London

From the bright lights of the West End and Theatreland to the smart streets of Kensington and Chelsea and the busy bustle of the City and Canary Wharf, London is a great, sprawling melting pot of a city, a fascinating blend of history and modernity.
And 2012 has been an exciting year for the city, with the London Olympic Games and Diamond Jubilee both being a storming success.
London landmark, Big Ben clock tower and the Houses of Parliament | Big Ben’s Bongs

Big Ben’s bongs to fall silent during restoration work

The iconic sound of Big Ben’s bongs will not be heard in London until 2021 as essential restoration work is carried out to Westminster’s Elizabeth Tower

Chocolate afternoon tea at Brown's Hotel

Stop! You’ve been been pouring tea all wrong

Afternoon tea is popular in Britain. Whether tea is poured from a ceramic or a silver teapot can make all the difference. We asked some of our favourite tearooms – from Bettys in Yorkshire to…

Buckingham Palace

Behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace

We shine the spotlight on the most splendid of all the Queen’s homes, which opens up to the public every summer

Cherry Garden, Ham House, Richmond, London’s stately homes

London’s stately homes: Kenwood, Chiswick and Ham House

Better known for its royal palaces, London also boasts some great houses that provide a glimpse into the city’s aristocratic past. Here are some of the most magnificent of London’s stately homes

Roman gladiator show

Roman London: what to do at the Londinium 2017 festival

Gladiators, togas, chariots. We think we know what life in Roman London was like. But is any of it true? We preview Londinium, a season of events in the capital celebrating London’s Roman heritage

RSC, London, West End, Queen Anne

Review: Queen Anne reigns supreme at London’s Royal Haymarket Theatre

This Royal Shakespeare Company smash hit, which has just transferred to London’s West End, explores the troubled life of Queen Anne during a time of political turmoil

The Royal Opera House, London. Credit: The Royal Opera House

5 of the best London theatre hotspots

London’s theatre scene is at the heart of the capital’s creativity and a visit to a world-class show is a must-see for many visitors. Here we explore the best spots to sample a theatrical treat.

Willemijn Verkaik as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Credit: Matt Crockett

West End musical Wicked: be spellbound by this London theatre smash hit

The multi award-winning West End musical Wicked, now in its 11th year, will blow you away

The new colonnade entrance from Exhibition Road uses the 1909 Aston Webb Screen. London’s Victoria & Albert Museum

21st-century makeover for London’s Victoria & Albert Museum

See the results of London’s Victoria & Albert Museum’s biggest architectural project in 100 years

A romantic treasure hunt at the British Museum

A new interactive trail at the British Museum promises to help visitors engage with some of the museum’s exhibits in a fun and slightly naughty way. Following success at the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay…