The first step in enjoying London to the full is submitting to its chaos. Its baffling street plan appears to have been designed by a madman, its public transport seems to be run by lunatics and the residents rush around as if the police were after them. This however is all part of its unique charm. Your best bet is to relax, stay out of commuters’ way, and look up. For above the hustle of the street, the gorgeous façades of the city’s past glory oversee it all.

London has so much to offer visitors that a single short break would never be long enough, meaning many return time and time again. Where can we start? Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the Tower of London, Harrods.. the list of landmark buildings is endless. There are also museums and galleries to appeal to all ages and interests: Madame Tussauds, The British Museum, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum and The Victoria and Albert to name just a few. And the best thing is, entrance to many of the museums is free!

You’ll be just as spoilt for choice in the evenings: there’s the draw of the West End theatres, opera, ballet, the bright lights of Leicester Square and some world-class restaurants. No trip to London would be complete without a ride (or a flight) on the iconic London Eye which offers fantastic views of the city skyline and the River Thames. A self-catering short break in London offers greater flexibility and value and is particularly popular with families and groups of friends.

Self-catering properties in the surrounding area (Surrey, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire) not only provide bases from which to explore the capital but also discover the unique historic towns and quaint English countryside of the home counties.