Heritage trips in London

For centuries, London has been the greatest city in the world with a history stretching back over 2,000 years. 

It was the centre of Roman Britain, then of Saxon Britain until William the Conqueror invaded in 1066 and built the Tower of London.  Trade expanded in medieval times and the city developed an independent character, dominated by successful merchants and artisans, something that continues to this day. Over the years, the Tudor monarchs built palaces all around the city - with the red-brick complex at Hampton Court, on the Thames, in the south of the city is one of the few survivors. 
The city has survived fire and plagues to emerge into the Enlightenment as a centre for science and the arts, attracting great courtiers, poets, painters and men of learning.

Vibrant centre of culture

Today, London is a vibrant centre of politics, trade, culture and society. 
Visitors come here to visit some of the most important places in the land, including the royal family's official home at Buckingham Palace.  The city is home to centres of government at the Houses of Parliament and the Palace of Westminster; centres of royal power at Kensington Palace and the Tower of London and centres of the church and religion at St Paul’s Cathedral.  Look beyond the obvious and you will find more intimate places, villas built for pleasure like Chiswick House and Osterley Park, the houses of great courtiers like Syon Park or Hampton Court Palace, and homes of famous men of letters like Keats’ House or Dr Johnson’s House.