Trains to London

The best band the world has ever seen? Probably. The Beatles changed the face of popular culture in the '60s and created some of the 20th century's most enduring songs.

Their appeal has endured from one generation to the next. And now you can see the original lyrics as written by Lennon and McCartney at the British Library.

Scrutinise early versions of hugely important Lennon songs like In My Life and Strawberry Fields Forever – both of which reflect his Liverpool childhood – in the author's own, unmistakable hand.

Lego holds a special place in our hearts. Whether you're a child of the flower power '60s or the yuppie '80s you'll most likely have played with the colourful conjoining bricks.

Same goes for the thirty-somethings of today and their own children. Boxes of Lego have been passed from one generation to the next in many families.

No wonder it was named Toy of the Century at the turn of the Millennium. Embrace the nostalgia with a look at the vintage Lego on display at the Museum of Childhood - part of the V&A.

Much is said about the British Museum's mummies of Ancient Egypt but perhaps less well-known are their feline companions.

That's right, cat mummies. Cats ruled in Ancient Egypt, they were considered sacred.

Cats owned by important people were often mummified, and the British Museum exhibit shows a cat that has been wrapped rather elaborately. You'll never look at your pet moggie the same way again.

Liberty is a department store with a difference. From the outside it looks like a country house from the Tudor period – all black and white wood panelling and leaded windows. There’s an off-kilter, slightly eccentric feel too. Its timbers come from navy ships, and its founder was inspired by Eastern Bazaars.

Step inside and it’s rather magical. Small wood-panelled rooms tumble into one another – full of nooks and crannies and bursting with all manner of decadent products. Browse high-end fashion, homewares and beauty products from some of the best brands around.

The Bed of Ware is an incredibly large bed that lives at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Curators call it ‘One of the V&A’s greatest treasures,’ and it was even mentioned by Shakespeare in Twelfth Night! So what’s so special about it? Well, it’s 3 metres wide for starters – with enough room for 4 couples (ahem).

It became a bit of a thing to have slept in it, and visitors began to carve their names into its heavy oak frame – perhaps that’s where the phrase ‘another notch on the bedpost’ originates?

London is full of old pubs with magnificent histories.

Take the Old Bell Tavern on Fleet Street – built by renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren to give people working on his St Bride’s Church designs somewhere to get a drink.

Wren, who also designed St Paul’s Cathedral, was rebuilding the capital after the Great Fire of London had wiped much of it out in 1666. 

By the 1700s Fleet Street was home to the nascent newspaper industry and the early printers were soon making the Bell Tavern their own

Today, you'll still find a solid pint and an authentic atmosphere.

The huge, iconic advertising boards have made Piccadilly Circus in London’s West End one of the world’s most recognisable places.

Known as the Piccadilly Lights, the advertising boards have carried the slogans of everyone from Coca-Cola and McDonald’s to Samsung and Burberry – Coke has been there ever since 1955!

The lights are incredibly high tech these days, with a new screen dubbed the Curve – a 103 metre, full-motion display.

But Piccadilly Circus has been lit up by advertising since the early 1900s. Why? Around 71,760,000 people walk past Piccadilly Lights every year.

Dishoom is the place for Bombay-style café food. Its game-changing Iranian street food is loved by reviewers and everyday folk alike. Inside, the authentic décor and friendly waiting staff make for an electric atmosphere. Queues can be long, but it’s more than worth it once you taste the spicy lamb chops. Find Dishoom in Shoreditch, Covent Garden and King’s Cross.

Flesh & Buns is all about moreish steamed buns stuffed with lovely ingredients. This underground Japanese restaurant feels much more like a club – with retro design and an old-school rock soundtrack. The food is delish though. Choose from a selection of seasoned meat, fish or vegetable dishes, all served in their signature fluffy steamed rice bun. Find Flesh & Buns in Covent Garden.

On this London food tour you'll take a historic food journey through London to experience Award Winning Fish & Chips, try the best African Chocolate outside of Africa and enter London’s legendary Beigal Shop visited by Prince William!