autoeurope

London is the United Kingdom’s capital and largest city, nestled on the Thames River. The area has not only been inhabited for 2000 years, but it’s been a major settlement for as long. The Romans founded Londinium, and the city’s old town, known as The City of London, still rests in the city center. Ironically, The City of London, at just 1.12 miles square, is England’s smallest city—it’s known to locals as the Square Mile. For hundreds of years, London has been one of the world’s capitals of commerce, finance, and culture, a title it still largely holds. It is definitively the world’s most multicultural city and has no shortage of things to do or see.

After touching down in Gatwick Airport and securing your rental car at the airport terminal, the whole city will be at your fingertips or at your feet. For a small bit of history, though, take a ride on the London Underground, the oldest metro system in the world.

The Districts of London

The city’s split up into distinct and vibrant districts, such as North, West, South, and East London. The commercial center and tourist hub is Central London. Each district has its own recognizable character and neighborhoods, as well as their own accents in many cases, for all the Henry Higgins out there. There’s no shortage of things to do in London, and its tourist heavy-hitters are, of course, places like Westminster, Big Ben, and the London Eye, but there’s a lot more to the city too that’s well worth the visit.

Baker Street has been a cultural staple of London for over a hundred years and is the home to Sherlock Holmes, the perpetually infamous detective, and still famous given the reboots of the character. Piccadilly Circus, initially a commercial hub in the 17th Century, is the perpetually lit square at the heart of London’s West End. It’s nowadays known for is bright lights and big screens, as well as some of its biggest theaters and nightclubs. Over on Oxford Street, you can literally shop til you drop with its 300 storefronts and half-million daily visitors. It is not only London’s busiest shopping street, but the busiest shopping street in all of Europe, with no shortage of designer stores. Swing by Harrods too, which has been a staple of luxury for over 150 years.

London's Parks

To cool off a bit, or just take a break from the hustle and bustle, check out Hyde Park or Hampstead Heath. Hyde Park is one of London’s largest parks and perhaps its most historically significant. You’ll find multiple memorials, as well as a few lakes where you can go paddle-boating or just sit alongside to watch the swans. The area hosted a multitude of demonstrations throughout the years, like Suffragette protests about a hundred years ago, and even now the Speaker’s Corner is still a hot spot for debates and performances.

Hampstead Heath is a massive park in London, and nestled atop one of the city’s highest points, also offers a ton of excellent views of the city. The Heath is far quieter and has many grassy fields, woodlands, and ponds. You can take a stroll or get lost in the woods (a strange feature of any city), or just escape and relax into the peaceful wildlife. Hampstead Heath also has Kenwood House, a historic manor with a notable art collection.