Destination: London
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Central London

One of the questions asked by many first-time visitors to London is 'Where is the centre?' The simple answer is that as London has evolved from a series of villages it has many centres. However, the West End - a rather vague geographical term generally covering Piccadilly, Soho and Covent Garden - is the accepted hub of the city for shopping, eating, drinking and nightlife, as well as a good slice of sightseeing.

For orientation purposes Trafalgar Square, with its landmark Nelson's Column, is a good place to start. To the north is the West End, and beyond that Bloomsbury, a leafy district of handsome squares and home of the British Museum. Due west from Trafalgar Square is Westminster and Whitehall, the hub of government, from where a short walk across St James's Park leads to Buckingham Palace. Further west is Kensington and Hyde Park. Just north of the park is a popular hotel location, while to the south lie three of London's world-famous museums. A little further southwest is fashionable Chelsea.
Due east from Trafalgar Square, past Covent Garden, is the original City of London. This is both London's modern financial district and its ancient heart, where Roman walls butt up against skyscraping offices. Most visitors venture no further east than the Tower of London, but beyond here the new Docklands area is extending the sightseeing range. Finally, don't forget the south bank of the river, where the new Riverside Walk stretches from the South Bank Arts Centre to historic Southwark.

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