Parliament is home to the legislative bodies that rule the United Kingdom, The House of Commons and The House of Lords. Big Ben: an analog clock, quaint.

The Queen's official residence in London.

Built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and expanded many times in the centuries that followed, this was The Tower has served variously as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public records office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. During the 16th and 17th centuries the Tower served as a place of imprisonment to many famous historical figures, including Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh.

Established in 1560 by Elizabeth I, this Gothic structure was built on a site that had religious use dating back to the 7th century. Here monarchs are crowned, wed and buried alongside other great figures in the country's cultural history, including Chaucer, William Blake, Robert Burns, Lord Byron, Henry Purcell,  John Milton, Laurence Olivier, Alexander Pope, Charles Darwin and many others.

The Royal Hospital was founded by Charles II in 1681 to care for injured and aging soldiers. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

Shakespeare's plays are staged in this recreation of his theater, the Globe.

One million square feed of shopping on five acres. The store's motto is Omnia Omnibus Ubique—All Things for All People, Everywhere. Among its famous departments: the food court - not to be missed.

The limits of free speech and tolerance are regularly tested at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park

Brought to western Europe by Napoleon, this stone contains engravings in three languages (demotic, Egyptian hieroglyphics and ancient Greek) and held the key to deciphering the ancient Egyptian texts. Today, it is among the treasures in the British Museum.

This crossing, made famous as the cover of the Beatle's last album, has inspired legions of the faithful to reenact the scene.

Take a spin on the London Eye, the most popular paid attraction in the city.

Hotel Rafayel is just one of dozens of luxury hotels offered at guaranteed best rates. Click on the title to see the full selection.

This fabulous department store dates back to 1707.

This institution, which has both an educational and a research function, houses the world's largest collection of living plants - more than 30,000 different kinds of plants. The herbarium (one of the largest in the world) has over seven million preserved plant specimens.

Wordsmith Samuel Johnson compiled his famous dictionary here, published 1755.

This part of the Tate Group is devoted to international modern art.

One of the largest toy stores in the world, a favorite with 5 million visitors to London yearly.

Borough Market is London's oldest market and offers an amazing assortment of foods to sample and purchase and a great opportunity to speak with artisanal producers and knowledgeable importers.

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1710, this church is the seat of the Bishop of London and has been witness to many important events in the country's history: funeral for Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill, celebrations honoring Queen Elizabeth II, the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer and more.