Battersea & Clapham - Home to hoards of trendy young things, Battersea & Clapham is the place to go for fun and funky bars and restaurants outside of central London.

Bayswater & Paddington - Famous for its train station and the Peruvian bear named after it (the marmalade sandwich-munching Paddington Bear), this area is a good bet for affordable accommodation that's close to the tranquillity of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.

Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia & Euston - Bloomsbury is London's literary capital and a walking tour is the best way to discover the haunts of the city's wordy geniuses. A visit to the area is not complete without a wander in the hallowed halls of London's biggest tourist lure the British Museum.

Brixton - Ragga beats and spicy treats prevail in London's largest Afro-Caribbean community. Once a shabby, no-go area, it is now frequented by all kinds of people, including trendy, affluent types who hang out in the myriad of cool bars and happening clubs. The wonderful cultural diversity is visible in the bustling, popular market, and the famous Fridge nightclub.

Camden - Crowded streets spill over with shoppers and people-watchers who flock from far and wide to chill out, rather than haggle, at Camden Market. But good cafes, clubs and a top comedy venue make Camden much more than a great market area.

The City & Square Mile - England's coffers are literally in the Square Mile; one of the few places where the streets might as well be paved with gold. Modern blocks, such as the Lloyd's Building and the Daily Express Building, outnumber the more ancient edifices such as Lincoln's Inn, the Bank of England and the Old Bailey. The City encompasses the sacred in St. Paul's and the quotidian in Spitalfields Market and Leadenhall Market.

Clerkenwell & Shoreditch - This emerging area is rife with hip, sofa-strewn hangouts, swanky restaurants and galleries. Most of the action revolves around Hoxton Square but East London is generally experiencing a property boom, due to its proximity to the City. Once favoured only by struggling artists on the cutting edge, it's now a New Media Mecca and the arty types and savvy internet upstarts make a vibrant mix.

Covent Garden & Holborn - There's been a clamp down on street performers, but the open-air party atmosphere still pervades in Covent Garden's Piazza. The 18th century iron and glass former fruit and vegetable market has evolved gracefully and now houses fashion boutiques and other up market stores. Stroll down Long Acre, Floral Street and the cobbled Neal Street or visit The Royal Opera House. London's Theatreland just a potato lob away

Docklands & Wapping - Heavily bombed during WWII, this area became the incarnation of 80s prosperity. Now Canary Wharf Tower dominates the skyline and the Canary Wharf area is the capital's second economic powerhouse. The Tower of London was a 16th century prison where some of Henry VIII's unlucky wives were beheaded. Today the Beefeaters are more friendly and you can view the fabulous Crown Jewels. Stroll outside and take in the stunning Tower Bridge.

Ealing - Home to a beautiful active Benedictine Abbey, a large Polish community and the famous Ealing Studios where the Goons and Hitchcock produced their magic.

Greenwich - Or zero degrees longitude and home of Greenwich Mean Time. Take a boat trip down the Thames for a romantic day out or visit the National Maritime Museum, the imposing Royal Naval College, Cutty Sark, and the Thames Flood Barrier.

Hammersmith, Shepherds Bush & Chiswick - Another emerging destination, Hammersmith and Da Bush, as the area is sometimes more affectionately known, is a great place to come for a meal or night out away from the hustle and bustle of the centre. A great place for theatre, you can chose from the cosy Lyric Hammersmith, the top quality London Apollo or the fringe venue, The Bush Theatre.

Hampstead - Leafy suburbia with a charming village ambience. Steeped in literary history, the homes of poets, playwrights and actors of past and present are marked by endless blue plaques. An afternoon in Kenwood House or strolling on Hampstead Heath is worlds away from the noise and bustle of London.

Islington - Blair's home ground and now a yuppie playground; Upper Street is one long stretch of restaurants and bars. Seek out antiques in Camden Passage or stroll along Regent's Canal and see why this corner of North London is an Angel.

Kensington & Chelsea - Darling! Chic boutiques, expensive restaurants, snooty aristocrats and whippet-thin IT girls in slick sports cars haunt Brompton Cross, King's Road, Kensington High Street and its environs. The Earl's Court Exhibition centre is always a hub of activity if you want to fit in an exhibition during your visit and it's always a pleasure to cruise across the delightful Albert Bridge at night when it's all lit up.

Knightsbridge & Belgravia - The two reasons to shop in this area have to be Harvey Nichols and Harrods. Down the road is the stunning Baroque Brompton Oratory - its weddings inevitably grace Hello Magazine. Don't miss Kensington Church Street or Sloane Street.

