London is the capital and largest city of both the United Kingdom and of England, and the largest city in western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, Greater London has an official population of roughly 7.5 million people—although the figure of over 14 million for the city's total metropolitan area more accurately reflects London's size and importance. London is historically one of the great "world cities" and remains a global capital of politics, culture, fashion, trade and finance.
Districts
The name "London" originally referred only to the once-walled "Square Mile" of the original Roman (and later medieval) city (now confusingly called the City of London, or just "The City"). "London", however, has taken on a much larger meaning, to include all of the vast central part of the modern metropolis, the city having absorbed numerous surrounding towns and villages over the centuries. Reflecting the massive size of the metropolis, therefore, the term "Greater London" embraces central London, together with all the outlying suburbs that lie in one continuous urban sprawl within the lower Thames valley. Though densely populated by New World standards, London retains large swathes of green parkland and open space, even within the city centre.
Greater London consists of 32 London boroughs and the City of London that, together with the relatively new London mayorality, form the basis for London's local government. The names of several boroughs, such as 'Westminster' or 'Camden', are well-known and self-explanatory, others less so, such as 'Hackney', or 'Tower Hamlets'. A traveller's London, however, is better defined not by strangely-shaped and often fairly arbitrary administrative divisions, but rather by recognised functional, cultural, and social districts of varying types and sizes:
Understand
History
Settlement has existed on the site of London since well before Roman times, with evidence of Bronze Age and Celtic peoples. The Roman city of Londinium, however, established just after the Roman conquest of Britannia in 43 AD, formed the basis for the modern city (some isolated Roman period remains are still to be seen within the city). After a short-lived decline that followed the end of Roman rule in 410 AD, London experienced a gradual revival under the Anglo-Saxons, as well as the Norsemen, emerging as a great medieval trading city, and eventually replacing Winchester as the English royal capital. This paramount status for London was confirmed by the Norman, William the Conqueror, who built the Tower of London after the Conquest in 1066, and was crowned King of England in nearby Westminster.
London went from strength to strength and, with the rise of England to first European, then global prominence, the city became a great centre of government, industry and culture. London's long association with the theatre, for example, can be traced back to the English Renaissance (witness the Rose Theatre and Shakespeare's Globe) and great playwrights, like Shakespeare, who made London their home.
With the rise of Britain to supreme maritime power in the 18th and 19th centuries, the possessor of the largest global empire, London became an imperial capital, drawing people and influences from around the world to become, for many years, the largest city in the world. Despite the inevitable decline of the Empire, and considerable suffering during the Second World War (when London was heavily bombed by the German Luftwaffe in "the Blitz"), the city remains a top-ranked world city, a global centre of finance, learning, and culture.
The Museum of London, located near the Barbican to the north of the City of London, makes an ideal destination (free admission) for the traveller who wants to understand the history and ongoing legacy of this great city.
London is easily the largest city in the United Kingdom, eight times larger than its second largest city, Birmingham, and ten times larger than the third, Glasgow, and dominates the economic, political, and social life of the United Kingdom (much to the annoyance of people in "the provinces" - i.e. everywhere except London). The city is full of excellent bars, theatres, museums, art galleries, and parks. It is also the most culturally and ethnically diverse part of the country, and, for a visitor, a nice side-effect of this is the wide range of cuisines available. Samuel Johnson said "When one is tired of London, one is tired of life." Whether you are interested in ancient history or modern art, opera or underground raves, London has it all.
England's royal families have, over the centuries, added much to the London scene for today's traveller: the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, the Albert Memorial, the Royal Albert Hall, and Westminster Abbey being prominent examples.
London possesses one of the best collections of museums and galleries anywhere in the world. World cultures throughout history are well represented, for example, at the British Museum.
Summer Olympics 2012
The International Olympic Committee decided in July 2005 that London will serve as the host city for the Games of the XXX Olympiad, the Summer Olympic Games of 2012 . This will make London the first city to hold the Olympic Games three times, having hosted the games previously in 1908 and 1948. The vast majority of events will be held in a regenerated area in East London. For more information, see London 2012.
Get in
By plane
London (all airports code: LON) is served by a total of six airports. Traveling between the city and the airports is made relatively easy by the large number of public transport links that have been put in place over recent years. However, if transiting through London, be sure to check the arrival and departure airports carefully as transfers across the city may be quite time-consuming.
In addition to London's six official airports (of which only two are located in London) there are a number of other regional UK airports conveniently accessible from London. Since they offer a growing number of budget flights, choosing those airports can be cheaper (or even faster, depending on where in London your destination is).
For transfers directly between London's airports, the fastest way (short of a taxi) is the direct inter-airport service by National Express . Buses between Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton airports run at least once per hour, with Heathrow-Gatwick services taking 65 minutes (£18) and Heathrow-Stansted services 90 minutes (£20.50). (Note that services between Stansted and Luton Airports run only once every 2 hours.) However, it's essential to allow leeway, as London's expressways, especially the orbital M25 and the M1 motorway, are often congested to the point of gridlock. Buses have toilets on board.
London Heathrow
: Main article: Heathrow Airport
Heathrow (, ) is London and Europe's largest airport and the world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger movement, with services from most available major airports world-wide. There are four terminals, with a fifth opening in 2008. Flights landing in Heathrow often are delayed by up to an hour as a simple result of air traffic congestion and waiting for parking slots.
A quick summary of transport options:
London Gatwick
(, ) London's second airport, also serving a large spectrum of places world-wide. To get to the centre of the city, the following options exist:
:*Gatwick Express - a high-speed rail link between the airport and London Victoria Station. The service runs every 15 minutes and takes 30-35 minutes. Express class £14 (single); £25 (return); First Class (includes priority security procedures) £20 single, £38 return. Some other options (including Day Return and Carnet) available. Travelcards not valid. Railcards valid.
:*Regular National Rail trains from the Airport rail station to London Victoria, London Bridge, King's Cross and various other stations in central London. To Victoria these run about every 15 minutes and take 35-40 minutes. £9 (single to Victoria), so slightly slower and slightly cheaper than the Gatwick Express; Travelcards not valid. Be aware that if you travel together in a group (3 people or more), you get a group discount for a day travel card (valid on all London Underground and TFL busses for the entire day) for only £6.10 each after peak hours.
Another option is the First Capital Connect line that runs through Kings Cross, Farringdon, City Thameslink, London Bridge to Gatwick. Have a look at national rail (above) for options.
:*By car, the airport is some 29 miles (47 km) south of central London.
