London
Introduction to London
London is one of the largest - and most expensive - cities to live in the world. Londinium was founded by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. It has since grown into a hub of legislative, political and regal activity for one of the most powerful civilizations in Europe.
The English capital survived plague, fire and two world wars to become the largest conurbation of the continent, with a population of more than 7.5 million. The postal area of London covers 241 square miles in total. It can take hours to travel across London, which makes deciding where to live almost as important as where to study.
City Centre
The city of London is geographically a small area inside Greater London and denotes the financial centre of the urban mass. Although this part of London has a population of fewer than 10,000, the ‘city’ or ‘square mile’ employs almost 350,000 people.
The North
This part of London is popular with international students for its wealth of transport links - there are far more tube stations north of the River Thames than the south - and for its trendy hot spots, such as Camden’s alternative goods and the entertainment around Soho.
The East
This area is home of one of the UK’s most popular television soap operas, East Enders, which focuses on Cockney London. The markets in this area have gained notoriety among international students for their competitive prices and eclectic offerings, with the foreign vibes of Brick Lane proving a big hit.
The West
Although there are entertainment venues all over London, a large amount can be found here. Hammersmith Apollo, Palais and Lyric Theatre attract several comedy acts, gigs and shows. The west of London is also home to the city’s largest public festival, Notting Hill Carnival, which takes its name from the tube stop and provided the name and setting for a hit Hugh Grant film.
The South
The south of the River Thames is perhaps most famous for Clapham Common and the festivals that go with it. One of the most popular attractions for international students is Balham’s pub and club scene and Greenwich Park.
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