London is one of the biggest capitals in the world and touring it in one day might seem ridiculous but with an early start and a good pair of legs it can be done. Obviously you can’t see everything London has to offer in one day but to be honest you cant do that in a year either, but if you want to catch all the major cultural sights there is a way.

First on you list should be Westminster Abbey, if you can get there for 9.30 you will beat the rush and be able to walk round in peace. The Abbey is a shrine of the nation and most of the countries Kings and Queens have been crowned there and many buried there as well.

Since the 11^th century, the Houses of Parliament have been home to the country’s government and are a truly remarkable landmark that has seen Britain through centuries of colonising, war and prosperity. The building is watched over by ‘Big Ben’, the worlds most famous timepiece, why not set your watch to it.

Continuing along the political route you can walk down the road to Downing Street, unfortunately you can no longer walk down it but if you’re lucky you may see someone important getting past the hoards of policemen and security officials. Other than that its hardly palatial but at least you can say you were there.

If you continue north you will reach the hub of London, Trafalgar Square. Home to Nelson’s tower it is the scene to many a demonstration. Once plagued by pigeons, each year thousands of party goers descend on this square to ring in the New Year’s Eve.

From the square you can enter the National Gallery, home to the masterpieces of Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Rembrandt to name a few. Panoramic galleries span eight centuries of some of the world’s most famous art and devoting anything less than an hour to this would be a crime.

Just north of Trafalgar square is Covent Garden. England’s most historic market it was designed by Inigo Jones in 1633 and home to a variety of stalls and talented street performers.

By now you may be getting a bit peckish so why not step into Covent Garden’s very own ‘Porters English Restaurant’ where you can enjoy real traditional English pub food. Owned and run by the Earl of Bradford it’s an ideal stop off for your busy day.

A quick ride on the tube, which is a must in its self, will get you to Charing Cross Station, from here you can take a short stroll to Buckingham Palace. This place doesn’t really need any explanation and depending on the time of year you may be able to go inside but beware that this will involve queuing and will take a lot of time out of your day. If you get the timing right you may be able to catch the changing of the guards but don’t plan your day around it as there is plenty more to see.

One final tube trip will take you to the Tower of London, over 900 years it has been a palace, a royal mint and most notoriously a prison. Many famous Englishmen have lost their heads there and it’s the national home to blood and gore. An hour long guided tour by one of the famous Beefeaters is well worth the while and will bring the tower to life.

As your legs begin to weaken, head over to ‘The Salisbury’, a popular Art Nouveau Pub in the heart of the theatre district. You can enjoy a wide range of drinks and some distinctly home cooked pies without breaking the bank.

The best way to spend a night in London would be to take in one of the many shows on offer, you could head for a big West-End musical or to a traditional Shakespeare show at the Globe. You wont be disappointed at either and it would be a great way to relax and take the weight of your feet.

Looking to stay in a Central London Hotel, then stop by Astor Court Hotel for your ideal short London break.