TheBoyandMe

The capital is packed with attractions, famous and obscure, to tempt visitors and natives alike. Seeing all of them would take weeks (or even months) but if we choose only the more famous landmarks and amenities, we can cram the best that the city has to offer into a single week, and still leave time for a trip to a West End theatre or two in the evenings! Let’s run through the more popular destinations.

London Zoo

Situated on the north side of Regent’s Park, London Zoo is a world-class facility which not only offers a chance to see the world’s most amazing creatures up-close, but which participates in worldwide conservation efforts.

Museums

As you might expect from a modern capital, there are dozens of museums to consider. Probably the most impressive is the Natural History Museum, which offers free entry. It’s large enough to warrant multiple trips. If you’re more into art than nature, you prefer instead to take a trip to the National Gallery, or either of the Tate museums.

London Eye

Just across the river from Parliament is an enormous ferris wheel called the London Eye. You’ll be packed into a transparent capsule and slowly lifted high above the skyline. Short of a ride on a helicopter, this is probably the best way to see the capital from on-high.

Big Ben

The Elizabeth Tower of the Palace of Westminster is quintessentially London. The belfry is home to an impressive array of bells, including the largest of them, the famous Big Ben. If you’re in Westminster, it’s a must-visit. Since the houses of parliament are currently undergoing refurbishment, however, tours are closed off to the public until 2021.

Westminster Abbey

This thousand-year-old collegiate church is among the most significant religious sites in the UK. It’s where most royal occasions, from weddings to funerals to coronations, take place. And it’s also spectacular, with two eye-popping clock towers added in the 18th century.

St Paul’s Cathedral

Finally, we come to what is probably the most iconic feature of the London skyline: St Paul’s. The dome-shaped spire is instantly recognisable, and the interior is home to some of the country’s most impressive artworks and architectural flourishes. From atop the famous Whispering Gallery, you’ll be able to conduct a conversation even at the lowest speaking volume; well worth a try if you’re checking out the inside of the Cathedral!

It is believed that humans have been burying their dead since the time of the neanderthals. Some cultures do this as a mark of respect, others to ward off potential diseases and many more – including the ancient Greeks – believed this was part of the process of preparing the deceased for the afterlife.

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In London, like other big cities, keeping your tyres in good order is crucial for safety. On the capital's street, there are endless hazards for tyres, such as potholes, sleeping policemen and raised kerbs. Then, there is the amount of debris you find on London's streets. You frequently see broken glass and other sharp objects which can all damage your tyres. What safety checks should you be making?

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The eagle-eyed (and incredibly loyal) reader amongst you, may know that every year around my son's birthday I ask him a series of questions. They are the same questions that I have asked every year since he was three years old, and as a parent it's interesting to see how his tastes have changed.

Sometimes they haven't (cheesy ham pasta) and sometimes they surprise me (well I never knew Welsh cakes were his favourite snack!), but the one thing that never waivers is how happy and cheeky he is.

(For the more observant amongst you, yes I forgot to do one last year; whoops!)