Emilie Filou - Lonely Planet London

West End: Covent Garden ()

West End: Central ()

West End: Bloomsbury ()

West End: Mayfair ()

West End: St James ()

The City ()

The South Bank ()

Kensington & Hyde Park ()

Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields ()

Docklands ()

The East End ()

North London: Islington & Kings Cross ()

North London: Hampstead & Highgate ()

North London: Camden ()

Notting Hill & West London ()

West London: Shepherds Bush & Earls Court ()

South London: Brixton, Clapham & Battersea ()

South London ()

Greenwich ()

Richmond & Kew ()

Welcome to
London

One of the worlds most visited cities, London has something for everyone: from history to culture, art to architecture.

London is immersed in history. Not so much that its intimidating, but theres sufficient antiquity and historic splendour (Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Hampton Court) to blow you away. Londons buildings are eye-catching milestones in the citys unique and compelling biography. Theres more than enough funky innovation (the Shard, the Aquatics Centre, the Gherkin) to put a crackle in the air, but it never drowns out Londons well-preserved, centuries-old narrative. Architectural grandeur rises up all around you in the West End, ancient remains dot the City and charming pubs punctuate the Thames riverside. Take your pick.

A tireless innovator of art and culture, London is a city of ideas and imagination. British people are fiercely independent thinkers (and critics), so Londons creative milieu is naturally streaked with left-field attitude, from theatrical innovation to contemporary art, pioneering music, writing and design. And thats even truer in these testing recessionary times. The 2012 Olympic Games, and their attendant opening and closing ceremonies, have also inspired new artistic vigour and confidence.

English may be the national tongue, but more than 300 languages shape Londons linguistic soundscape. These languages also represent cultures that season the culinary aromas on Londons streets, the clothing you glimpse and the music you hear. It can seem like the whole world has come to town. Museums, such as the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum, have collections as diverse as they are magnificent, while flavours at markets such as Notting Hill and Maltby Street range across the gourmet spectrum. Londons diverse cultural dynamism makes it quite possibly the worlds most international city, while still being somehow intrinsically British.

London is as much about high-density, sight-packed exploration (the West End, South Bank, the City) and urban dynamism as it is about wide-open spaces and leafy escapes. Central London is where you will find all the major museums and galleries and most iconic sights, but escape to Hampstead Heath or Greenwich Park to flee the crowds and put the citys greener hues into gorgeous perspective. Or venture even further out to Kew Gardens, Richmond or Hampton Court Palace for effortlessly good-looking panoramas of riverside London.