London
Home to Buckingham Palace
From trendsetting shops and stylish hotels to world-class theater and regal history, London is the heartbeat of Britain.
Commanding cathedrals stand alongside trendy boutiques. Sophisticated restaurants complement traditional pubs. Perfectly manicured parks sprawl near museums that are rich in medieval history. As you take it all in, keep an eye out for celebrities, superstars and royal showstoppers.
London Hotels
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More About London
London is an ancient city whose history greets you at every turn. To gain a sense of its continuity, stand on Waterloo Bridge at sunset. To the east, the great globe of St. Paul's Cathedral glows golden in the fading sunlight as it has since the 17th century, still majestic amid the modern towers of glass and steel that hem it in. To the west stand the mock-medieval ramparts of Westminster, home to the "Mother of Parliaments," which has met here or hereabouts since the 1250s. Past them both snakes the swift, dark Thames, following the same course as when it flowed past the Roman settlement of Londinium nearly 2,000 years ago. If the city contained only its famous landmarks—the Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace—it would still rank as one of the world's top cities. But London is so much more.
The heaviest tourist season runs mid-April through mid-October, with another peak around Christmas—though the tide never really ebbs. Spring is the time to see the countryside and the royal London parks and gardens at their freshest; fall to enjoy near-ideal exploring conditions. In late summer, be warned: air-conditioning is rarely found in places other than department stores, modern restaurants, hotels, and cinemas in London, and in a hot summer you'll swelter. Winter can be rather dismal, but all the theatres, concerts, and exhibitions go full speed.
It's virtually impossible to forecast London weather, but you can be fairly certain that it will not be what you expect. It's generally mild—with some savage exceptions, especially in summer. In short, be prepared for anything: layers and an umbrella are your friends.
Tower of London : Iconic castle and infamous prison, the Yeoman Warders and their ravens will regale you with tales of the exploits of history that occurred within its walls. A viewing of the Crown Jewels will complete the visit.
Buckingham Palace : Official residence of the monarchy when in the city and backdrop to the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony occurring daily in the summer, and four times a week weather permitting at other times of the year at 11 a.m., subject to change.
Westminster Abbey : With over 1,000 years of history, this still functioning church houses the final resting places and memorials to many former monarchs and important figures of history such as Robert Browning, Charles Dickens, Stephen Hawking, Sir Isaac Newton and Queen Elizabeth I, to name a few.
Thames River Cruise : A sightseeing cruise through the city during day or night is a unique way to view aspects of the area only viewed by water.
London Eye : 360-degree views of the city from a glass enclosed pod circling on a large ferris wheel.
British Museum : With free entry, you can explore millions of years of human history and culture. With more than 60 galleries and rotating exhibits, you will find plenty of interest, including Egyptian culture and the Rosetta Stone, to the sculpture and pottery of the Roman Empire.
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- Historic and Modern London
- Total London Experience
- Windsor, Bath and Stonehenge
- Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury
- Stratford, Oxford, Cotswolds and Warwick Castle
- Oxford, Stratford and Cotswolds
- Oxford, City of Stratford-upon-Avon and Cotswolds
- Windsor, Oxford and Stonehenge
- Stonehenge, Lacock and afternoon in City of Bath (small-group tour)
- Private viewing of Stonehenge, Lacock and Bath
- Private visit of Leeds Castle, Canterbury, White Cliffs of Dover and Greenwich, plus a river cruise
- Simply Stonehenge
- Panoramic tour of London with St Paul's Cathedral and Guard Change
- Panoramic tour of London with St Paul's Cathedral and Guard Change, plus a river cruise
- Simply Windsor Castle (afternoon tour)
- London by Night - 8 p.m.
- Jack The Ripper walking tour
- London Panorama Open Top Tour
Transfer Company: Gray Line London/Golden Tours
Telephone: From USA and Canada 1-800-548-7083. Within England 20-7233-7030.
From | To London |
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Paris | 2 hours 15 minutes |
Amsterdam | 4 hours 15 minutes |
Edinburgh | 4 hours 35 minutes |
*Overnight Trains