What on earth is London? How do you define it? Let's find out!
On top of my head, there are two definitions of London.
Seems basic, right? New York has a similar thing going on, you have New York the state, and New York the city.
But wait, there's more!
Transport for London is a London department which handles buses, subways and trams. However, there exists TFL stations OUTSIDE of London such as in Brentwood, Reading, Slough, etc. If the name is Transport FOR LONDON, then what are these stations doing well outside the boundaries of Greater London?
Watford, is that in London? On one hand, it's within the M25 motorway so some might say so, but officially it isn't, it's part of Hertfordshire instead, yet Watford has a TFL subway station which is served by the Circle Line, what gives?
Speaking of the subway, the TFL Elizabeth Line serves many stations outside of Greater London, two of which are the neighbouring Brentwood and Shenfield. Brentwood is part of TFL Fare Zone 9, however Shenfield isn't. Why is Brentwood considered part of the TFL Fare Zone yet Shenfield isn't when they're BOTH outside of London?
Greater London itself is made up of two parts, Inner London and Outer London. Inner London is basically the parts that borders the city of London and Outer London borders Inner London. Apparently, there exists some "elitists" who consider Inner London (and the city) to the real London, and Outer London to not be so. Why? Because Outer London is not part of the Royal Mail LONDON postcode region. What!?
Hey, psst, guess what? Sewardstone is not part of Greater London by any definition, other than it's within the M25 AND has a London postcode.
Personally, my definition of London is anything within the M25. To me, Watford is in London.