Planning your trip

British Museum

For anyone new to London at least one visit to the amazing British Museum is essential; its collection of millions of artefacts from around the globe represents the rich history of human cultures. First time visitors can’t miss the beautiful covered central courtyard, and will probably want to head for the Egyptian mummies, the Rosetta Stone, Lindow Man, the Lewis Chessmen and the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial.

Open daily 10am - 5.30pm (last entry).
Tube: Russell Square or Tottenham Court Road
www.britishmuseum.org

Cost: free admission

Natural History Museum

Housed in a vast neo-gothic edifice, the NHM boasts a collection of some 70 million plant, animal, fossil, rock and mineral specimens. As well as showcasing more dinosaur bones than you can shake a stick at, you can learn about the making of our planet from earthquakes to volcanoes and hurricanes in the Earth Gallery, while the newly-opened Darwin Centre brings science to life in a dazzling hi-tech setting.

Open 10am-5.50pm Mon-Sat, Sun 11am-5.50pm.
Tube: South Kensington
www.nhm.ac.uk

Cost: free admission

London Eye

The Eye, the world's tallest observational wheel, stands a whopping 135 metres high on the South Bank between Waterloo and Westminster bridges (right opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament) and provides stunning views over central London and beyond. It takes about 30 minutes for a full rotation so there’s plenty of time to admire the scenery. It's worth booking in advance as tickets are not always available on the day and even if they are, the queues can be a little daunting.

Opening times vary by season.
Tube: Westminster, Embankment or Waterloo
www.londoneye.com

Cost: adult tickets around £20

Westminster Abbey / Parliament

Few things makes you feel you’ve arrived in London like standing on Parliament Square with Big Ben towering over you on one side and Westminster Abbey on the other. The heart of British democracy, the stunning Westminster Palace (more commonly called the Houses of Parliament) is open to visitors either for tours or live debates throughout much of the year. The Abbey, London’s most important church, has witnessed 1,000 years of British history and is the final resting place of over 3,000 noble souls, including some seventeen kings and queens. Although you’ll be offered an audio-guide, we recommend taking a full guided tour with the very knowledgable Blue Badge guides or Vergers who will really bring the history around you to life.

Opening times vary by season.
Tube: Westminster
www.parliament.uk/visiting
www.westminster-abbey.org

Cost: tours of Parliament £15, admission to the Abbey £16

St Paul's Cathedral

London's 'other' great church, Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece is truly awe-inspiring. A £40 million restoration project has painstakingly removed most of the Victorian grime from the walls and the extravagant main façade looks as brilliant today as it must have done when the first stone was placed in 1708. The vast open space of the interior contains memorials to numerous national heroes, and if you can manage the 300+ steps, the climb to the top of the great dome is an exhilarating experience. If you make it all the way, reward yourself with a pint of ale in the Olde Cheshire Cheese, one of the city’s oldest pubs, located on nearby Fleet Street.

Open Monday – Saturday 8.00am - 4.30pm.
Tube: St Pauls, Mansion House
www.stpauls.co.uk

Cost: admission £15

Tower of London

The Tower, a 1,000-year old fortress on the banks of the Thames, is perhaps best known for delivering rough justice to enemies of the crown. The peak period of the castle's use as a prison was the 16th and 17th centuries, when many figures fallen into disgrace, such as Elizabeth I before she became queen, were held within its walls. Thankfully it’s much more welcoming now and inside you’ll find the Crown Jewels, the historic Royal Armouries and much more, so allow at least 3-4 hours to have a good look around – we recommend going early in the day to beat the crowds. The interior of the Medieval Palace, the royal residence, where Henry III and Edward I lived, has been restored with replica furniture and wall-hangings, and imbued with authentic medieval smells and sounds – we’ll leave you to decide if that’s a good thing!

Open from 10am, close time varies by season.
Tube: Tower Hill
www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon

Cost: admission £18

National Gallery

The north side of Trafalgar Square is home to more than 2,000 priceless artworks, featuring masterpieces from virtually every European school of art. With Titian, Raphael, Monet and Van Gogh to gaze at you can't hope see everything in one visit, but the free guided tours and audio guides will help you make the most of your time. There’s an excellent café on site to refuel before heading off.

Open 10am-6pm (till 9pm Wed), free admission.
Tube: Charing Cross
www.nationalgallery.org.uk

See a West End show / Shakespeare at the Globe

London is synonymous with live theatre, and it would be a crime not to catch at least one of the fantastic shows on offer. In the West End’s theatre district (centred around Shaftesbury Avenue) you’ll find world class musicals, drama and comedy. Alternatively, if you fancy some high culture there is always Shakespeare playing out at the Globe, an authentic reproduction of his original open air theatre; as you rub shoulders with the peasants you’ll be thankful that the general hygiene of the audience has improved since the 1600’s.

West End shows on all year round, Globe shows from spring to autumn.
www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk
www.shakespeares-globe.org

Cost: ticket prices usually start from £20

Buckingham Palace / St James’ Park

Her Majesty the Queen’s London pied-à-terre, the iconic palace is stunning to look at, especially when the royal guards are parading in front (11.30am on guard change days). You can go inside the State Rooms during the summer months, and the fascinating Queen’s Gallery is open all year round. Just over the road is arguably the most elegant of the Royal Parks, St James’, which boasts beautiful planting and a scenic lake.

