Of course, not everyone has been fortunate enough to find a ticket to the sports this summer, but whether you are attending an event or are merely sightseeing, the Olympic village and stadium in Stratford is a genuine treat. Beat the locals of London by being one of the first to ride the Greenwich cable car over the Thames, and then enjoy the spectacle of the state-of-the-art arena. Capture some memorable photographs and marvel at the architectural wonder of Anish Kapoor’s celebrated Orbit Tower.

Westminster, London, UK by Tanveer Chandok

You can find some more of Kapoor’s smaller works on display at the Tate Modern gallery on the south bank of the Thames. The incredibly popular gallery displays works by renowned artists including Francis Bacon, Pablo Picasso and Damien Hirst and – like many of London’s most famous museums – is free for the general public to enter, making this cultural treat a cost-effective option too.

Some experiences encapsulate everything about the character of a city and, in the case of London, that experience is the London Eye. A thirty minute trip up into the sky in one of thirty two revolving capsules provides the very best vantage point of the city: towering above even Big Ben.

Of course, no visit to England’s capital city would be complete without a moment to enjoy the majesty of the British Royal family’s Buckingham Palace. One of the most recognisable buildings in all of Great Britain, the palace is a favourite for visitors in its own right. But with the addition of the changing guards, and the fascinating ancient ceremonies and customs, there are few who would pass up an opportunity to experience this for themselves.

London is a cultural capital of the world. Whether your love is art or music, theatre or shopping, there is everything you could wish for in a holiday destination. From the boutiques of Carnaby Street to the glamour of Bond Street; William Shakespeare’s Globe theatre and the Barbican; the numerous stadiums catering for every sport; whatever your passion in life, you will find the best of it in London.

This is an incredible, historical city. As you arrive in the ultra-modern Heathrow Airport you will be amazed that some of Britain’s oldest landmarks – from St Paul’s Cathedral to the Palace of Westminster – are less than an hour away. Any one of these locations would be a must-see place to visit, but in London you might find that there is never enough time to see it all!

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Horse Guards Parade (Beach Volleyball), London 2012, UK by Adam Care

In 2012, London hosted the Games for a record third time, and many would argue that the choice of individual event venues was perhaps the finest and most iconic of all time. As well as the spectacular Olympic Stadium itself, there are several brand new locations, but it’s the temporary and pre-existing sites which have really captured the imagination. Here are four of the venues that have made London 2012 so special.

Horse Guards Parade (Beach Volleyball)

The construction of a temporary stadium in the very heart of the city was an inspired choice. Beach Volleyball was unlikely to be an overly popular event in the UK, but placing the action just a short walk from Downing Street, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square gave spectators a unique opportunity to enjoy a little sport and to soak up some of the culture of one of the world’s most iconic cities.

Lord’s Cricket Ground (Archery)

The home of world cricket and one of the finest sports arenas in Britain, Lord’s is located in leafy St John’s Wood, a suburb in the north-west of the city. The hallowed turf has hosted some other sports in the past, but only on an infrequent basis. Archery can be an exciting sport, especially when the action is in full flow, and the thousands of fortunate spectators enjoyed an excellent vantage point from the stands.

Brands Hatch (Road Cycling)

The former host circuit for the British Formula One Grand Prix, Brands Hatch is one of the world’s finest race tracks. It’s located close to Swanley in Kent, and previous GP winners include Nigel Mansell, Niki Lauda, Jack Brabham and the great Jim Clark. In recent years, cycling has become something of an obsession in the United Kingdom, so it’s only right that organisers chose such an impressive venue.

Wimbledon (Tennis)

It’s perhaps fitting that the tennis tournament was held in the most famous venue of its kind in the world. The All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club has hosted the celebrated Grand Slam event for more than a hundred years, and is accustomed to handling huge numbers of spectators. The grass surface is ideal for fast-paced play.

David Showell was born in London and is a big sports fan. He works for a company that provides affordable ferry tickets to the general public.

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