London is one of the most exciting cities in the world; royal ceremony sitting side by side with art and architecture from the 21st Century and free admissions to many of the city's top cultural attractions. Bright, buzzing and full of life London has a truly international flavour with the dazzling West End the place to go for shopping, dining and entertainment with everything from Soho street markets to classical ballet at Sadler's Wells and the Royal Opera House.

London weather is known for its unpredictability. Summer showers are frequent and in the main winters are wet so a raincoat is an essential item of clothing when packing. Central London temperatures are always a few degrees higher than the surrounding suburbs and they remain generally mild throughout the year. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 0°C and average just 21°C during the warmest summer months of June - August. One of the best times to visit the city is during April and May when the spring blossoms are out and the days are drawing out.

The Gatwick Express train links the airport with central London in just 30 minutes arriving into London Victoria. Within central London the tube or underground trains are the fastest way of travelling from point to point. London Underground Travelcards and Oyster Smartcards can be purchased on board the Gatwick Express for 1, 3 and 7 day durations. If you're staying for more than a day or so the Oyster Card is the most economical option and offers discounted journey costs, the prepaid card debited accordingly as and when you travel.

A good way to familiarise yourself with London's major streets and the city's most famous landmarks is to take one of the open top double decker bus tours which will allow you to hop on and off at 90 different stops or to stay onboard for a full tour. These open topped buses circuit London stopping at all the major sights and the full day ticket also includes a round trip or point to point river cruise from the Embankment, Waterloo, Greenwich or the Tower.

Brimming with legends and folklore, London is a city that is perfect for walking with intriguing sights crammed together that are all easily accessible on foot. Explore some of London's macabre history from infamous Jack the Ripper haunts to Shakespearean London or even follow in the footsteps of the Da Vinci Code novel. Themed daily walks start from a number of underground stations at designated times. Check the schedules and then just turn up and pay.

Westminster Abbey is one of London's major historic buildings; the royal church of the British monarchy and site of numerous coronations, marriages and burials. Admission tickets are available at the door. Just behind the Abbey are Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Tours of the Houses of Parliament are open to overseas visitors during the summer recess only. Tickets can either be bought on the day or pre purchased and tours run from Mondays to Saturdays during the summer recess period of 31 July - 3 October 2007.

Nearest Underground: Westminster or St James's Park

The beautiful dome of St Paul's Cathedral dominates the Thames skyline. Inside you'll find magnificent mosaics, works of art, famous tombs and spectacular views from the Whispering Gallery. St Paul's is open Mondays to Saturdays with last admission 1600.

Nearest Underground: St Paul's

For some olde worlde village character visit charming Greenwich filled with historic homes and buildings, lively markets, traditional pubs and the impressive sight of the Old Royal Observatory, the original home of Greenwich Mean Time. London's village of Kew features a cricket pitch on the green, cosy pubs, smart restaurants and famous Kew Gardens, the most comprehensive public botanic gardens in the world.

Palaces and stately homes on the outskirts of London include Hampton Court, one time royal home of King Henry VIII. Journey time by rail from central London is 30 minutes with trains running frequently from Waterloo. Windsor Castle is still inhabited by the Queen and trains run regularly from Paddington to Windsor with the journey time by rail also just 30 minutes.