London, United Kingdom

    London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. At its centre stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations.

    Time in London:
    London
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    Humidity: 80%
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    Weather forecast London, United Kingdom ▸
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    London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. At its centre stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations. Across the Thames River, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex, and the entire city.
     
    Sir Christopher Wren’s 17th-century St. Paul’s Cathedral towers above ‘The City’, where London’s global Stock Exchange conducts its business. Royal sites include Buckingham Palace, housing the monarch’s main residence and offices, and the Tower of London, a former prison that’s home to the Crown Jewels. The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Britain and Tate Modern explore local and 
     

    international history and art. West End theatres present classic and cutting-edge drama. Covent Garden, Soho and Spitalfields Market are popular dining and shopping areas. Major public spaces include Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath.

     
    When to visit
    London is a year-round destination, getting busiest Jun–Sep and in the run-up to Christmas and New Year (Dec). Jul–Aug is when many Europeans take holidays, so visitors may face more crowds and limited availability of hotel rooms.
     
    • Key events include the London Marathon (Apr),
    • Notting Hill Carnival (Aug),
    • Frieze London art fair (Oct).
    • Sep–May is the city’s primary season for theatre, opera, ballet and classical music.
    • Summer’s warmer weather brings many free outdoor music and theatre festivals.