There is a cycle path into Central London see sustrans for information; but as it involves going through South London and over the North Downs, it will likely be quite a ride
London Stansted
(, ) Currently London's third airport, the base for a large number of budget carriers and flights within Europe and a few inter-continental flights.
:Locate the Airport on a map:
:Internet: There are several commercial wi-fi hotspots covering most of the airport, but they charge extortionate rates. A free wi-fi hotspot is located in the arrivals gate area, next to the phone booths offering fixed internet.
:Sleeping in Stansted Airport: The airport's location a long way outside London, the high price of accommodation in the city, the fact that transport to the airport does not operate before 5:30 am, the fact that airport hotel rooms for under £50 per night are virtually non-existent, the large number of budget flights often departing as early as 6:00 am (when the lowest fares are available), and the fact that many budget airlines don't pay for accommodation in the event of cancellation, all contribute to the reality that an increasing number of travellers choose to spend the night in "Hotel Stansted" prior to their flight. A crowd of around 100 travellers (up to 400 in summer) camp in the main departure/arrivals hall every night, effectively turning it into a giant dormitory. If you decide to make Stansted Airport your domicile for a night, there are a few things to bear in mind: You should arrive early, preferably around 10pm, and stake your territory immediately. Benches without armrests are in limited supply and fill up quickly. If you arrive later take a floor mat and sleeping bag. Sleeping on the floor is tolerated by the staff, but avoid pitching your bed in front of shops and counters. A Sleeping bag is generally recommended as the automatic doors constantly open and close as passengers arrive, and it can get chilly in winter. Safety is not a problem. The airport is miles away from any settlement and security guards overlook the open-plan building 24/7. Ear plugs and eye covers are a must, as the cleaning staff are noisy and shop assistants start arriving at 4am to open shutters. At least one cafe is open all night, offering snacks and hot drinks. Toilets remain open and are normally in good condition.
:To get to central London, the following options exist:
:* Stansted Express - a non-stop rail link between the airport and London Liverpool Street Station. The service runs every 15-30 minutes and takes between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on which train you catch (Some are more 'express' than others.) Although this is an expensive option, it is the fastest and most convenient way to reach central London from Stansted. £15 (single); £25 (return); Travelcards not valid. If your destination is in the Western part of London, get off at Tottenham Hale and continue to your destination on the Victoria Line - it will save you half an hour or so. The Stansted express covers the last part of its journey (between Tottenham Hale and Liverpool Street) at snail pace and takes 15 min for this short stretch. Stansted Express does not accept bicycles except for folding bikes.
:* Terravision - this express bus service runs from the airport to Bishopsgate(Liverpool Street station) and Victoria Coach terminal. The service runs hourly and takes 75 minutes. £8/£14 (single/return) to Victoria, £6.70/£11.80 (single/return) to Liverpool St; Travelcards not valid.
:*National Express Bus - coaches depart at least every half hours. £10/£16 (single/return) to London Victoria (via Golders Green); £8/£14 (single/return) to Stratford. National Express Bus does not accept bicycles except for folding bikes. Buses go every 15min to Victoria Station. The journey from Victoria takes about 1h30 min, from Stratford 1hr. Delays due to traffic congestion are commonplace, especially on the Victoria Service.
:*Taxis are available but are not the most efficient option. The airport is actually quite a long way from London, so expect the journey to take 1h30 min (2h in heavy traffic) and to set you back about £70. It's normally a better idea to take a train to Liverpool Street station and continue by taxi from there.
:*easyBus services will start on 7th of June 2007. By booking in advance via the internet tickets can be a little as £2. It costs £8 when buying on the bus. Services go to Baker St.
London Luton
(, ) Has traditionally been a holiday charter airport, but is now also served by some budget scheduled carriers. As per Stansted, and for the same reasons, many choose to spend the night here before flying. To get to central London, the following options exist:
:*By National Rail . This airport does not have a dedicated rail link, but the there is a free shuttle bus from the airport to Luton Airport Parkway Station every few minutes and taking five minutes. From there, trains run four or more times an hour to either London St Pancras or London King's Cross Thameslink stations taking around 30 minutes. £11 (single); Note that some trains run non-stop into London, whilst others stop at every station pushing the travel time to nearly 50 minutes, so check before you board. Travelcards not valid.
:*By Green Line bus 757 from Luton Airport to London Green Line Coach Station. Buses run every 20 minutes and take 90 minutes. Travelcards not valid.
:*By National Express coaches. Coaches run from outside the airport at various times throughout the day and night into Golders Green, Marble Arch and Victoria Coach Station. Prices vary depending on the service. It is often worth booking in advance via the National Express website as promotional fares can be as little as £1.
:*You can take theeasyBus vans. If you book in advance, it will be cheaper (£2-£8 booked via internet vs £8 at the bus). They now run from the city centre (Victoria), but terminate in Baker St on the way back from the airport.
:*By car, the airport is some 35 miles (60 km) north of central London.
London City Airport
(, ) A commuter airport close to the city's financial district, and specialising in short-haul business flights to other major European cities. To get to the city centre, the following options exist:
:*By the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects with the London underground; Travelcards are valid.
:*By taxi, the journey will take about half an hour. £20.00-£35.00.
:*By car, the airport is 6 miles east of central London.
:*By bus, take the 474 to Canning Town Station and then the 115 or N15 into central London.
London Southend Airport
(, ) Currently undergoing redevelopment and is set to become London's sixth international airport once the new rail link is completed. At present it serves destinations in the British isles only.
Other airports near London
:*Direct trains connect Southampton airport to London Waterloo station every 30 minutes. Journey time 1h10min, cost £30-35 return.
:*Direct trains connect Birmingham International to London Euston and Watford every 30 minutes. Journey time 1h15min. Cost £35-100 return.
By train
London is served by one international rail link, currently operating out of Waterloo International. High-speed trains travel under the sea for 22 miles (35 km) through the Channel Tunnel from Paris (2h35) and Brussels (2h15) and are operated by Eurostar. Book well in advance to secure the best ticket deals. For onward travel Waterloo International is part of the Waterloo station complex (see below) and well served by tube lines, buses and taxis.
As of 14 November 2007, all Eurostar services will be transferred to St Pancras station upon completion of the new high-speed line, dubbed "High-Speed One".
London is also well served by trains to and from other parts of the UK. There are no fewer than 12 main line terminal stations, forming a ring around Central London and each serving various parts of the country. Apart from Fenchurch Street (nearest Tube Tower Gateway), all are served by their own stations on the tube network, and most (but not all) can be reached by the Circle Line -- which may be the easiest, if not fastest, way to transfer between stations by Tube. All are served by buses and taxis.
