London (United Kingdom) – the most detailed information about the city from a photo. The main attractions of London with a description, guides and maps.
Contents
City of London (United Kingdom)
London – the capital of Great Britain is one of the largest European cities, which is the world center of culture, music, education, fashion, politics, finance and commerce. It is bright and bustling metropolis with a vibrant life and a wonderful cosmopolitan atmosphere. London is one of the oldest cities Europe, which has an amazing concentration of very different attractions, historical and cultural monuments: luxurious palaces, historic buildings, towers, bridges, old churches, world-class attractions and museums.
London was founded during the Roman Empire and throughout its rich history was one of the most important cities in Europe. Here all the wealth of the United Kingdom flowed, so his the capital has magnificent sights of all kinds historical eras. London is one of the most multifaceted cities in a world that has absorbed not only the traditions of Britain, but also cultures of many nationalities and nations. This place is amazing diversity that you can discover and explore infinitely.
- Geography and climate
- Best time to visit
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- Shopping and shopping
- Food and drink
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
London is located in the southeast of England on the River Thames, which flows into the North Sea, 50 km upstream from its mouth. City lies on the plain of the london basin which is southeast goes into small hills. Around the capital of Great Britain created “green belt”, the purpose of which is to contain growth metropolis. London has a temperate maritime climate which characterized by warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is distributed evenly throughout the year. Interesting feature london climate is a very small off-season amplitude fluctuations in average temperatures, which is just over 10 ° C and due to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream.
River Thames and panorama of london
Greater London is divided into 32 districts and the City of London (the medieval center, which is now a business district).
Central London districts:
- Bloomsbury is a lively historical area known for vibrant cultural life, numerous historical buildings in Georgian style and parks. Here is located British Museum and University of London.
- City is the oldest part of London where the ancient was founded settlement. This area resembles an independent city and has amazing contrast of modern architecture and ancient medieval streets.
- Covent Garden – one of the main shopping and entertainment areas of London located in the eastern part West End
- Clarkenwell is a historic district between the West End and the financial center of London City.
- Leicester Square – the area of numerous cinemas, which includes the famous Piccadilly Street and Trafalgar Square.
- Mayfair is a famous shopping district with many headquarters large companies.
- Notting Hill – North Kensington – interesting historical area with markets and a multinational population.
- Paddington is a residential area in the northwest of Central Of london
- Soho is a famous entertainment district with a huge concentration. trendy restaurants, cafes, clubs and jazz bars.
- The South Bank of the Thames is a peaceful area with beautiful views of the city.
- South Kensington – Chelsea – a typical London district with many shops and interesting museums.
- Westminster – an independent city, absorbed in London, with historical and cultural landmarks of the world level: Buckingham Palace, Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey.
London streets
Areas of Inner London:
- Camden is a diverse area in north London.
- East End – the traditional working district, which is now known trendy bars, art galleries and parks.
- Greenwich – the area on the picturesque south bank of the Thames, famous its observatory.
- Hackney is a trendy London borough with a thriving artistic scene.
- Hammersmith and Fulham Borough in West London with a diverse headquarters and the BBC.
- Hampstead is a bohemian district with the largest London park.
- Lambeth is a vibrant area south of the Thames.
- Southwark – Residential Southern Areas with Multinational by the population.
- Wandsworth – the northern region of the inner city, which considered one of the most prestigious and wealthy in London.
Best time to visit
London can be visited all year round, so the best time for it Visits depend entirely on your preferences. In the off season in The capital of the United Kingdom has fewer tourists, so it’s easier Book a good hotel and you can comfortably explore the city. Summer there are many festivals and cultural events held in london tourists much more.
Skyscrapers City and Tower Bridge
Practical information
- The population is over 8.5 million people.
- The area is 1706.8 km².
- Currency – pound sterling.
- English language.
- Time – UTC0, in the summer UTC + 1.
- The UK is not a party to the Schengen Agreement. Visa can be obtained by personally visiting an accredited visa centers that are located in Moscow, Novosibirsk, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg.
Story
London was founded by the Romans in 43 AD Roman settlement was built on the north bank of the Thames and got the name Londin. In 61 AD during the uprising of the Britons Londini was burned. In the 3rd century AD the city became the capital of Upper Britain. AT At the beginning of the 5th century, the Romans left Britain, and Londinius was abandoned.
The modern name of the city comes from the Roman Londini, whose origin is not exactly clear. Some claim it goes back to the legendary King Luda, others – means a fortress, or fortified city.
