History
London gets it's name from the ancient name of LONDINIUM. There is some
controversy over whether this was a Latin or Celtic name and also as to whether
London was founded by the Romans or if it existed on a small scale before that.
The Romans invaded Britain in AD43 and built a wooden bridge close to the East
side of where London Bridge now stands around AD50. Famously Queen Bodecia
led an attack on the City around AD60 and took the city from the Romans, burning
the City to the ground in the process. It took about a decade for London to rise
again and by AD140 it became the capital of Britain or what at that time was
known as Britannia. Formerly Colchester, England's oldest known city, had been
the capital. London was still yet to grow into anything like the huge bustling
cosmopolitan City we associate
it with being today and between the years 410 (the end of the Roman occupation in
Britain)
and 560 became almost deserted by the population. The true birth of the modern
London did not begin in earnest until the Anglo-Saxons settled there around the
year 600. The Anglo-Saxons actually settled in Lundenwic, an area about 3/4 of a
mile from the original Roman London in what today is called Aldwych.
General facts
London, the United Kingdom (UK) capital city, used to be any area with a London
postcode (
click here
for London Postcodes list and explanation), these
extend out to Edmonton to the North, Hanwell to the West, Streatham to the South
and Abbey Wood to the East. However in more recent times with the building of
the M25 London orbital motorway London is now considered anything within the M25
motorway. The M25 is a circular motorway which makes a ring road around the
whole of London. Greater London covers an area of 1579 sq. km. (610 sq. miles). London has around 6.7 million residents and probably edging
towards 10 million as the number of people there at peak times. Ask a cabby
where the centre of London is and he will probably tell you Charing Cross
Station, however in practical terms central London is considered the W1
postcode. This area is bounded by Piccadilly to the South, Oxford Street the
North, Tottenham Court Road to the East and Park Lane to the West. W1 takes in
one of London's most expensive areas in Mayfair, home to the rich and famous.
Some great shopping can be found in W1 including jewellery and fashion at Bond
Street, famous high street chains, smaller shops, restaurants and bars at Regent
Street, and electrical and home entertainment shop after shop at Tottenham Court
Road. For tourists Oxford Street is a must with all the assortments that make
great presents for folks back home.
Most visitors to London looking for a sightseeing holiday will look for
accommodation in the central and Western postcodes. When it comes to London
tourism these are the areas most often talked about and visited. These include
WC1 Bloomsbury,
WC2 Holborn,
NW1 Camden,
W1 West End,
SW1 Victoria,
W2 Paddington,
NW8 St. Johns Wood ,
NW3 Hampstead,
W11 Ladbroke Grove,
W14 West Kensington,
W8 Kensington,
SW7 South Kensington,
SW6 Fulham,
SW10 Old Brompton and
SW5 Earls Court. In terms of
attractions, shopping, things-to-do, famous areas, these areas have the largest
density.
However London is so much larger than this in reality, as previously mentioned
its become the whole area with the M25 orbital motorway.
London Counties
Great Britain is divided geographically into 86 counties.
London takes in parts of 4 separate counties. These are Middlesex, Essex, Surrey
and Kent. Other than for geographical purposes Counties have little meaning in
modern times. Counties are one layer of a tier system that goes right down
to
local boroughs at the most local
level. Read more about
Counties here.
Blue Plaques
Throughout London you will come across buildings with Blue Plaques on the front
of the building. In truth they are not all blue, this is a generic name given to
the type of commemoration. Some local authorities put up their plaques which
vary in colour and shape, for example Westminster put up green ones. These are
commemorative plaques giving information on past residents. The first plaque was
erected on Lord Byron's home in 1867 by the Royal Society of Arts, although this
no longer exists. The oldest currently existing plaques are those at the home of
the poet John Dryden at 43 Gerard Street W1, and one for Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon III at 1c King Street, St James's. They were erected in 1875. in 1901
the London County Council took over responsibility for putting up the Blue
Plaques from the Riyal Society of Arts. Responsibility switched to the GLC in
1965 and then to English Heritage in 1986. A commemoration plaque cannot be
erected unless at least 100 years have past since the persons birth or 20 years
from his death. There are nearing 900 plaques in London. Strangely enough one of
the most popular is actually for a fictional character, Sherlock Holmes at 221b
Baker Street.
Weather
The Uk has a very temperate climate
meaning it doesn't experience extremes of temperatures. This in reality means
while it doesn't experience extreme cold it also doesn't experience extreme
heat. Typically in winter overnight temperatures for an exceptionally cold night
in London may hit -10c (14f)and daytimes temperatures may be around 4c or 5c
(40f), these would be considered very cold temperatures and colder than normal.