For a detailed profile of each station, visit the Network Rail Stations website and select the appropriate station from the list at left.
In clockwise order the mainline (National Rail) train stations are:
There is also one cross-London rail service commonly known as Thameslink but officially called First Capital Connect, from Bedford to Brighton and calling in central London at London King's Cross Thameslink, Farringdon, City Thameslink and London Blackfriars. It notably connects Gatwick and Luton airports with each other and Central London.
Train times (to and from any location) can be found on the National Rail Planner or by calling 08457 48 49 50 (local call charges apply) from anywhere in the UK.
The last train sometimes doesn't come because of changes to the schedule, variations in the weather, or for some other reason.
Many parts of London itself are best accessible by train (sometimes called National Rail or Overground trains to distinguish from the Tube) -- some solely so. South-east London in particular is served principally by trains from London Bridge, Victoria, Charing Cross and Cannon Street stations.
Travellers should note that London's bizarre lack of integration of National Rail train services with Transport for London means that pre-pay Oyster cards are not (NOT!) universally valid on the overground. Travelcards, Oyster or otherwise, are valid, but it is not possible, for example, to use pre-pay to extend a Zone 1 Travelcard to a Zone 5 station. Some of the overground lines in North London are Oyster compliant, but most south of the Thames are not.
By bus
Most international and domestic long distance bus services (UK English:coach services) arrive at and depart from a complex of coach stations off Buckingham Palace Road close to London Victoria rail station. All services operated by National Express or Eurolines (see below) serve Victoria Coach Station, which actually has separate arrival and departure buildings. Services by other operators may use this station, or the Green Line Coach Station across Buckingham Palace Road. The following are amongst the main coach operators:
Get around
London has one of the most comprehensive public transport systems in the world. Despite Londoners' constant, and sometimes justified, grumbling about unreliablity, public transport is often the best option for getting anywhere in London for visitors and residents alike and is far more reliable than locals would have you believe. Indeed, nearly a third of London households do not feel the need to own a car. Transport for London (TfL) is the body responsible for London's transport network, predominantly made up of the Underground, buses, rail and trams. London has recently been awarded the city with the best public transport in the world.
You can use Transport for London's useful Journeyplanner to help you plan your journeys around London on public transport. They also offer a 24-hour travel information line, charged at local rate: tel +44-20-72221234 for suggestions on getting from A to B, and for up to the minute information on how services are running.
Oyster Card
Transport for London runs a contactless smartcard called Oyster. It can have travelcards added, which allow various passes for London's transport system to be added. It also allows cash to be added for pay-as-you-go. In both cases, you press the card against a yellow disc, prominently displayed on buses and trams and on the entry and exit gates for the Tube.
The Oyster Card can be obtained from any Tube station for a deposit of £3. This is fully refundable if you hand it in at the end of the trip. If you have any pay-as-you-go credit left, this will also be refunded. However, there is no expiry date on the Oyster Card or any pay-as-you-go credit on the card.
If you're going to be doing a lot of travelling by public transport, Travelcards have to be on an Oyster. Pay-as-you-go on Oyster is much cheaper than paying in cash for each journey - for instance, a cash bus fare is £2, while with Oyster it is £1. It also saves time getting onto buses - in the central area, tickets have to be bought at a machine by the bus stop if you don't have an Oyster and outside the zone from the driver. If you use pay-as-you-go and spend enough in a day to qualify for a Travelcard, it will be automatically put on your Oystercard, saving you from paying any more money. Using an Oyster will also make you look more like a Londonder!
Having an Oystercard also saves you money at some attractions - see 2 for 1 Oyster deals
Full details are at Oystercard
By foot
For travelling shorter distances in London there is no better way. Walking forces you to slow down and look around, and in a city like London there's always something interesting to look at if you take the time. Walking can also be the quickest way to get somewhere: check your map, central London is surprisingly compact.
By skates
Inline skating is legal in London, both on the roads and the pavement, with the exception of within the City of London (The Square Mile). Roads are not the greatest, but easily skatable. In the centre cars and taxis are more used to seeing skaters than on the outskirts of the city.
By Tube / Underground
The London Underground - also known popularly as "The Tube" - has trains that criss-cross London in the largest underground rail network anywhere in the world (it was also the first, the first section of the Metropolitan Line dates back to 1863). This mode of transport is usually the fastest way to get from one part of London to the another, the only problem being the relative expense (go for a Travelcard, if you can), and the fact that it can get extremely crowded during "rush hours" (7:30AM-9:30AM and 4:30PM-7PM). Take a bottle of water with you on warm days. Trains run from around 5:30AM to about 1am at night. Tube maps are freely available from any station, most tourist offices and are prominently displayed throughout stations - and, for some obscure reason, in the back of most diaries.
The Tube is made up of twelve lines, each bearing a traditional name and a standard colour on the Tube Map . To plan your trip on The Tube, work out first which station is closest to your starting point and which closest to your destination. Use the Tube Map to determine which line(s) you will take. You are able to change freely between lines at interchange stations (providing you stay within the zones shown on your ticket, or via any reasonable route for single-destination tickets). Since the Tube Map is well designed it is very easy to work out how to get between any two stations, and since each station is clearly signed and announced it is easy to work out when to get off your train. The Tube is therefore an easy method of transport even for new visitors to London. Visitors should be aware, however, that the Tube map is actually a diagram and not a scaled map, making it misleading for determining the relative distance between stations as it makes central stations appear further apart and somewhat out of place.
Travel on The Tube has become extremely erratic as of late, especially on the weekends. Many sections of The Tube are shut down on the weekends due to "planned engineering" work. Transport for London's website (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/) has constant updates about these disruptions of service.
The Tube system is divided up into several Zones in concentric circles from Zone 1 (central London, containing most of the primary tourist attractions) all the way out to Zone 6 (outer suburbs and Heathrow Airport). Fares depend on which zone you start in and how many zones you cross. Single cash fares for an adult are £4 for most trips, including anything within Zones 1 thru 4, or £3 for any that stays outside Zone 1 (January 2007). Travelcards offer much better value if you will be making several journeys - an off-peak Day Travelcard for Zones 1-2 is available after 9.30am each day, for example, at £5.10. Detailed fare information is available at any Tube station or from the TfL website . Using a pre-pay Oyster card reduces fare prices significantly with a Zone 1 single fare costing £1.50 whilst a journey between Zones 1 and 6 costs £2 evening and weekends or £3.50 during the daytime. Oyster cards are available at every Underground station but require payment of a deposit of £3; this is refunded when the card is returned. Another advantage of using an Oyster card is that it is automatically capped to a relevant daily Travelcard price - see below.
