With 21 acres, this is the largest single-run arts centre in the world. The Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery, and Queen Elizabeth Hall form the backdrop to the hustle and bustle of markets.
6 January: Milkbar is a stylish little cafe specialising in teas, coffees and cakes, served in attractive surroundings and vintage teacups. It is a haven from the hustle and bustle outside.
9 February: Amongst the crowds in Piccadilly Circus tube station, take a moment to stop and view the clock, added by architect Charles Olden & builder John Mowlem 1925-28. Read more.
14 January: The people at Ice Bar have built a permanent wintry experience out of ice harvested from the Torne River in Northern Sweden and kept permanently at -5 degrees centigrade.
10 February: Drink in the pub where Lenin and Stalin 'first met'. Some claim that they met in the pub which is now called the Crown. Lenin had recently moved publication of Iskra to Clerkenwell Green.
Perhaps the best old house in London. Takes about 1.5 hours to go round, and then there's a nice cafe.
Completed in 1911, the golden winged figure on the top represents Victory. Beneath her on four corners sit Queen Victoria, the Angle of Justice, the Angel of Truth, and Charity.
Each year a designer is appointed to transform the Gallery. In the grounds, there's a permanent work by artist and poet Ian Hamilton Finlay, dedicated to the Serpentine’s former Patron Princess Diana.
‘Platform 9 and 3/4 ‘ is a site of pilgrimage for fans of Harry Potter, as this is the place of departure for the Hogwarts Express. A luggage trolley ‘disappearing’ through a wall marks the spot.
This area was named after Leicester House, the London mansion home of the Earl of Leicester built in 1635. But by 1800 it was a home of popular entertainment and theatres, and has never looked back.
These award-winning footbridges opened in 2002. The engineers had to contend with the Bakerloo Line just under the river, and the risk of unexploded WW2 bombs in the riverbed!
The passing of three centuries has done nothing to diminish the magnificence of St Paul's Cathedral, Christopher Wren's masterpiece and London's most famous cathedral. Read more.
The downstream (seaward) side of the bridge is decorated with stone sculptures of sea birds, whilst the upstream side is decorated with fresh water birds.
Standing at 310m high, the Shard will own the title of the EU's tallest building when completed in 2012. In 1098 the White Tower was named Britain's tallest building standing at a mere 27m tall.
For the best view of London walk to the top of Primrose Hill... sunrise, sunset - lovely!
The pretty walled garden is ideal for an al fresco lunch. The Albion is widely noted for its excellent Sunday roasts, and the kitchen in general has won praise from food critics far and wide. Read more.
Opened in 1927, Veeraswamy's is said to be the oldest surving Indian restaurant in the UK. Famous diners have included Ghandi, Charlie Chaplin, Marlon Brando and the Prince of Wales.
The 1st Euro venture from multi-Michelin'd Frenchman-turned-NY'er Daniel Boulud, this spot aims to offer London-pleasing highlights from all 5 of his NYC restos. Read more.
Come on a Saturday when people-watching is at its peak. Queue up for Violet’s éclairs, then peruse the handmade knickers, Karin Andreasson’s ’20s-era jewelry & Kate Sheridan’s bright canvas carryalls.
Do visit this bustling food market where top London chefs come to buy their ingredients. If you don’t find it here, where will you? Open from Thursday to Saturday, but come early to avoid the crowds! Read more.
At Greenwich Market you'll find fruit and veg on Wednesday, antiques on Thursday and a mix of craft and fashion by hip new designers at the weekend. Read more.
STREET EATS...on this cold & rainy day come and get yourself a delicious bowl of homemade pasta or hot soup from our Street Eats stand outside the restaurant! X
Only open from 1-5 (weekdays) and free admission. Fantastic museum if you like the 'weird' - Dodo bones, jars of reptiles, elephant skulls, dissected heads... Retains its 19th century charm.
Visiting this terrace bar feels like walking into a set for a music video with a London skyline. The two ritzy roof terraces serve up exotic cocktails to a well-groomed clientele. Read more.
The Old Truman Brewery's buzzy (Up)Market boasts some 140 stalls toting edgy fashion from young designers, vintage gear, gifts, art and crafts and well-priced jewellery. Read more.
"The type of place you can investigate endlessly, tucking between walls, leaning into nooks and jumping from stone to stone..." Read more.
Trinity may be one of Clapham’s smartest neighbourhood restaurants specialising in Modern French cuisine, but did you know they also do a smashing Sunday lunch? Read more.
The set dinners are generous without being excessive in size; delicious too! Expect ~£15 per person on the set meals. Don't be creeped out when they push you into the lift on entry, either.
Ok. I have decided not to write a tip but a prayer. When you step into this resturant you are set for a journey that your taste buds can never prepare for in their whole existence. Halleluja
As well as having some of the best views over London, the property now offers its customers sumptuous seafood delights all washed down with beautiful bubbly. Shakespeare would undoubtedly approve.
Beatrix Potter (b.1866) grew up nearby, and clearly found inspiration among the gravestones, because the resting places of a Mr.Nutkins, a Jeremiah Fisher and a Peter Rabbet can all be found here.
Don't hesitate to take a guided tour they're really good, the East cemetery has all the famous people in it, but the West Cemetary is much more picturesque with beautiful Victorian tombs
Final resting place of many men and women related to the history of the humanist movement including novelist Douglas Adams, Karl Marx and Herbert Spencer Read more.
Who says the U.K.’s culinary fare consists only of fish and chips? Dinner is certainly expensive, but serves thrilling, British dishes inspired by historic menus as far back as the 14th century
Try the fine fish finger butty with sustainable haddock, twice-cooked chips and a side salad (fennel and dill is in season at the moment). Good, as the batter is crisp and not too floury. Read more.
The gist of the menu: luxury bistro food; but this restaurant is gorgeous. Metro gave it 4 out of 5 Stars. Read more.
The BBQ pork and chicken Bánh Mi are excellent (the others are good too). Go for spicy if you're awesome. Rice box is nice too but a bit filling for lunch!
Alfie’s is London’s largest indoor market for antiques, vintage, and 20th century design – a true treasure trove of treats. It boasts mid century modern furniture, vintage handbags and fine jewellery. Read more.
The world's most famous 'secret museum', the SJSM can't be described without using the words bric-a-brac, labyrinthine, or cluttered. A must-see for anyone who hasn't been.
Londoners are prepared to wait in line for up to half an hour to get into the city's most fabled cocktail den, the American Bar—where hotel guests have priority.
Afternoon tea at Claridges is a stylish and indulgent treat – a pick-me-up on a rainy afternoon.
Arguably the best breakfast spot in town. Go all out for chef Bill Granger’s famous ricotta hotcakes, topped with sticky, molten chunks of honeycomb butter. http://tandl.me/SfGlu9
The bacon infused bourbon with tomato juice & chipotle spices is a very good spin on a Bloody Mary.
The Gallery was founded in 1856 as the first in the world - quite independent from collections of royal, family or business portraits. Read more.
Bird poop central. Keep your eyes out for the peregrine falcon that chases away the pigeons.
Try the Reuben sandwich featuring wasabi mayonnaise, raw chopped beef, shaved radish, sriracha and parmesan Read more.
As historic as London reputedly is, it is a strangely rare treat to find a tradition that has somehow survived. Read more.
