and again… and again… and again. There are some cities that I just can’t get enough of. It could be for any particular reason: the energy, a lively culinary scene, a spectacular setting, a melting-pot of cultures, history, architecture, a laid-back pace or a mix of everything. These are cities that I would never tire […]

Five classic views of London
A guest post by Laura Porter. London is a huge city and looks magnificent from high locations. The tallest attraction in London right now is The View From The Shard which has two viewing platforms at the top of this iconic building. The Shard is 310 m (1,016 ft) tall. From here, you have views […]

A view of London through its maps
The Beefeater, Big Ben and the dome of St Paul’s are all icons of London recognised by everyone. But there’s another icon of the city that every Londoner knows, though perhaps they don’t think of it that way – the Underground map. Look at one of the early tube maps and what you’ll see is […]

A very London Christmas
Twinkling lights, magical parks and enchanting shows: there’s no place on earth like London at Christmas-time. After all, it’s where the original star of Dickens’ Christmas Carol learnt what the merriest time of the year is all about. While you might not have three seasonal spooks up your sleeve to help your Scrooges get into […]

A funky boutique hotel in the City
The City is London’s financial and historic district. Packed with stately buildings that house all sorts of financial services and law firms, the City was often considered staid. During my banking days, I was a frequent visitor to the City. So, yes, there’s some truth in that. Aside from London’s two iconic landmarks, the Tower […]

Velvet moments: travel photo – sunset in London
I’d just arrived in London and was on my way to the City on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) when the train passed the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. The setting sun created a fiery glow on the horizon that contrasted sharply with the blue sky above. It was a stunning scene, made more dramatic by […]

Ten alternative ways to explore London
London is a city that most first-time visitors will undoubtedly find overwhelming. It truly is one of the world’s greatest cities, with a financial and cultural influence that emanates around the globe. London is home to some of the world’s most recognisable icons like the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s and the […]

The High Teas of London
Tea is the quintessential British meal, so much so that other languages don’t even have a word for it. And there can be few better places to enjoy a proper high tea than London, although you could perhaps make a case for Yorkshire or Cornwall. It can be as much a part of the experience […]

Globetrotting in London
A guest post by Andrea Kirkby. Jules Verne challenged his character Phileas Fogg to get round the world in 80 days. I can do better than that – I like to visit the world without leaving London. Here are my top 10 favourite attractions for a globetrotter stranded in London… First stop Venice, Italy via […]

A movie-lover’s guide to London
Look beyond the multiplexes and you’ll find a city dedicated to cinematic adventure. From the Ealing comedies and Hitchcock classics, through the swingin’ sixties to the Notting Hill rom-coms of Bridget Jones and Four Weddings, London is a city wrapped up in celluloid. Its historic architecture, towering landmarks, and dark and dingy cobbled back streets […]