London Streets & Sights Guide

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Streets of London and Map of Streets of London

Explore London – Street by Street, Sight by Sight

Welcome to the London Streets & Sights Guide — your comprehensive and interconnected encyclopedia to exploring London’s vibrant streets, fascinating boroughs, iconic landmarks, Tube stations, and much more. Whether you're planning your first visit, a local rediscovering the city, or simply curious about London’s endless stories, you’ll find everything you need here, thoughtfully curated by Timothy.

Discover London, One Street and Sight at a Time

From historic avenues like The Mall to hidden corners of Camden and Soho, the London Streets & Sights Guide invites you to explore the capital's rich tapestry. Each page offers detailed information, maps, and insights, designed to make your journey through London easy, engaging, and rewarding.

What You'll Find

Streets and Roads — Discover the history and character of London's famous and lesser-known streets.
Boroughs and Neighbourhoods — Explore the diversity of London's boroughs, from Westminster to Hackney.
Landmarks and Sights — Learn about the city's most celebrated and hidden gems, including museums, markets, churches, and parks.
Tube Stations and Maps — Navigate the London Underground and the city itself with helpful guides and custom maps.

Start Your Journey

This is not just a website full of facts – it’s a project built from my personal passion for discovering every corner of London, understanding what makes each place special, and sharing it all in a friendly, accessible way. Whether you're exploring from your sofa or planning your own London adventure, the London Streets & Sights Guide is here to help you connect with the city in a meaningful way.

Use the menu or the maps to dive into London's streets and sights. Each discovery leads to another — and every corner has a story waiting to be found. Begin exploring today with the London Streets & Sights Guide!

Areas of London

Various terms are employed including Greater London, Inner London, Outer London, and Central London. These terms are commonly used to describe different areas or zones of London, but only some of them are formal administrative divisions:

Greater London

This is the official administrative region and the highest-level division of London. It encompasses the entire 1,572 square kilometres of the capital and includes 32 boroughs plus the City of London. Greater London is governed by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Mayor of London.

Inner London and Outer London

These are semi-formal subdivisions of Greater London and are often used for:

Statistical purposes (e.g., census and demographics)
Administrative tasks (e.g., local government funding)
Transport planning and fare zones (though not identical to Travelcard zones)

They are officially recognized but not separate governing entities. Instead, they group boroughs within Greater London. So Inner London and Outer London are recognized subdivisions of Greater London.

Central London

"Central London" is not an official or administrative area, but rather a commonly used geographic and cultural term. It generally refers to the area encompassing the historic and commercial heart of the city - roughly around:

Its boundaries can vary depending on the context (tourism, business, or transport). Central London is best described as an informal geographic designation, not a division in a strict administrative sense.

Does "London" mean "Greater London"?

"London" is a term that can mean different things depending on context, but in most modern usage, especially in official and everyday contexts, "London" refers to Greater London as a whole.

What Do We Mean by "London"?

1. In Most Modern Contexts
When people refer to London today - whether in the media, official documents, public transport, weather forecasts, or tourism - they are generally referring to the entire Greater London area, which includes:

32 boroughs
The City of London (the historic square mile)

So yes, in most cases, "London" effectively means Greater London.

2. Exceptions: The City of London
There is also a specific area called the City of London, which is a small historic district (just over 1 square mile). Occasionally, especially in legal or financial contexts, "the City" or even "London" may refer specifically to this area - but this is usually made clear by context.

3. Informal or Local Usage
In casual speech, people from surrounding towns (e.g., Croydon, Romford, or Harrow) may say "I'm going into London" to mean Central London, even though they technically already live within Greater London. This highlights the distinction between London as a whole and Central London, the perceived "heart" of the city.

Food

What to expect for breakfast in London: Discover what to expect from breakfast in London, from full English meals to grab-and-go options, prices, venues, and traditions popular with locals and tourists.

More information for visiting London

Here are some related articles to help you get to know London better.

Cost of Living in London: Discover the true cost of living in London, including housing, transport, groceries, and more - plus tips for budgeting in one of the world's most expensive cities.
Driving in London: Planning to drive in London? Learn about roads, car rentals, parking, tolls, and key tips for tourists and visitors from outside the capital.
Driving Tips for Visiting London: Thinking of driving to London? Discover the best times to travel, congestion tips, parking apps, breakdown help, and petrol advice for a smoother journey.
Evolution of London's Streets: Discover the fascinating history of how London's streets developed from ancient footpaths to today's complex network of roads across the capital.
History of Immigration to London: Discover the rich history of immigration to London, from Huguenots to Bangladeshis, and how diverse communities have shaped the city's vibrant identity.
How Big Is London Compared to Other World Cities?
How London's Streets Measure Up: A Global Comparison of Road Widths
How Streets of London are Named: Discover how London streets get their names, who decides them, and how historic, political, and public influences shape street naming in the capital.
How the Grosvenor Family Came to Own Much of Mayfair, Belgravia and Pimlico: Explore how the Grosvenor family came to own much of Mayfair, Belgravia, and Pimlico, and learn about their historical connection (or lack thereof) with the British royal family and government.
Living and working in London
Marvel of the London Underground: Discover the history, challenges, and triumphs of the London Underground - the world's first underground railway and a vital transport lifeline for the UK capital since 1863.
Places in London that aren't pronounced the way they're spelled
Shopping in London: Discover London's diverse shopping scene
Taking the bus in London: This is your complete guide to taking the bus when in London.
The Anglican Faith: A Visitor's Guide to the Church of England: Learn about the Anglican faith and its deep ties to London's landmarks like Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral.
Why are most roads in Central London so narrow? Learn why there are so few multi-lane roads and elevated highways in the heart of the city.

Categories of Sights in London

A broad category split into sub-categories to help you browse easily:

London is on the Map of cities in England

Your hotel room in London

Visiting London? Get your hotel room from Agoda, the online travel agency catering to customers around the world.