LONDON London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom. It is the largest city in the European Union. An important settlement for two millennia, London's history goes back to its founding by the Romans. London is one of the world's business, financial and cultural centres and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts contribute to its status as a major global city. The city is a major tourist destination both for domestic and overseas visitors. Greater London contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London; the historic settlement of Greenwich; the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; and the site comprising the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret's Church.

Tower of London The Tower of London is a historic monument in central London on the north bank of the River Thames. The tower's primary function was a fortress, a royal palace, and a prison. It has also served as a place of execution, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo, an observatory, and since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. Now it is a museum.

Greenwich Greenwich is a district in south-east London on the south bank of the River Thames in the London Borough of Greenwich. It is best known for its maritime history and as giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian (0° longitude) and Greenwich Mean Time.

Royal Botanic Gardens The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to simply as Kew Gardens, are extensive gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London. It is an internationally important botanical research and education institution, as well as a visitor attraction.

The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, lies on the north bank of the River Thames in the London borough of the City of Westminster.

Palace of Westminster Westminster Palace is the palace where the two Houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom meet. The palace contains around 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases and 4.8 kilometres (3 mi) of corridors. Although the building mainly dates from the 19th century, remaining elements of the original historic buildings include Westminster Hall, used today for major public ceremonial events.

Big Ben Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north- eastern end of the Palace of Westminster in London. The nickname is often also used to refer to the clock and the clock tower. This is the world's largest, four- faced, chiming clock and the third largest, free-standing clock tower in the world. It celebrates its 150th birthday in 2009.

The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, informally Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in Westminster just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English, later British and later still Monarchs of the Commonwealth Realms. It briefly held the status of a cathedral from 1546– 1556, and is currently a Royal Peculiar.

Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal entertaining, and a major tourist attraction. Buckingham Palace is one of the world's most familiar buildings and more than 50,000 people visit the palace each year as guests to banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions and the royal garden parties.

Trafalgar Square is a square in central London. With its position in the heart of London, it is a tourist attraction; its trademark is Nelson's Column which stands in the centre and the four lion statues that guard the column.