With so many different phrases and terms used to describe the different areas of London, it’s easy to get confused. Is a stay in the centre of the city, for example in one of the boutique hotels of West London, considered a weekend break in the city of London? Does the city of London encompass the main tourist attractions, and what exactly marks the boundary between central London and Greater London?
In this blog, we’re sharing all of the things you didn’t know about London’s own geography and the different names which segment the city into the tourist spots and the areas reserved for financial workers and commuters.
The City of London
The city of London refers to what is also known as the Square Mile – a portion of London which is located towards the East and which encompasses a mere two square miles in total. The City is recognised as the financial district and is home to a multitude of offices, banks, and other institutes – as well as its own Mayor and its own small government.
Of course, for the most part this City government and Mayor are still managed by the overall Mayor of London however it goes to show just how powerful and prominent this small patch of London’s geography is in terms of its magnitude amid the backdrop of London as a destination.
Before we move onto Greater London, it’s worth noting that the city of London may be the financial hub of London and a place where commuters go to work – however, it is still very much worth a visit and can be accessed from your Heeton concept hotel in Kensington via tube or bus. This is mainly due to the architecture of the city of London, which juxtaposes that seen across many of the major tourist spots and creates a very different vibe within its central setting.
Greater London and the tourist hub of the city
Greater London and all the remaining areas of London are still, slightly confusingly, referred to as the city – largely because of London’s city status and the fact that visiting London is akin to heading to the UK’s biggest and most important city. The difference lies in whether you refer to the city or the city of London – the latter being the square mile discussed earlier in this blog.
Greater London encompasses every other borough and district which lies within the boundaries of London, from the hotels in Hammersmith to the attractions on the Southbank, the royal parks, the shopping centres and high streets, and the many markets which line the city and offer passers-by access to local and exotic goods on a daily basis.
The Heeton Concept Hotel is a great starting point from which to explore both Greater London and the city of London itself, with access to tube stops and bus stops as well as a direct route down to the river Thames which marks the perfect walking route towards the city and beyond.
