London is a huge city with a lot of history and an outstanding collection of world class tourist attractions. 

	London is one of the world`s great cities and millions of people visit it every year, drawn for a variety of reasons, not least its important historical buildings and landmarks. Some of the most popular attractions have royal connections, such as Buckingham Palace, the London residence of the Queen; the Palace is open to visitors in August and September, but the changing of Guard and the Horse Guards Parade can be seen all year round. The Tower of London with its colorful "Beefeaters" is also on the list of historically fascinating places to visit. It has a rather bloodthirsty past as the location of many public executions, one of which was the beheading of Anne Boleyn, the unfortunate second wife of Henry VIII. The Houses of Parliament with its famous Clock Tower that houses Big Ben also attract many visitors. Those visiting when Parliament is in session can enter the buildings and a lucky few might be able to get tickets for the visitors` gallery of the House of Commons during one of it notoriously loud and rowdy sittings. Just opposite Parliament, on the other side of the Thames, is the London Eye. A trip to the top of this huge Ferris wheel gives a bird`s eye view of almost the whole of London.   Britain`s capital city also has many museums and art galleries that can excite the interest of any visitor. Along with the famous British Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Tate and Tate Modern, there are also specialist museums such as the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum, both with a huge number of exhibits.   Those who want to browse or shop can head to street markets on Brick Lane and Portobello Road. For some real retail therapy, however, the best places in London are the main shopping areas in Oxford Street and Covent Garden. Here you will find all of the major stores, as well as smaller, more exclusive boutiques. Those with children could include a trip to Hamley`s Toy Shop on Oxford Street.   Other popular attractions in London include Madame Tussaud`s waxwork museum. Here you will find thousands of eerily lifelike wax replicas of famous people of today alongside important figures from Britain`s history. Long queues can develop in the peak season, so it`s advisable to arrive early.   For a walk and a relaxing breath of fresh air or even a picnic, Hyde Park and St James offer green outdoor space in the middle of this busy city.   London also has many options if you are looking for good places to eat. From Michelin-starred restaurants and gastropubs to friendly local cafes, there is something to suit every taste.   A good way to see many of London's major sights are on the open-top double-decker tourist buses. There are different routes and many pick up points around London. The buses are "hop on and hop off" so when you get to landmarks you want to explore further you simply hop of the bus, and hop on to another once you have finished seeing what you wanted.    Although public transport in and around the city is relatively good, it is often better to rent a car, if you plan on travelling out of London during your visit. If you are interested in car hire, London City Airport is a good place to start, as many rental companies are based there.