In the 6th century, not far from the Roman Londinia, the Saxons founded the city Lundenvik, which became the capital of their kingdom. In the 9th century on Lundenvik attacked the Vikings. In the 9th century, the city went to the Western Saxons, whose king transferred him to the place of the ancient Londinia. In the 11th century London was chosen as the residence of the Anglo-Saxon king. From this of time, it seemed to be divided into two parts: the City (the city itself, where is the modern business district now located) and Westminster (residence of the king).
Big Ben
In the 11th century a coronation took place in Westminster Abbey William the Conqueror. In the 12th – 13th century, London became the capital. English kingdom. In 1216 the city during the civil War entered the army of the French. In the future for 8 centuries and to date London has never been captured by the enemy. In 1348, the plague epidemic almost halved london population.
The era of prosperity in London began during the reign of the dynasty Tudors at which the era of absolute monarchy began. Interesting, that the city was practically not damaged during the Reformation. K 16 – 17 century, London is becoming one of the largest cities in Europe and a huge industrial center. The growth of the city did not always go to him favor So overcrowding and lack of utilities led to the strongest plague epidemics. In 1666 there was a severe fire who destroyed more than half of the old city.
In the 17th century, London became the world’s financial capital. K 18 century capital of the united kingdom gets the title of the largest European cities. In the 18th and 19th centuries new magnificent ones were built. buildings and structures, without which it is now difficult to imagine London. In the 19th century, the capital of Great Britain becomes the largest city in the world. and one of the most significant industrial centers. Further The development of London was halted by the First World War. In during World War II the city was subject to strong bombing in which many people died and was destroyed several dozen historic buildings.
How to get there
London is served by five airports, through which he associated with air communication with almost all world capitals. The largest airports are Heathrow and Gatwick.
Heathrow is the UK’s largest air port and one of most downloaded in the world. It has 4 terminals and is so large that seems like a small town. Heathrow is located 27 km to the west. from central London. This airport has a regular train message to Paddington station in London. Bus can get to feltham station. Metro lines connect Heathrow with Central London.
Gatwick is the second largest airport in London and the UK. It is the base of an inexpensive airline Easy Jet. With this city The airport is connected by train and bus.
London is the center of the British rail network and is connected regular communication with most cities in the UK. Also to the capital of the United Kingdom run high-speed trains from France and Belgium.
London has a well-developed public transport system. The most popular means of transportation around the city is the metro and buses. Interestingly, buses are faster and more efficient on short distances. Otherwise it is better to use the subway. The metro consists of 11 lines and is divided into 9 zones. Zone 1 – Central London. Zones 6 and 9 are suburbs. The cost of one trip in zone 1 is £ 4.90. With cards Visitor Oyster or Oyster – £ 2.40.
Shopping and shopping
London is one of the capitals of world shopping. Here is located Europe’s largest department store – Harrods, where you can find almost everything. Also in the capital of the UK is a huge shopping center – Westfield, which includes 300 stores. The main the shopping district is the West End (Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street, Piccadilly and Covent Garden). Near London’s bridge is Borough’s food market, although he is relatively expensive. On old Brushfield located fruit a market where now you can buy clothes for novice designers, household utensils and food.
London streets
Food and drink
Food in London can satisfy every taste. Here you can find everything from fast food and cheap pubs to exclusive restaurants. AT London has a standard tourist rule – food near Popular attractions and in the central part of the city costs more. Many locals go to restaurants in residential and working areas where the quality of food and service is higher and prices below.
London streets
Places with good restaurants and pubs with traditional British kitchen:
- Upper Street – dozens of good restaurants.
- Stoke Newington Church Street – a great selection of great restaurants and cafes.
- Charlotte Street – a variety of food establishments, covering gastronomy is not only British.
- Clapham Junction – great cheap restaurants.
- Lordship Lane – a good selection of European restaurants and gastropubs.
- South End, Croydon
London is famous for its pubs and bars that can be found. almost any street. The best areas to hike in such Facilities: West London, Bloomsbury, South Bank of the Thames. Elite clubs and bars are located in Soho and Leicester Square.
The most not tasty food, according to Londoners themselves, in various West End steakhouses and around railway stations. If a cafe or restaurant has bright, screaming signs, waiters polyglots and menus in different languages - it is better to look for another a place.
sights
In fact, the old city of London is divided into the City and Westminster.
Skyscrapers City of London
City (or simply “City”) – the historic district of London between Temple Bar and the Tower. It is the oldest part of the metropolis and approximately corresponds to the area of the ancient Roman settlement. City has an interesting architectural contrast when old medieval streets literally coexist with modern skyscrapers. In this area are located Cathedral. Paul’s important financial and government institutions (London stock Exchange, courts, city hall).
