London travel guide — London tourism and travel information

London travel guide

about London

London is the capital of the United Kingdom and of England, and with over seven million inhabitants in the Greater London area, is the second-most populous conurbation in Europe (after Moscow). From being Londinium, the capital of the Roman province of Britannia, it rose to become the centre of the British Empire and today contributes 17% of the GDP of the UK's economy, the world's fourth largest. London has been one of the world's most important centres of commerce and politics for several centuries.

London geography

The term "London" was used for hundreds of years to refer to the conurbation centred on the small City of London in the historic county of Middlesex. Today, it usually refers to the administrative area known as Greater London, but is sometimes used to mean the area within the London postal district, the area covered by the 020 phonecode (formerly 0171 and 0181; before that 071 and 081; even earlier 01), the area covered by an all-zone Transport for London Travelcard, the area within the M25 motorway, or the larger London commuter belt.

The coordinates of the centre of London (traditionally considered to be Charing Cross, near Trafalgar Square) are approximately 51°30' N, 0°8' W.

London history

The city of Londinium was founded by the Romans on the north bank of the River Thames in around AD 50. Although there is no evidence of a large pre-Roman settlement, the name is thought to be pre-Roman. It is believed to have become the capital of the Roman province of Britannia in the early second century. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Roman city was virtually abandoned and a Saxon town named Lundenwic was established a mile or two west in the Aldwych area in the 7th century AD. The fortified Roman City of London was reoccupied around the late 9th or early 10th century, whereafter it resumed its role as England's biggest city (although not its capital - Winchester served as capital until the 12th century). In 1666, a devastating fire swept through the city, destroying a large part of it. Re-building the city took over 10 years but by the 18th century London was the biggest city in the world.

Over the years, London has increased dramatically in size, absorbing meadows, woodlands, villages and towns and spreading outwards in every direction. Outward growth has been physically interrupted (though by no means halted) through the definition of a Green Belt. In recent years development has been concentrated in the London Docklands and Thames Gateway areas of East London.

Near cities to London

• City of London travel guide 0 km
• Westminster travel guide 1.2 km
• borough travel guide 26 km
• Luton travel guide 29 km
• Chelmsford travel guide 33 km
• Guildford travel guide 41 km
• Canterbury travel guide 68 km
• Cambridge travel guide 80 km
• Chichester travel guide 86 km
• Northampton travel guide 96 km

Near webcams to London

• London - Leicester Square webcam 2.2 km
• Chelsea webcam 2.2 km
• Soho - Café Latino webcam 2.3 km
• London - Trafalgar Square webcam 3.0 km
• Trafalgar Square webcam 3.5 km
• London - Millenium Wheel webcam 3.9 km
• Big Ben webcam 3.9 km
• London - The Thames webcam 4.6 km
• London - Big Ben webcam 4.6 km
• London - Tower Bridge webcam 4.6 km

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London travel services

cheap flights to London

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City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of four main cheap airline tickets and cheap flights online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap airline tickets London, cheap flights London, also available cheap airline tickets to United Kingdom and to the whole world. Up to date cheap flights London deals also available.

cheap London hotels

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City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap hotels and accommodation online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap hotels in London, United Kingdom hotel guide and cheap hotels and accommodation in lot of other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap London hotel deals and discount accommodation tips also available.

cheap London vacations

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City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap vacations online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap vacations in London, United Kingdom vacation rentals and cheap vacations in lot of other destinations world-wide. Up to date London vacation deals also available.

cheap car rentals in London

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City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main car rentals online booking systems. We are happy to offer car rentals in London, car hire in United Kingdom and cheap car rental in lot other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap London car hire deals also available.

London travel insurance

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City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of Essential Travel Ltd., leading online travel insurance company, we can offer you health travel insurance for London, accident health London travel insurance, all using our online London travel insurance form. We also offer travel insurance for other cities in United Kingdom. This offer is available for UK residents only.

London real estate

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• real estate listings in United Kingdom »

City Travel Guide comes with London real estate guide with several tips on home valuation, realtors comparison, secrets on finding the "right" home, loans guide and other helpful real estate advices. Our partners also maintain London property for sale and rental listings, real estate laws and reviews. We will try to help you with buying property in United Kingdom, choosing real estate agents, property finders, relocation help, and information for English speakers wanting to buy real estate in London.

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London travel books

London travel guide books

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London maps and atlases

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