British clothing brands on this street. If you are looking to do some market shopping, then you can explore Borough Market which has a huge selection of some of the country's finest foods. Camden Town, is the centre of London's alternative culture and has a huge indoor market filled with fascinating clothing and trinkets.
Street entertainment is another thing people picture when they think of visiting London. There is good reason for this, areas such as Covent Garden are filled with street performers, who perform fascinating and sometimes incredibly brave acts, in front of a live audience. You can take entertainment inside by going to the West End of London, this is regarded as one of the greatest locations the theatre anywhere. There are a huge range of musicals and plays being put on year round and tickets are easy to come by.
Before enjoying a show in the evening, or after shopping, touring museums, or just seeing the sights, dining in one of London's many restaurants is a great pleasure. There is something to cater for every taste and budget, and the hugely culturally diverse population of London means there are foods from around the world. There is something to suit any budget, from opulent, three Michelin Star, restaurants to delicious and simple street food.
London is a global cultural centre, an international shopping destination, and the entertainment capital of England. It offers something for everyone and is nothing short of the perfect destination for those seeking time away in a thriving city. Its rich history, cultural diversity, and modern outlook makes visiting London an experience not quite like anything else. To truly discover London you will need much more than a single trip but any amount of time in the city is a great way to start.
