There's so much more to London than you've seen. This video brought to you by Visit Britain.
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As Samuel Johnson said in 1777: "When a man is tired of London he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." And what was true then is as true now, if not more so. In London's 600 square miles there is, indeed, all that life can afford: layer upon layer of history and eight million people living, working and playing in one of the most diverse, exciting and creative cities in the world. The question isn't why should you visit London but how can you afford not to?
The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 as a symbol of his dominion over his captured kingdom. Today, it is an almost 1000-year-old palimpsest on which is written the history of the capital. In this time it's been a prison, a royal residence, an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint and, to this day, the home of the Crown Jewels. A tour is de rigueur if you want to understand London.
For a truly historical, quintessentially London eating experience head into East London and try pie and mash, the food of the true Cockney. It is what it says on the box –a minced beef pie with mash potato all smothered in a green parsley liquor. Smother with salt, pepper and vinegar and eat with fork, spoon and gusto. Cooke's pie and mash shop in trendy Broadway Market, Hackney, still does that old classic, jellied eels. Go on, I dare ya. At the other end of the scale there's Michelin star dining on a relatively minuscule budget at Simon Rogen's Fera at Claridges, which offers a three-course set lunch menu for around $80 (£39) a person. Visit www.feraatclaridges.co.uk for details. Indeed, this year's Michelin Guide has 25 new Bib Gourmands, awards which recognise places that offer good food at affordable prices, reflecting a trend in Britain for competitively priced and less structured dining. The new Bib Gourmands include Dehesa, the popular charcuterie and tapas bar in Soho.
A walk through St. James' Park is a pleasure in itself but it's the places that border the park that make this special. To the west – Buckingham Palace; to the north – The Mall; to the east – Horse Guards Parade; and Birdcage Walk to the south. Within the park do take time to visit Inn The Park , a cafe restaurant which serves excellent breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas.
Just get out at night and get amongst it – London is buzzy and exciting, with a diverse and vibrant nightlife from the rooftop bars springing up across the increasingly popular East End to the tiny speakeasies such as Cellar Door in Aldwych or the Trailer Happiness basement bar in Notting Hill's Portobello Road . There are more and more gastro pubs now offering decent and affordable British classics while a burgeoning number of gin joints – including the popular City of London gin distillery and bar not far from St. Paul's Cathedral – are opening up in the wake of fresh interest in the more botanical side of Mother's Ruin.
London isn't short of places to stay but one of the funkiest new hotels to open in recent years is the Mondrian London . With 3D images in the elevator, giant blue anchor-style chain links in the foyer and the feel of a 1920s cruise ship this quirky 359-room hotel in Southwark is great fun. Check out the terrific Dandelyan bar on the ground floor for innovative cocktails. Also, if you don't mind heights check in to the Shangri-La Hotel , which takes up floors 34 to 52 in the iconic Shard building. It's also home to Gong, one of London's highest cocktail bars and where you simply MUST try the Black & Blue Swizzle (£18) with its perfect combination of Talisker 10 whisky, Stilton cheese, honey and Pedro Ximenez sherry.
A Visitor Oyster Card is pretty much needed everywhere on the London transport system these days – the buses certainly don't take cash any more. You can buy one in advance from www.visitbritainshop.com.au or from your travel agent. Also, the Citymapper app is fantastic for finding your way around. It's free at www.citymapper.com/apps