At the other end of the scale summer may see the odd days of around 32c (90f), a
few more days in the 27-29c range (80's f) with normal temperatures around 21c
(70f). London being in the South of England would be expect to be a few degrees
higher all year round than other areas further North. One thing to expect is
rain. Even though the UK does experience times of comparative drought you can
always expect to experience some drizzle to heavy rain whether your visit is in
winter or summer.
WHERE IS:
CHINATOWN (WC2):
Between Trafalgar Square and
Soho. An area with a large population of Chinese run shops and restaurants.
Nearest tubes: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus.
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COVENT GARDEN (WC2):
Bounded by
Kingsway, High Holborn, Charing Cross Road and the Strand. Covent Garden is a
vibrant area popular with tourists. Well known for its street entertainers
(buskers) who can usually be found around the piazza. The piazza is the central
part of Coven Garden home to many pubs, shops and restaurants. Many of London's
best known theatres are in Covent Garden and this really is one of those areas
anyone visiting London simply has to see. Nearest tubes: Holborn, Covent Garden,
Leicester Square, Aldwych.
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SOHO (W1):
A mix of pubs, clubs and restaurants with some red-light
type establishments. (strip clubs, adult video shops etc.) Nearest tubes:
Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester square.
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THEATRELAND (W1, WC1, WC2):
While London has theatres all over there is a high
concentration in the area bounded by Soho, Covent Garden and the Strand. This
has become known as Theatreland. Many of these can be found on Shaftsbury Avenue
and along the Strand. These include the Adelphi, Strand, Vaudeville theatres on
the Strand and the Apollo, Criterion, Geilgud, Lyric, Palace and Shaftsbury
theatres on Shaftsbury Avenue.
WEST END (W1):
The area
bounded by Regent Street, South part of Marylebone and Park Lane. Basically this
takes in most of the W1 postcode and is considered central London. This takes in
great shopping at places like Regent Street, Oxford Street, Marble Arch and
Tottenham Court Road and great night life at places like Soho and Piccadilly
Circus.
POPULAR SHOPPING:
KENSINGTON HIGH STREET W8:
OFTEN THE PLACE OF CHOICE FOR DIANA PRINCESS OF WALES WHOSE FORMER RESIDENCE,
KENSINGTON PALACE, IS AT THE EAST END OF THE ROAD
more information and images
CAMDEN HIGH STREET NW1:
TO THE SOUTH OF CAMDEN HIGH STREET ARE A LARGE
NUMBER OF SHOPS AND PUBS, SHOPPING IS A GOOD MIX WITH A MANY DEALING IN FASHION.
TO THE NORTH IS THE FAMOUS CAMDEN MARKET, OPEN ALL WEEK BUT BEST VISITED ON
SUNDAYS WHEN ALL STALLS ARE OPEN, REPUTATION OF TRENDY SLIGHTLY OFF THE WALL
ITEMS AND FASHION
more information
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OXFORD STREET W1:
Oxford Street is world famous for having one of the largest densities of shops
per square foot of any shopping area in the world. In excess of 300 shops trade
along this
more information and images
EDGWARE ROAD W2:
AT THE MARBLE ARCH END THIS IS A POPULAR AREA FOR WITH VISITORS FROM THE MIDDLE
EAST WITH MANY MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS
BOND STREET W1:
FAMOUS FOR ITS JEWELLERY SHOPS AND UPMARKET FASHION BOUTIQUES
KNIGHTSBRIDGE SW7:
BEST KNOWN AS HOME TO HARRODS DEPARTMENT STORE BUT MUCH LIKE SLOANE STREET IS A
MIX OF UPMARKET SHOPPING AND EXPENSIVE RESIDENTIAL AREAS WITH MANY RESTAURANTS
AND BARS. KNIGHTSBRIDGE RUNS ALONGSIDE THE SOUTHERN END OF HYDE PARK
SLOANE STREET SW7:
UPMARKET FASHION SHOPS AND BOUTIQUES
KINGS ROAD, CHELSEA SW3:
MIX OF UPMARKET BOUTIQUES, LARGER STORES, BARS AND CAFES
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NOTTING HILL GATE W11:
SMALL BUT CHIC HIGH ROAD, MADE FAMOUS BY THE FILM OF THE SAME NAME
KING STREET, HAMMERSMITH W6:
MAINSTREAM SHOPPING WITH A WIDE SELECTION OF SHOPS AND BARS
QUEENSWAY W2:
popular with visitors from the middle east but something for everyone including
a covered shopping centre
image
GOLDERS GREEN ROAD NW11:
LOTS OF SMALLER BOUTIQUES, RESTAURANTS AND BAKERIES AND POPULAR WITH LONDON'S
JEWISH POPULATION
REGENT STREET W1:
famous high street chains, smaller shops, restaurants and bars
TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD W1:
ROWS OF ELECTRICAL, COMPUTER AND HOME ENTERTAINMENT SHOPS
SHOPPING CENTRES/MALLS
BLUEWATER:
In
excess of 330 shops, 40 places to eat and a 13 screen cinema. Actually just
outside of London in Kent. Easily access via the M25 motorway from anywhere in
London.
