The Thames is a major attraction in its own right, wending its way through the city and providing stunning views of London from its banks and many bridges. This day out allows you to appreciate the Thames in all its glory with a host of attractions on, over and by the river. Start off aboard HMS Belfast before walking along the river to Tower Bridge where you can visit the exhibition and then cross over to the Tower of London. From here it’s a trip by river over to Waterloo to go behind the scenes at the National Theatre and then just a stone’s throw to pick up a bike at the London Bicycle Tour Company for an hour’s freewheeling or, if it’s a weekend, a free tour.

The South Bank is one of London’s gems, buzzing with a bohemian spirit as venues host a wonderful array of culture and art. Just soaking up the atmosphere is a lovely way to spend a few hours but there are also some great attractions along the way and this itinerary will make sure you get the most out of your day. Florence Nightingale Museum is the first stop and then it’s a thespian’s dream with tours of the National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe – don’t forget to stop off en route for a bike ride! The second half of the day is equally as cultured with a free audio guide at the Tate Modern and then afternoon tea (£2 discount) when you pop into the Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee. Further along the river you can immerse yourself in the history of wartime Britain with visits to the Britain at War Experience and HMS Belfast.

This itinerary provides an historical journey, delving into London’s rich royal past and looking back to one of the defining moments of the 20th century, World War II. There’s even a boat trip over to Westminster Pier to catch your breath and enjoy some great views before continuing your sightseeing. HMS Belfast is the first stop, climbing aboard this floating museum for some real-life battle stories before you cross the Thames at Tower Bridge – allow some time to go to the exhibition – and make your way to the Tower of London to explore centuries of royal history, starting with William the Conqueror in the early 1080s. Hop on the boat at Tower Pier for Westminster and when you arrive continue the theme by discovering another royal venue Banqueting House. End the day at the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms for a look at the man who led Britain through the war.

If you want to feel like you’ve really got your money’s worth without cramming in the sights then this day is for you, stopping off at a couple of top attractions and spending some time seeing the sights by bike. It’s a great mixture of historical London and some more sporty stuff and you can choose any order to do it in, although it makes sense to start or end the day in Chelsea so you’re not travelling back and forth. The London Bicycle Tour Company offers an energetic way to kick off your sightseeing with an hour’s free hire on weekdays - a lovely way to see the South Bank - or a tour at weekends. From here you can walk along and over the river to the Tower of London for a history fix before hopping on the District Line from Tower Hill to Fulham for a Chelsea FC Stadium Tour.

If you’d prefer to avoid public transport altogether then you can have a jolly good day out by concentrating all of your sightseeing in one area. This itinerary features four top attractions in the City, meaning you can take your time and just stroll between them, mixing river views and beautiful buildings with wartime and royal history. Spend a morning exploring the awesome fortress of the Tower of London, digging deep into its dramatic past, and then head across the Thames via the Tower Bridge Exhibition for fantastic views and interesting facts about this most famous bridge. On the other side of the river HMS Belfast awaits to reveal the story of her wartime service and from here it’s a walk along the South Bank to the Millennium Bridge, which provides an impressive passage over the Thames leading straight to the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral, our final stop.

This is a whistle stop tour of three of London’s most impressive palaces, bringing the majesty and eventful history of centuries past to life. From the beginnings of the Tower of London by William the Conqueror through the Tudor dynasty at Hampton Court Palace to the saving of Kensington Palace by Queen Victoria, these royal residences offer a fascinating glimpse into London’s royal heritage and speak of many significant events and historic figures who have shaped Britain’s destiny. Start out of town at the sprawling riverside palace of Hampton Court before heading by train (to Waterloo) and Tube to discover Kensington Palace and taking some time out to relax with a pot of tea in the stunning Orangery where the London sightseeing pass gives you a 20% discount. Feeling refreshed, head right across town to the Tower of London to end your day surrounded by royal jewels and bloody stories.

Westminster is crammed with political and royal heritage and the short walk from the Thames to Buckingham Palace, skirting (or taking a detour through) St James’s Park, takes in many attractions that paint a picture of this side of London. It’s a whistle stop tour through the ages, characterised by impressive buildings and fascinating exhibitions. From the royal history of Edward III’s Jewel Tower and James I’s Banqueting House to the military capacity displayed at the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms and Guards Museum, you’ll be overflowing with facts and stories about palaces and politics, battles and banquets. You can then drop by Buckingham Palace for a leisurely look at art collected by successive monarchs in The Queen’s Gallery before coming right up-to-date with how ‘one’ travels at the Royal Mews.

Wandering around the streets of Kensington and Chelsea is a lovely day out in itself and, aside from some of London’s best museums and shopping, this itinerary is a way to discover the rich diversity of what the area has to offer. Covering history, culture and nature, it’s the perfect balance of relaxation and sightseeing, meaning you’ll really feel like you’ve had time to appreciate your surroundings. The grand structure of Kensington Palace with the wonderful sprawling expanse of Kensington Gardens on its doorstep conceals a fascinating royal history. After exploring the lavish rooms and taking a break in the 18th century Orangery, you can head through the park to the Royal Albert Hall, where a free guided tour will reveal the heartbeat of this impressive performance venue. From here it’s over to Chelsea – easy by bus or Tube but a pretty walk on a sunny day – where you can catch an arty afternoon film at Chelsea Cinema and then head to Chelsea Physic Garden for an amble through this riverside nature spot.

A day of museums can be a pretty exhausting prospect but this eclectic collection of small museums, all within walking distance of each other, make for some pretty chilled-out sightseeing. It’s also a chance to learn lots of interesting facts about a specialist area of art or history. Start off with a journey through the city’s waterways at the London Canal Museum before heading down into the heart of Bloomsbury to stop off at Pollock’s Toy Museum for a trip down memory lane and then it’s just a short walk to the Cartoon Museum where a world of animation awaits. End your museum moseying at one of London’s hidden gems, The Foundling Museum, for a glimpse of a forgotten past and, finally, escape to the Renoir Cinema to flop in front of a movie (make sure you get there before 5pm if you’re following this itinerary Friday to Sunday).