London

London

GB
Population8,908,083
London is the capital and largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 8,866,180 in 2022. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 14.9 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile (80 km) tidal estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years. Its ancient core and financial centre, the City of London, was founded by the Romans as Londinium and has retained its medieval boundaries. The City of Westminster, to the west of the City of London, has been the centuries-long host of the national government and parliament. London grew rapidly in the 19th century, becoming the world's largest city at the time. Since the 19th century the name "London" has referred to the metropolis around the City of London, historically split between the counties of Middlesex, Essex, Surrey, Kent and Hertfordshire, which since 1965 has largely comprised the administrative area of Greater London, governed by 33 local authorities and the Greater London Authority.

Places to Explore

Curated experiences in London

Victoria and Albert Museum

Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum (abbreviated V&A) in London is the world's largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and …

Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum in London is a museum that exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of …

Hyde Park

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is a 350-acre (140-hectare), historic Grade I-listed urban park in Westminster, Greater London. A Royal Park, it is …

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace (UK: ) is a royal residence in London, and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United …

Tower of London

Tower of London

The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic citadel …

British Museum

British Museum

The British Museum is a public museum dedicated to human history, art and culture located in the Bloomsbury area of …

Begin Your Journey

Create a personalized itinerary and unlock the finest experiences London has to offer

Plan Your Trip