Changing of the Guard takes place all year round, on alternate days only during the winter months. State Rooms are open August and September only.
Tube: St James’ Park, 10 minutes on foot from the Lime Tree
www.royal.gov.uk

Harrods

Undoubtedly the world’s most famous luxury department store, Harrods' grand terracotta façade hints at the marble and glitz awaiting you inside. This is the store that boasts of selling everything; the Food Hall shouldn’t be missed and Harrods' extravagance is no more in evidence than in the pet department, which can source you an exotic breed or simply supply pooch-friendly profiteroles for the discerning dog lover.

Open Monday to Saturday 10am - 8pm, Sunday 11.30am - 6pm
Tube: Knightsbridge, 10 minutes on foot from the Lime Tree
www.harrods.com

Afternoon tea at the Wolseley

No one takes tea as seriously as the English, and you shouldn’t leave London without partaking of this most civilised tradition. There are many wonderful places to enjoy afternoon tea but the Wolseley is our favourite and great value too. Sophistication and classic continental style are the hallmarks of this trendy restaurant, with delicious teas, cakes and scones served in the wonderfully airy main hall.

160 Piccadilly
Tube: Green Park
T: 020 7499 6996
www.thewolseley.com

Cost: £20

Walk along the South Bank between London Bridge and the South Bank centre (visiting Borough market)

The one mile stretch of the southern side of the Thames between Southwark Cathedral and the South Bank Centre is a fantastic place to explore. With no cars, tons of history and great views across the river, this area has a unique atmosphere. On Fridays and Saturdays you can see Borough food market in full swing and stop off at one of the great restaurants en route. Passing the Clink prison museum, the replica of the Golden Hinde galleon and Shakespeare’s Globe you reach the Tate Modern, before winding up at the South Bank Centre, the spiritual home of contemporary arts in London. Don’t be put off by the dreary concrete exterior, for inside there is a world of music, art, theatre and the wonderful Skylon restaurant, one of our favourite spots to eat in the whole city.

Boat ride on the Thames

Travelling by water gives a unique perspective on the city, and brings you a little closer to London’s history – after all this was the only way to get about in the good old days. A classic route is between Westminster and the Tower, but for the more adventurous you can travel eastwards to Greenwich or west to Kew Gardens and even Hampton Court Palace. If you want real excitement, high speed RIB boats take trips from Waterloo Pier by the London Eye every hour.

www.tfl.gov.uk/river

Cost: return trips from £10

Live jazz at Ronnie Scott's

A London institution since 1959, Ronnie Scott’s in the heart of Soho has been attracting the very cream of the world’s jazz talent for decades. Nothing beats it for a really classy evening of live music, with top-notch acoustics and a buzzing atmosphere; for the best seats book a table for dinner and you can sit right by the stage.

47 Frith St
Tube: Tottenham Court Road
T: 020 7439 0747
www.ronniescotts.co.uk

Cost: from £10 upwards

Shopping and a meal in Covent Garden

Although Oxford Street is the most famous shopping drag in town, leave the biggest crowds behind and head for Covent Garden, mostly pedestrianised and a little more relaxed. As well as a host of sophisticated but affordable shops, look out for the live street entertainers and the many great eating spots hidden down the side streets – our favourites include Belgo, Hawksmoor, Sophie’s Steakhouse and Chez Gérard, which sits atop the market itself and is great for people-watching.

Tube: Covent Garden

Music at St Martin-in-the-Fields

For a truly uplifting experience take in a classical recital by candlelight in the crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields, a magnificent church in the north-eastern corner of Trafalgar Square. You can hear baroque Bach, rousing choral works and even jazz - at Christmas time Handel’s Messiah performed in the flickering light is particularly joyful.

Trafalgar Square
Tube: Charing Cross
T: 020 7766 1100
www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org

Cost: evening performances are well worth the reasonable entry fee (Thursdays to Saturdays, and alternate Tuesdays, 7.30pm); lunchtime recitals are free.

Take a stroll on Hampstead Heath

Just a short tube ride from the centre of town, pretty Hampstead feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Nothing clears the mind like a hearty ramble on the Heath, a large, ancient park covering some 320 hectares (790 acres). One of London's best-loved open spaces, the Heath's remarkable range of habitats includes one of the capital's few bogs, as well as wide expanses of grassland and ancient woodland. You get great views from Parliament Hill, one of the highest points in London. Afterwards, stop for lunch at the Wells tavern and finish up browsing the shops in Hampstead Village.

Tube: Hampstead
(5 minutes walk to the Heath, accessed via Well Walk; you’ll pass the Wells on the way)
www.thewellshampstead.co.uk

Follow that bike

In recent years the mayor has gone to great efforts to make London ever more cycle-friendly, but even if hiring a ‘Boris bike’ from the racks around town seems a little daunting, some excellent companies offer very safe guided rides around the city. Fat Tire tours have a license from The Royal Parks and ride on their bike paths and cycle lanes for virtually the entire journey, stopping for information and photo opportunities. All equipment is provided and various routes are on offer.

Tours operate all year round, £20

www.fattirebiketours.com

Take a guided walking tour

The delights and quirks of London are often best revealed on foot, and London Walks offers a range of brilliant guided tours, each lasting around two hours and with something to suit every taste. Our favourites are the atmospheric nighttime walks, which follow the trail of Jack the Ripper or take you to haunted corners of the oldest parts of the city.

Walks available all year round, £8.

www.walks.com

Explore Kew Gardens

If you want to get away from it all for the day, it's simple – just go to Kew; only 20 minutes on the tube from Sloane Square, and then a short walk, the Royal Botanic Gardens are simply beautiful at any time of year. Stroll from the famous Palm House along Syon Vista to reach our favourite spot by the Thames, then tuck into your own picnic or walk over to the delightful Orangery café for a bit of tea and cake. Admission £13.50.

Kew Road
Tube: Kew Gardens
www.kew.org