While the city of London contains more than enough to keep any visitor busy for the duration of their stay, it would be a mistake to overlook the attractions that lie just beyond the city boundaries. Breathtaking Kew Gardens, one of London’s most popular sites, is a horticulturalist’s dream, and a visit to Windsor Castle, a royal residence for over 900 years, is truly an awe-inspiring experience. Slightly longer trips could take you northwest to explore some ancient Norman castle ruins, east to the magnificent and historic Canterbury Cathedral, or south to the waterfront beauty of Chichester Harbour.

The city of London is a massive cosmopolitan metropolis with a history stretching back more than 2,000 years. While it is undisputedly one of the world’s top destinations for its major landmarks alone, there is much more to London than Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace. Any time spent exploring London will be rewarded with discoveries that may include fascinating historical sites, incredible art galleries, top-notch restaurants, or fantastic shopping boutiques. If you’re looking for the ultimate urban experience in a city brimming with culture and variety, put London at the top of your list.

Home to Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, the prestigious Westminster neighborhood contains both “Royal London” and the headquarters of the British Government. Other major attractions of the area include the fascinating Tate Britain gallery, the headquarters of the British Roman Catholic Church at Westminster Cathedral, and Big Ben, the world famous clock tower. The southwest corner of Westminster has historically been an aristocratic quarter of London, containing up-market homes and classy hotels.

An important cultural center for London, Waterloo is where you’ll find the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Hayward Gallery, and the world-renowned South Bank Arts Centre. In addition to the arts, other attractions of Waterloo include walking the banks of the Thames, visiting the fascinating London Aquarium, or taking in the excellent view of London's skyline from the Golden Jubilee footbridge.

The Strand is a diverse area of the city with a wide range of popular attractions. Its eastern end is the heart of legal London, home to the Courts of Justice and the two colleges of lawyers that reside at the Temple Church. Along the Strand, running parallel to the Thames, one can find an attractive variety of restaurants, shops, theaters, and high-class hotels. The diversity continues into the northwestern section, which is considered London’s theater district, and contains, among other performing arts venues, the famous Royal Opera House.

The east side area of Southwark, bisected by the Thames, is home to some of London’s most characteristic sights, most notably the Gothic grandeur of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London and the contrasting ultra-modern architecture of London’s City Hall. Just to the west lies the floating marine museum aboard the HMS Belfast and the circa-1850 wharf that has been remodeled into Hay’s Galleria. Those looking for historic sites can visit the 13th-century Winchester Palace and the site of Southwark Cathedral, which has housed a church for the last 1000 years.

Focused on the manic spectacle of Piccadilly Circus in the heart of London’s west end, central Soho is home to a tight network of streets packed with clubs, restaurants, and pubs. Its vibrant nightlife scene is further bolstered by an assortment of theaters, including the Les Miserables Palace Theatre. To the west of Regent Street is an area considered to be the most elegant section of London, containing upscale boutiques, luxurious hotels, and lavish Georgian townhouses. Other Soho tourist attractions, in the southeast section, include the National Gallery and the historic sites of Trafalgar Square and Admiralty Arch.

Removed from the London’s city centre, Regent’s Park forms the eastern border of the upscale west end neighbourhoods of Maida Vale and St. John’s Wood. Central to the area is the beautiful Regent’s Park where a network of tranquil pathways leads through the grounds, which are home to the London Zoo and the Open-Air Theatre. Outside the park, astronomy buffs will be interested to explore the nearby Planetarium while fans of literature can visit The Sherlock Holmes Museum.

Located in the region just south of Hyde Park, Knightsbridge is one of London’s most fashionable residential neighborhoods as well as a premier hotel and shopping area. Visitors to Knightsbridge have a wide variety of activities to choose from including a relaxing walk through Hyde Park, shopping at Harrods, catching a musical at the Royal Albert Hall, browsing the Victoria & Albert Museum’s stunning collection of art, and exploring the wonders of the earth at the Natural History Museum.

Kensington, located west of the city center, offers an escape from London’s manic pace. The centerpiece of the neighborhood is tranquil Kensington Gardens, home to Kensington Palace and the renowned Orangery Restaurant. The eastern edge of the gardens blends into the beautifully landscaped Hyde Park. Northwest of the gardens lies the quiet and fashionable residential area of Notting Hill, and to the southwest lies Kensington High Street, one of London’s major shopping streets.

Home to the major buildings of British commerce such as Lloyd’s of London, the Bank of England, and the London Stock Exchange, the borders of the City also host several important tourist attractions. The historic Guildhall, housing the Corporation of London, and the landscape-dominating St. Paul’s Cathedral are the City’s main historical sites. South to the Thames, pedestrians can cross the newly built Millennium Bridge to visit the Tate Modern and explore its stunning exhibits of international modern art.

Home to the University of London, University College, several other colleges, and a large variety of bookstores, Bloomsbury is commonly considered to be the academic center of London. In keeping with that theme, the neighborhood’s main attractions for visitors are the British Library’s world-famous collection and the incredible exhibits of art and artifacts found at the British Museum. A relatively central location and the classy assortment of hotels and B&Bs found in Russell Square make Bloomsbury a popular area with visitors.