BRENT CROSS NW2:
COVERED SHOPPING CENTRE IN NORTH LONDON
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THURROCK LAKESIDE:
320 shops, 4 major departments stores, 30 places too eat, a 7 screen multiplex cinema, chapel
and a 26 acre lake. Also just outside of London in West Thurrock Essex and
easily access via the M25.
Westfield Stratford: 2 million square feet of shopping. Near 300 stores and 70
restaurants
Westfield White City: 1.6 million square foot of shopping. 370 retail outlets.
OUR FAVOURITE ATTRACTIONS:
LONDON PLANETARIUM: (AN ASTROLOGICAL TOUR ACROSS THE
UNIVERSE)
MADAME TUSSAUDS
: (WAXWORKS MODELS OF THE FAMOUS)
LONDON ZOO: (HOME TO A MULTITUDE OF DIFFERENT
SPECIES OF MAMMALS, BIRDS AND REPTILES)
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TOWER OF LONDON: (LONDON'S VERY OWN ANCIENT CASTLE
AND HOME TO THE CROWN JEWELS)
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LONDON EYE (A.K.A. THE MILLENNIUM WHEEL)
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LONDON DUNGEON: (WAXWORKS CHAMBER OF HORRORS)
BUCKINGHAM PALACE(LONDON RESIDENCE OF THE QUEEN)
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NATURAL HISTORY AND
SCIENCE MUSEUMS (THE BUILDING
ITSELF IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PIECES OF ARCHITECTURE IN LONDON)
ST. KATHERINE'S DOCK (YACHT HEAVEN BY THE RIVER
THAMES)
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HMS BELFAST
(FAMOUS WORLD WAR II CRUISER)
POPULAR LANDMARKS - LOCATIONS OF INTEREST
PICCADILLY CIRCUS, W1:
(HOME TO THE STATUTE OF EROS, HEART OF THEATRELAND)
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LEICESTER SQUARE, W1:
(CLUBS, BARS, CAFES, HOTELS)
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TRAFALGAR SQUARE SW1:
(NELSONS COLUMN, ONCE FULL OF PIGEONS, MUCH LOVED
BY TOURISTS, BUT WHICH HAVE NOW BEEN LARGELY EXPELLED ON HYGIENE GROUNDS)
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MARBLE ARCH W2:
(SPEAKERS CORNER ON SUNDAYS, HOME TO THE ACTUAL
MARBLE ARCH)
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PARLIAMENT SQUARE, SW1: (HOME TO WESTMINSTER ABBEY, HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, HOUSE
OF LORDS LANDMARKS THE START OF THE GROUNDS OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND WHITEHALL)
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NOTE: MANY SITES LIST PLACES SUCH AS WINDSOR CASTLE, LEGOLAND AND OTHERS AS
LONDON ATTRACTIONS, THESE ARE NOT ACTUALLY IN LONDON. THEY ARE OUTSIDE OF THE
M25.
MORE ATTRACTIONS AND LANDMARKS
OUR FAVOURITE PARKS:
REGENTS PARK, NW1: (HOME TO LONDON ZOO)
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HYDE PARK, W2:
(ROW ON THE SERPENTINE LAKE WEATHER ALLOWING)
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RICHMOND PARK, SW14:(HOME TO A LARGE NUMBER OF
DEER AND ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF LONDON NEAR ROEHAMPTON, THIS IS ALSO LONDON'S
LARGEST PARK AT AROUND 2,500 ACRES)
WEBSITE
PRIMROSE HILL, NW1:
(OPPOSITE REGENTS PARK)
HORSE RIDING:
ITS POSSIBLE TO GO HORSE RIDING IN CENTRAL LONDON. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF STABLES
IN BATHURST MEWS W2 IN PADDINGTON. FROM HERE THEY WILL LET YOU HIRE A RIDE FOR A
TROT IN HYDE PARK.
WEBSITE:
http://www.hydeparkstables.com/ ,
IN SOUTH LONDON ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER THAMES THERE IS ALSO THE
WIMBLEDON VILLAGE STABLES 24A/B HIGH STREET, SW19,
WEBSITE