A late-closing cocktail bar that boasts live jazz and a gifted bunch of bartenders who have compiled a well-crafted list featuring liquid legacies from the cocktail's golden era. Read more.
With a small square of front terrace, a modern bar and a grand, sunken restaurant, this little piece of Poland has been a worthwhile stop on Waterloo bar crawls for many a year. Read more.
You could walk past the door of this Soho speakeasy every day and never know it was there, and that's just how the owners like it. Read more.
Opened in 2009, together with the Mark Hix-operated restaurant on the ground floor, this is a destination in its own right. It's a subterranean speakeasy with plenty of style. Read more.
Greenwich Park offers a wide range of facilities and points of interest, including a child-friendly boating lake, six tennis courts and the National Maritime Museum just on the perimeter. Read more.
This stunning art deco house was built in 1936. The 19-acre garden really comes into its own during summer, when the long border transforms into a riot of herbaceous perennials. Read more.
Regent's Park is one of the city's most popular open spaces, covering 410 acres. Attractions run from the animal odours and noises of London Zoo to the enchanting Open Air Theatre. Read more.
Wild and undulating, the grassy sprawl of Hampstead Heath makes a wonderfully untamed contrast to the manicured lawns and flowerbeds found elsewhere in the capital. Read more.
At 1.5 miles long and about a mile wide, Hyde Park is one of the largest of London's Royal Parks. The Joy of Life fountain is a popular spot for splashing around in when the weather heats up. Read more.
A favourite of local artists, this formal Arts and Crafts garden is a little-known part of Hampstead Heath. Visit during the early evening and you might see roosting long-eared bats. Read more.
The Serpentine Gallery, the sunken garden and the beautiful flower walk provide alluring ways to while away a sunny afternoon. Read more.
Richmond Park is the largest of the Royal Parks, occupying some 2,500 acres. From the park's highest point, there are unobstructed views of St Paul's Cathedral, over 12 miles in the distance. Read more.
Situated just north of Hampton Court Palace, Bushy Park is one of several vast open spaces that sprawl across the borough of Richmond-upon-Thames. There's a children's playground and café on-site. Read more.
Though not everyone is a fan of the recent redevelopment of Spitalfields (particularly those pushed out by the rising rents), the market has been afforded a new lease of life. Read more.
Borough Market is an unmissable destination for food lovers, catering to top chefs in search of premium ingredients and grazing epicures hungry for freshly prepared mouthfuls of culinary excellence.
This bar-restaurant-cabaret complex in an ex-factory building has become part of the furniture in E2: its little black-box stage is the beating heart of east London's alt performance scene. Read more.
Planted as part of the Festival of Britain, with guidance from the Eden Project, and volunteers from St Mungo’s Charity, this rooftop has incredible views across the river. Read more.
Vicky Park is wonderful for youngsters: the V&A Playground is equipped with swings etc, and the fantastically designed Pools Playground encourages creative play. Read more.
Clissold Park opened a new wheels park, all-weather table tennis table and basketball area early in 2011. Read more.
The playground in Brockwell Park is a favourite, with its aerial slide, massive sandpit and sections for different age groups; nearby are the duck ponds and the huge new paddling pool. Read more.
Highgate Wood has an excellent and well-equipped playground, complete with sandpits, climbing equipment of various levels of difficulty and a zip wire that gets very busy at peak times. Read more.
Parliament Hill sports a state-of-the-art adventure playground, still looking spanking new after its award-winning refurb. Read more.
Regent's Park has several playgrounds, but the most interesting is at Hanover Gate where, in 2010, a new timber treehouse area for older kids was built within a large sandpit next to the boating lake. Read more.
The park's adventure playground is superb, with plenty of original and imaginatively-built features. Read more.
This is ‘The Breakfast Club Part Four’ – the all-day diner chain has expanded east with a Spitalfields branch, two years after the third opened up the road in Hoxton. Read more.
Soho’s smarter denizens can be found breakfasting at this polished and very English restaurant, which – as part of a boutique hotel – opens early. Read more.
A 25-foot Alaskan totem pole outside the main entrance gives a clue as to what’s in here: a wealth of quirky anthropological and natural history treasures. Read more.
On the site of the notorious prison, this museum relays the history of Southwark as well as hosting some deeply unpleasant-looking torture devices. Read more.
You’ll never forget your first visit to the home of architect Sir John Soane. It’s stuffed with curios and is almost exactly as Soane left it when he died in 1837. Read more.
This creaky old London home of the US politician and scientist focuses on the scientific discoveries he made while living here between 1757 and 1775. Read more.
The Guards Museum tells the story of the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards and Welsh Guards. Read more.
The last word in factional conceit, 221b’s study is a loving Victorian recreation and a splendid photo op. Read more.
As one of London’s most talented chocolatiers (and a patissier to boot), Young fashions chocolate creations that delight and impress. Look out for his infamous Marmite truffles... Read more.
This beautifully appointed pâtisserie-chocolatier and café showcases an array of delectable specialities, including truffles sharpened with Japanese vinegar, shiny-glazed mousses and much more. Read more.