If you buy a weekly ticket, you do not have to wait until after 9:30AM and the average price per day will be even cheaper. Oyster cards can again be used for such tickets, along with other seasonal tickets.
There is a general "underground etiquette" amongst Londoners on the Tube, and it's a good idea to learn it quickly so you don't get trampled on by stampeding commuters, and it will also help prevent you being identified as a tourist by pickpockets and touts which still frequent the large central stations.
Special London tube cards for North Americans can also be purchased at Britain On Track
By bus
London's iconic red buses are recognised the world over, even if the traditional open-platform Routemaster buses have been largely phased out. Over 5 million bus trips are made each weekday; with over 700 different bus routes you are never far from a bus in London.
Buses are generally quicker than taking the Tube for short trips (less than a couple of stops on the Tube), and out of central London you're likely to be closer to a bus stop than a tube station. Bus lines running parallel to London Underground (The Tube) lines shut down on the weekends for "planned engineering work" can be extremely crowded. The difficulty with buses over the tube is knowing when to get off; while tube stations are clearly marked it is sometimes more difficult to work out where to get off a bus. Your best bet is to ask fellow passengers and/or to trace your route on a map. Bus drivers are sometimes helpful and sometimes not, but they're usually too busy to be able to tell you when you've reached your destination.
Bus routes are identified by numbers and sometimes letters, for example the 73 runs between Seven Sisters and Victoria. Buses display their route number in large digits at the front, side, and rear of the bus. Each bus stop has a sign listing the routes that will stop there. Standard bus services run from around 6am in the morning to 12:30AM at night. Around midnight the bus network changes to the Night Bus network. Bus routes, numbers and timetable all change with most of the buses radiating out from around the Trafalgar Square area to most outlying parts of Greater London. Night buses are identified by an 'N' at the start of the route number, for example the N73 runs between Walthamstow Central and Victoria. The night bus service is a reliable and often interesting way to get home at night.
Bus journeys are cheaper than taking the Tube, at cash fare £2 per trip (January 2007). Children under 14 travels free without identification, under 16 travels free on production of a Child Oyster card. However, unlike The Tube single tickets do not allow you to transfer to different buses. Consider purchasing a One Day Bus Pass (adult, one day, £3.50) or an Oyster card if you will be making several trips a day, or a Bus Saver booklet of six tickets for £6.00 (£1.00 each), available at rail stations, tube stations and news agents. Fares are the same for night buses as for regular services.
A One Day Bus Pass can be purchased from bus ticket machines, local rail and tube stations, and also selected newsagents for the bargain price of £3.50 (children travel free), allowing unlimited bus journeys for an entire day (and night - up till 4:30AM the next day on the night bus network) across the whole of Greater London. Travelcards and Oyster also work on bus services.
An Oyster card requires a £3 refundable deposit - however, when using Oyster Pre-Pay, a bus journey is £1 per trip (January 2007), a considerable saving. This also applies to night buses. Another option is to charge an Oyster card with a One Day Bus Pass - it tends to be more difficult to lose or damage the Oyster card than it does a slip of paper or card.
Yellow route signs indicate you must purchase your ticket before you board. This means you must either have a Travelcard, a Bus Pass, a Bus Saver ticket, a Pre-Pay Oyster card, or have bought single ticket from a machine at the bus stop. Note that these machines don't provide change (all the more reason to use one of the other options).
The 29 bus is most popular bus (day or night) in London. During the Friday/Saturday late nights between Central London & Wood Green, the N29 runs every 6 mins. Old-fashioned Routemaster buses, with an open rear platform and on-board conductor to collect fares, run on Heritage Routes 9 and 15 every 15 minutes, every day between about 09:30 and 18:30.
Many of the most popular buses, including the 29 bus tend to be of the double-length articulated variety, known as bendy buses. This could be related to the relative ease of hopping on and off these without paying (at stops, doors open along the length of the bus and there is no on-board conductor). This is, however, illegal and can be very risky - large teams of inspectors frequently descend on these buses accompanied by police, and it's entirely possible to be arrested and prosecuted. Care should be taken as it is possible for those unfamiliar with this type of bus to get on board and then have no way of paying. Routes served by this type of bus always carry a yellow route sign as detailed above.
By Tram
There's an electric tram network running between South-West and South-East of outer London (Wimbledon to Beckenham). The tram fares are the same as bus fares; Travelcards covering zones 3,4,5 or any combination thereof, and/or bus passes, are acceptable on all tram routes.
By DLR
Docklands Light Rail (DLR) is a dedicated light rail network operating in east London, connecting with the Underground network at Bank and Tower Gateway. Apart from the trains looking slightly different and running slightly less frequently than the Tube, visitors may as well treat the two systems as the same. The DLR uses the same system of Zones as the Tube, and travelcards are valid on DLR services.
As the trains often operate without a driver, it can be quite exciting - especially for children - to sit in front and look at through the window, whilst feeling as though one is driving the train oneself.
Travelcard and Oyster
A Travelcard is an all-in-one ticket that allows you travel on the Underground (the Tube), buses, DLR, trams and rail services within set zones. Many travellers, for example, would choose to buy a one day Travelcard that allows unlimited travel throughout zones 1-4 (all of central London, plus many outer suburbs like Richmond, Greenwich and Wimbledon) for £5.70 off-peak travel only or £9.00 for any time travel (January 2007). Other period travelcards such as three-day, weekly, monthly and yearly are also available.
In addition to standard paper tickets, tickets may also be purchased in the form of Oyster. This is a credit-card sized wireless smartcard that stores your ticket information instead of the cardboard ticket. Rather than inserting a ticket at the gates you simply pass your Oyster card near the yellow readers, meaning you don't need to remove it from your wallet or bag. You can put a weekly, monthly, or annual travelcard ticket onto Oyster. If you do not purchase a travelcard on Oyster, you can buy a card for a £3 deposit, then add a Pre-Pay balance to it. Swiping your Oyster card for journeys around London will automatically deduct the appropriate value from your card. This provides a level of convenience over buying ticket individually, and also gives you a discount on each fare. Single trips in Zone 1, for example cost £4 for cash and £1.50 on Oyster Pre-Pay. The amount of Pre-Pay deducted from your Oyster card in one day is capped at the cost of the appropriate day travelcard for the zones you have travelled through, less 50 pence. This means you don't need to decide at the start of the day whether to get a travelcard or just purchase single rides - using Oyster Pre-Pay will ensure you are charged the minimum fare. The major caveat though is that Oyster Pre-Pay cannot be used on most National Rail services; for these you'll need to purchase a standard cardboard ticket. If you are only using the tube, bus and tram, Oyster Pre-Pay makes a lot of sense. Detailed fare information is available at any tube station or from the TFL website.
