London, the capital city of England, was originally a small settlement occupying just the north bank of the river Thames. The city now boasts 32 districts (called boroughs) and 7 million inhabitants. Confusingly, two of the central districts are themselves called 'cities': the City of Westminster, and the City of London or "Square Mile". Its residents come from the four corners of the globe, speak a total of over 300 languages and represent all the world’s religions.

As London grew it swallowed up many small villages, so it is now a city with many hearts, which the visitor can find fascinating and at the same time disorientating. The city’s many centres are in a state of constant change, both architecturally and socially.

London is a busy and complex city, an intricate web of buildings, spaces and people; where there is the ever present risk for the visitor of getting lost. It is vast and would require years in order to explore it in-depth. A list of things to see could also be misleading, given the richness and diversity of what the city has to offer. Therefore it is advisable for each person to choose those things in which he is most interested. A possible solution may be for the visitor to limit himself to the five zones which contain the highest concentration of London’s major sights: Whitehall, Westminister, The City, SohoTrafalgarSquare, South Kensington and Knightsbridge.

The City, located on the north bank of the Thames, is now the financial heart of London. This area was the original site of the Roman city, which over a period of 2000 years, has become the present day London. Parts of the old city walls are still visible just south of the Barbican, and the sites of the several gates in the walls survive as place names: Aldersgate and Ludgate, for example. An open-space in the centre of The City, marks the point where eight roads converge. This space is the site of the Bank of England, the Old Stock Exchange and the residence of the Mayor of London. The City of Westminister, a short distance up-river, began to develop in the 11th Century, shortly after the Norman conquest. Home to Westminster Abbey, the coronation site and the final resting place for England’s Kings and Queens, which today functions both as an official church and a national museum. Westminster Hall, now incorporated in the Houses of Parliament ,is all that remains from the period of reign of the Norman kings.

Bukingham Palace the official London residence of the Queen, stands at one end of St james'ParkThe park’s grounds stretch from Parliament to trafalgar Squaerhome to the tall column, which commemorates Lord Nelson. It is possible to see inside during some of the summer months, when the queen herself is not in residence.

Number10 Dowing Street, is located a short distance away and is the official residence of the British Prime Minister. Security railings prevent visitors from entering the street, but it can be viewed through them.

The road which, runs from Westminster to The City, is the most important in London. This road bears two names, at its western end, it is referred to as the Strand, whilst in The City it becomes Fleet Street.

In order to protect the city and its port, the Norman kings built theTower of london. The building, which also served as a prison, and home to the English kings from William the Conqueror to James 1st , now houses the crown jewels.

The elegant districts of the Westend, mayfair,belgravia, marylebone and kensington stretch to the north and west of Westminster, and contain numerous spacious parks: St James, Hydepark, Kensington, Gardens, Regents Park.

These districts are criss-crossed by large busy streets including: Piccadilly, Bond Street, Park Lane, Knightsbridge, Regent’s Street, Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road and Haymarket. In the eastern part of the city, in the boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets and Southwark, near the area of the old docks, serve as a reminder of the poverty of this zone of the city, although the dockland area itself has recently seen a boom in building and has become a second financial district. The residential districts stretch throughout the city towards the green slopes of Hampstead, Highgate and St John’s Wood and onwards to Wimbledon and Richmond parks; ideal for those who love long walks. The public transport network is enormous. London is divided into five circular zones and tickets are valid for individual travel within each zone. Visitors usually limit themselves to travelling within the first three zones. It is recommended to purchase a travelcard, available from station ticket-booths. Once purchased, the travelcard permits the holder to travel anywhere within the chosen zone on all means of public transport, including buses and the underground railway (the Tube),the Docklands Light Railway and British Rail trains within that zone. The travelcard is not valid during public holidays, for night-time bus journeys or before 9:30 am. The Weekly Travelcard is valid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for travel in the chosen zone.

The Victoria and Albert Museum has galleries housing paintings, designs, sculptures and clothing. A café and self service restaurant are located in the gallery courtyard. Tube stop, South Kensington: on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines. A mid-week visit to the British Museum, in Great Russel Street, is highly recommended. Entrance is free and the museum houses two copies of the Magna Charta, the Parthenon Frieze, a watch and miniature collection and the world’s largest collection of antique art. The museum also has a large and well-stocked book and souvenir shop. Tube stop; Russell Square on the Piccadilly Line.
One of the most evocative walks in the city, is a stroll along the banks of the River Thames, best undertaken either early in the morning or late in the evening, when the light reflects off the water, the bridges and the fronts of buildings. Depart from Waterloo Station on the south bank of the river, an ideal view point to appreciate the city’s myriad of colours

These districts are criss-crossed by large busy streets including: Piccadilly, Bond Street, Park Lane, Knightsbridge, Regent’s Street, Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road and Haymarket. In the eastern part of the city, in the boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets and Southwark, near the area of the old docks, serve as a reminder of the poverty of this zone of the city, although the dockland area itself has recently seen a boom in building and has become a second financial district. The residential districts stretch throughout the city towards the green slopes of Hampstead, Highgate and St John’s Wood and onwards to Wimbledon and Richmond parks; ideal for those who love long walks. The public transport network is enormous. London is divided into five circular zones and tickets are valid for individual travel within each zone. Visitors usually limit themselves to travelling within the first three zones. It is recommended to purchase a travelcard, available from station ticket-booths. Once purchased, the travelcard permits the holder to travel anywhere within the chosen zone on all means of public transport, including buses and the underground railway (the Tube),the Docklands Light Railway and British Rail trains within that zone. The travelcard is not valid during public holidays, for night-time bus journeys or before 9:30 am. The Weekly Travelcard is valid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for travel in the chosen zone.