London

A recommended gelato stop after lunch around Borough Market.

Recommended for a tapas lunch, with particular praise for the fresh fish.

Visit on a weekend afternoon for its village atmosphere, independent shops and intimate galleries, a short walk from the river.

The Cheshire Street shop is recommended for its excellent selection of vintage finds.

The author enjoyed a tower tour to see the famous bell as part of exploring Parliament.

Explore for luxury fashion, jewellery and antiques rather than bargain shopping.

A lively lunch destination with fresh produce, food stalls and small restaurants. Browse for pastries and brownies as well as savoury dishes.

Visit at the weekend for unpretentious, family-run curry houses and nearby vintage shopping.

Explore vast free collections spanning ancient Egypt, historic Britain, Japanese art and Benin artefacts. The author has returned many times without exhausting its exhibits.

Book a summer visit to explore the State Rooms, Throne Room, gardens and pieces from the Royal Collection.

Book evening cocktails, particularly in the rail-carriage setting.

Spend an afternoon browsing eclectic shops and market stalls, with a wide choice of food for lunch.

Include this distinctive neighbourhood on a first visit to London.

Explore smaller shops and nearby bars just off Regent Street.

Head here in the evening for some of the author's favourite piri-piri in London.

Wander over from Soho to explore Asian restaurants and small bars.

The author strongly recommends these historic rooms as a follow-up to exploring Parliament and Westminster.

Recommended for carbonara and pasta mixed in a Parmesan wheel, especially for cheese lovers.

A special French-fusion dining option in Covent Garden. Reserve ahead because tables fill quickly.

A lovely place to browse flowers, antiques and bric-a-brac, though not necessarily to find bargains.

The author recommends its impressive suites and convenient location near major sights, and especially praises the subterranean spa.

Explore the market, little lanes, shops and restaurants in this celebrated London neighbourhood.

Recommended as a stop after exploring the nearby Painted Hall.

A favourite at The Bloomsbury Hotel for lunch and daytime drinks.

Stop after a Brick Lane curry for gourmet chocolate and a sweet treat.

An intimate, atmospheric museum that recreates the world of an affluent Huguenot silk-weaving family.

Recommended for a sit-down Mexican lunch near Borough Market.

An overlooked former royal palace combining medieval remains with striking Art Deco interiors. Look out for the rooms once occupied by the resident lemur.

The author calls this Piccadilly store an essential addition to a shopping walk around Regent Street.

Stop for traditional pie, mash and liquor while exploring Greenwich.

Include this market in a Greenwich outing after visiting the Painted Hall.

Recommended for dinner featuring excellent Cantonese dishes.

A highlighted shopping stop on Regent Street's flagship-store circuit.

Explore this iconic landmark on a tour rather than only viewing it from outside. The author also recommends arranging access to parliamentary proceedings when eligible.

An informal spot serving some of the author's favourite tapas in South London. Plan ahead because it gets busy.

Browse a maze of little spaces packed with antiques and vintage treasures.

Explore this neighbourhood as part of discovering London's distinctive local areas.

Recommended as part of the Carnaby Street area for its surrounding shops and bars.

Explore this historic covered market, now filled with shops, restaurants and bars. It is worth a short detour while walking through the City.

One of the distinctive shops recommended while exploring the Regent Street area.

Book a ride for outstanding views across London, particularly at sunset.

Visit this museum on the square while exploring Covent Garden.

Walk across after visiting St Paul's Cathedral to reach Tate Modern on the opposite bank.

Stop for a coffee while exploring the food around Borough Market.

Climb 311 steps inside this seventeenth-century monument for rewarding views across the City.

A recommended stop while browsing Covent Garden Market.

A recommended addition to a day exploring Greenwich's historic sights.

Recommended for its enormous collection of portraits and work by internationally renowned artists.

One of the author's favourite free museums, with outstanding collections. Allow around three hours for selected highlights rather than trying to see everything.

Recommended for picking up cheese during a Borough Market visit.

One of the author's recommended neighbourhoods for experiencing London's diversity.

Reserve a table for cocktails in a setting inspired by 1920s Shanghai.

Visit for delicious homemade pasta, allowing time for a queue at busy periods.

This spectacular historic hall is a highlight of Greenwich. Arrive around opening time for a quieter experience.

Recommended for a meal in a beautiful, iconic setting at the Royal Opera House.

The author recommends visiting Peckham to appreciate the diversity of London's neighbourhoods.

A dependable favourite for traditional fish and chips, whether eaten in or taken away.

Stroll here for flagship shops and a mix of luxury, iconic and international brands.

Enjoy this historic royal deer park, where fallow deer still roam freely. Keep a respectful distance from the animals.

Head to this long-established jazz club for live music during an evening in Soho.

One of the author's favourite live music venues, with performances and events throughout the year.

One of the shopping stops highlighted while exploring Bond Street's high-end offerings.

Allow half a day for extensive gardens and glasshouses, including the Palm House, Waterlily House and Princess of Wales Conservatory. The author also recommends Queen Charlotte's Cottage and the Great Pagoda.

Visit this nearby landmark after Leadenhall Market and stop for tea or a drink.

Book a world-class opera or ballet performance for a memorable London evening.

This small Mexican restaurant on Tooley Street is particularly recommended for its bottomless brunch.

Recommended as a nearby follow-up to a morning at the Natural History Museum.

Explore for unusual shops, markets, pop-up events and a lively choice of bars and speakeasies.

Reserve free tickets for sweeping city views from the top of the Walkie Talkie building, especially around sunset.

Recommended for a night out among restaurants, bars and theatres, with especially lively weekend nightlife around Old Compton Street.

Browse food stalls, fashion brands and independent sellers around the main hall. The author recommends it for browsing rather than bargain hunting.

Take a walk through the park after visiting the Houses of Parliament.

Explore Christopher Wren's grand cathedral, including its intricate interior, Whispering Gallery and crypt. Climb to the Stone Gallery for impressive city views.

Explore this market area as part of an afternoon discovering Camden's distinctive shops and stalls.

Visit this restored Gothic house and explore its remarkable interiors, a less obvious addition to a London itinerary.

Explore British art and the neoclassical Duveen Galleries at this riverside museum. General entry is free, making it a good rainy-day stop.

A major riverside art destination with extensive permanent collections and changing exhibitions. The main galleries are free, while some temporary exhibitions charge admission.

Recommended for its beautiful rooms and suites, within walking distance of major London sights.

The Borough location is recommended for good coffee and a light brunch.

A stylish, luxurious central hotel recommended for easy walking access to major sights and nearby neighbourhoods.

This historic hotel is recommended as one of London's most iconic places to stay.

Stop for a pint after exploring Bermondsey Street.

Go beyond walking across the bridge by visiting its inner workings and elevated walkway for an unusual perspective. Allow about 45 minutes.

Explore the Crown Jewels, Medieval Palace and Bloody Tower for a rewarding history-focused visit. Reserve well ahead for the nightly Ceremony of the Keys.

A worthwhile landmark for a first London visit, with Nelson's Column and changing contemporary art on the Fourth Plinth.

Walk above the gardens at Kew for a different perspective on the landscape.

Explore a working collection store filled with preserved artefacts, with opportunities to request particular objects. Admission is free and a visit takes roughly 90 minutes.

Pair this museum with a visit to the nearby Natural History Museum.

Enjoy excellent coffee in a historic Victorian building on Bermondsey Street.

Recommended as a visit to combine with the nearby Houses of Parliament.

A favourite gallery for an afternoon visit, with frequently changing exhibitions.