By cycle
Due to the expense of other forms of transport and the compactness of central London, cycling is a tempting option. Many improvements have been made for cyclists in the city over the last few years, even if they remain no more than gestures in most places. Noticeably, there are many new signposted cycle routes and some new cycle lanes, not to mention more cyclists since the July 2005 public transport attacks. Excellent free cycle maps detailing these routes can be obtained from your local tube stations, bike shop, or ordered online. However, London remains a relatively hostile environment for cyclists, generally speaking. A contiguous skeletal cycle lane network does not exist. The safest option is to stick to minor residential roads where traffic can be surprisingly calm outside rush hours.
The towpaths along the Grand Union and Regent's Canals in North London are the closest thing to a truly traffic-free cycle path in the capital. In summer they are crowded with pedestrians and not suitable for cycling, but in winter or late in the evening they offer a very fast and safe way to travel from east to west in North London. The Grand Union canal connects Paddington to Camden and the Regent's Canal connects Camden to Islington, Mile End and Limehouse in East London. It takes about 30-40 min to cycle from Paddington station to Islington along the towpaths.
Helmets are not compulsory for cyclists in the UK, and opinions differ on their value. In London, many cyclists, especially those seen in rush hour, also wear filter masks, but their efficacy is even more argued over. London motorists seem reluctant to acknowledge the existence of cyclists, especially at busy junctions.
Non-folding bikes can only be taken on limited sections of The Tube network, mostly only on the above-ground sections outside peak hours. There is a map showing this on the TFL website. Most rail operators allow bicycles outside peak hours also. For this reason, folding bicycles are becoming increasingly popular.
Care should be taken as to where you choose to park your bike. Many areas, some surprisingly busy, attract cycle thieves, while chaining a bicycle to a railing which appears to be private property can occasionally lead to said bike being removed.
The London Cycle Campaign is an advocacy group for London cyclists and organises regular group rides and events. Critical Mass London meets for regular rides through central London at 6pm on the last Friday of each month. Rides start from the southern end of Waterloo Bridge.
By taxi
London has two types of taxis: the famous black cabs, and so-called mini-cabs. Black cabs are the only ones licensed to 'tout for business' (ie pick people up off the street), while minicabs are more accurately described as 'private hire vehicles' and need to be pre-booked.
The famous black cabs of London (not always black in these days of heavy advertising!) can be hailed from the curb or found at one of the many designated taxi ranks. Their yellow 'TAXI' light will be on if they are available. Black cabs charge by distance and by the minute, are non-smoking, and have a minimum charge of £2.20 They are a cheap transport option if there are five passengers as they do not charge extras,
and many view them as an essential experience for any visitor to London. Drivers must take an extensive exam in London's streets to be licensed for a black cab, meaning they can supposedly navigate you to almost any London street without reference to a map. It is possible to book black cabs by phone, for a fee, but if you are in central London it will usually be quicker to hail one from the street.
A new convenient taxi-based service is Zingo - call 08700 700 700 and you will be connected direct with the driver of the nearest available black cab anywhere in London to arrange pickup. Normal meter fares apply + £2 booking fee.
Minicabs are licenced hire vehicles that you need to book by phone or at a minicab office. They generally charge a fixed fare for a journey, best agreed before you get in the car. Minicabs are usually cheaper than black cabs, although this is not necessarily the case for short journeys.
Note that some areas in London are poorly serviced by black cabs, particularly late at night. This has led to a large number of illegal 'mini-cabs' operating - just opportunistic people, with a car, looking to make some fast money. These illegal drivers are unlicensed and sadly they are often unsafe: a number of women are assaulted every week by illegal minicab operators. Some of these operators can be fairly aggressive in their attempts to find custom, and it's now barely possible to walk late at night through any part of London with a modicum of nightlife without being approached. You should avoid "mini-cabs" touting for business off the street and either take a black cab, book a licensed mini-cab by telephone, or take a night bus. Licensed minicabs display a Transport For London (TFL) License Plate - usually in the front window. One of the features of the license plate is a blue version of the famous London Underground "roundel".
Tipping is not mandatory in either taxis or minicabs, despite some drivers' expectations..... Use your discretion - the fares are usually high enough....
By road
Driving in Central London is a slow, frustrating, expensive and often unnecessary activity. Londoners who drive will normally take public transport in the centre; follow their example. Traffic is slow and heavy, there are many sorts of automatic enforcement cameras, and it is difficult and expensive to park.
Car drivers should be aware that driving into Central London on weekdays during daylight hours incurs a hefty charge, with very few exemptions (note that rental cars also attract the charge). Cameras and mobile units record and identify the number plates and registration details of all vehicles entering the charging zone with high accuracy.
The Central London Congestion Charge attracts a fee of £8 Monday through Friday 7AM-6:00PM (excluding public holidays) if paid the same day before 10PM (after 10PM until midnight, a surcharge of £2 is added to encourage early payment, totalling £10). Failure to pay the charge by 12 midnight the same day (take note!) incurs a hefty automatic fine of £80 (reduced to £40 if paid within 2 weeks). Numerous payment options exist: by phone, by voucher and online. Check the website for details.
Despite the Congestion Charge, London - like most major cities - continues to experience traffic snarls. These are, of course, worse on weekdays during peak commuting hours, i.e. between 7:30AM - 9:30AM and 4PM - 7PM At these times public transport (and especially the Tube) usually offers the best alternative for speed and reduced hassle. Parking during weekdays and Saturdays can also mean considerable expense in parking fees - fees and restrictions are ignored at your extreme financial peril - issuing fines, clamping and towing vehicles (without warning!) has become a veritable new industry for borough councils staffed by armies of traffic wardens. Find and read the parking restrictions carefully! A good tip is, that outside advertised restriction hours, parking on a single yellow line is permissible... Parking on a red line or a double yellow line is never permissible and heavily enforced...
By Boat
The London Waterbus Company runs scheduled services (more in summer, less in winter) from Little Venice to Camden Lock with a stop at the London Zoo. The 45 minute trip along Regent's Canal is a delightful way to travel.
