London may have a reputation as a grey, rainy city, but the city’s vibrant, cosmopolitan culture more than makes up for the lack of sun. One of the largest and busiest cities in the world, you’ll never get bored here as there’s always a multitude of things to see and do. Should you need a break from the madness, simply retreat to one of the many scenic parks dotted around the city, and enjoy the peace.

See
Regent’s Canal – Take a walk (or cycle) along this 200 year old canal for a chance to see a different side of London, away from the madding crowd and tourist buses. The canal cuts through a substantial east-west swathe of the city, and offers many lovely spots for picnicking. You’ll discover plenty of hidden places as the canal wends its way behind the London Zoo, through Camden Town, and on eastwards through Islington, before ending at the Limehouse Cut as it flows into the Thames.

Stay
The Sumner Hotel – Accommodation in Central London can be prohibitively expensive, so this elegant little townhouse hotel just off Marble Arch comes as a delightful surprise. Rooms are tastefully decorated in calming, neutral colours, and are pleasantly quiet despite being only 5 minutes away from bustling Oxford Street. The Sumner also provides its guests with a fantastic complimentary buffet breakfast, although you’ll have to be an early riser to take advantage off it. But with so much to do in London, why would you want to sleep in anyway? Rates start at around £130 for a room.

Eat
HK Diner – For a quick, cheap but delicious meal, head to this busy restaurant on Wardour Street in Soho. Despite the abundance of competing Chinese restaurants in nearby Chinatown, this place is always crowded, and often sports a queue outside. Like its name suggests, it mostly serves typical Hong Kong style dishes.  Start with an order of roast duck, its dark, crispy skin glistening with juices under the harsh fluorescent lights. The clay pot dishes are highly popular – a heap of vegetables, meat or seafood served on steaming rice in a big clay vessel.

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