Not only is London the UK’s capital city, it is also the country’s cultural capital, a title it richly deserves and intrepidly defends and while Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh all have their own individual charms none of them can compete with London as a destination. This being the case, I have pulled together an example of an excellent weekend in the city.  Being a 20-something professional with an addiction to pop culture, this might not be to everyone’s taste, but never fear – I would contend that any person reading this could put together their dream weekend in London in under 5 minutes using the internet, so see this not as a guide but as inspiration to put together your own itinerary.
Arriving by train from my home town, the first thing on my Friday agenda is checking into a hotel near London Kings Cross (as this is where my train arrives and departs it is the area of the city that I tend to base myself in). Next up its dinner and perhaps a drink, before getting a good night’s sleep after a day traveling.  For first night ease it’s onto the tube and straight into Leicester Square to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city centre and visit one of the many good bars and restaurants in the area before heading back along the line to get that much needed sleep.
- romantic weekend away in LondonAnirudh Koul / Travel Photos / CC BY-NC
Saturday I’m up early, this being the only full day in the city on this trip there is lots to be getting through. Breakfast over and it’s back onto the tube in the direction of our first destination, the V&A museum. Although I have been many times before, I can always find something in ‘the world’s greatest museum of art and design’ to keep me entertained. At the time of writing, they are preparing to open ‘David Bowie Is’, the first international retrospective of one of pop culture’s greatest icons.
- weekend away in England, London@Doug88888 / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA
After the V&A and a quick lunch, it’s off to the Tate Modern to absorb some more culture and set my eyes on some of the modern art world’s greatest ever creations, and as it happens they are exhibiting a retrospective of the work of Roy Lichtenstein (until 27th May), a personal favourite, all good so far. Next it’s off across town on a pilgrimage to Rough Trade East, possible the country’s best known independent record shop, to scratch a vinyl itch and perhaps get some tips on new emerging talent.
- weekend breaks London _Hadock_ / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
Dinner time and it’s under the river we go, emerging in Southwark and heading in the direction of Baltic, an uber-cool restaurant that specialises in the dishes of Eastern Europe. From soups and stews to fish, grills and dumplings – as a lover of hearty food, I have been meaning to visit this place for a while. Post dinner, being a self-confessed music geek, it is off to see whichever top band is playing in the city (and there will definitely be one!), as I write this the week ahead will see Laura Mvula, Of Monsters and Men, Willy Mason and Sigur Ros all grace stages in the city. If music isn’t your thing, remember you’re also surrounded by theatres, cinemas and all manner of other attractions. Gig over, its a few beers in a good pub before heading back to the hotel for another bout of battery recharging.
- weekend trips away from londonSprengben [why not get a friend] / Amazing Photos / CC BY-NC-SA
Sunday, and we all know that the last day of a trip can often be overshadowed by all things related to leaving, and that’s why a hotel near the station is, again, a must, packed and checked out early it’s straight back to Kings Cross to pop my bags in a locker and forget about the return journey until the last possible moment. Now it’s time to indulge in a serious tourist moment: the newly opened Shard is western Europe’s tallest building, and its viewing platform on the 72 floor is said to give the best view of London and the surrounding area.  Once I’ve returned to earth I’ve just enough time to do a little shopping and enjoy a pub lunch before the lure of reality becomes too much and I must return to the station for the afternoon train home.
Heading down for a weekend in the summer, the Shard is on our agenda! Finger’s crossed the weather’s clear otherwise it might be a bit of an expensive view of some clouds!