car hire heathrow airport

guide to heathrow

As early as the 1600s, London had the look of a city in the fast lane to international prowess. During Elizabeth I’s reign, London saw incredible growth, its population doubling to 200,000 in the span of 40 years. Not even the Great Fire of 1666 did much to deter its momentum. By 1720 the population had ballooned to 750,000 and the city’s status as the seat of Parliament gave it much clout the world over. The Industrial Revolution brought even more expansion to London, and by the turn of the 20th century, the city was booming like almost no other. But war reared its head in the first half of the 1900s, with World War II devastating and leveling much of Georgian and Victorian London. The city bounced back in the second part of the century, however, and remains the nerve center of Britain in its lead-up to hosting the 2012 Olympics.

To take in the broad sweep of London and its surrounding area, you can board the towering London Eye, which is the world’s largest Ferris Wheel. On a clear day you can cast your eye as far as 40 kilometres during the half-hour ride. The Tate Modern is another star London attraction, housing an imposing collection of modern art by masters like Picasso, Matisse, and Rothko. Museum buffs will find the layout unique: The works are arranged not by era, nor by artist, but by theme. The building itself – the former Bankside Power Station – is also an impressive sight, with its trademark chimney rising from the middle and massive turbine hall serving as a long, dramatic entrance.

From classic laid-back pubs to gay clubs to hip rock-music venues, London’s nightlife has something for everyone. Housed in a converted gymnasium, Aquarium offers a pool and Jacuzzi to wind down in after you’ve worked up a sweat on the dance floor. Nags Head is a good bet if you’re looking to while away some hours in an authentic English pub. This bar once held the distinction of being London’s smallest pub (until they added a dining room), and it retains a local, old-fashioned feel, down to its banning of mobile phones.

There are plenty of fascinating areas outside London’s city centre as well. Cambridge, Canterbury, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and other legendary sites are all within driving range. You’d do well to drive your car hire an hour or so to reach Cambridge, an area bursting with history and intellectual vigor. Cambridge boasts 31 different colleges, many of which you can stroll through on walking tours. Whichever side trip you choose to embark on, your car rental pick-up will be quick and convenient at London’s Heathrow Airport.