See
London boasts a vast number of attractions for the traveller. As a bonus, most attractions in London are free of charge! Following is a selection of some of the most popular and noteworthy (the rest to be found in the various district pages - get exploring!):
Landmarks
Central London
South Bank
City
Southwark
Highgate
South Kensinton
Notting Hill
Greenwich
Museums and Galleries
London hosts an outstanding collection of world-class museums. Even better, it is the only one of the three traditional "alpha world cities" (along with New York City and Paris) in which the majority of the museums have no entrance charges, thus allowing visitors to make multiple visits with ease.
Although the rest of London may be expensive, many of its best museums and galleries are free including both Tates, the National and National Portrait Galleries, the British Museum, the Imperial War Museum, and most things in Greenwich. Temporary exhibits do cost money, however. Audioguides are available at many of the major museums; many of these are free of charge, though there may be a suggested donation at the entrance.
Central London
Bloomsbury
North West London
South Bank
South Kensington
London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. The ancient City of London to which the name originally belonged still retains its tiny mediaeval boundaries; but the name "London" has long applied more generally to the whole metropolis which has grown up around it.
An important settlement for around two millennia, London is today one of the world's leading business, financial and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the major global cities.
London is the most populous city within city limits in the European Union with an official population of 7.7 million (as of 2007) and has a metropolitan area population of between 12 and 14 million people. Its diverse population draws from a wide range of peoples, cultures and religions, speaking over 300 different languages. London is an international transport hub, with five international airports and a large port. It serves as the largest aviation hub in the world, and its main airport, the multi terminal Heathrow, carries more international passengers than any other airport in the world. It also has Europe's largest underground railway system when measured by route length.
London is a major tourist destination, with four world heritage sites and numerous iconic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye among its many attractions, along with famous institutions such as the British Museum and the National Gallery. Its main geographical feature is the River Thames which runs through the city from the southwest to the east.
Definitions
London can be defined in a number of different ways. The London region of England, also commonly known as Greater London, is the area administered by the Greater London Authority. The urban sprawl of the conurbation — or Greater London Urban Area — covers a roughly similar area, with a slightly larger population. Beyond this is the vast London commuter belt. At London's core is the small, ancient City of London which is commonly known as "The City" or "Square Mile". Within London, both the City of London and the City of Westminster have City status and both the City of London and the remainder of Greater London are ceremonial counties. The current area of Greater London was historically part of the counties of Middlesex, Kent, Surrey, Essex and Hertfordshire.
Forty percent of Greater London is covered by the London postal area. The London telephone area code covers a larger area, similar in size to Greater London, although some outer districts are omitted and some places just outside are included. The area within the orbital M25 motorway is sometimes used to define the "London area" and the Greater London boundary has been aligned to it in places. Greater London is split for some purposes into Inner London and Outer London. It can also be informally split into North, South, East, West and often also Central London.
London's metropolitan area ('the metropolis') grew considerably during the Victorian era and again during the Interwar period. Expansion halted in the 1940s because of World War II and Green Belt legislation, and the area has been largely static since. The Metropolitan Police District, city-wide local government area and London transport area have varied over time, but currently broadly coincide with the Greater London boundary.
Unlike most capital cities, London's status as the capital of the UK has never been granted or confirmed officially — by statute or in written form. Its position as the capital has formed through constitutional convention, making its position as de facto capital a part of the UK's unwritten constitution. The capital of England was moved to London from Winchester as the Palace of Westminster developed in the 12th and 13th centuries to become the permanent location of the royal court, and thus the political capital of the nation.
The Romans may have marked the centre of Londinium with the London Stone, still visible on Cannon Street. The coordinates of the nominal centre of London (traditionally considered to be the original Eleanor Cross at Charing Cross, near the junction of Trafalgar Square and Whitehall) are approximately . Trafalgar Square has also become a central point for celebrations and protests.
Geography and climate
Topography and climate
Greater London covers an area of 609 square miles (1,579 km²), making it one of the world's largest cities by area. Its primary geographical feature is the Thames, a navigable river which crosses the city from the southwest to the east. The Thames Valley is a floodplain surrounded by gently rolling hills such as Parliament Hill, Addington Hills, and Primrose Hill. These hills presented no significant obstacle to the growth of London from its origins as a port on the north side of the river, and therefore London is roughly circular.
The Thames was once a much broader, shallower river with extensive marshlands; at high tide, its shores reached five times their current width. It has been extensively embanked, and many of its London tributaries now flow underground. The Thames is a tidal river, and London is vulnerable to flooding. The threat has increased over time due to a slow but continuous rise in high water level by the slow 'tilting' of Britain (up in the north and down in the south) caused by post-glacial rebound. In 1974, a decade of work began on the construction of the Thames Barrier across the Thames at Woolwich to deal with this threat. While the barrier is expected to function as designed until roughly 2030, concepts for its future enlargement or redesign are already being discussed.
London has a temperate climate with regular but generally light precipitation throughout the year - unlike the rest of the UK and even the nearby coast. London is in fact among the driest of Europe's capitals, with water resources per head of population equivalent to Israel. The warmest month is July, with an average temperature range at Greenwich of 13.6 °C to 22.8 °C (56.5 to 73.0 °F). Record high temperatures of up to were recorded in different parts of London on 10 August 2003. The coolest month is January, averaging 2.4 °C to 7.9 °C (35.6 to 46.2 °F). Average annual precipitation is 583.6 mm (22.98 in), with February on average the driest month. Snow is relatively uncommon, particularly because heat from the urban area can make London up to 5 °C (9 °F) hotter than the surrounding areas in winter. However light snowfall is seen on some days most winters. London is in USDA Hardiness zone 9, and AHS Heat Zone 2.
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Districts
London's vast urban area is often described using a set of district names (e.g. Bloomsbury, Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Whitechapel). These are either informal designations, or reflect the names of superseded parishes and city wards. Such names have remained in use through tradition, each referring to a neighbourhood with its own distinctive character, but often with no modern official boundaries (the boundaries often overlap, allowing estate agents some leeway in defining the location of a property).
One area of London which does have a strict definition is the City of London (usually just called The City), the largest financial district and central business district (CBD) in Europe. The City has its own governance and boundaries, giving it a status as the only completely autonomous local authority in London. London's new financial and commercial hub is the Docklands area to the east of the City, dominated by the Canary Wharf complex. Other businesses locate in the City of Westminster, the home of the UK's national government and the famous Westminster Abbey.
