World Guide

London

Capital of United Kingdom

London
Photo: Ilya Grigorik, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

London is the capital of the United Kingdom and home to about 8.8 million people as of 2021. The city attracts visitors with its extensive collection of historic landmarks, museums, and distinct neighborhoods.

What to see

London features many historic sites, including the Tower of London and Kew Gardens, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Royal heritage is visible at Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, St James's Palace, and Hampton Court Palace. Religious history is preserved at Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, and Westminster Cathedral. For government and industry landmarks, visitors often look at the Palace of Westminster, 10 Downing Street, and the London Stock Exchange. The city has numerous museums and galleries, such as the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the Imperial War Museum, and the National Gallery. Iconic structures include Tower Bridge, London Bridge, the London Eye, and The Shard. Travelers also explore areas like Soho, Mayfair, Notting Hill, Camden Town, and the East End of London. Other landmarks include Wembley Stadium, Twickenham Stadium, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, and the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.

When to go

The warmest months are June, July, and August, with daily highs ranging from 19 °C to 22 °C. These months generally see 10 to 11 rainy days each. Spring, particularly May, offers milder temperatures with highs around 16 °C. Autumn and winter are cooler, with temperatures dropping to highs of 7 °C in January and December. Rain occurs throughout the year, with October and November seeing slightly higher rainfall amounts of 73 mm and 67 mm respectively, often spread across 13 days.

Getting there

London is served by several airports. London City Airport is the nearest at 13 km away. London Heathrow Airport, a major hub, is located 23 km from the city.

Top sights in London

  1. Wembley StadiumWembley Stadium
  2. Buckingham PalaceBuckingham Palace
  3. Tower of LondonUNESCOTower of London
  4. Westminster AbbeyWestminster Abbey
  5. St Paul's CathedralSt Paul's Cathedral
  6. Palace of WestminsterPalace of Westminster
  7. British MuseumBritish Museum
  8. London BridgeLondon Bridge
  9. Tower BridgeTower Bridge
  10. The ShardThe Shard
  11. 10 Downing Street10 Downing Street
  12. Trafalgar SquareTrafalgar Square
  1. Kensington Palace
  2. London Eye
  3. Soho
  4. St James's Palace
  5. Madame Tussauds
  6. Victoria and Albert Museum
  7. HMS Belfast
  8. The Gherkin
  9. Hampton Court Palace
  10. Cutty Sark
  11. Mayfair
  12. Twickenham Stadium
  13. London Stock Exchange
  14. Royal Observatory, Greenwich
  15. St Pancras railway station
  16. Highgate Cemetery
  17. Hyde Park, London
  18. Piccadilly Circus
  19. East End of London
  20. Notting Hill
  21. Abbey Road Studios
  22. Camden Town
  23. Charing Cross
  24. Tate Modern
  25. Whitehall
  26. Kew GardensUNESCO
  27. Covent Garden
  28. Barbican Centre
  29. British Library
  30. National Gallery
  31. London King's Cross railway station
  32. Westminster Cathedral
  33. Somerset House
  34. Royal National Theatre
  35. Downing Street
  36. Paddington
  37. Temple Church
  38. London Wall
  39. Imperial War Museum
  40. Marble Arch
  41. Millennium Bridge, London
  42. Regent's Park
  43. Tate Britain
  44. London Waterloo station
  45. Lambeth Palace

Weather by month

The warmest month is July, with an average high of 22 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C781013161922211814107
Average low, °C2235811131311853
Rainfall, mm604447475348475457736762
Rainy days141213101110111111131315

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for London (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

  • 110 The Queen's Walk
  • Albert Memorial
  • Green Park
  • Greenwich Park
  • Kensington Gardens
  • Leicester Square
  • London Museum
  • London Transport Museum
  • London Zoo
  • Monument to the Great Fire of London
  • National Maritime Museum
  • National Portrait Gallery, London
  • Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
  • Queen's House
  • Richmond Park
  • Royal Academy of Arts
  • Royal Air Force Museum London
  • Royal Geographical Society
  • Science Museum, London
  • Sherlock Holmes Museum
  • South Bank
  • Southwark Cathedral
  • St James's Park
  • St Margaret's, Westminster
  • St Martin-in-the-Fields
  • The National Archives
  • Wellington Arch

Other cities in United Kingdom