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!)

If you’re lucky enough to have some free space in your home, there are a whole host of ways you can put it to good use. Those who work from home, for example, might turn their spare room into an office, while those who often have family or friends to stay can design the guest bedroom of their dreams. But for those with children, it’s a great idea to use the free space to create a playroom.

Playrooms have a number of advantages: from giving the children somewhere to go while you get on with work, to ensuring that there’s a dedicated place to store their toys and clutter, so it’s definitely worth thinking about designing one. And from choosing sensible window coverings to opting for decor with educational value, there are lots of relatively simple design tricks you can use to get your playroom looking and feeling top notch.

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My boy.

My funny, compassionate and sensitive little boy who still loves to cuddle up with his teddies.

He is growing up so very fast. It astounds me how he changes from day to day, so when his birthday is approaching and it's time for me to reflect upon the things that he likes at his current age, the difference from the previous year is even more pronounced. Some things will never disappear I think (cheesy ham pasta and Oliver Monkey), but Peppa Pig has long since been relegated to the depths of Nick Jnr and I can't say that I miss her that much.

And so here's my boy, just after his 9th birthday, and all the things that make him who he is in his final year of single digits.

It was once labelled as one of the most stressful life events, running close to losing a loved one or going through a divorce.

Indeed, moving house can be a stressful, intense period of time in your life but, when you have finally moved into your new pad, all the stress and uncertainty evaporates.

Just how can you keep stress under control and make moving less onerous a task?

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Homes for students studying in Sheffield are plentiful and affordable – at least when compared to London’s sky-high rates. You can expect to pay a weekly rent of between £65 and £85 for a room in a shared student house or Sheffield Hallam accommodation, though this naturally varies by area. Understandably, the properties best situated for the universities are in demand and often more expensive.

Start your search with a little fact-finding: the Sheffield University Student Union website has many useful guides for you to download. They also host a housing fair to help you find the best base for your time in Sheffield. Agents and landlords attend the fair, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to tick housing off your list right there and then.

The house hunting season begins in November, but don’t worry if you’re not able to start the search so soon. There are plenty of good properties on offer in the Steel City.

Most shared flats and houses are for groups of four or five – splitting into groups will offer you the widest choice of properties and help stretch your accommodation budget further.

So much for the where, but what about the who? The people you live with in Sheffield may well be your friends for the rest of your life, if you choose well. Sheffield universities run housefinder events, so ask at the union if you're struggling to find flatmates.

Saving on accommodation is essential if you plan to make the most of Sheffield. After all, there’s much more to the Steel City than libraries and laboratories. The vibey, creative atmosphere and thriving culture means many people who study in Sheffield decide to settle down there. This beautiful city blends a rich heritage with a very modern outlook. There’s a deep and diverse cultural scene, with world class galleries and theatres regularly packed and a music scene that’s birthed countless acts from grime to rock. Check out the iconic Leadmill, where many a famous act has played to small local crowds on their march to the top. 7.2% of Sheffield's working residents are in the creative industries.