The West End is London's main entertainment and shopping district, with locations such as Oxford Street, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus acting as tourist magnets. The West London area is known for fashionable and expensive residential areas such as Notting Hill, Knightsbridge and Chelsea — where properties can sell for tens of millions of pounds. The average price for all properties in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is £894,000 (as reported by the BBC in February 2007) with similar average outlay in most of Central London.
The eastern side of London contains the East End and East London. The East End is the area closest to the original Port of London, known for its high immigrant population, as well as for being one of the poorest areas in London. The surrounding East London area saw much of London's early industrial development; now, brownfield sites throughout the area are being redeveloped as part of the Thames Gateway including the London Riverside and Lower Lea Valley, which is being developed into the Olympic Park for the 2012 Olympics.
Built environment
The density of London varies, with high employment density in the central area, high residential densities in inner London and lower densities in the suburbs. In the dense areas, most of the concentration is achieved with medium-rise and high-rise buildings. London's skyscrapers such as the famous "Gherkin", Tower 42 and One Canada Square are usually found in the two financial districts, the City of London and Canary Wharf.
In recent years, the development of tall buildings has been encouraged in the London Plan, which will lead to the erection of new skyscrapers over the next few years as London goes through a high-rise boom, particularly in the City of London and Canary Wharf. The 72-storey, 310 m "Shard London Bridge" by London Bridge station, the 288 m Bishopsgate Tower and around 30 other skyscrapers over 150 m are either proposed or approved and could transform the city's skyline.
Other notable modern buildings include City Hall in Southwark with its distinctive oval shape, the British Library in Somers Town/Kings Cross, the Great Court of the British Museum, and what was formerly the Millennium Dome, now used as the cover of an entertainment district known as The O2, next to the Thames east of Canary Wharf. The disused (but soon to be rejuvenated) 1907 Battersea Power Station by the river in the southwest is a local landmark, while some railway termini are excellent examples of Victorian architecture, most notably St Pancras and Paddington (at least internally). Another major local landmark is The London Ark by Ralph Erskine, in Hammersmith.
London is too large to be overwhelmingly characterised by any particular architectural style, having accumulated its buildings over a long period of time and drawing on an inexhaustible range of influences, although it is mainly brick built, most commonly a warm orange red, often with carvings and white plaster mouldings. Many areas of the city are characterised by white stucco or whitewashed buildings. Few structures predate the Great Fire of 1666, except for a few trace Roman remains, the Tower of London and a few scattered Tudor survivors in the City. A majority of buildings in London date from the Edwardian or Victorian periods.
A great many monuments pay homage to people and events in the city. The Monument in the City of London provides views of the surrounding area while commemorating the Great Fire of London which originated nearby. Marble Arch and Wellington Arch, at the north and south ends of Park Lane respectively, have royal connections, as do the Albert Memorial and Royal Albert Hall in Kensington. Nelson's Column is a nationally-recognised monument in Trafalgar Square, providing a focal point for the whole central area.
Parks and gardens
Often called "The Green City," London has a number of open spaces. The largest of these in the central area are the Royal Parks of Hyde Park and its neighbours Kensington Gardens and Holland Park Gardens at the western edge of central London, and Regent's Park on the northern edge. This park is located near the tourist attractions of Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Baker Street, where the fictional Sherlock Holmes lived. Closer to central London are the smaller Royal Parks of Green Park and St. James's Park. Hyde Park in particular is popular for sports and sometimes hosts open-air concerts.
A number of large parks lie outside the city centre, including the remaining Royal Parks of Greenwich Park to the south east, and Bushy Park and Richmond Park to the south west. Primrose Hill to the north of Regent's Park is a popular spot to view the city skyline. Some more informal, semi-natural open spaces also exist, including the 791-acre Hampstead Heath of north London. This incorporates Kenwood House, the former stately home and a popular location in the summer months where classical music concerts are held by the lake, attracting thousands of people every weekend to enjoy the music, scenery and fireworks. Outer South East London is noted for its open spaces and extensive wooded areas.
History
Early London
Although there is some evidence of scattered Brython settlement in the area, the first major settlement was founded by the Romans in AD 43, following the Roman invasion of Britain. This settlement was called Londinium, commonly believed to be the origin of the present-day name, although a Celtic origin is also possible.
The first London lasted for just seventeen years. Around AD 61, the Iceni tribe of Celts led by Queen Boudica stormed London, burning it to the ground. The next, heavily-planned incarnation of the city prospered and superseded Colchester as the capital of the Roman province of Britannia in AD 100. At its height in the 2nd century AD, Roman London had a population of around 60,000. However, by the 3rd century AD, the city started a slow decline due to trouble in the Roman Empire, and by the 5th century AD, it was largely abandoned.
By 600 AD, the Anglo-Saxons had created a new settlement (Lundenwic) about 1 km upstream from the old Roman city, around what is now Covent Garden. There was probably a harbour at the mouth of the River Fleet for fishing and trading, and this trading grew until disaster struck in 851 AD, when the city's defences were overcome by a massive Viking raid and it was razed to the ground. A Viking occupation twenty years later was short-lived, and Alfred the Great, the new King of England, established peace and moved the settlement within the defensive walls of the old Roman city (then called Lundenburgh). The original city became Ealdwic ("old city"), a name surviving to the present day as Aldwych.
Subsequently, under the control of various English kings, London once again prospered as an international trading centre and political arena. However, Viking raids began again in the late 10th century, and reached a head in 1013 when they besieged the city under Danish King Canute and forced English King Ethelred the Unready to flee. In a retaliatory attack, Ethelred's army achieved victory by pulling down London Bridge with the Danish garrison on top, and English control was re-established.
Canute took control of the English throne in 1017, controlling the city and country until 1042, when his death resulted in a reversion to Anglo-Saxon control under his pious step-son Edward the Confessor, who re-founded Westminster Abbey and the adjacent Palace of Westminster. By this time, London had become the largest and most prosperous city in England, although the official seat of government was still at Winchester.
Norman and medieval London
Following a victory at the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror, the then Duke of Normandy, was crowned King of England in the newly-finished Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066. William granted the citizens of London special privileges, while building a castle in the southeast corner of the city to keep them under control. This castle was expanded by later kings and is now known as the Tower of London, serving first as a royal residence and later as a prison.
In 1097, William II began the building of Westminster Hall, close by the abbey of the same name. The hall proved the basis of a new Palace of Westminster, the prime royal residence throughout the Middle Ages. Westminster became the seat of the royal court and government (persisting until the present day), while its distinct neighbour, the City of London, was a centre of trade and commerce and flourished under its own unique administration, the Corporation of London. Eventually, the adjacent cities grew together and formed the basis of modern central London, superseding Winchester as capital of England in the 12th century.
