London the capital of the United Kingdom is found in the South East of England, Gatwick airport one of the main airports giving access to the UK is south of Central London. London as a city has a vast amount to offer the visiting tourist or those coming to London on business. The range of accommodation from budget bed and breakfast up to 5 star hotels is available in excess. This is truly a 24 hour city being a big business sector for music, film, finance, law and many other industries. A tourist hot spot this is an easily accessible city with train links from the local airports to London, but also good road links to London, its surrounding area and the UK. There are many niche areas of London from the local markets, a rich diverse night life, museums, art galleries, activity centres, and places of interest. You would not be lost for activities to take part in if visiting this city. Car hire services are available from Gatwick airport and all close links with neighbouring cities, getting around London centre may be less convenient with traffic and also the £5 a day congestion charge.
London Airport information
London is home to five major airports: Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Luton (LTN), Stansted (STN) and London City (LCY). Each airport provides an extensive range of services including disabled facilities, shopping and dining outlets, as well as excellent places for getting cheap car hire in London. Heathrow is the largest and one of the busiest airports in the world. It’s composed of five terminals and is located about 22km west of the city center. Gatwick is the second largest and is located about 48km from the center. Stansted is located about 60km to the east of London. The shopping and dining options there are more limited than in the other airports. Luton is based about 50km from the center and is popular for low cost airline flights. Again, shopping and dining options are more limited still. Lastly, London City Airport is the only airport actually in the city. It’s located just under 5km from Canary Wharf, making it very convenient for business travelers.
Places to visit around London
In order to begin to understand the city of London, you should start in the center. Here, you can marvel at Big Ben and the majestic Houses of Parliament. You may not see the Queen, but you can visit Buckingham Palace and watch the changing of the guard. Built in the 11th century, the Tower of London is another important landmark, bordering the River Thames. Allegedly haunted and home to the Crown Jewels, tours of this historic prison/palace are possible. The city is also home to some amazing pieces of contemporary architecture, including the ‘Gherkin’ Tower and The O2 building, which was formerly the infamous Millennium Dome. The best way to appreciate it all is with a trip around the London Eye.
Many of London’s cultural centers are free and offer a fantastic insight into the city. The British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum are great for those wanting to discover more about the history of the country. The National Gallery is full of artwork dating back from the 13th to the 20th century. Tate Modern, on the other hand, is home to an amazing selection of contemporary art from around the world.
As much as London is recognized for these iconic symbols, it’s the boroughs surrounding this core which makes the city so unique and diverse. Nottinghill is fantastic for its high-class boutiques and fashion shops, whereas Camden Market is a mish mash of stalls and locals shouting out their wares. Whitechapel represents the east end of London, and Mayfair is very much the upper end. By using a car hire in London you’ll easily reach all the far corners of this sprawling and colorful city.
Although it’s a massive metropolis, London still contains a large number of beautiful parks in which to escape. Green Park is conveniently located in the center of the city. If you venture west you will find the manicured splendor of Kew Gardens, whereas a trip up north will take you to the wild lands of Hampstead Heath. Greenwich has been recognized as a World Heritage Site and, if you’ve got the time, is also home to the Royal Observatory which marks the Greenwich Meridian.
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