London

Overview

A sprawling metropolis, London is a mishmash of cultures and creeds, leafy parks and cultural hot spots. It's home to Her Majesty the Queen, whose residence at Buckingham Palace is among the capital's must-sees. Topshop, Harvey Nichols and a multitude of markets feed Londoners' retail addiction. The stock exchange is one of the most important in the world, and the city is an international media center, home to the Financial Times, BBC, Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg Europe and the Economist, among others. A third of the world's largest companies make their headquarters in London, which is projected to have the fourth-largest city economy by 2020.

Planning

Climate

January and February are the coldest months, with temperatures averaging 39°F (4°C) and occasionally dipping below freezing. April is known for its showers. Summers in London are slightly unpredictable, but the city is at its best then, with long evenings and moderate to warm temperatures (61-77°F/16-25°C).

Voltage

240V AC, 50 Hz three-pin plugs are standard.

Time

GMT in winter (GMT +1 hour in summer)

Money

The unit of currency is the pound sterling (GBP), which consists of 100 pence (p). Banks, bureaux de change (private exchange booths) and some travel agencies exchange foreign currency and traveler's checks. ATMs are available throughout the country. Major credit cards are widely accepted.

Doing Business

Business Etiquette

Chambers of Commerce

Address: 33 Queen St., London EC4R 1AP

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7248 4444

Website: London Chamber of Commerce

Address: Lincoln House, 4th Floor, 300 High Holborn, London WC1V 7JH

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7092 6600

Website: French Chamber of Commerce

Address: 1 Princes St., London W1B 2AY

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7495 8191

Website: Italian Chamber of Commerce

Address: Imperial House, 7th floor, 15-19 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6UN

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7539 7960

Website: Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce

Address: 11 Belgrave Road, London, SW1V 1RB

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7931 6455

Website: Russo-British Chamber of Commerce

Address: 126 Wigmore St., London, W1U 3RZ

Telephone:+44 (0) 20 7009 9070

Website: Spanish Chamber of Commerce

Embassies & Consulates

Address: 24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 2LQ

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7499 9000

Website: American Embassy

Address: 49 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7299 4049

Website: Chinese Embassy

Address: 26-30 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QY

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7243 1115

Website: Czech Republic Embassy

Address: 58 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7JT

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7073 1000

Website: French Embassy

Address: 14 Three Kings Yard, Davies Street, London W1K 4EH

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7312 2200

Website: Italian Embassy

Address: 45 Portland Place, London W1B 1AS

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7636 2371

Website: Kenyan High Commission

Address: 16 St. George's St., Hanover Square, London W1S 1FD

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7499 8586

Website: Mexican Embassy

Address: 38 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5DP

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7590 3200

Website: Netherlands Embassy

Address: Arundel House, 4 Palace Green, London W8 4QD

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7937 9666

Website: Romanian Embassy

Address: 6/7 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QP

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7229 6412

Website: Russian Embassy

Address: 60 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AJ

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7227 5500

Website: South Korean (Republic of Korea) Embassy

Address: 39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7235 5555

Website: Spanish Embassy

Address: 12-14 Victoria Road, London W8 5RD

Telephone: +44 (0) 207 937 1912

Website: Vietnamese Embassy

Business Centers

Most large hotels have business facilities. There are also a few independent executive centers, including the following:

Address: Token House Business Centre, 11-12 Tokenhouse Yard, London EC2R 7AS

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7073 2600

Website: Lenta Business Centre (Bank)

Address: 55 Old Broad St., London EC2M 1RX

Telephone: 0808 100 1800 (from within UK)

Website: MWB (Liverpool Street venue)

Conference & Exhibition Centers

Address: One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7069 5000

Website: ExCel London

Address: Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8463 2000

Website: The 02

Address: 52 Upper St., Islington, London N1 0QH

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7288 6272

Website: Business Design Centre

Translation Services

Address: 131-151 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 5BB

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7952 7500

Website: Lingo24

Courier/Messenger Services

Address: 353 Regis Road, Kentish Road, London, NW5 3UP

Telephone: 08457 877 877

Website: UPS

Address: 1-11 Galleywall Road, Bermondsey, London SE16 3PB

Telephone: 08456 07 08 09 (from within UK)

Website: FedEx

Local Knowledge

Telephone

Country code for the United Kingdom: +44

Area code for London: 020 (drop the zero when calling from abroad)

Police: 999

Ambulance: 999

Fire: 999

Tipping

Tip 10-15% at restaurants, unless the bill already includes a gratuity.

VAT & Taxes

Posted prices in London include the 20% VAT.

Getting Around

Taxis

Hail a black cab on the street or order a licensed minicab. The meter calculates the fare in a black cab. Minicab drivers usually set the price before the trip begins. Minicabs don't cruise for fares. If you call to order one, make sure the service is legitimate. Unlicensed cabs are common and can be dangerous.

Tube (Subway)

London's Underground, or "Tube", covers the central city and the suburbs. Buy an Oyster Card from the ticket booth to pay half-price. Traveling during rush hour can be more expensive and extremely crowded, so avoid it if you can.

Buses

Gone are the days of the ubiquitous Routemaster buses that allowed passengers to jump on and off the back. Now there are red “bendy buses” and double-deckers. The top floor of a double-decker offers great views of the city. The Oyster Card you bought for the Tube is also good on buses. Many night buses run until dawn.

Public Holidays

January 1

March-April

First Monday in May

Last Monday in May

Last Monday in August

December 25

December 26

Leisure

Dining

London's international dining scene is amongst the world's best. You'll find spicy curries on Brick Lane, Chinese dumplings in Chinatown and authentic Lebanese on Edgware Road. For British cuisine, try celebrity favorite The Ivy (but book ahead).

Co-owned by Robert De Niro, Michelin-starred Nobu on Old Park Lane serves innovative Japanese cuisine and is the place to see and be seen. Upscale Gordon Ramsay at Claridges charms with Art Deco style and culinary masterpieces. Locanda Locatelli near Marble Arch is one of London's finest Italian restaurants. The Leon branches around town offer healthy fast food in colorful surroundings.

Shopping

Visit Savile Row for traditional English tailored suits. For diamonds and designer labels, head to Old and New Bond Street. If fashion is your thing, Oxford Street is the place to go. It's home to the flagship Topshop store and the one and only Selfridges department store.

Get the bohemian look at Portobello Road market, and accessorize with flowers from Columbia Road market. You'll find vintage shops around Shoreditch and electronic goods on Tottenham Court Road. For English marmalade and other edible goodies, stop at Fortnum & Mason. The upscale Harvey Nichols and tourist favorite Harrods, both in Knightsbridge, abound with luxury gift items.

Things to do

The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral and majestic Buckingham Palace are three of London's main landmarks. Make sure you leave time to take in contemporary masterpieces at the Tate Modern, housed in a former power station. Marvel at Rembrants, Botticellis and Michelangelos at the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square. For a ride with a view, climb onto the revolving London Eye.

When the sun comes out, take a walk in leafy Hyde Park or hilly Hampstead Heath. In the evening, watch Shakespearean love triangles unfold at the National Theatre or Shakepseare's Globe Theatre, or enjoy ballet at the Royal Opera House.