"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” Samuel Johnson

I love London and it's a frequent destination for our weekly ventures.  I'm always surprised by how many people never consider the city as an option for their family day out, when it's right on our Essex doorstep.  Many people bemoan the cost of travel, the high entrance prices to attractions, the extortionate food prices as excuses against going, but these are the complaints of the amateur London visitor.  Obviously, the main tourist attractions are expensive but they're just the tip of the iceberg of what you can do in London, and even if you should opt for one of these time-honoured favourites you can usually procure some kind of discount voucher online, in a supermarket or indeed last minute at the train station (check the leaflets on display for current deals).

London has a wealth of things to do for a family that needn't cost a penny; museums, galleries,   parks, a stroll through Convent garden or along the South Bank are all completely inexpensive  and yet thoroughly absorbing for the whole family.  And, if you're a competent driver, then why not drive there on a Sunday, when parking restrictions on single yellow lines are lifted? As for food, you're in a city, take a picnic and enjoy some people watching on a park bench or along the Embankment or hunt down a fast food outlet or sandwich bar if you're more the 'fly by the seat of your pants' kind of visitors.  Whatever you choose to do, you're assured of a great day out in a part of the country that changes daily and which always, ALWAYS, has something going on.  We once took a stroll around Westminster and upon turning the corner into St. James' Park, was confronted with a parade of military regiments complete with banging drums and pipers.  That's not your average encounter on a Sunday stroll.

Recently, we discovered a book that I would like to recommend for all my fellow London loving families; London Unlocked (A Guide Book For Kids) by Emily Kerr and Joshua Perry.   It features 66,  yes that's right, 66 attractions and places of interest for the intrepid family to visit and explore.  Obviously there are the die-hard, typical tourist favourites such as the Tower of London and Madam Tussauds, but there are some real hidden gems in here as well; exploring the biggest rooftop gardens in Europe, nestling just above Kensington High Street; defending a castle at the National Army Museum or flying a kite on Primrose Hill.  I was genuinely impressed with the novelty of some of the suggestions, definitely suited for those of you who like to wander a little bit off of the usual tourist track.  The information about each attraction/activity is fairly brief and concise but it provides you with all the essential information you could need.  The guide is great for the sheer diversity and breadth of its suggestions and its layout is easy and accessible for children; my son has already read through it and highlighted all of the attractions he wants to visit in the forthcoming months.  For a measley £8.99  it's a book that is well worth its place on your book shelf and which I guarantee you'll be pulling down again and again.

I'll finish as I started, as Samuel Johnson seems to capture my feeling so well:

'By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show.'

So what are you waiting for?