London

Culture

London began as Londinium, a town founded by the Romans on the banks of the Thames almost two thousand years ago. The old core, the City, is still roughly one square mile in size and is now the financial district. After the Great Fire of 1666, the architect Christopher Wren rebuilt dozens of churches, among them St Paul's Cathedral. The city has four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London, the Palace and Abbey of Westminster, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Maritime Greenwich. Around them, every area has its own character: the South Bank of theatres and galleries, Soho for nightlife, Camden for markets and Brixton for Caribbean culture. A few dates stand out in the year. At the end of August, the Notting Hill Carnival fills the streets of west London with steel bands and Caribbean food. In summer, the Proms concerts pack the Royal Albert Hall with classical music. And on the night of 5 November, Bonfire Night, parks light bonfires and set off fireworks.

Things to see

Local food

• Fish and chips — Battered fish with thick-cut chips, salt and vinegar.
• Full English breakfast — Eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, tomato, mushrooms and toast.
• Pie and mash — Meat pie with mashed potato and green parsley "liquor". An East End classic.
• Sunday roast — Roast meat with potatoes, vegetables, gravy and Yorkshire pudding, at the pub.
• Afternoon tea — Tea with finger sandwiches and scones with clotted cream and jam.

Local music

In the 60s, Swinging London gave the world the Rolling Stones, The Who and The Kinks, and in 1976 and 1977 punk exploded with the Sex Pistols and The Clash. The city also took in reggae and ska from Caribbean immigrants, and in the early 2000s east London created grime, with Wiley and Dizzee Rascal. The BBC is based here, and the Proms season brings classical music to the Royal Albert Hall every summer. London radio plays pop, rock, electronic music, UK rap, classical and plenty of news.

More cities