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The City Corporation of London web site is a primary source of information for visitors to London whether it be for business or leisure. The leisure and heritage page provides an excellent introduction to places of interest and the heritage of this great city.
This site has useful maps of the City of London which many people may be surprised to learn comprises a relatively small area of what they regard as the (small-c) city of London. The River Thames defines the south limit of the City; the west limit is a little to the west of Blackfriars Underground station; the north limit is to the north of the Barbican Centre and the Museum of London; and the east City limit is in the area of Liverpool Street station.
Other important buildings within the City of London include St. Paul's Cathedral, one of Sir Christopher Wren's great masterpieces, and one of the more popular attractions for visitors; the Bank of England; Prince Henry's Room; Guildhall, the home of the Corporation of London; Mansion House is the official home of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, providing not only living and working space for the Lord Mayor and his household but also room for large ceremonial entertainments and banquets; and the residential house at 17 Gough Square was the home and workplace of the often-quoted Dr. Samuel Johnson, author, translator, and compiler of one of the first English dictionaries.
The Charles Dickens Museum is near Russell Square and is dedicated to Charles Dickens. It is in the home he lived in from 1837 to 1839.
The Old Bailey, officially the Central Criminal Court, is one of the more famous in the world. It is near St. Paul's Underground station. The Proceedings of the Old Bailey London 1674 to 1834 records many trials that gained national fame and will interest fans of crime and punishment.
National Trust properties: The 'Roman' Bath is at 5 Strand Lane; 2 Willow Road and Fenton House are near Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath and the adjoining Kenwood are two of London's more appealing attractions outside the limits of the City of London. Hampstead Heath is maintained by the Corporation of London and Kenwood House is under the care of English Heritage. Highgate Cemetery, burial place of many historical figures, is a short distance to the east of Hampstead Heath. The Find A Grave web site lists names of people buried at Highgate.
The Corporation also maintains Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge and Epping Forest in which the lodge is located. Epping Forest is approximately 17 miles/28 km northeast of central London in Essex County.
Among the recorded quotes from Samuel Johnson there were many in praise of the city that meant so much to him, including: "If you wish to have a just notion of the magnitude of this city, you must not be satisfied with seeing its great streets and squares, but must survey the innumerable little lanes and courts." The Blue Guide to London is one of the best for discovering these "innumerable little lanes and courts" and much more.