London, England - A Guide to London

Britain let go of its empire 50 years ago andto the BA London Eye, or slightly further afield, to
other centres of influence have come to the fore,Hampstead Heath or Greenwich. Dive back inside
but, if the capital is anything to go by, the countryfor fabulous art at the National Gallery and Tate
has a lot more to contribute yet. London remainsModern, and world-beating collections at the British
a political, economic and cultural powerhouse andMuseum or the Victoria & Albert Museum. Amuse
visitors will find it buzzing with activity, wealth andyourself at ZSL London Zoo, Madame Tussauds
choice. Nowhere is the sense of possibility moreor the Science Museum. Shop and people-watch
noticeable than in the new developments that dotat Covent Garden, Knightsbridge or Portobello
the Thames, from the iconic British AirwaysRoad. Chill out in Soho, before or after sampling
London Eye, past the revamped South Bank artsthe plethora of theatre, cinema, music, musicals,
centre to the spectacular Tate Modem, and on tooperas and dance - there is something for every
the new financial centre of Docklands.taste and much of it world-class. Plan where to
En route, the distinctive outlines of the "Gherkin"have dinner (the choice of cuisines is dazzling) and
building, Millennium Bridge and City Hall - all bythe next day's adventure over an ice cream in
Norman Foster, one of the country's leadingthe park, tea at Claridge's or a drink at one of the
architects - stamp a landscape still marked bymany superb pubs. Think about taking in a football
Wren's churches and the medieval Tower ofmatch at Arsenal or Chelsea, cricket at the Oval
London with the aspirations of a new millennium.or Lord's, an evening of jazz in Camden or
New Tube lines, such as the Jubilee Extension withdancing the night away to urban beats in Hoxton.
its dramatic concrete stations, the developmentIt's a good idea to get yourself orientated early.
of St Pancras as the terminal for the ChannelLondon is a conglomerate of villages, each with its
Tunnel rail link, and preparations for hosting theown character. Everything began in "The City",
2012 Olympics confirm the flow of adrenalin in thenow the business district, which runs between the
city's veins.Tower of London in the east and Fleet Street in
When it comes to deciding how to spend yourthe west. The metropolis spiralled out from there.
time, the options are almost over-whelming.Public transport is excellent but don't forget to do
There is more than enough to occupy the mostsome walking - there's nothing like it to give you a
twitchy of tourists for a week. It is a place thatfeel of the people, architecture and place. An
keeps calling you back. Whatever you do, beexcellent first day would be a walk along the
cosmopolitan - that is the nature of London now -South Bank, from Westminster Bridge to
in outlook and in what you do. Combine traditionalShakespeare's Globe: you'll pass all sorts of
and contemporary, British and ethnic, popular andgoodies, get wonderful views of the centre and a
high culture, the indoors and outdoors, stimulationsense of how the river has shaped the city.
for the brain and pleasure for the body.Finally, check whether your trip coincides with any
Two or three classic landmarks are a must, suchof the big events, such as the ceremonial
as the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge and aTrooping the Colour at the Queen's birthday in
royal residence. Add in a smaller home, such asJune, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships in
those belonging to Sir John Soane, the Duke ofthe last week of June and first of July, or Notting
Wellington or Charles Dickens, all of whom wereHill Carnival in August. Each gives a different
movers and shakers when the capital was theaspect to this complex city that is London.
biggest city in Europe. Step out for air and views