All About London

Written by: Natalie Yao

London is the capital of the United Kingdom and the largest city in the region. It sits along the beautiful Thames River, a river that flows through the center of the city. Today, millions of people live in London, and people from all over the world call it home, which makes it one of the most diverse cities on the planet. London is famous for history, art, science, music, sports, and adventure.

London’s story began nearly 2,000 years ago when the Romans built a settlement here around the year 43 CE. They called it Londinium. Over time, London grew from a small Roman town into one of the most important cities in the world. It survived fires, wars, and even bombing during World War II, but each time the city rebuilt and became stronger.

One of London’s most famous sights is Big Ben. Many people think Big Ben is the clock tower, but it is actually the giant bell inside! Nearby is the Palace of Westminster, where important government leaders meet. Another famous place is Buckingham Palace, the official home of the British monarchy. Visitors often gather outside to watch the Changing of the Guard, where soldiers in tall black hats march in perfect formation. If you love castles, you would enjoy the Tower of London. The fortress has stood for nearly 1,000 years. It has been a palace, a prison, and even a place to keep the Crown Jewels!

London also has huge parks, world-famous museums, and exciting theaters. You can ride a bright red double-decker bus, travel underground on the London Underground, or take a spin on the giant London Eye for amazing city views.

Landmarks

• Trafalgar Square: a large public square that is the place of many national celebrations

• St Paul’s Cathedral: an Anglican cathedral with baroque architecture that has hosted many royal weddings

• Portobello Road Market: the world’s largest antique market in the Notting Hill neighborhood of London

• Globe Theatre: the place where Shakespeare used to write his many plays about 400 years ago

• Covent Garden: the place where many street performers play, and also has many daily markets that sell antiques and handmade products