37. Grand Days Out in Coram’s Fields

Playing on the site of the world’s first incorporated charity, in London’s first public children’s playground. It seems fitting that in a week when even more allegations have surfaced in the ongoing Jimmy Savile scandal, we should take a moment to consider the legacy of someone who worked tirelessly to advance the cause of deprived and abused children: Thomas Coram.

35. On Your Bike, Dahling: A Little London Cycle Ride

I like to moan. After six years of trudging my way around London using her myriad of slow bus routes, crammed and overheated tubes and delayed national rail connections, moaning about public transport became part of my daily life. “Sorry I’m late, the tube…” is often enough to guarantee kindly glances from fellow tube warriors.

When my mother finally called my bluff and bought me a tinsel-clad, basketed bicycle for Christmas this year I worried. Then I moaned again. The realization that I would actually have to take to the roads myself made me feel ill. Moaning and being late is one thing, but the certain death of roundabouts, main roads, buses – good god!

34. Trendy, Cool, and Sooo London: Soho

Soho London Pictures from 1973 John Hutchinson

Soho is one of my favourite areas of London. Its history stretches back hundreds of years, however, it is the period during the second half of the twentieth century when it really became the London’s cultural hub that catches my imagination. Back then it was a hot bed for aspiring artists, writers, musicians and fashion designers seeking success and inspiration. People looking to push against the conventions of their times - and explore new ideas in art, music, theatre - mixed together in and around the streets of Soho.

29. Indulgent And Virtuous: A London Spa Day

Like millions of people in this city I work at a computer all day, hump heavy bags all over London and successfully store all angst and worry in my shoulders and back.  And, like most, I need a way to decompress from time to time, a way to get rid of all that frustration and tension. No, I’m not talking about THAT! Honestly!

28. A Rich and Poignant Past: Wartime London

Showing the Imperial War Museum to a newcomer to London recently, I was reminded of how little attention most of us pay to the heritage of wartime London all around us.

With the richness of the 21st century city on offer and our ever-busy lives, it’s easy to understand why. Yet the spirit and the shape of this great city are so inseparable from its times at war, and there are so many opportunities to see and find out more, it can be really rewarding to spend a little time learning about the experiences of the city during wartime.

27. Celebrating British: THE London Tour for Visitors to Blighty

Last week London was named the world’s best destination by TripAdvisor, having already taken Lonely Planet’s ‘best city to visit’ title in October of last year. With the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics still to come, 2012 is likely to be a bumper year for foreign visitors to the city, if they can get out of Heathrow.

It’s more than likely that someone you know will be visiting London from outside the UK this year as a result. Yet I’ve always struggled when faced with that inevitable demand to “show me around London for a day.” My reaction is usually somewhere between unproductive cynicism (“how about experiencing some record-breaking April rainfall?”) and a distinct lack of imagination (“London Eye it is then”).

So, here are some ideas for impressing your visitors on their trip to London with a truly British experience.

22. No Timid Thames: An Amazing Slice of London's River

That big blue (sometimes dank) streak of water which runs through London: where the boats float by, modern high rise apartments fill the banks, and tourists climb on top of one another to get the best photo of Big Ben! Yes, we all 'know' the Thames. But do the majority of people know what lies beyond East of Tower Bridge and West of Vauxhall Bridge?

Having spoken to many...it seems not. And there is one slice that deserves a closer look. A part of the Thames that is untamed, naturally protected and provides ample opportunity for various daytime and nighttime activities. A part you wouldn't know unless you reside in close proximity to it.

20. A Great Saturday AM Ritual: Pottering about Borough Market

Here's my $.02 (£.01?...) on one of most obvious-but oft overlooked places in London that makes London such an incredible place: Borough Market....

I have a confession:  I get up earlier on Saturday morning than I ever do during the week for work.  Crazy, I know-but this is what you do when want to be at Borough Market before 8.30am on a Saturday!  This is what you do to get the best pick of the fruit and veg, guarantee that the queue at Monmouth Coffee won’t be around the block, and ensure that the crowds are quiet enough to where you can actually have a chat with the traders without feeling like you're bothering them.

18. Swimming with ducks in Hampstead Heath.

We Londoners easily loose touch with nature (my interaction with nature is nowadays limited to the disease-ridden basil plant in my kitchen – or an occasional dog poo on foot incident). That’s why I have found taking a dip in mossy water amongst semi-naked Londoners and other equally obscure forms of wildlife so…restorative.

A century old tradition, bathing in the wooded Hampstead ponds was once a way to clean North London’s working class. Now the murky ponds are used for quite the opposite - to sully over-sanitised Hampstead yuppies who affirm the cardio-vascular benefits of the icy water.

16. Become a Culture Vulture: London's Galleries in one Swoop

Right now in London there has never been so much art. I mean it is literally pouring out every single corner of central London. And, not only is it everywhere, the quality is truly outstanding. What is also wonderful about this, is that everyone I know (OK this could be an age thing) is getting involved and wants to go see these exhibitions.

Whilst the selection is quite literally intoxicating, the fact that there are so many is a problem. Our city is so overwhelming with choice that most of us don’t know where to start. So instead of suggesting a best one, I suggest that you do them all. In ONE day. Exhaust yourself in this remarkable city. Pretend for one day that you are a tourist, and you need to do it all or the giant rabbits will get you.

15. Just Hanging Around: Rock Climbing at Westway

Ah the mid-week hump! A gritty morning coffee has relieved the lurking hangover, and come 5:30 I’m ready for some alternative evening’s entertainment to celebrate a successful Wednesday.

Londoners are spoilt for choice when it comes to alternatives, but here’s my insider’s tip: try indoor rock climbing.

12. A True Diamond in the Rough: Mudchute City Farm

Beneath heady towers of London’s financial district, on the isle of dogs, sits 32 acres of green and pleasant land. This 32 acres of land that was once used to defend London from Nazi bombers and had the Eastend community of dockers at its heart, is now home to something special.

It is home to Mudchute Farm, the UK’s largest city farm.

11. King of the Swinger ohh: Flying Trapeze London Style

Ever climbed something reeeally high and had the urge to jump, do a couple of stylish spins in the air and land flawlessly on the ground with everyone watching and wooping? I haven’t.

But in some fantastic moment of madness last summer I signed up for a flying trapeze lesson on Acton Common with a company called Gorilla Circus, and it was amAZing!

10. An experimental Sunday @ Brixton Market

For those of you who sing the praises of Borough Market but are hankering after something new, I can not recommend Brixton Indoor Market and the Brixton Electric Avenue Street Market enough. If you are a lover of food, or just enjoy a potter and a nibble, both of these will appeal! Ideal for a lazy late Sunday morning: you can peruse the delights of the markets and then settle down for a spot of lunch in one of the many individual 'retro' restaurants.

9. Exercise and Indulgence: Richmond Park

This is the ultimate day trip if you have time, energy and feel like you just need to just get out of the city but you don't have a car. All you have to do is hop on the underground and go to Richmond Station and head to Richmond Park

Out the station turn left and weave your way through yummy mummies, city-boy-dads, prams and posh poodles. Stop off at Paul's on the way and grab yourself a coffee to wake your sensors - with the views ahead you’re going to need it.

4. London in Bloom; Columbia Road Flower Market

Every Londoner should visit this fantastic market in Shoreditch. It's one of the few excellent London markets open on Sunday and worth a visit any time of the year. This unassuming road is filled with market stalls of  flowers and plants, barrow boys, food stalls and craft shops.