The City of London bustles day and night
A forest of skyscrapers and shimmering steel high-rises that sprouts from the north bank of the Thames, the City of London _ or just the City as it's come to be known _ is the beating heart of the UK financial sector. But it's more than that, too. It's grown up atop the oldest blocks of the great metropolis, covering ancient Roman Londinium and shrouding world-famous sights like St Paul's Cathedral. This is also where buzzing Fleet Street goes to press and where London Bridge arches across the river. Shopping, swish bars, stock trading and more abounds around City of London vacation rentals.
Discover the City of London's past
There's really nowhere better than the Museum of London for unravelling the long and tumultuous past of this area. Ringed by half-ruined Roman walls, its rooms are dedicated to showcasing every episode of life in the English capital. The relics go back a whopping 450,000 years, revealing how hippos might have once frolicked in the Thames. Others belie the Roman wealth of erstwhile Londinium, ranging from mosaics to merchant coins from 50 AD. All of that should just be a Tube hop from your City of London vacation rentals.
Surveying the streets of the City of London
A jaunt to the soaring tops of St Paul's Cathedral is a great way to get your bearings. You'll be able to survey the shimmering steel scrapers of London's booming banking hub. You'll be able to see curious buildings like the Gherkin and the so-called Walkie Talkie. From there, hit the streets. Let pro guides reveal the secrets, whether that means the haunting story of Jack the Ripper or tales of the Great Fire of London. Hungry? Go to Whitecross Street for Indian masalas and Middle Eastern mezze, or just delve into one of the old pubs for hearty English fare.
The City of London is always awake
Like New York, the City of London is a place that rarely sleeps. Both summer and winter it's awash with people and travelers. You can bag City of London vacation rentals between May and September to find the banks of the Thames and the regal parks of the capital bursting with life. And while the dry days and warm temperatures then make for excellent sightseeing, it doesn't go away in the winter. December and January actually promise enchanting festive markets and parades, while autumn and spring balance affordability with lower visitor numbers.
Enjoy open green space near the City of London
When it comes to nature, the name reveals all: This is the City of London, nestled right at the heart of the UK's largest metropolis. A smattering of manicured green spaces like Postman's Park and the embankment walks along the Thames are the closest you'll get to the great outdoors. You could hop the Tube lines to Hyde Park or Regent's though, which have zoo animals and wide fields for picnicking on in the summer.