London grew in wealth and population during the middle ages. In 1100 its population was around 18,000, by 1300 it had grown to nearly 100,000. However disaster struck during the Black Death in the mid-14th century, when London lost nearly a third of its population. Apart from the invasion of London during the Peasants' Revolt in 1381, London remained relatively untouched by the various civil wars during the middle ages, such as the Barons' Wars and the Wars of the Roses.
After the successful defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, political stability in England allowed London to grow further. In 1603, James VI of Scotland came to the throne of England, essentially uniting the two countries. His enactment of harsh anti-Catholic laws made him unpopular, and an assassination attempt was made on 5 November 1605 — the famous Gunpowder Plot.
Plague caused extensive problems for London in the early 17th century, culminating in the Great Plague in 1665-1666. This was the last major outbreak in Europe, possibly thanks to the disastrous fire of 1666. The Great Fire of London broke out in the original City and quickly swept through London's wooden buildings, destroying large swathes of the city. Rebuilding took over ten years.
Rise of modern London
Following London's growth in the 18th century, it became the world's largest city from about 1831 to 1925. This growth was aided from 1836 by London's first railways, which put countryside towns within easy reach of the city. The rail network expanded very rapidly, and caused these places to grow while London itself expanded into surrounding fields, merging with neighbouring settlements such as Kensington. Rising traffic congestion on city centre roads led to the creation of the world's first metro system — the London Underground — in 1863, driving further expansion and urbanisation. Because of this rapid growth, London became one of the first cities in human history to reach a population of one million, and was the first ever to surpass five million.
London's local government system struggled to cope with the rapid growth, especially in providing the city with adequate infrastructure. Between 1855 and 1889, the Metropolitan Board of Works oversaw infrastructure expansion. It was then replaced by the County of London, overseen by the London County Council, London's first elected city-wide administration.
The Blitz and other bombing by the German Luftwaffe during World War II killed over 30,000 Londoners and flattened large tracts of housing and other buildings across London. The rebuilding during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s was characterised by a wide range of architectural styles and has resulted in a lack of architectural unity that has become part of London's character. In 1965 London's political boundaries were expanded to take into account the growth of the urban area outside the County of London's borders. The expanded area was called Greater London and was administered by the Greater London Council.
In the decades following World War II, large-scale immigration from Commonwealth countries and beyond transformed London into one of the most racially and culturally diverse cities in Europe. Integration of the new immigrants was not always smooth, with events such as the Brixton Riots in the early 1980s, but was certainly smoother than in other English regions and largely lacking in widespread support for far right organisations, unlike its European or American contemporaries.
An economic revival from the 1980s onwards re-established London's position as a preeminent international centre. However, as the seat of government and the most important city in the UK, it has been subjected to bouts of terrorism. Provisional Irish Republican Army bombers sought to pressure the government into negotiations over Northern Ireland, frequently disrupting city activities with bomb threats — some of which were carried out — until their 1997 cease-fire. More recently, a series of coordinated bomb attacks were carried out by Islamic extremist suicide bombers on the public transport network on 7 July 2005 — just 24 hours after London was awarded the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Government
Local government
The administration of London takes place in two tiers — a city-wide, strategic tier and a local tier. City-wide administration is coordinated by the Greater London Authority (GLA), while local administration is carried out by 33 smaller authorities.
The GLA is responsible for strategic planning, policing, the fire service, most aspects of transport and economic development. It consists of two elected parts — the Mayor of London, who has executive powers, and the London Assembly, who scrutinise the Mayor's decisions and can accept or reject his budget proposals each year. The GLA is a recent organisation, having been set up in 2000 to replace the similar Greater London Council (GLC) which had been abolished in 1986. The headquarters of the GLA and the Mayor of London is at City Hall.
The Mayor of London is Ken Livingstone, who is in his second term of office. He was elected in 2000 as an independent candidate and again in 2004 as a Labour candidate. Ken Livingstone was also the leader of the GLC when it was abolished in 1986.
The 33 local authorities are the 32 London boroughs and the City of London. They are responsible for local services not overseen by the GLA, such as local planning, schools, social services, local roads and refuse collection. The London boroughs each have a council which is elected every four years by local residents. The City of London does not have a conventional local authority, but is governed by the historic City of London Corporation which is elected by both residents and businesses, and which has existed more or less unchanged since the Middle Ages. The head of the Corporation is the Lord Mayor of London, which is a different position from that of Mayor of London.
The City of London also has its own police force: The City of London Police, which is independent of the Metropolitan Police Service which covers the rest of Greater London.
Health services in London are managed by the national government through the National Health Service, which is controlled and administered in London by a single NHS Strategic Health Authority.
National government
London is the home of the Government of the United Kingdom which is located around the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. Many government departments are located close to Parliament, particularly along Whitehall, including the Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street.
The British Parliament is often referred to as the "Mother of Parliaments" (although this sobriquet was first applied to England itself by John Bright ) because it has been the model for most other parliamentary systems, and its Acts have created many other parliaments. Many nations with parliaments have to some degree emulated the British "three-tier" model. Most countries in Europe and the Commonwealth have similarly organised parliaments with a largely ceremonial head of state who formally opens and closes parliament, a large elected lower house and a smaller, upper house.
London is represented in the national Parliament by 74 Members of Parliament (MPs) who correspond to local parliamentary constituencies. For a list of London constituencies, see List of Parliamentary constituencies in Greater London. Of these 74 MPs, 44 are from the Labour Party, 21 are Conservatives, 8 are Liberal Democrats and one is from the RESPECT party.
Economy
London is a major centre for international business and commerce and is one of three "command centres" for the global economy (along with New York City and Tokyo).. London has recently overtaken New York City as the largest city economy in the World, this is due to the large amount of banks that have decided to locate here.
As Europe's largest city economy, year-by-year, London's economy generates approximately 20% of the UK's GDP (or $446 billion in 2005); while the economy of the London metropolitan area (also the largest in Europe) generates approximately 30% of UK's GDP (or an estimated $669 billion in 2005.)
London shifted to a mostly service-based economy earlier than other European cities, particularly following the Second World War. London's success as a service industry and business centre can be attributed to many factors:
Over 85 percent (3.2 million) of the employed population of greater London works in service industries. Another half a million employees resident in Greater London work in manufacturing and construction, almost equally divided between both.