A Brief History of London

London is the capital of England and a world-renowned tourist destination. Many people know it for its iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, but there's a lot more to this great city than meets the eye. Learn more about Forest & Ray - Dentists, Orthodontists, Implant Surgeons.

Forest & Ray was established in 2007. We are located at 8F Gilbert Place London WC1, just a few minutes walk from the British Museum. We have a truly universal clinic offering aesthetic dentistry, dental implants, orthodontics and conservative dentistry as well. In our Central London clinic, we seek to provide the highest quality of dental care at an affordable price. We endeavour to secure the oral health of our patients while making the whole experience as pleasant as possible. We are making an effort to make our services accessible to everyone, which is why we offer special deals for businesses, companies and for families living in the area. 

The history of London is a complex web of stories that connect past with present and future to create an urban ecosystem. From the beginning of time, it has served as a centre of trade and culture and has been an important player in the global economy.

During the Roman period, the site of today's London was the home of an abbey that later became Westminster Abbey. The Saxon and medieval city was built around this abbey and included a royal palace and the central administrative apparatus of the British state.

A significant event in London's history was the Great Fire of 1666 which destroyed much of the medieval centre and the rebuilding that followed radically changed the city's architecture. Radical classical style reconstruction plans were quickly drawn up by architects such as Christopher Wren which proposed to completely discard the city's chaotic medieval street plan in favour of a rationalised grid system with wide boulevards, piazzas and a uniform classical style for all new buildings.

As the population grew, London began to expand beyond its medieval boundaries. This was a consequence of unfettered capitalism driven by the growing needs of the rising middle class. The resulting development engulfed small villages and towns within an ever-widening radius of the city, with little regulation or control over building speculation.

It's this dynamic that gives rise to the great variety of residential microcosms that exist within the metropolis. The chemistry of location, building stock, local amenities, and property values combine to create the diverse character of London's neighbourhoods.

Neighbourhood ties are strong, and where Londoners live tends to matter a great deal to them. Where they work, where they go to school, where they shop, how many restaurants they frequent, and where they socialise all play a part in the way that they see the city.

This diversity of life is reflected in the city's varied and eclectic architecture. From the grand and historic buildings of the West End to the elegant townhouses in the East End, London's buildings evoke memories of earlier times.

During the Victorian era, London reclaimed its architectural prominence and transformed itself in a dazzling revival of elaborate styles. You can still see some of these Victorian buildings throughout the city, including St Pancras Station and the Houses of Parliament.

The Edwardian era was a short-lived but exciting period in London's history, which saw the city's buildings change even more dramatically. This era saw the rise of terrace houses and the introduction of the Gothic style to London.

Another popular era in the city's history is the 20th century, which witnessed London's role as a global capital of culture and commerce. During this time, London became one of the most influential cities in the world and it embraced innovation and science to make itself a modern city for the future.