History Abounds
London’s history is so diverse and varied that a trip to England’s capital could consist solely of visits to historical sites, and there still wouldn’t be enough time to cover it all. Starting with the royal palaces and buildings, a trip to Buckingham Palace is a must for any first-time visitor, while Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII’s most famous home, will transport you back to the 16th century. Other royal venues that you should consider exploring include Kensington Palace, Lambeth Palace, Windsor Castle, and Eltham Palace and Gardens.
Moving away from the British Monarchy, in Westminster you will be able to visit three of London’s most iconic buildings within the space of 1 square mile. The first of these is Westminster Abbey, a world-famous Gothic church that dates back to the 13th century and where many of Britain’s most famous historical figures have been laid to rest, including Charles Darwin and Geoffrey Chaucer. The Houses of Parliament and adjoining Big Ben clock tower are located to the east of the Westminster Abbey.
Then there are London’s numerous museums and galleries, where you can view artifacts and paintings from throughout the ages and gain insight into the city’s rich history. The British Museum, the Natural History Museum, The National Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Imperial War Museum are among the most popular and all are free to enter.
For theater enthusiasts, a trip to the Globe Theatre, where William Shakespeare put on many of his plays, is highly recommended. Those interested in learning about London’s darker past may want to consider booking a Jack the Ripper tour, visiting the London Dungeon, or venturing inside the Tower of London.
Endless Entertainment
Poet Samuel Johnson said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” Fortunately, with a plethora of fun and exciting activities available, it would be difficult to ever tire of London, regardless of how you like to be entertained.
For classical music and theater arts enthusiasts, the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Opera House, and the London Coliseum host world-class events, ranging from symphony orchestras and operatic performances to ballet and modern dance. Additionally, there are many theater and musical productions that occur along the world-famous West End, London’s answer to Broadway.
In addition, there are numerous options for people interested in nightlife. Dance music fans can visit nightclubs like Fabric, Ministry of Sound, and Scala. There are also various live-music halls, such as The O2 arena; the Academy Music Group’s O2 Academy Brixton; and O2 Academy Islington, where some of the biggest pop stars, bands, and rappers from around the world regularly perform.
If you want to watch live sports, there is plenty to choose from. London is home to three of the biggest soccer teams in Europe (Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur), and you can get a taste of the nation’s passion for cricket by watching England play at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Tennis fans, on the other hand, can time their trip to the city to coincide with the Wimbledon championships.
Thriving Culinary Scene
London is not widely known for its culinary scene. However, that is changing. As of 2019, London is sixth on the list of cities with the most Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide with 67 stars, ranking just behind New York City, which has 76.
Beyond the expensive fine-dining restaurants, London is also a place of culinary innovation. For an interactive experience, you can book a table at Inamo and enjoy its table-surface projections while you dine. Those who are not afraid of the dark can consider eating in the pitch-black Dans Le Noir, which attracts high-profile names such as Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Moreover, street food is booming in London, with flavors from around the globe available at the many markets across the city.
Cultural Diversity
London is a diverse city with people from various countries, backgrounds, and religious faiths who comprise a population of 8 million people, as reported by the Census in the United Kingdom in 2011. The next census will take place in 2021, when the population is expected to exceed more than 9 million.
Based on the latest official statistics, just over half of London is made up of people from ethnic groups other than Caucasian, while 37 percent of the population was born outside of the United Kingdom. Approximately 24.5 percent of the latter were born outside of the European Union. Additionally, a survey conducted in 2000 found that there were over 300 languages spoken in homes across London, which is more than any city in the world.
This melting pot of cultures has contributed to many aspects of London life experienced by residents and visitors, such as community cohesion and a frequent medley of events. Notting Hill Carnival is one of the best examples. The annual music and arts festival, which is led by the British West Indian communities, attracts nearly 1 million people, which makes it one of the biggest street festivals worldwide.
Then there is the influence of the Asian community on the food scene, with British curries becoming as much part of the city’s fabric as the red phone booth and the double-decker bus.