At Covent Garden’s Gelatorino, the machines churning the ices occupy pride of place: on several visits, they served us gelati scooped straight from the frosty drums. Read more.
The Icecreamists shouts loudest of all the ice cream parlours – but look beyond the publicity stunts, the banging music and the adolescent decor, and there are actually some decent ices on offer. Read more.
Matteo Pantani’s sheer enthusiasm for his frankly superior product is contagious – and justified. Many of the ingredients for his frequently changing palette of gelati are imported from Italy. Read more.
Gelupo is one of the London’s best-kept secrets – an outstanding ice-cream parlour not even five minutes from Piccadilly Circus. Step inside, and feast your senses. Read more.
Most ice cream is made slowly, in a freezer. Not here. The laboratorists freeze ice cream to order using liquid nitrogen. Read more.
This small, simply decorated ice-cream parlour is a low-key, traditionally Italian affair, with a score or so of the more traditional flavours made by Lorenzo Nardulli and his small team. Read more.
Known for its popular kiosks in Whiteleys and Selfridges, this renowned gelateria also runs a standalone outlet on a South Kensington side street. Read more.
Squeezed into a narrow shopping arcade, this small gelateria dishes out superior sorbets and ice creams. Read more.
Completed in 1638 by Inigo Jones, the house has an interior as impressive as the paintings on the walls. Read more.
The world's largest maritime museum contains a huge store of creatively organised maritime art, cartography, models and regalia. Read more.
There's plenty here to fill a whole day, and it's worth joining one of the highly recommended and entertaining free tours led by the Yeoman Warders (or Beefeaters). Read more.
The original Globe Theatre, where many of William Shakespeare's plays were first staged, burned to the ground in 1613. Nearly 400 years later, it was rebuilt not far from its original site. Read more.
The concrete-clad, 1960s modernist grandmother of them all: no theatrical tour of London is complete without a visit to the National. Read more.
On a clear day the London Eye, the world's largest observation wheel, offers views as far as 25 miles away. Read more.
Designed by architect Charles Barry as part of the Palace of Westminster, The Clock Tower was completed in 1859. Read more.
The cultural significance of Westminster Abbey is hard to overstate. Its popularity can only have increased since the wedding in April 2011 of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Read more.
A Grade II-listed Art Deco masterpiece, and Europe's largest brick building, Battersea Power Station is a London icon. Read more.
Built as a memorial to Queen Victoria's husband in 1871, the Royal Albert Hall's vast rotunda was once described by the monarch as looking like 'the British constitution'. Read more.
Kew Gardens is a magnificent World Heritage Site covering 300 acres with over 30,000 species of plants. Read more.
Housed in a 19th-century warehouse (itself a Grade I-listed building), this huge museum explores the complex history of London's docklands and the river over two millennia. Read more.
Housed in a set of 18th-century almshouses, the Geffrye Museum offers a vivid physical history of the English interior. Read more.
The most popular part of the museum is its showpiece Aquarium, where a series of tanks and rockpools cover seven distinct aquatic ecosystems. Read more.
Upstairs, the chronological displays begin with 'London Before London', where artefacts include flint axes from 300,000 BC, found near Piccadilly, and the bones of an aurochs. Read more.
Antique guns, tanks, aircraft and artillery are parked in the main hall of this imposing edifice, built in 1814 as a lunatic asylum (the Bethlehem Royal Hospital, aka Bedlam). Read more.
The collection is unmatched (150 million items and counting), and the reading rooms (open only to cardholders) are so popular that regular users are now complaining that they can't find a seat. Read more.
The collection includes remains of many rare and extinct animals, such as a dodo and the skeleton of the zebra-like quagga, which was hunted out of existence in the 1880s. Read more.
The V&A is one of the world's most magnificent museums, its foundation stone laid on this site by Queen Victoria in her last official public engagement in 1899. Read more.
Attractions at the Royal Air Force Museum include 80 aircraft on display, an interactive area, a simulator ride and 'Our Finest Hour', a multi-media account of the Battle of Britain. Read more.
Can't see the Number 10 door from where you are? You can have a virtual tour of No.10, inside and out by clicking the link below. Read more.
My favourite restaurant in London. Try de special okonomiyaki of the month (super deluxe size is enough for 2!), also the Inaka mix or London mix are good options. Tofu and avocado gyozas are a must!
One of the best pizzas in London, but you can find pizzas as good for 2-3£ less, bit overpriced. Service is not so good though. The place is always packed but they call you when your table is ready
Amazing mix of english, italian and spanish food. The iberico presa with jamon butter is a must, pork rib with parsnip and see bream carpaccio are excellent. Great wine selection, great service
This road was used as the route for transporting bricks after the Great Fire of London in 1666, hence the name. It now boasts the greatest concentration of curry houses in Britain.
The first nude statue in London was erected in the South-East corner of Hyde Park in 1822. After the pleas from 'country women' a fig leaf was later added to save their blushes.
Until 1993 the location of Telecom Tower was an official secret, having or taking any photos of the tower was a breach of the Official Secrets Act, it was even omitted from all maps.
Trellick Tower is seen to be the best work of Erno Goldfinger, however his design was hated so much by Ian Fleming that he named a villan in James Bond after him.
