Built on the site of the original Roman walled settlement and developed over two millennia, the City is both the historic heart of the capital and its modern engine room. Long established as the financial district, it stretches from the Temple Bar in the west to the Tower of London in the east. It is now a heady cocktail of 17th century churches, grand Victorian buildings and ultra-modern glass and steel structures. Within the Square Mile are galleries, theatres, museums and concert halls to cater for all tastes. There is an extensive range of sporting activities on offer, a public leisure centre and the world-famous Barbican Centre.
For further information on the City of London and details on events and walks in the area, visit the City Information Centre. St Paul's Churchyard, EC4. Tube: St Paul's
A heritage site of international importance, which attracts thousands of people each year. St Paul's was built between 1675 and 1710 is Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece. In the crypt are effigies and fragments of stone that pre-date the cathedral, remnants of a medieval world. Tube: St Paul's
The Tower has been a castle, prison and palace during its long and grizzly history, and it remains one of the City’s most symbolic sites. It offers a somewhat macabre and magical experience – where else, after all, can you stand on the site where three English queens were beheaded, and also marvel at the exquisite Crown Jewels? As well as by its iconic Beefeaters, the Tower has been ‘guarded’ – for over 900 years –by its famous ravens. It is said that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, the Crown will fall – and with it the Country. Needless to say, they are kept well fed – with raw meat plus bird biscuits socked in blood. Captivating and heady stuff, if not for the fainthearted.
This is the first pedestrian bridge across the Thames in central London built in modern times. The narrow ‘Wibbly-Wobbly Bridge’ is some 325m long and links the City of London at St Paul's Cathedral with the Tate Modern Gallery at Bankside. EC4. Tube: Blackfriars or Mansion House
Designed by Lord Foster, this unusually shaped building is known by many nicknames, including Erotic Gherkin and Towering Innuendo. A fine and architecturally challenging addition to the London Skyline. 30 St Mary Axe, EC3. Tube: Aldgate East or Liverpool Street
The Barbican is Europe's largest multi-arts and conference venue. It presents a year-round programme of art, music, film, theatre and education events of world-class quality, and is also the official home of the London Symphony Orchestra. Silk Street, EC2. Tube: Barbican
See more info on the area on the Writers Spitalfields area info pages:
Old Spitalfields Market
Spitalfields Traders’ Market
Spitalfields Arts Market
See more info on the area on the City Reach area info pages:
Aldgate East, E1
Whitechapel Art Gallery
Petticoat Lane Market
Brick Lane, London, E1 6RL
MiNC’s Eagle Lane Apartments are within easy reach of the very of heart of London: the West End, celebrated for its entertainment venues, restaurants and as the capital’s top shopping district. The West End has it all – from famous department stores and international labels, to local designer boutiques and high street chain stores. Shopping in London’s Oxford Street and Regent’s Street is one pleasure you should not miss, and even window-shopping is a feast for the eyes.
The West End has been described as the ‘Epicentre of Entertainment’, and when it comes to theatre, music, the visual arts, clubs and screens, London truly... rocks. The capital’s Theatreland has attracted the top international artists for centuries, as have its concert halls and galleries.
The state-of-the-art cinemas overlooking Leicester Square bring you the latest movies hot from the editing studio; The Lion King and We Will Rock You sit happily alongside the high-brow offerings from the Royal Opera House and the Coliseum; the Royal Festival Hall’s repertoire dovetails classical, jazz, rock and lots more. The National Portrait Gallery displays the only known portrait of Shakespeare just a floor or two above its latest photographic exhibition. Comedy your act? – Check out the Comedy Store. Any of these venues is barely a 15-minute cab ride away or a few stops on the bus or tube – or, as many Londoners will recommend, a moderately easy walk. But be warned: if it’s your first time in the West End, you’ll... soon be back for more: London’s seriously addictive!
The stores are open from 10am until 6 or 7pm. Some open Sunday 12 to 6pm with late nights on Thursday. Oxford Street is best known for Selfridges and the other big department stores which are all found in the stretch from Marble Arch to Oxford Circus.
Just a short taxi ride away, this is one of the most exciting boutique shopping areas in the West End. With many stylish shops, St Christopher's Place also offers one of London's largest concentration of alfresco dining. The relaxing and atmospheric environment also ensures that it is both a laid back and vibrant place to chill out after a business meeting or shopping trip, and an ideal spot to meet up with people.
The French historian who famously claimed that ‘The English cannot cook but certainly know how to eat’ would be eating his own words today: multicultural London excels at both cooking and eating these days, and whichever direction you head in from your apartment, you’ll be spoiled for choice. If Mayfair tends to be on the exclusive and exquisite side, Edgware Road (which runs north from Marble Arch) is celebrated for the best Middle Eastern restaurants in town – and at a reasonable cost too. Heading west towards the big bend in the River Thames, Soho offers arguably the best Italian and Chinese gastronomy in London. Covent Garden is ideal for families with its host of casual eateries which won’t cost a fortune, while just across the river, on the South Bank, you can watch the waterworld flow by whilst enjoying your meal. From Halal and gluten-free to vegan and Kosher, London will please all palates.
If you enjoy exploring on foot – and many Londoners will tell you, after all, that the best mode of transport here is a good pair of trainers – a great itinerary back to the City from the South Bank is the riverside walk to the Tate Modern (a must-see attraction in itself, for young and not-so-young), then across the ‘Wibbly-Wobbly Bridge’ to St Paul’s Cathedral.
Housed within the ample green spaces of central London’s Regent’s Park, the ZSL (Zoological Society of London) is one of the most celebrated of all attractions in the capital. With some 750 species of animal to see, from the smallest monkey to the towering giraffe, and with enthralling events taking place throughout the day (such as feeds, keeper talks and demonstrations) you could easily spend a whole day at this London attraction. A must-see if you have children or if you are passionate about wildlife and conservation.
Forget the days when Britain had a reputation for being ‘child unfriendly’! Kids from all corners of the globe absolutely love it here: Britain’s pretty cool all round, but what clinches it for the kids is that there’s so much to do, that they’ll want to cram it all in before they grow up.
Love sport? – Well, so do Londoners, who eat, breathe and sleep every form of event, from cricket to footie; and as London builds up to the 2012 Olympics, there are more and more events to enjoy, whether as a spectator or a young competitor. And if London Zoo has your kids roaring for more, why not consider one of the capital’s City Farms? And just to prove how ‘child friendly’ London really is these days, you’ll see there’s barely a pub now that won’t welcome families and dish up an easy lunch for the whole tribe.