London, We Love You!

London has been the centre of Great Britain for over two thousand years, ever since the Romans claimed it as Londinium. London began to grow through the years and became the hub of royalty, violence, money, disaster and politics and today, it is home to a staggering 8.5 million people of all nationalities, race and religion. It is one of the leading cities in the world with a rich historical background, an abundance of landmarks, a plethora of shops and department stores and a thriving business district.

 

London’s history alone attracts thousands of visitors every year, all coming to be part of history themselves. Sites such as Westminster Abbey and the White Tower of the Tower of London are amongst the oldest in the city and hold incredible stories; Westminster Abbey has crowned every king and queen since William the Conqueror was crowned in 1066 and the White Tower, that was built by William, has had several roles in its time including the Royal Mint, a prison and a secret grave for the Princes in the Tower. Situated 15 minutes from Park Grand London Lancaster Gate hotel, Westminster Abbey is known for its coronations, funerals and burials and has thousands of famous bodies interred under its floors and walls that span decades such as Queen Elizabeth I, Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Darwin, Issac Newton and Winston Churchill. It is open to the public for a fee unless you want to experience a service in the abbey, like the public have been doing for centuries, and this is completely free.

 

As well as its thrilling history, London is also known as the shopping capital as it is home to the likes of Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street, Sloane Street, Hamleys, Harrods, Liberty of London and Selfridges. People travel from all over the world just to shop in the city and enjoy its delights; Harrods is a firm favourite due to the fact that it is the largest department store in Europe. It has over 300 departments showcasing everything from perfumes to chocolates, from clothes to pets, it has everything you could want under one roof and over 5,000 employees that speak several different languages to help. Hamleys is loved by people of all ages, with 7 floors filled with stuffed teddies, cars, Barbie, trains, interactive toys, gadgets and good, old fashioned wooden toys. It is the oldest toyshop in the world, opening its doors in the 18th century, it has delighted children for nearly 3 decades and it shows no signs of stopping.

 

No trip to London would be complete without a peek at Buckingham Palace, the home of the reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. It is located at the edge of St James’s Park and has several hundred rooms including state rooms that are open to the public every summer. It is a fantastic opportunity to get a glance into the lives of the British royal family and the perfect way to end your trip to London.