London is a well-known city and travel destination. Millions of people travel to and from London on a daily basis. London is the capitol city of England and the United Kingdom. London and its surrounding area have been settled for almost 2 millennia. London has become an international leader in finance and business as well as world politics. It is the largest and most populated city in Europe. London is an international transportation hub for both people and goods. There are over three hundred languages spoken in London by people of various culture and ethnicities. Within the urban limitations of London the population is estimated at approximately eight and a half million people. If you count in the metropolitan area as well, the population reaches twelve to fourteen million.
As a popular tourist destination, London is known for its many sights and historic monuments. Some of these include the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum and the National Gallery just to name a few. Parts of London have become quite popular themselves including Westminster Abbey, Camden, Notting Hill, Kensington and Chelsea. The areas of London are often referred to as their district names such as Whitechapel, Mayfair and Bloomsbury.
The West End of London is perhaps the most happening part of the city. The West End is the main entertainment and shopping district in London. It attracts a large number of tourists and has many popular destinations of its own. Oxford Street, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and the Piccadilly Circus all attract a fair number of tourists. West London is also known for its fashionable and very expensive residences. Homes in the areas of Notting Hill, Kensington and Chelsea all sell for over eight hundred thousand pounds. The East End of London is known as being the poorest part of London. It is the closest to the Port of London and has a large influx of immigration.
London was first established in 61 AD by the Celts. This first establishment lasted only sixteen years before it was stormed and burnt down. The Romans established another London in 100 AD, but by the 5th Century AD it was abandoned. In 600 AD, the Anglo-Saxons created a new settlement and the Covent Gardens mark the place of this establishment. Eventually the city was moved to the old Roman establishment inside walls for protection under the King of England Alfred the Great. From this time on London and England would be ruled as a hierarchy.
In 1066, William the Conqueror became King of England. William had the Tower of London built. The castle would provide William a home, but would eventually be used as a royal prison. The stone that was used to build the White Tower was imported by William from France. The tower is most notably known for the many executions that occurred outside and inside the tower grounds. Those executed included William Hastings (1st Baron Hastings), Anne Boleyn, Margaret Pole (Countess of Salisbury), Catherine Howard, Jane Boleyn (Viscountess Rochford), Lady Jane Grey and Robert Deveraux (2nd Earl of Essex). Elizabeth I was also imprisoned in the tower during her sister Mary’s reign. The tower is also home to the crown jewels since in 1303.
There are also many markets for shopping and food. Camden Market is known for its great fashion shopping. Portobello Road has antique shopping. Borough Market provides fresh produce and other food goods.
London has a rich historical history dating back thousands of years. There are many sites to see in London and one must allot an appropriate amount of time to view and take in the history of this great city. The city is very large and there are a lot of activities, sites and events taking place that everyone will enjoy while visiting. From the Tower of London to shopping in Camden Market, there is plenty to see and do.
Hello everyone, I’m Anthony Jackson, a passionate traveler always eager to explore the fascinating corners of our world.
I joined this team with a mission to share my travel experiences and tips, aiming to provide you with memorable and exciting journeys. 
