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London is widespread and is known by its districts. There are two great ways to orientate yourself with the city when you first arrive. Take a trip on the London Eye. This is in the center of London, opposite the Houses of Parliament and you can see for miles. Locate Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s dome, Big Ben and the Tower of London easily. The second option is to take a sightseeing tour with commentary on a double decker bus.
Some of the main areas in the center of London are as follows:
The City
This is a misleading label which actually refers only to the square mile which is the financial center of London. It includes St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London.
The City of Westminster
This area is centered on Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, along with Big Ben and St Margaret’s Church. Buckingham Palace is also in Westminster.
The West End
This is London’s theatreland and entertainment district around Leicester Square and Covent Garden. It also includes the shopping district of Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street and is west of the City.
Soho
Once a seedy area it is now an upmarket bohemian area of restaurants and small hotels.
Knightsbridge
This exclusive shopping area is the home of Harrods and Harvey Nichols. The Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum and Science Museum are all in this district, west of Westminster.
Kensington
The area of Kensington Palace is to the west of Hyde Park. It includes Holland Park and is adjoining the bohemian Notting Hill area.
River Thames
This well known landmark flows through the center of London from west to east. It connects many major sights which can be visited by river taxi or ferry. Hampton Court is 11 miles west of the city whilst Greenwich is 4 miles east.
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