London

Probably the most colourful event in the UK's legislative calendar, this takes place in May or June every year, or after a general election, when the King travels to the Houses of Parliament to open the new parliamentary session.

Crystal Palace or Penge West rail stations are adjacent to the park· Free

While the Crystal Palace is no longer there, the 200-acre park is a lasting reminder of the grandeur of the scheme. There is a wide range of things to see and do, including a hedge maze, a sports centre with Olympic-sized pool, a boating…

Gallery Rd, Dulwich Village· Cheap

One of London's lesser known treasures showcasing a magnificent collection of old masters, including works by Poussin, Claude, Rubens, Murillo, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Watteau, Gainsborough and many others.

Deptford High St, SE8

Built in 1720, it has been called A remarkable example of English Italianate Baroque.and often has classical concerts and organ recitals. John Betjeman is said to have called the church "a pearl at the heart of Deptford".

Trafalgar Sq, WC2 5DN· Free

Houses the British national collection of western European art dating from the 13th to 19th centuries. A truly awe-inspiring collection, notable works include Hans Holbein's The Ambassadors, Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Constable's The…

St Martin’s Pl, WC2H 0HE· Free

The National Portrait Gallery is just around the corner from the National Gallery and is an entertaining way to learn about British history since the Tudors.

One of the great icons of the old smog-filled London of the mid-20th century and regarded as a fine example of industrial design of the Art Deco era.

London Wall (NB: this is a street!)

Now permanently closed, will be replaced by new museum at the former Smithfield market site in 2026. The Museum of London Docklands remains open.

by Pancras Rd

Hidden away behind St. Pancras railway station is what is believed to be one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in England. There has been a church on the site since at least around the year 314.

Deptford Creek· Free

Tsar Peter the Great Monument, which is located at the waterfront adjacent to Deptford Creek and paid for by the Russian government to commemorate the cultural exchange between two great seafaring nations (it could be argued that Deptford…

tube: Charing Cross or Westminster· Pricey

A ceremony performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies to mark the official birthday of the King. The King and his family travel by carriage down The Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, where they inspect…

Ravenna Rd, SW15 6AW

Comes recommended for anyone interested in anything to do with theatre. They run drama courses for adults and children and around eight shows a year are produced by adults and children alike.

Two-day carnival which takes place every year on the August Bank Holiday weekend. It is said to be the largest carnival of its type in the world, attracts over a million people and is a great celebration of London's modern multicultural…

down a side street to the north, just up from the Häagen-Dazs· Cheap

The cheapest and in some ways most interesting cinema in the area. They screen the latest films, and also have an interesting selection of foreign and art house films. They often have theme nights.

Argyll St, W1F 7TF

Famous old London music hall whose boards have been trodden by many legendary names. These days it shows mostly blockbuster musical productions for the masses.

The ceremony celebrates the appointment of the new Lord Mayor of the City of London. It is one of the great annual processions held in all London.

between London Bridge and Deptford Creek

Southwark and Lewisham host a large portion of the London section of the 184-mile-long Thames Path, organised by National Trails. The route between London Bridge and Deptford Creek largely follows the river (with occasional excursions…

tube: Green Park or St James's Park· Free

Each morning between May and July at 11:30AM the guard changes outside Buckingham Palace. The rest of the year, the guard changes on alternate days, weather permitting.

Consider going along on one of the many excellent guided tours of the City, often with an evocative theme for example ghosts or Jack the Ripper.

Start from Embankment St. If you feel energetic, from Embankment street walk south to Lower Richmond Rd via Festing Rd (a road of cute little white houses). Continue walking to the west until you reach Barnes Village.

tube: Lewisham DLR

Below platform 4 of Lewisham train station, is a charming Irish café, extremely popular with the locals, which can make it hard to get a table come lunch-time.

opposite the western end of Gerrard St

A Chinatown institution. Popular with Londoners and visitors alike and possibly the best value Chinese restaurant in the whole of London. Spread across four floors, this restaurant is infamous for its surly, abrupt service and this has…

tube: Knightsbridge or Hyde Park Corner

One of only two London pubs (and seven nationally) to feature in every edition of CAMRA's Good Beer Guide since its first publication; see The Buckingham Arms for the other one.

tube: Tooting Broadway

BYO, Halal. This place would not win points for interior design, but despite the canteen-style furnishings you have the advantage of an open kitchen, so you can see exactly what they are doing to your food.

tube: Tooting Broadway· Cheap

Fully licensed. The decor is charmingly eccentric, which just means it is a bit bonkers. Sunset palm trees on the walls and large masked figures glare back at you.

tube: Pimlico

Victorian pub built on the site of the cells of Millbank Prison, briefly Britain's National Penitentiary before being downgraded to a holding facility for convicts sentenced to transportation to Australia.

Strand, WC2R 0EZ

The famed Savoy offers magnificent views of the river Thames. It opened in 1889 as Britain's first luxury hotel and remains a popular destination in London.

6 Frith St, W1D 3JA· Expensive

A quirky hotel with 30 rooms in a knock-through of Georgian townhouses. Ever-so-boutique (translation: lots of awkward angles, and no lift to the upper floors).

Euston Road, NW1 2AR

This is the rebirth of the former Midland Hotel that operated the space from 1873-1935, inside the palatial heritage-listed Neo-Gothic St. Pancras station building above.

45 St. Martin's Ln

Ian Schrager (of Studio 54 fame) is known worldwide for being an innovator in the ‘hip’ hotel business. His first foray into London, St Martins Lane, is a playful and urbane destination in the West End theatre district off Trafalgar Square…

134 George Street, W1H 5DN

Less expensive than some of the other hotels in the area. It is on a side street, so it is a little quieter. The rooms are reasonably sized, the beds have been upgraded.

next to The Zetter· Expensive

Offbeat hotel, the concept is that it's the home of dingbat "Great Aunt Wilhelmina". Gets good reviews for comfort and service, and it looks like the old lady could knock a few back - the splendid cocktail bar is open W-Sa 12:00-23:00…