Maida Vale & St John's Wood - An intriguing juxtaposition of massive houses and council estates makes this area a diverse ethnic and economic mix. Worth a visit if you fancy going a bit Mediterranean in England with a visit to the canals and cafés of Little Venice. It's also home to that venerable cricketing institute, Lord's Cricket Ground.

Marylebone & Regent's Park - Walk down Harley Street, renowned worldwide for its medical consultants and cosmetic surgeons. A stone's throw from Baker Street is Madame Tussaud's and Regent's Park, where Princess Diana saved a drowning man. Wigmore Street hosts virtuosos at the legendary Wigmore Hall and the private Wallace Art Collection is housed in Manchester Square. Elegant Marylebone High Street has Conran's latest gastronomic venue, high fashion boutiques, and an Aveda Lifestyle Store (and café!). The beautiful interior of St James' Church , around the corner in Spanish Place, was restored thanks to John Paul Getty III.

Mayfair - Full of refined hotels where affluent foreigners stay, the impressive 18th century edifices of Mayfair are resided in by people of fabulous wealth although Arabs, Americans and East Asians outnumber the aristocrats today. First-class shopping can be found along Bond Street and you can pick up a gem or two at Sotheby's. The Jesuit Church on Farm Street is where high society tie the knot.

Notting Hill & Ladbroke Grove - Supremely hip district with designer boutiques, retro shops, heavenly delicatessens, and the antique and bric-a-brac stalls of Portobello Road Market. The world famous Notting Hill Carnival at the end of August brings a Caribbean flavour to the streets  with hip-swaying dance troupes and general revelry. Fantastic café life, decadent bars and superb restaurants satisfy the gourmands. The gospel choir at Kensington Temple is well-known for its soulful, arm-waving harmonies.

Putney - Riverside pubs, rowing clubs and wealthy stockbrokers. Nearby Barnes is a similarly bucolic, quiet and upscale residential neighbourhood.

Richmond - Richmond Park, one of Europe's largest parks, is home to many deer. 17th century Ham House, Kew Gardens' botanic splendour and Palladian Marble Hill House are all excellent reasons to venture beyond the centre of town. Or why not take a boat to Hampton Court Palace from the Pier?

Soho & West End - A vibrant fusion of trendy and tacky. This area leads a promiscuous double life: whilst still a Red Light district, it is also a respectable drinking and dining area. China Town is vibrant, while the area also offers a host of other cuisines from British to vegetarian, French and Thai where Londoners from all over congregate. Chinese New Year is always a very colourful spectacle.

Leicester Square and Piccadilly are a tourist frenzy. The revamped Leicester Square is home to several bright and shiny multiplexes and is no stranger to star-studded film premieres. By day see Eros or visit the wax effigies (plus plenty more) at the Rock Circus while by night, a plethora of bars, pubs and clubs keep the punters happy. Stroll down Piccadilly - pop into Fortnum & Mason, take tea at the Ritz or shop in the sartorially elegant Jermyn Street and Regent Street.

Southwark & Waterloo - Watch Shakespearean actors pace the boards at the marvellous reconstructed Globe Theatre. The Tate Modern further boosts the Southbank's shining cultural programme. Amble happily down the riverside walk to Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Cricketing fans will want to pay homage at the Oval, whilst foodies may wish to enter Butler's Wharf - a gastronomic temple. Don't miss the London Eye (also known as the Millennium Wheel) near Westminster Bridge. The gigantic Ferris wheel offers unrivalled views of London.

Westminster & St James's - Feel the Power! The British Empire was ruled from Whitehall, but now it serves little more than the UK. Not surprisingly, civil servants and politicians abound in the vicinity. A Big and Bountiful Ben strikes out the hour, loud enough to wake the old Kings and Queens from their tombs in Westminster Abbey. The Pugin-designed Houses of Parliament back onto the beautifully illuminated river. And if you want to get away from it all, take it a stroll in St. James's Park and Green Park.

Victoria & Pimlico - Dominated by Victoria train and coach stations, many visitors use Victoria as a staging post to Central London. However Pimlico is a little-known gem, well worth a visit. Enjoy a romantic meal at La Poule au Pot, top quality nosh at Rhodes in the Square or scrummy inexpensive eats at Brahms.

Wimbledon - There's more to the Village than the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, although it does tend to dominate the summer months. There's a huge Common where you can ride horses or spot Wombles, and visit the Georgian Cannizaro House and the Wimbledon Windmill. This is where Baden-Powell invented scouting and Thomas Hughes wrote Tom Brown's Schooldays.