One of the most important factors to consider when booking overnight accommodation in a city as large as London is the location. London and its suburbs take up a vast area and while the underground network makes getting around possible, it can be a costly and time-consuming affair. This means that the shorter you can make the distances between the attractions, amenities and points of arrival and departure, the better your visit will be.

Don’t be misled by hotels and guesthouses that advertise themselves as being in central London but are actually in Croydon, Epping or Chingford. Areas such as Kensington, Bayswater, Kings Cross and Victoria are teeming with small independent hotels and bed and breakfasts, and it won’t cost you any more to be in the very heart of the city.

If you are arriving and leaving via Heathrow airport, choosing a bed and breakfast in the Paddington area is ideal. Connections between Heathrow and Paddington station are possible via both the underground and the Heathrow Express train, which will have you at the airport in 15 minutes and departs four times an hour.

If travelling by train, and particularly if travelling from the north of England, Kings Cross hotel the Jesmond Dene Hotel is the perfect choice. Kings Cross station is the main railway hub for the GNER line to Leeds and York, while Virgin trains to Scotland, Wales, Liverpool and Manchester depart from nearby Euston station.

While no one has ever considered London a cheap destination, the economic downturn has, to some extent, reduced the cost of visiting the country’s capital. Many, who might previously have considered the city too pricey to visit, now have the opportunity of experiencing the cultural heritage London has to offer.

Attractions

Though sightseeing can often be expensive in London, there is architecture spanning centuries, art galleries and museums that cost the budget savvy tourist almost nothing to explore.

Holidaymakers are able to experience the culturally-rich city on the cheap by visiting Big Ben, watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and trawling through the fashionable Oxford Street shops. For art lovers and history buffs, London is the perfect destination, with free entry to all the major museums and galleries, including The National and National Portrait Galleries, The Imperial War Museum, and the Science and Natural History museums.

If you are not afraid of spending a little, a boat trip to Tate Modern is well worth the money, as you will pass many famous landmarks along the way; it is also much cheaper than a river cruise. Though it costs a little more, hop on board the London Eye to take a bird’s eye view over some of the best known architecture in the world.

Where to stay

Backpacking is by far the cheapest way of seeing London. Bunking together in a hostel will ensure you have a healthy budget left over for more travel, but if that is not your cup of tea there are plenty of inexpensive chain hotels to choose from.

Getting around

There is no more budget-friendly or practical way of exploring than walking around the city. You will experience everything London has to offer by going on foot, but if you intend going a little further afield hopping aboard a train is the best option. If travelling regularly by train be sure to pick up an Oyster card, which offers discounted fares; they are available from your nearest railway station.

Picture: Images_of_Money

Want to experience what it would be like to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, or maybe some historic figures. You can when you visit Madame Tussauds.

Encompassing some of the most historic figures of all time, movie stars, sports stars and the Royal Family, Madame Tussaurds is one of the most popular attractions in London. The site features 14 interactive zones and movie experiences including the red carpet filled with movie stars.

Walking around Madame Tussauds you can take pictures with your favourite icons and even learn how they are made.

Tickets are available for visitors on the day, but are more expensive so it’s best to book online where you can save up to 50% and offers faster entry into the attraction.

So, the only question left is who will you meet?

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Thinking of visiting our beautiful city of London? Then here’s our guide to the best way of getting here.

Flights to London

London is the largest city in Western Europe and is serviced by a total of five airports; London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, London Luton and London City Airport so direct flights from a number of cities worldwide are possible including a number of internal flights.

Travelling to the city from an airport is relatively easy due to the modernisation of public transport; this includes by train, bus and taxi, but if you want to make your own way you can hire a car from Sixt car hire and travel in your own time. Bear in mind that if you drive in you may be liable for congestion charges if you enter the centre of London.

Travelling by train

London has a massive train network and every major city in the mainland UK has frequent train services to the capital. It is recommended that you purchase your train tickets in advance to get the best deals.

Three of the main train stations in London are:

•    London King’s Cross – This station services trains from East Anglia, the North East of England and East Scotland.
•    London Euston – This station services trains from the Midlands, the North West of England and West Scotland.
•    London Paddington – This station services trains from the South West of England and Wales.

