This minor division, as with all the many neighborhoods in London and the surrounding areas, lend London its history and diversity which is apparent to any London tour group that passes though. Many people, including residents and London tour groups alike, simply view London as the greater city than encompasses both smaller cities and the surrounding area. Greater London, in contrast to the City of London, covers over 600 square miles so people refer to the City of London as simply “the square mile”.

Obviously one cannot attempt to view every inch of this great city in a single London tour. However, most London tours will ensure that you catch a glimpse of the important places, monuments, and sights. An abbreviated tour through history, many London tours choose the most prominent locations to visit. For example, a London tour necessitates a view of the river Thames nearly by default. It is a tidal river, meaning that its water level is affected by the ocean tides, which makes interesting from a scientific perspective as well as an aesthetic perspective.

Red Bus London Tours: It is impossible to take in everything that London has to offer in one day, especially if one is not familiar with the area. Luckily there are plenty of tours around the city so that you can catch a glimpse of historic landmarks. Some of the most popular London tours are the double-decker red bus tours. One thing that sets these tour busses apart from London mass transit is that they are often open to the elements on the upper level. Bring a poncho is you are taking a tour in the rain, and remember that it rains rather often in London.

The red bus London tours offer a condensed version of the history of this great city. Tour guides who are well acquainted with English history will dispense knowledge of each building or landmark as the bus passes them. In some cases, the bus will park so that tourists can get out and walk around the landmark on foot. Offering a close view than the bus, these portions of the tour are very exciting. It is important to return to the bus in a timely fashion, however, lest one get separated from the rest of the London tour group.

London’s history goes back many centuries so a London tour may focus on ancient history, industry, or even the rich variety of shopping that the city has to offer. Some tours may even try to touch on a bit of everything, whetting tourist’s appetites for more. Luckily, there is no shortage of London tours tailored to suit anyone’s particular interests so, if something on broader tour sparks your interest, you can always go back for a more specific journey.

The Churches of London Tours: For those travelers who have already done the red bus London tours and are seeking something a little in depth, a tour of the churches of London might be interesting. You needn’t be Catholic to appreciate the stunning architecture or the magnificence of the history attached to the buildings.  Prior to a massive fire in 1666, over one-hundred churches existed in the central square mile that was originally London, not all of which survived to be seen by London tour groups today. Some did survive though and many others have been reconstructed, so there is no shortage of breathtaking cathedrals to see on a London tour of churches.

In a city known for its elite and famous, surely there are plenty of churches featuring stories of famous weddings. If celebrities don’t interest you, St. Paul’s Cathedral is also must see for anyone taking a London tour. Rebuilt several times, it stands as a testament to people of London and their history. It is visible from both sides of the river Thames and remains impressive in size and design. Its massive ceilings are made possible by a large dome which was inspired by a cathedral in Rome.

Although this is not mentioned on many London tours, the dome is actually constructed out of three domes. The outer dome, a beauty for London tour groups to behold, is purely cosmetic. The middle dome supports the ceiling structure and connects the inner and outer domes. The inner dome, visible from inside the cathedral, is said to provide the look and feel of the church.