Westminster
Westminster – the inner city on the north bank of the Thames in the heart West End, which is the symbol of the British monarchy. This the historic district was actually a separate settlement until 1965 year, until he became part of London. Westminster was founded at 11 century by King Edward the Confessor as the residence of the British of kings. It contains an amazing concentration of iconic attractions, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Palace and Westminster Abbey.
Buckingham palace
Buckingham Palace is a cult historical building that is a symbol of the British monarchy. The palace was built in 1837 year and is the official London residence of the British royal family from the reign of queen victoria. Most a remarkable feature of this place is the change of honor the guard that happens in any weather at exactly 11 o’clock 30 minutes
If the queen is in Buckingham Palace, then on the flagpole raised royal standard. If she leaves for her summer residences, then you can purchase tickets for tours of luxurious rooms, royal galleries and stables.
Tower
The Tower is one of the most famous historical monuments. UK listed as a World Heritage site UNESCO. This mighty fortress was founded by William the Conqueror. in the 11th century and is witnessing the rich history of London. This place throughout its existence, has tried many roles: from dark prison to the palace, from the royal treasury to the menagerie. Now the Tower is one of the most popular tourist destinations. attractions of the United Kingdom and includes wonderful historical exposure.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is one of the main symbols of London with beautiful bridge towers, inside the base of which are old steam engines. This drawbridge was completed only in 1894 year and at that time was considered a miracle of Victorian engineering.
Parliament
The British Parliament is the center of the political life of the United Kingdom This grand building was once located Royal Palace of Westminster. It is believed that this building It was founded at the end of the 11th century and allows you to touch a unique combination of a thousand-year history, modern politics and stunning art and architecture. Most of the modern The building was built in the 19th century after the devastating fire of 1834 of the year.
Big Ben
Big Ben is one of the main symbols of London, which is clock tower of the Palace of Westminster. Big Ben was built in 1859 year by Charles Barry. Huge clocks date back period.
Westminster abbey
Westminster Abbey (or St. Peter’s Cathedral Church Westminster) – a magnificent masterpiece of the Gothic and one of the legendary places of London. The origins of this religious structure go to the early Middle Ages. Westminster Abbey was founded by Edward A confessor in 1065 as a burial place. Since 1066 most of the British were crowned and buried here of kings.
Trafalgar square
Trafalgar Square is one of the most iconic public spaces of London and the symbol of the former power of the British empire. The square was built in honor of Admiral Nelson’s victory the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Trafalgar Square known beautiful fountains, historic buildings and gigantic 52-meter column with a statue of Admiral Nelson on the top.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is a picturesque royal park that is one of the largest green areas of central London. The park was founded in 1536 year for hunting deer. Now this is a great place to walks, picnics and rest from the bustle of the metropolis.
Cathedral of sv. Paul’s
Cathedral of sv. Paul’s is the most famous and largest church in London. This Baroque masterpiece dates back to the 17th century and is one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the world. Most noteworthy A feature of the cathedral is a huge dome, which is considered a masterpiece of English architecture.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a wonderful London area that is filled markets and shops where you can buy traditional goods and souvenirs.
London eye
The London Eye is a huge ferris wheel that is the largest in Europe. This is one of the most popular attractions. the capital of Great Britain, built in 2000 in honor of the millennium Of london The London Eye has a height of 135 meters and offers spectacular panoramas of the metropolis.
Hampton
Hampton is one of the most famous European palaces, built in the time of Henry VIII. Interesting features of the building: astronomical clock of the 16th century, the old chapel, royal apartments and gallery with ghosts.
Greenwich
Greenwich is a center of British naval power known for its observatory and impressive collections of national maritime the museum.
Wembley
Wembley – the largest stadium in the UK and one of the most cult football arenas.
Studio warner Bros
Warner Bros Studio – Studios and Harry Movie Set Potter north of Watford. Here you can walk through the Spit Alley, try a creamy beer or step into Hogwarts.
London museums
British museum
The British Museum is one of the most famous museums in the world. which has an amazing collection of antiquities (over 13 million copies). His collections include finds from the period of the Ancient Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Ancient China and ancient Europe.
National gallery
National Gallery – one of the best art museums world, whose collections cover the period from the 13th to the 20th century. Also here are the masterpieces of the Dutch and Italian masters of the era Renaissance, including Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Van Gogh.
Video
Maps and guides
City Map Sketch Map with Transport Routes