Travelling by Bus

National Express is the largest domestic coach service in mainland Britain and operates journeys to and from London from all over England, Scotland and Wales. Although a lot cheaper than the train, coach journeys to the capital are relatively slow.

The largest coach station in London is Victoria Coach Station which services coaches from both domestic and international destinations. It is situated in the centre of the city with easy access to many tourist attractions.

Travelling by car

London has a vast road network for travelling to and from the city and is easily accessible from other parts of the country. The capital is encircled by the M25 orbital motorway which connects all major routes to Scotland, Wales and the rest of England.

The three largest routes into London are:

•    M1 Motorway – This is the main route from the North into the capital. In starts at Leeds travels though Yorkshire and the East Midlands to London. The M6, which connects to the M1 at Rugby leads to Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, through the Lake District and terminates in the Scottish city of Glasgow.
•    A1 and A1(M) – The A1 was the original road from the North to London and is still highly popular today. It starts from Edinburgh in Scotland and travels down the eastern side of England to London; it is sometimes referred to as the ‘Great North Road’.
•    M4 – The M4 is the major route to and from the West of England and South Wales.

Which even way you choose to visit London, you’ll be sure to have a great time when you get here!

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London is a truly international city and guests will discover that the city’s many dining options reflect its global influences.

Visitors may want to follow the English tradition of Afternoon Tea.  As well as fresh tea, sandwiches, scones and cakes are typically served.  Some establishments may require customers to wear smart dress, so visitors are advised to check beforehand.  The better-known restaurants and hotels serving Afternoon Tea may also require advance booking as they are very popular.

London also has a number of gastro pubs, which tend to offer good food at relatively affordable prices.  No visit to London is complete without a visit to a traditional English pub for a half pint or pint of beer.  Another popular tradition is a pie, especially a pork pie.

London’s many ethnic influences are reflected in dining choices.  There is a heavy emphasis on Asian food, with many excellent Indian and Chinese restaurants, but people from across the world have come to live in London and brought their cuisine with them.  Caribbean, African and Arabic cuisine are also popular options.

When staying in the Capital you want to be close to the best eating spots there. Getting around is easy when you take the tube so being close to an underground station is a good option. But you will also like staff to be knowledgeable on where best is to go for food. If you stay at The Jesmond Dene Hotel, their staff will be able to find the right restaurant for you. They can also suggest other places which may be a good choice for you to eat or head to for a drink.

Visitors who feel hungry as they roam London’s bustling streets can avail themselves of the many street-food stalls dotted around the city, and many of the city’s popular markets feature dining options.

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The O2 Arena will play host to the Gaucho International Polo for the third year running on the 21st May. Kicking off at 5.30pm with Argentinian wine tasting and live music before moving on to the main event later on, it’s bound to be an unforgettable evening.

Last year saw England beat Argentina in a nail biting final 15-15 draw. It has been confirmed that this year will be down to the same two teams – England and Argentina – headed up by Argentinian Captain Nacho Figueras and his English rival Jamie Morrison.

The wine tasting takes place in the Argentina Tasting Village which opens at 6pm. With more than 200 different wines from the 40 of the best Argentinian wineries being shipped over specifically for the event, it’s set to be the largest tasting ever staged in Europe for Argentina.

The opening concert commences at 6.30pm which then moves into the Grand Opening Match between Team Merchant Hub and Team Hedonism Wines.  There will also be another match, between Scotland and Mexico, with concerts in between it and the main event between Argentina and England which begins at 8.30pm.

And if you still haven’t had enough, at 9.45pm the Official Gaucho International Polo 2013 Players After-Party begins at the indigO2.

Tickets have been on sale since the 1st February and are still available via the Gaucho Polo and O2 websites from around £20.

Picture: Taylor Herring

Offering some of the most stunning views of London, the huge Ferris wheel structure of the London Eye gives tourists a unique experience of the capital. The London Eye is the most popular paid attraction in the UK and measures an impressive 135 meters tall.

Situated on the South Bank of the river Thames, the London Eye sits opposite some of London’s most iconic buildings including the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, and views across the whole city can be seen from the top of the wheel.

