WELCOME
TO LONDON

June 2010

Welcome to London as the new Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport I want to wish you a warm welcome to our capital city. London is, without a doubt, one of the greatest cities in the world; rich in history, diversity and culture – from the hallowed halls of the Tower of London, to the spires of Westminster Abbey, to the gates of Buckingham Palace and beyond.

Whether you love the hustle and bustle of the city streets, or you’re more at home in one of our beautiful parks, there are a wealth of discoveries to be made in this richly diverse city. On the streets and corners of Covent Garden and Soho for example, you can watch the very best in performing arts, from street dance to ballet, or jazz to opera or spend some time looking round one of the capital’s galleries or Museums, the most popular of which offer free admission.

Take a whirl on the London Eye, or stroll down the South Bank, home to The Royal Festival Hall, the London Aquarium and numerous little shops and restaurants. Central London is home to three beautiful parks: stroll around Green Park, and take in its views of Westminster; pedalo around the Serpentine in Hyde Park; and relax with a book in the Regent’s Park Rose Garden which offers both beauty and tranquillity.

If it’s sport you like, central London is home to five premiership football clubs, two international cricket grounds and soon to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is a capital city with 32 boroughs, and each with their own corners of cultural diversity, reflected in the local markets, shops and cuisine. London is vibrant and cosmopolitan and offers something for everyone. Enjoy every moment.

Jeremy Hunt
Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport