London Calling

With a history stretching back to around 43 AD, the city of London has come a long way since its founding by the Romans as the small village of Londinium on the River Thames. In its 2,000 years, London has seen everything from the plague to World War II, helping the city grow into becoming one of the leading cultural and financial capital cities in the world.

London’s rich history and culture has also made it one of the most popular destinations, its eclectic offerings – everything from arts and commerce, to fashion and entertainment – drawing in thousands and thousands of tourists annually.

Compared to life in Pakistan and in the United Arab Emirates, London seems to be a straddle between the two, offering the melting pot of cultures found in the UAE along with the bolstering lively streets of Pakistan.

From iconic double decker buses to buskers in the street and more green spaces lined between iconic landmarks, a one week visit is not even close to enough when it comes to uncovering the hidden gems of this culture capital. But if you are strained for time and looking to hit the hot spots, here are the top 8 destinations and experiences to check out.

The London Underground

The world’s first underground railway, the London Underground, nicknamed the Tube is a public rapid transit system crisscrossing all over, and under, London and your experience to this city will remain incomplete until you have ridden the Tube.

The system features 270 stations, spanning over 400km, and in spite of its name, only 45 per cent of the railway actually runs underground. Dubaians might naively think that the Tube cannot be all that different from the Metro system in Dubai but will be pleasantly surprised to find that the London Underground offers a unique experience of its own with 70 of its stations being housed in buildings that are on the Statutory Lost of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest for one.

The Underground is also a huge part of pop culture and has been featured in many movies and TV shows including Skyfall, Tube Tales, Sherlock, and Neverwhere. In fact, the system has its own dedicated London Underground Film Office. Horror fanatics might find it interesting that rumours of the Tube’s hauntings persist to this day.

Hyde Park

The largest of the four Royal Parks, Hyde Park was established in 1536 by Henry VIII and opened to the public in 1637. Since the park has seen a multitude of historical events including duels among members of nobility and The Great Exhibition of 1851 for which Joseph Paxton’s the Crystal Palace was erected.

A key feature of the park includes free speech demonstrations with many protests – the Chartists, the Reform League, the suffragettes – being held over the years. Hyde Park has also played host to several free rock concerts featuring groups such as Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Queen.

In its 2,000 years, London has seen everything from the plague to World War II, helping the city grow into becoming one of the leading cultural and financial capital cities in the world.

Buckingham Palace

The London residence and headquarters of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, Buckingham Palace

is often the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality, even being a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning.

It stands as a symbol of the British monarchy, an art gallery and a tourist attraction. Be sure to stick around for the Changing of the Guard ceremony for a colourful spectacle and true insight into British pageantry.

London Dungeon

With a city so vibrant and full for life, it’s easy to forget that it holds a dark history.

Head over to the London Dungeon for a window into the gory and macabre past of this city, displayed through a mixture of live actors, special effects and rides.

Learn about the plague, the Great Fire of London, Sweeney Todd and even Jack the Ripper – 1,000 years of history in the form of 18 shows, 20 actors and three rides.

Audience participation is often called upon so do not worry if you suddenly find yourself trapped in a cage, you will be let out… eventually.

London Eye

Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel, the London Eye is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, standing 443 feet tall and spanning 394 feet in diameter.

It offered the highest public viewing point in London until the public opening of the 72nd floor of The Shard which stands at 804 feet.

The Ferris wheel aspect of the London Eye still draws in millions of visitors annually, offering a moving view of London over the South Bank of the River Thames.

Madame Tussauds

One of the major tourist attractions in London, Madame Tussauds is a wax museum displaying waxworks of famous and historic individuals including fictional characters.

Rub shoulders with the likes of Albert Einstein, Orlando Bloom and even Shrek, if you please. An array of sections are on display ranging from Fashion Week and Bollywood to YouTube and Royals.

This is one trip where you cannot afford to forget your camera – stardom awaits!

Natural History Museum

A treasure trove of past life, the Natural History Museum displays a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history, comprising of 80 million items within five main collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, palaeontology and zoology.

The museum is particularly famous for its exhibition of dinosaur skeletons and is often referred to as a cathedral of nature due to its ornate architecture. It is a world-renowned centre if research due to its extensive collections of books, journals, manuscripts and artwork linked to the work and research of several scientific departments.

A definite treat for curious cats and budding, or established, historians.

St Martin’s Theatre

Located in West Street in the West End of London near Shaftesbury Avenue, the century-old St Martin’s Theatre is arguably best known for its running production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap since March 1974 – the longest continuous run of any show in the world. It has exceeded 26,000 performances since its premiere.

Many famous British actors have passed through the doors of this theatre including Basil Rathbone and Henry Daniell.