London

Why London works

London's River Thames threads past two millennia of history — the Tower of London, a Norman fortress guarding the Crown Jewels and prowled by ravens whose presence legend insists must never lapse, stands within sight of Tower Bridge's Victorian towers, still raised several times a week for tall ships. Westminster, the seat of government since the 11th century, holds the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben's restored bell tower, alongside Westminster Abbey, coronation site of British monarchs since 1066 and resting place of poets, scientists and kings. Buckingham Palace's Changing of the Guard, performed most days in summer, draws crowds despite its brevity, while nearby St James's Park offers a green respite with pelicans and royal views. London's museums — the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Tate Modern and National Gallery among them — hold world-class collections entirely free to enter, a rarity among major capitals. The West End's theatre district stages long-running musicals and new works nightly, while Borough Market and Camden Market showcase London's multicultural food scene, from Bangladeshi curry houses in Brick Lane to Caribbean stalls in Brixton. Black cabs, red double-decker buses and the Underground's 160-year-old tube network remain as much a part of the London experience as any single landmark.

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