Lloyds of London moved into the most expensive building in London 298 years after being founded. Note the silver boxes on the side are actually loo pods supplied by a nuclear industry contractor.
Under Guildhall you can see part of an amphitheatre built in 70.AD where Gladiators once fought it out to a roaring crowd. In 200.AD popularity increased so the theatre expanded to hold 6000 spectator
In 1616 Anne of Denmark, wife of James I, commissioned Inigo Jones to build the Queen’s House, the first fully Classical building in England. The house now forms part of the National Maritime Museum.
Site of a famous horse-racing track was used from 1890 to 1962, when it was sold for residential development. The royal box and grandstand were burnt down by suffragettes in 1913.
Home to the Mayor of London, what Boris Johnson described as ‘the glass gonad’ was designed to pioneer eco-friendly technology, recycling heat and using 25% less energy than the average office block.
To mark the 50th birthday of the Royal Air Force in 1968, Flight Lt. Allan Pollock flew his Hawker jet under the walkway of Tower Bridge. This unauthorised stunt won him a court martial.
The current tavern dates back to 1720, but inns of the same name have stood here since the 14th century. They’re named after the Priory of St.John of Jerusalem which used to stand nearby.
This grand Tudor palace was built by Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor Cardinal Wolsey, but passed to the king in 1529. His 4th queen Catherine Howard is said to haunt the gallery outside the chapel.
The name of this hill dates back to the English Civil War when it was occupied by Roundhead (Parliamentary) soldiers. The panoramic views over London are protected by law.
No dogs are allowed in this 17th century aristocratic home, so if you see one it will be the ghost of the Duchess of Lauderdale’s dog. She herself was once a famously beautiful and ambitious resident.
Opened as the Queen’s Theatre in 1705 by playwright and architect Sir John Vanbrugh, in 1986 it hosted the world premiere of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, and it’s been on ever since.
The Coliseum opened in 1904 as a ‘people’s palace of entertainment’. During WW2 it became a canteen for air raid wardens, and Winston Churchill once addressed them from the theatre stage.
The market began life in 1974 as a weekly crafts market, and now has about 100,000 visitors each weekend. The Stables Market is where the horses used to be kept for towing canal barges.
Oxford Circus got its new diagonal pedestrian crossing in 2009. It was inspired by crossings in Tokyo like the one at Shibuya, and in recognition of this Japanese musicians played at the opening.
One of my favourite markets in London. Collect up your picnic supplies and booze, and eat in the lovely London fields.
Gorgeous cafe by the river. The Millie's breakfast special is a must and freshly squeezed blood orange juice. Sun throughout the morning.
An intimate underground speakeasy-style cocktail bar. Grab a seat at the bar and order the Red Crook.
One of the best places to watch Shakespeare ever! Get there early to lean on the stage :)
Fun, lively vibe with exceptional food and a fantastic wine selection for all budgets. Yoghurt cake desert is bliss.
Creamy, well balanced cappuccino, huge (really!) but fruity, almost floral carrot cake - well done!
The best pub in London, old charm, good mix of patrons and proper hand pulled ales and cider. And the best roast pork rolls ever.
Lots of pelicans, lots of squirrels, lots of beautiful flowers and a lot of people at picnic. Really love this park!
Never forget the feeling I had the first time I stepped into this place. True love. The building itself is the top reason to visit, followed closely by the eclectically curated merchandise and brands.
Go for the lunch set menu - it's great value! The duck egg and lobster is out of this world and the bream in spinach and coriander is great too. Awesome desserts and service. Top.
I died and went to heaven. Books sorted by country and region. Helpful staff. Lovely place.
One of the best places in London. If you want to see a skyline of the city just go there.
Wonderful rambling park, like a trip to the country in the middle of London! Check out the ladies bathing pond (if you're a lady!) in summer for a lovely secluded sunbathing spot & refreshing dip!
A small contemporary gallery: must-visit in London. They change their ehxibitions often and they are always thought-provoking.
The interior of the Electric references the cinema's long history with large leather sofas, footstools as well as tables for food and drink. Perfect place for a romantic night out.
Tectonic plate movement is causing southeast England to (very slowly) sink into the sea, and this is just one reason why the city needs protection from flooding.
This fine Jacobean house was completed in 1612, built for Sir Adam Newton, Dean of Durham and tutor to the elder son of James I. It is now a community centre.
This red and chrome trailer is the place to go for the most authentic American 1940s diner experience in London. Its been used for Vogue fashion shoots and features in the film Sliding Doors.
The largest dome in the world and the largest single-roofed structure in the world was built amid some controversy for £789 million just in time for the millennium, completed in June 1999.
In 1894 a French anarchist named Martial Bourdin was carrying a bomb through the park to the Observatory when it exploded and killed him. No one knows why he had decided to target the Observatory.
The home of Greenwich Mean Time, and therefore where each day and year commences. The Observatory’s original function was to improve sea navigation through knowledge of astronomy.
The park on this beautiful walled garden site is the best for miles around. There's an enormous sandpit and all sorts of toddler climbing frames, plus an adventure playground for the older kids. Read more.
