London

A short history

The Roman settlement of Londinium sat on the Thames where the City stands now. The Tower of London was begun in 1078 and has been a fortress, a palace, a prison and a treasury since. Westminster Abbey took its current form from 1245 and has crowned English monarchs for nearly a thousand years. By the nineteenth century the city was the administrative centre of an empire spanning a quarter of the world, and that history is why so much of the world still passes through it.

Why travellers love it

It is the default big trip for a reason: direct flights from more of the world than almost any other city, a summer calendar that many travellers plan around, and museums, theatre and shopping on a scale few cities match. Practically, it also means you can fly at short notice and still find a seat.

Before you go

The UK is not in the Schengen area and has its own visa system; a Schengen visa does not work here, and the requirement depends on your passport. June to August is warmest and busiest, while April to May gives you the parks in bloom with noticeably fewer people. Book an Oyster or contactless card for transport, and buy tickets for the Tower and the Abbey online — the queues at the door are the longest part of either visit.

Highlights

• The Tower of London and the Crown Jewels
• Buckingham Palace
• Westminster Abbey
• Knightsbridge and Oxford Street

Flights to London

• From Dubai
• From Abu Dhabi