Europe's Largest City

The River Thames was the artery for much of the country’s commerce from Roman times until the 1950’s. Today the river is one of London’s foremost leisure amenities, with wharves and warehouses converted into riverside marinas, bars, and restaurants. One of the most enjoyable ways to see the capital is by boat and the most popular river trips travel downstream from the Houses of Parliament to Tower Bridge.

The most popular boat trips run through central London round the year, with reduced schedules in winter. During the summer, sailing times are frequent between Westminster and Greenwich, with a boat arriving every half hour to an hour. Often accompanied by witty commentary, a cruise along this fascinating stretch of the Thames should not be missed.

Trips can also be taken further afield, with launched heading downstream from Greenwich to the Thames Barrier, and awesome inspiring work o modern engineering. The cruise takes 30 minutes one-way and sails past industrial sites. Heading upstream to picturesque Kew from Westminster leaves the city behind, after sailing through Hammersmith and passing some of the city’s most startling landmarks, including Battersea Power Station and the MI6 building, headquarters of the internal security service. It’s possible to head even further upstream to Richmond and Hampton Court, but be forewarned that tidal conditions can hamper the journey.

Covent Garden is full of life and activity. Neal Street and Neal’s Yard are lined with many specialist shops converted from former warehouses. St. Martin’s Theatre is home to the world’s longest running play, The Mousetrap. The Lamb and Flag was built in 1623 and is one of London’s oldest pubs. The Theatre Museum houses a collection of theatrical memorabilia. The Royal Opera House is where many of the greatest opera singer and ballet dancers have performed. London Transport Museum’s intriguing collection brings to life the history of the city’s tubes, buses and trains. It also displays examples of 20th-century commercial art. Inigo Jones designed St. Pauls Church in 1633 in the style of the Italian Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio. Jones also designed the original Convent Garden Piazza.

The 17th-century architect Inigo Jones planned the Piazza in Covent Gardens an elegant residential square, modelled on the piazza in the Tuscan town of Livorno, which he had seen under construction during his travels in Italy. For a brief period, the Piazza became one of the most fashionable addresses in London, but it was superseded by the even grander St James’s Square, which lies to the southwest. Decline accelerated when a fruit and vegetable market developed. Meanwhile the wholesale produce market became the largest in the country and in 1828 a market hall was erected to ease congestion. The market, however, soon outgrew its new home and despite the construction of new buildings, such as Floral and Jubilee halls, the congestion grew worse. In 1973 the market moved to a new site in the south London, and over the next two decades Covent Garden was redeveloped. Today only St. Paul’s Church remains of Inigo Jones’s buildings, and Covent Garden, with its many small shops, cafes, restaurants, market stalls and street entertainers, is one of central London’s liveliest districts.

There are many sites to visit. Some of my personal favourites include Hyde Park, which is the largest central London Park, boasts numerous sports facilities, restaurants, an art gallery and Speakers’ Corner. The highlight is the Serpentine Lake. Another popular site is the Buckingham Palace that is home and office to the monarchy. The changing of the guards takes place on the palace forecourt. The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts. The British Museum holds a vast collection of antiques from all over the world includes this Portland Vase from the 1st century BC. Westminster Abbey has glorious medieval architecture and is crammed with impressive tombs and monuments to some of Britain’s greatest public figures. The National Gallery has a world famous collection of paintings including works such as Christ Mocket. Tate Britain displays an outstanding collection of British art ranging from stylised Elizabethan portraiture, such as The Cholmondeley Sisters, to cutting edge installation and film. A beautiful site is St. Paul’s Cathedral. Its huge dome is the cathedral’s most distinctive feature. Three galleries around the dome give spectacular views of London. The Tower of London is most famous as the prison where enemies of the Crown were executed. The Tower houses the Crown Jewels, including the Imperial State Crown. Other sites that the children will surely enjoy are the London Aquarium and the London Zoo.