Each of the London Eye’s pods contains a built in tablet offering interactive guides to the city and tickets also include access to the sites 4D experience which includes 3D aerial footage of London’s skyline and 4D sensory effects.

The opening times for the London Eye change throughout the years, but between April and June the times are from 10am to 9pm. Visitors to the site are urged to pre-book tickets as it gets very busy. Ticket prices start from just £17.28 and are available from the London Eye website.

The spectrum of cuisine available in London is as broad as the price at which you can get it.  Every conceivable dining experience is available, and while Michelin starred gourmet restaurants serving haute cuisine in tiny portions have their place, there are delicious dishes to be sampled and enjoyed at a fraction of the price.  Visitors to London that want to make their budgets stretch without missing any fun; the following are top tips for ways to eat cheap.

You probably don’t want to venture too far from your hotel, however if you’re staying somewhere central and easily accessible then getting around the Capital won’t be too hard. Staying at the Kings Cross Hotel The Jesmond Dene Hotel, places you near the best travel hub in the city and close to an underground line, which means you can get round the city easily.

Fill up on buffet: just north of Leicester square, colourful and fragrant Chinatown is a buzzing hive of authentic restaurants, many of which offer all-you-can-eat buffets for a set price.  If you settle in for a late lunch, you might be too full for dinner.

Markets: Camden town is home to the famous Camden Lock market where you can nibble on crepes, spring rolls, or tacos whilst browsing the stalls or sit by the lock with anything from fish and chips to a lamb tagine.  At Borough Market near London Bridge, stallholders serve up delicious seafood, curries, hog roast and paellas from the early hours on weekends.

Haggling:  for some, there is nothing like the satisfaction of a striking a good bargain.  Head to Brick Lane where the hosts of curry houses jostle for your attention, offering excellent deals on full meals whilst fully expecting to be argued with.

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London will, for the second year, be playing host to one of the most glamorous events of the year, the Vogue Festival. This year’s festival, in association with Vertu, will run on the 27th and 28th April in the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Following on from the huge success of its inaugural event of 2012, the big names of the fashion world will be returning. From designers and models to photographers and fashion editors, all the most glamorous people have been invited by Vogue to speak or host events at the festival. Key speakers have been announced as Mario Testino, Donatella Versace, Anya Hindmarch and Cara Delevigne. But the highlight of the weekend is bound to be Victoria Beckham’s speech on her rise to fame, tickets for which sold out almost immediately.

Make sure to practise your poses as there’s the opportunity for festival goers to be photographed for their own cover shoots. Alongside talks there will also be demonstrations and mentoring. Makeovers will be hosted by Dior advising on the most popular lip shades for spring and Yves Saint Lauren creating perfect smoky eyes. The Vogue Braid Bar is a stand which promises to be popular.

Tickets for the event are now on sale via the Vogue website, although many of the most popular events have already sold out, so if you’re a fashion fanatic, you’ll want to book them right now! Prices start at £30 and are available individually for each talk.

On the 19th March, the World Photography Organisation announced the winners for the Open, Youth and 3D categories which will be shown, alongside those shortlisted in each category, at the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition.

The event will run from the 26th April to the 12th May at Somerset House and will showcase contemporary pieces of international photography from a range of professionals and amateurs. The subjects of photography will include everything from travel and wildlife to landscape, people and events worldwide. The wide range of images displays the world of 2012 through the eyes of emerging and already established photographers.

Because of the opening weekend coinciding with the World Photo London photography festival, alongside the exhibition, there will also be talks and debates hosted by experts in the field. The show is curated by Michael Benson.

The open category had more than 55,000 entries this year. Winning photography includes images in the Low Light category of the Milky Way over the mountain tops in Kazakhstan; the Split Second capture of milk spilling out of a striped mug; and an explosion of colour and light in the ‘Fung Shun’ fire dragon dance event in China. A winner from each category will receive a Sony A77 as well as having their images exhibited in the Somerset House. The overall winner will receive $5000 and will be announced on the 25th April.

Tickets are now available for the event at £7.50 each, which will give you access to all the exhibitions on the day of your visit.