London Geography for Kids | Capital City Facts & Maps

Where is London?

London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and is found in the south-east of England. On a map of the UK, London is located towards the bottom right, not far from the coast and the North Sea. Its position makes it easy to travel to other parts of the country and to nearby countries in Europe.

London is built along a major river called the River Thames, which flows through the middle of the city from west to east. The river eventually reaches the sea, allowing boats and ships to travel in and out of London. This made it a perfect place for trade, transport, and communication.

Being close to both a river and the sea helped London grow from a small settlement into a huge and important city. Today, roads, railways, and airports connect London to the rest of the UK and the wider world.

London is one of the largest cities in Europe, and on clear nights astronauts can sometimes see its bright lights from space.

Why is London the capital city?

A capital city is the most important city in a country. It is where the government works, important decisions are made, and leaders meet to run the country. London became the capital of the United Kingdom because of its excellent location.

Many years ago, London grew around the River Thames, which allowed boats to bring food, supplies, and goods into the city. This made London a busy place for trade and travel. As the city grew, roads were built linking London to other towns and cities across the country, making it easy for people to travel in and out.

Because London was easy to reach and already important for trade, it became the best place for the government to be based. Over time, buildings such as the Houses of Parliament were built, and London became the centre of politics, law, and leadership in the UK.

Today, London is still the capital city. It is where the UK government meets, where laws are discussed, and where the Prime Minister lives and works.

London has been the capital city of England and later the UK for nearly 1,000 years—longer than most countries have existed.

The River Thames

The River Thames is one of the most important physical features in London. It flows through the city from west to east before reaching the North Sea. The river has played a huge role in shaping London and helping it grow into the capital city it is today.

The Thames helped London develop because:

Boats could carry food, building materials, and goods into the city
People could travel easily between places by water
Fresh water was available for early settlements

As London grew, many bridges were built to cross the river and connect different parts of the city. Famous bridges include Tower Bridge, Westminster Bridge, and London Bridge, which are now important landmarks as well as transport routes.

London is sometimes at risk of flooding because it is close to the sea. To help protect the city, the Thames Barrier was built. This giant barrier can be raised to stop high tides and storm surges from flooding homes, roads, and important buildings.

The River Thames is about 215 miles (346 km) long.
The River Thames has over 200 bridges crossing it along its length.
The River Thames flows through more than 45 locks, which help control the water level and allow boats to travel safely along the river.
Long ago, the River Thames used to freeze in winter, and people even held fairs and games on the ice.

What is London like today?

London is a large, busy city where millions of people live, work, and visit every day. It is full of tall buildings, busy roads, shops, schools, homes, and famous landmarks. Red buses, underground trains, and taxis help people travel around the city.

Some parts of London are very crowded, with lots of buildings close together. Other areas have plenty of green spaces where people can enjoy fresh air and nature. Even though London is a huge city, it has many famous parks such as Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and Greenwich Park, where people can walk, play, and relax.

London is also a very multicultural city, meaning people from many different countries and cultures live there. This makes London an exciting place with lots of different foods, languages, and traditions.

The city is always changing and growing. New buildings are built, old ones are improved, and new homes and transport routes are added to meet the needs of the people who live there.

More than 9 million people live in London, and they come from over 300 different cultures, speaking hundreds of languages making London one of the most diverse cities in the world.

Landmarks of London

Landmarks are special buildings or places that help people recognise a city. They are often famous because of how they look, what happens there, or their importance in history. London has many well-known landmarks that people from all over the world come to see.

Some of London’s most famous landmarks include:

Big Ben – the large clock tower next to the Houses of Parliament. It is one of the most recognisable symbols of the UK.
Buckingham Palace – the official home of the King in London, where important events and celebrations take place.
The Tower of London – a historic castle that has been used as a palace, prison, and place to keep the Crown Jewels.
The London Eye – a giant observation wheel on the River Thames that gives amazing views across the city.

Landmarks help tourists find their way, make cities easier to remember, and show what makes a place special. They are often found on maps and postcards because they represent the city’s identity.

The London Eye is so tall that on a clear day you can see over 25 miles across London—and sometimes even beyond the city.

Visit London
Discover your ultimate guide to London... from the best activities in the city to top restaurants, bars, hotels, theatre shows, musicals, attractions and more.

Transport in London

London is a very large and busy city, so it needs a good transport system to help people travel from place to place. Every day, millions of people use transport to get to school, work, shops, hospitals, and attractions.

London has many different types of transport, including:

Buses – red buses travel all over the city and are a famous sight in London.
Trains – trains connect London to other towns and cities across the UK.
Roads – cars, taxis, and bicycles use London’s roads to move around.
The Underground (the Tube) – a railway system that runs underneath the city, helping people travel quickly without using busy roads.

The Tube is especially important because it helps people travel long distances across London in a short amount of time. Many Londoners also walk or cycle for shorter journeys, which helps reduce traffic and pollution.

Good transport helps a city work properly by keeping people connected and making travel easier and faster.

London’s Underground is the oldest underground railway in the world, opening way back in 1863.

London Transport Museum
Visit London Transport Museum in Covent Garden to discover 200 years of groundbreaking design and innovation, and the remarkable personal stories behind our transport history.

London Underground Tube Map
Map of the London underground tube station locations and lines.

London Metro Memory
How many of the London Tube stations can you name from memory?

London's weather and climate

London has a temperate climate, which means the weather is usually mild and not too extreme. It does not often get very hot or very cold, making it a comfortable place to live for most of the year. Like the rest of the UK, London’s weather changes with the seasons.

Summer – The weather is usually warm and sometimes sunny, though it can still rain.
Autumn – Temperatures begin to cool, leaves fall from trees, and rainfall becomes more common.
Winter – It can be cold and frosty, with short days and long nights. Snow is possible but not very common.
Spring – The weather becomes milder, flowers start to grow, and there are sunny days mixed with showers.

Because London is near the coast and built along the River Thames, heavy rain can sometimes cause flooding, especially when river levels rise. This is why London has flood protection systems like the Thames Barrier to help keep the city safe.

Thames Barrier - London
Visit London biggest defence towards floods. To learn more about how the barrier works visit the government website for the Thames Barrier.

Living in London

Millions of people live in London, making it one of the largest cities in the UK. Because so many people live in a small area, London has many different types of homes. Some people live in houses, while others live in flats or tall apartment buildings where lots of families share the same space.

London is a place where people live, work, and learn. The city has:

Schools and universities
Hospitals and doctors’ surgeries
Shops, offices, and markets
Workplaces in transport, tourism, government, and business

Because London is so busy, it can feel noisy and crowded, especially in the city centre. However, many neighbourhoods have parks, playgrounds, and quiet streets, giving people space to relax. Good transport links help people travel across the city to get to school, work, and home.

Living in a city like London can be exciting because there is always something happening, but some people prefer the peace and space of the countryside instead.

London and the rest of the UK

London is strongly connected to the rest of the United Kingdom, making it the country’s main transport and travel hub. From London, people can easily travel to other major cities using roads, railways, and airports.

Fast trains travel from London to cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Edinburgh, helping people move across England, Wales, and Scotland. Major motorways also begin in or near London, allowing cars and lorries to transport people, food, and goods to different parts of the UK.

London is also home to several large airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted. These airports help people travel both within the UK and around the world, bringing visitors, tourists, and businesses into the country.

Because London is so well-connected, it plays an important role in trade, travel, and communication. Goods can be moved quickly, people can reach important places easily, and ideas and information can spread across the country.