Its Past, Present and People. This timeline will appeal to a wide audience - Inhabitants, tourists, visitors and anyone who has an interest in the city and capital of the United Kingdom. The timeline explores the fascinating history since its earliest beginnings, how it has developed from a small town on a riverbank to the vast city of today. This unique work reveals an amazing amount of information about a city that has so many facets to reveal. London is a city of contrasts where authors, film makers, painters, playwrights and poets have all been inspired by the city and used as a setting.