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Kenwood House is one of the finest 18th century country houses in London. On the northern edge of Hampstead Heath, it was probably built in the early 17th century, but was extensively remodelled between 1764 and 1779 by Robert Adam, who transformed it into a neoclassical villa for William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield. The interiors include some of Adam’s finest surviving schemes, which are beautifully shown following recent renovation work. The house contains an astonishing art collection, which includes works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Turner, Gainsborough and Reynolds. The house, grounds and collection were bequeathed to the nation by brewing magnate Edward Guinness, Earl of Iveagh, in 1927. Kenwood has also featured in many movies and TV productions, including Notting Hill and Mansfield Park.

Once known as ‘the Dutch House’, Kew Palace is the smallest of all the royal palaces.  It was originally built in 1631 as a private house for a wealthy London silk merchant, Samuel Fortrey.  George II and Queen Caroline were first attracted to ‘little Kew’, thinking it a perfect lodging for their three eldest daughters.  After them, several generations of Georgian royalty used Kew and nearby Richmond Lodge as weekend retreats.  George III, Queen Charlotte and their 15 children enjoyed a relatively simple domestic routine at Kew, the palace rang with laughter and fun, however in later years the atmosphere darkened as family rivalries become more intense and relationships soured. Later the house became a refuge for George III, when he fell ill and was thought to have become mad. The King survived being administered powerful emetics and laxatives, freezing baths and leeching.   He was also put into a strait-jacket if he refused to co-operate.

Highlights include the princesses’ bedrooms, Queen Charlotte’s bedroom and the kitchens.  You can also visit Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, a rustic country retreat in the grounds.

Entry to Kew Palace is included in the ticket price for Kew Gardens.

Originally a fresh food market dating back to the 14th century, Leadenhall Market stands at the centre of what was Roman London. It was redeveloped into an ornate iron and glass arcade building in 1881 and, with its distinctive red, gold and green colour scheme it is a site in its own right. It contains a variety of pubs, cafes and restaurants, as well as several high-end specialist shops. Leadenhall Market famously featured in the film, 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'.

Discovered during excavation work for the new Guildhall Art Gallery, the remains of London's Roman Amphitheatre date from the 2nd century AD. It had a capacity for an audience of 7,000 watching animal fights, executions and gladiatorial contests. The ruins of the eastern entrance, including sections of wooden drains, are displayed in an innovative way, underneath the art gallery - which is where you need to enter to see the amphitheatre.

Regent’s Park Zoo, or ZSL (Zoological Society of London) London Zoo, is still generally known as London Zoo.  It was the brainchild of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore and is the world’s oldest scientific zoo, opened on 27 April 1828 by the Zoological Society of London.  Its collections were augmented by the additions of the menageries from Windsor Castle and the Tower of London.  At that time, it was only accessible to fellows of the Society for the purposes of scientific study, but the zoo was opened to the public in 1847 to help funding.

London Zoo packs a great deal into a limited space.  Animals you are generally able to see include: African hunting dogs, camels, donkeys, flamingos, giraffes, goats, gorillas, insects, lemurs, lions, llamas, macaws, meerkats, mongoose, monkeys, okapi, otters, pelicans, penguins, porcupines, pygmy hippos, reptiles, tiger, vultures, warthogs and zebras.  Many larger animals are kept at ZSL Whipsnade in Hertfordshire.

Two of the zoo’s most famous residents include Guy the Gorilla, who was at the zoo from 1947-1978, and Winnie the bear.  Winnie arrived with a Canadian regiment on its way to the front in 1914; she died in 1934, but inspired AA Milne to rename his most iconic character Winnie-the-Pooh.