In Victorian days, London was the heart of Britain. If you said you were going to "town," everyone knew you meant London. Visitors from abroad always began with London (and sometimes never went farther afield). London also drew visitors by the thousands from within England itself. And with all its museums, galleries, historic sites and other attractions, one could easily be a tourist in London even if one actually lived there. This section looks at London from the perspective of the visitor, whether from overseas or just down the road.

London Excursion Guide (Illustrated London Almanack, 1845)

"Showing a number of trips which may be made round London, with the distances, objects of attraction, and expences."

Haunted London (Leisure Hour, 1860)

To and Fro in London (Leisure Hour, 1860)

Our London Scrapbook (Harper's Monthly, 1873A)

Sketches of London life and locales.

A London Child's Holiday, by William H. Rideing (St. Nicholas, 1875)

Short and inexpensive excursions that could be enjoyed by a child in London.

Up and Down the City Road (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1875)

A London stroll.

My Saturday Half-Holiday: A City Clerk's Idyl (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1877)

How to spend a half-holiday in or around London.

Bank Holiday at Bethnal Green, by A.R. Buckland (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1883)

Characteristics of London, by W.J. Stillman (Century Magazine, 1883B)

In the Footsteps of Thackeray, by William H. Rideing (Century Magazine, 1883B)

A look at some of the London locations featured in Thackeray's works.

Garfield in London (Century Magazine, 1884A)

Excerpts from a journal of a trip to Europe in 1867.

London in July, by Jenny June (Demorest, 1885)

"In all the world there is only one London, and to go abroad without seeing it is to visit America without seeing Niagara or the Yosemite." And July is the height of the season in that great town...

A Girl's Rambles Through Haunted London, by James and Nanette Mason (Girl's Own Paper, 1886)

A multi-part article covering historic sites throughout metropolitan London.

London for Londoners, by Prof. J. Stuart Blaikie (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1886)

Lofty London (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1887)

London, by Henry James (Century Magazine, 1889A)

The Prettiest Scenery Around London, by S.C. Overton (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1889)

London from Aloft (The Strand, 1891B)

Views of London from a balloon.

French Girls in London, by Anne Beale (Girl's Own Paper, 1894)

A Woman's Day in Town, by Ivor Merle (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1895)

"As Others See Us" (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

"The experiences of a Norwegian in London."

Round the London Restaurants, by W.J. Wintle (Windsor Magazine, 1896B)

An interesting review of the many types of restaurants in Victorian London.

Picturesque London (Windsor Magazine, 1898B)

A showcase of snapshots.

Ladies' Tea-Shops in London, by Horace Wyndham (Lady's Realm, 1901)

A Visit to the Minories (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)

A visit to a London street near the Tower of London.