Bustling Dover's iconic White Cliffs welcome cruise passengers to the pretty county of Kent. Attractions on and around this stretch of coastline include vast sandy beaches, medieval Dover Castle and, inland, the voluminous Canterbury Cathedral. Dozens of direct trains and coaches also wait to whisk visitors off to London - one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities on the globe. 

England's multicultural capital is crammed with attractions including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and a smorgasbord of theatres and world-class art galleries. Then there is Soho, with its nefarious nightlife and the designer-boutique-lined streets of Knightsbridge.

London's vivacity and charm, though, extends way beyond the centre. Cruise passengers are drawn to the likes of leafy Richmond, bohemian Notting Hill and the vast outdoor spaces of Hyde Park, Regent's Park and Hampstead Heath.

Attempting to list London's key sights is an impossible task as iconic structures and listed buildings (there are around 40,000) rear up to greet visitors at almost every turn. Add four UNESCO World Heritage sites (the Palace of Westminster, the Tower of London, Maritime Greenwich and Kew Gardens) to the mix and you're still only scratching the surface.

On the north bank of the winding River Thames the gothic style Houses of Parliament, booming Big Ben and voluminous Westminster Abbey are literally unmissable. This side of the river is also home to three major South Kensington museums - the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. To the east a stroll through St James's Park leads to Buckingham Palace where the regular Changing the Guard ceremony is a big crowd pleaser.

London's West End meanwhile boasts the heady nocturnal delights of Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Soho, where restaurants and bars abound. Here cruise passengers will also find Theatreland and the famous market and street performers of Covent Garden.

Today the South Bank also attracts throngs of tourists. See the city unfurl from the lofty heights of the London Eye, admire Lord Foster's City Hall (the state-of-the-art home of London Mayor Boris Johnson and the London Assembly), or puzzle over the provocative artwork displayed at the Tate Modern.

Highlights
• National Gallery
• British Museum
• Tate Britain
• London Aquarium
• St Paul's Cathedral
• Tower Bridge

Britain and London Visitor Centre
1 Regent Street, London SW1Y 4XT, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 8701 566 366.
Website: www.visitlondon.com

There's something for everyone in London: quality food at Borough Market, thrift shops in Camden and Portobello Road and high fashion on Bond Street, in Knightsbridge and on Sloane Square. 

Where? Head to the exclusive boutiques of Knightsbridge, where Harrods has become a tourist attraction in its own right, and the big department stores on Oxford Street.
What? London offers absolutely everything you could want. Designer fashion, boutique shops, street fashion, collectibles and much more.

London's multiculturalism is reflected in the number and diversity of its cafes, bars and restaurants. Thousands of eateries offering everything from the creations of Michelin-starred chefs to ethnic cuisine make London one of the most exciting dining destinations on the planet.

London specialities
• Curry (the UK's favourite dish is chicken tikka masala), best sampled in the curry houses of the East End's Brick Lane.
• Pie and mash (minced beef pies served with mash potato) shops selling this traditionally working-class favourite tend to be located in the southeast of the city.
• Fish ‘n' chips (a heart-stopping combination of cod or haddock deep fried in batter and eaten with thick-cut, deep-fried chips).
• Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding (batter puddings from Yorkshire served with roast beef), commonly served for Sunday dinner.
• Jellied eels, another favourite with London's working classes, often served in pie and mash shops.
• Sausage and mash (often called bangers 'n' mash), another comfort food favourite.

London is warm from late spring to early autumn. On hot summer days the temperature on the crowded Underground (London's comprehensive but expensive metro system) can be unbearable. In winter, cosy up in traditional pubs, make the most of shorter queues at visitor attractions and indulge in some serious shopping.

Wherever you want to stay in London you will probably find a hotel. Those in and around Kensington, Mayfair, Knightsbridge and Bloomsbury command high prices. Bargains can be found in Bayswater, Paddington and Earls Court. Good deals are often available on the Internet, especially in winter when occupancy is lower.

Port of Dover
Dover, Kent
Website: www.doverport.co.uk

St Pancras International
Pancras Road, London NW1 2QP
Website: www.stpancras.com

London Heathrow (LHR)
234 Bath Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 5AP
Website: www.heathrowairport.com

London Gatwick (LGW)
West Sussex, RH6 0NP
Website: www.gatwickairport.com

London Stansted (STN)
Enterprise House, Bassingbourne Road, Essex CM24 1QW
Website: www.stanstedairport.com

London City (LCY)
Royal Docks, London E16 2PB
Website: www.londoncityairport.com

United Kingdom

GMT.

Pound (£) = 100 pence.

English.

Southeast England, UK.

7.1 million (Greater London).

Elected government with monarchy.

Christian majority with myriad minor religious groups including Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh.

London is a massive melting pot of different cultures, where most things are tolerated. Different rules apply in different situations. Business dress is formal and conservative. In the corporate arena exchanging business cards is also normal. It is common practice to take a small gift (eg flowers or wine) if you are invited to dine in a person's home. It is considered polite to buy a round of drinks in a pub. Smoking is prohibited in enclosed public spaces, including bars, restaurants, shops and public transport. 

Tipping: Tipping 10% for good service in restaurants is common, with small tips often given to taxi drivers and bar staff. Many locals and British tourists don't tip.