London Hotels

Attractions

It may be daunting to an avid explorer as he maps out his course of action. Thames River separates London into north and south making your navigation as easy as possible. On the north bank, the key attractions can be found along with theatres and restaurants that can be reached by Underground’s Circle Line. On the western portion of the loop lies trendy haunts. Soho offers all sorts of watering holes and shops! Piccadilly Circus, standing at the junction of five busy streets emulates the atmosphere of New York’s Times Square; its famous statue of Eros in the middle is one of London’s top landmarks. Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Regent Street can also be seen within this area.

Kensington and Chelsea is an affluent borough in which you can have a taste of hip dining and fancy boutiques. History provides these neighborhoods their funky appeal as King’s Road area was where London swung to the beat of the 60s and rocked in the 70s. Notting Hill on the other hand, lay its mark on pop culture as Hollywood saw Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts walking past street markets, little art galleries and Victorian townhouses which were on full display. Another nifty enclave is Camden Town, popular for its bustling street markets.

What should one not miss while in London? Choose between a black taxicab or the red double-decker bus to take on this must-see list. Most of these sights stand testament to England’s proud history. Watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace; Westminster Abbey, where royals are entombed; stare in awe at Big Ben or the St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is imperative for fans of the poet and for further art appreciation, visit the Natural History and British museums.

But if you want to see over 55 attractions of the city in one quick swoop, hop on the London Eye, the world’s tallest observation wheel, and enjoy the breathtaking views!

Events

Watch the changing of the guard everyday and see the Queen’s troops march in their full regalia. If you find yourself in London in summer, all of the city comes to a full stop for the Trooping the Colour ceremonies during the Queen’s Birthday Parade. Another time-honored tradition is the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race along the banks of the Thames River. Popular events in the British calendar also include Notting Hill Carnival, bringing out the biggest street parties in August. The Lord Mayor’s Show is also a much-awaited event as locals and tourists are treated to an extravagant parade when the Lord Mayor rides in his gilded coach. Musical extravaganzas are in store for everyone at the Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park for the Last Night of the Proms around mid-September. Then if you want to feast your eyes on some of the best flowers in the land, head for the Chelsea Flower Show in May.

In the world of sports, tennis fans witness champions battle it out in the grass courts of Wimbledon, one of the four major grand slam tournaments. Endless revelry in the streets ensue as the London Gay and Lesbian Pride and Mardi Gras comes around June. Soho’s Chinatown celebrates Chinese New Year at the start of the year with fireworks, food tripping and dragon dances spilling onto Trafalgar Square.

When visiting London is just not enough

If you fall in love with London like so many others do, then just visiting sometimes isn't enough. Moving to London becomes a viable option when you want to experience something totally new. London offers so much; history, the culture, the excitement as well as the very close proximity to Europe.

If you're contemplating taking your London travels to the next level then visit Moving to London to get all the advice, tips and resources you'll need to make your transition easier.

Climate

• Winter (December to March) 3-6°C; mild but damp, rarely freezes
• Spring (March to May) 11-15°C; everything abloom as temperature starts to go up and warm sunshine bathes the metropolis
• Summer (June to August) 18-30°C; temperatures can shoot up in the city but expect cloudy skies and rain as well
• Fall (September to November) 5-25°C; best time to visit but be sure to carry an umbrella to protect yourself from rain