London is known the world over as a vibrant, historical, edgy, multicultural hub with more museums, art galleries and things to see than you can shake a stick at. But did you know that we are, in fact, two cities and 32 boroughs?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To discover them all, your best bet is a self-guided walking tour.. If you’re hankering to see where it all began, start in the City of London. This is the most ancient part, where you’ll find the Tower of London and the financial district, founded by the Romans in 55 A.D.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Meanwhile, the City of Westminster is home to big hitters such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, a place of kings and queens that’s central to the British democracy. Want to see the Changing of the Guard? This is the city for you.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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For London first-timers with only a few days to explore, it can seem a little overwhelming planning where to go and when. So here at Devour, we’ve devised the ultimate self-guided walking tour of London involving both cities, a boat ride, a guard change, an iconic clock tower and a whole lot more in just a few hours\u2014plus some lunch suggestions for afterward.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Ready to hit the streets of London with us?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

1. Tower of London (alight at the Tower Hill tube stop)<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Tower of London was built in the 1070s by William the Conqueror, who arrived from Normandy, whacked an arrow into our king\u2019s eye and then took control of the country. The work of a succession of monarchs over hundreds of years, the tower has served as a royal mint, an observatory, a zoo, an armory, a royal palace, a treasury and an execution site for two of Henry VIII\u2019s more unfortunate wives. It\u2019s now home to the Beefeaters<\/a>, some massive crows and the Crown Jewels.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you’re planning to visit the inside, get there nice and early for a good look at the Crown Jewels without the crowds. It\u2019s \u00a326 per adult if you buy online in advance, and doors open to the public at 9 a.m.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

2. Tower Bridge<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Just in front of the Tower of London, you’ll find Tower Bridge. Though it looks old, it’s a mere baby in comparison to the complex next to it; it only dates back to 1894.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

London has 33 bridges, but this is the only one with bascules allowing the bridge to raise up to allow ships to pass through. Pretty terrifying for the driver of the Line 78 bus who, in 1952, found himself driving full throttle over the raising bridge<\/a>. With no choice but to floor it, the bus jumped right over the gap and Albert Gunter got himself a day off work and \u00a310 for his bravery.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Farther up where the river bends is Rotherhithe. In September 1620, 102 passengers set sail on a ship called the Mayflower from here\u2014Puritans fleeing persecution for a chance at life in the New World.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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