It's life started in 50AD and was Londinios, the name in Latin that the Roman invaders gave. They were the first to span The River Thames with a bridge.

It's life became a feeder of business and commerce,  source for trade as The Thames provided the perfect route in and out for ships of the world.

One can only imagine the how the population of London struggled as it grew. Indeed Charles Dickens gave clear images of life in London through some of his characters, which though had writers embelishments, they would be highly identified if you lived in Dickens london of the 1800's

So jump back to 1666, and stand outside a bakers in Pudding Lane, Sunday 2 September 1666. Thomas Farriner the baker was maybe asleep it was gone midnight, or maybe he was already firing up his bakery ovens. Fire broke out and soon ravaged the wooden structure of the bakery and the bakers house. The fire spread quickly and destroyed 70,000 homes, yet ove the 3 days it burned few lives were lost.

In the remains of the bakery in Pudding Lane, a piece of melted pottery was found, for such to melt the temperature there must have reached 1250c.

So London has a history, some of it you can still touch, like Roman remains. The places Charles Dickens lived and worked, they exist.

Today London has a perfect blend of history and modern, it offers the vistor much, though be cautious and plan your visit. Hotels in central London are expensive, yet within easy reach others exist, only a bus or tube ride away. Take advantage reduced tickets, fares etc by planning ahead, like advance rail tickets, theater tickets etc.

Know where your interest is and enjoy it.

There is some of my London in the attached link.  

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/johnwtownsend/