One of the world's great cities, vibrant London manages to shine in the greyest weather and its diversity defies a simple definition. This sprawling city has drawn people for centuries, looking for something and finding the unexpected.

London is the capital of Great Britain and the largest city in Europe - but at times it can be both rather un-British and even un-European. It's one of the world's most international cities - borrowing a bit from here, a piece from there, and changing almost daily. The influences blend to create something new and unique, so, wherever you arrive from, the city is in places warmly familiar, in others wonderfully different.

Nevertheless, London's landscape is steeped in British history and tradition. The classic sights of Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and Big Ben could not be more English, and are a permanent symbol of England's former greatness. If any single thing epitomises London's character for both local and tourist alike, it's the tube, trains and red double-decker buses of its public transport system; the frenetic lifeblood that circulates three million people around the capital daily.

As everyone will tell you the city is undeniably expensive, but you get your money's worth like nowhere else on earth: no other city has such an excess of accessible history and dynamic modernity. The result is a metropolis that is endlessly fascinating, able to excite the most jaded traveller and generate memories of a lifetime; it's this quality which ensures London will never lose its allure.

Westminster Abbey

With more than a thousand years of history, the awesome Gothic interior of Westminster Abbey has seen the coronations, marriages and funerals of British Royalty. Also buried and commemorated in the abbey grounds and mausoleum are the nation's most famous poets, including Chaucer, Tennyson and Charles Dickens. The memorial to the Unknown Soldier is a particularly poignant reminder of Britain's many war dead.

Westminster. Open: Mon-Fri 09h15-16h30; Wed 09h15-18h00; Sat 09h30-13h45. On Sundays the cathedral is open for worship only. Admission: GBP12, adults; GBP9, children; GBP28, family. Tel: +44 (0)20-7654-4900 +44 (0)20-7654-4900 . Tube: Westminster.

British Museum

The British Museum remains England's greatest cultural attraction. Replete with the accumulated wealth of an Empire its galleries can almost boast more world class art works and attractions within its walls than exist in the entire city without.

The whole complex is now oriented around its splendid Great Court, opened by the Queen in 2001. Around this large covered space are over 80 galleries packed to the rafters with pieces from the world of art and history. The collections span the entire globe, exploring cultures and societies through artefacts that range from housekeeping to warfare. Naturally Britain is well represented, with displays such as the Mildenhall Treasure (a priceless collection of Roman silver discovered in Suffolk in the 1940s) and the remains of Lindow Man, an early Briton pulled from a peat bog in Cheshire.

The British Museum can also boast one of the largest Egyptian collections outside Cairo, as well as extensive Greek, Roman, and Japanese galleries. Some of the pieces are only on display in the face of controversy. The presence of the Elgin Marbles in particular has long been a bone of contention between the museum and Greece, and political movements have been made to have the frieze returned to Athens.

Great Russell St. Daily opening times for gallery 10h00-17h30. Great Court, Sun-Wed 09h00-18h00, and Thu, Fri and Sat 09h00-23h00. Note that some galleries such as the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos open at limited times only. Admission: free. Tel: +44 (0)20-7323-8299 +44 (0)20-7323-8299 . Tube: Holborn or Tottenham Court Rd or Russell Sq.

London Eye

The British Airways London Eye is the world's highest observation wheel and since its inception in 2000 has become one of the most popular attractions in the city. Unsurprisingly the Eye is extending its South Bank tenure beyond the five years originally planned and will now remain a feature on the London skyline until at least 2025.

Revolving slowly like the wheel of time itself, the Eye takes its passengers on a half-hour "flight", in 32 glass-enclosed capsules, reaching a height of 137m above the River Thames. The view from the highest point is extraordinary, a fully panoramic view of the capital it stretches all the way to the edge of the city on a clear day. Book ahead to avoid disappointment or lengthy queues.

Thames South Bank. Tel: 0870-500-0600 (within UK). Tube: Waterloo or Westminster. Admission: GBP15.50 adult; GBP7.75 child.

Tower of London

First established by William the Conqueror, over 900 years ago, the Tower of London was designed to be the seat of the king and a fortress to defend the City of London, both from invaders and from internal insurrection. The tower was originally only the square keep, today commonly referred to as the "White Tower". Over the centuries subsequent monarchs extended the tower's walls and defences to their still impressive present size.

As well as being the garrison for the city of London militia, the tower served as the royal armoury and even private zoo (whose menagerie was the basis of London Zoo) but it is most famous for being the site of incarcerations and executions during the Middle Ages. The prisoner's roster here includes Walter Raleigh, Thomas More and Elizabeth I (as Princess Elizabeth). Henry VIII's wives Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard were both executed on the green here, while the Bloody Tower was the site of several murders, including allegedly that of the "Princes in the Tower".

The traditional Yeoman Guards (commonly known as "Beefeaters") provide free tours that tell you the tales of the various people who inhabited the tower, and the many myths and legends instilled in the bricks and mortar. In the Armoury you can see the robust original battle armour of Henry VIII and various weaponry, while the Jewel Tower holds the Crown Jewels, the ceremonially trappings of the monarchy dating back centuries, and including the bejewelled crown of current Queen Elizabeth II. It takes at least half a day, and plenty of shoe leather to explore the Tower's attractions fully.

Tower Hill. Open: Tue-Sat 09h00-17h30 (Mar-Oct), 09h00-17h00 (Nov-Feb); Sun/Mon 10h00-17h30 (Mar-Oct), 10h00-17h00 (Nov-Feb). Admission: GBP16.50, adults; GBP9.50, children. Tel: +44 (0)870-756-6060 +44 (0)870-756-6060 . Tube: Tower Hill.

Buckingham Palace

When it's open (in August and September) most visitors find the prospect of peeking behind palace doors irresistible. You don't get access to the Royal Family's private quarters but the sumptuous interior and portrait gallery make this visit worthwhile. Even out of season it's worth seeing the majesty of the Queen's main home from the outside.

The biggest attraction though is the ever popular Changing of the Guard ceremony. The big event takes place every day at 11h30 and if you want a good view you will have to get there early. The best vantage points are in front of the Victoria Memorial and in front of the palace railings, near the entrance. There is no charge to view the ceremony.

The Mall. Opening hours: daily 09h45-18h30 (Jul-Sept). Palace admission: GBP15.50, adults; GBP8.75, children. Tel: +44 (0)20-7766-7300 +44 (0)20-7766-7300 (credit-card booking). Tube: St James's Park or Victoria.

Tate Modern

The most successful of the capital's Millennium projects, the Tate Modern art gallery occupies the massive Bankside power station building, on the south side of the Thames. Now fronted by the glittering Millennium Bridge that connects the attraction to St Paul's it is no exaggeration to say that the gallery has revolutionised the way people see Modern Art in Britain.

The addition of a glass roof has been the only external change from when the gallery was a power station, and the distinctive central tower has turned from eyesore into cultural exclamation mark in most people's minds. An incredible five and a quarter million people visited the gallery in its first year of opening, and with a constantly evolving collection of art on display over its three exhibition floors, people return time and time again.

Inside you can find works from Britain's enfants terribles of Modern Art: Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and anyone who's anyone have all exhibited here. You'll also find classic works that sparked the Modern Art movement such as Marcel Duchamp's "Urinal" and Salvador Dali's "Lobster Telephone".

Thames South Bank. Open: Sun-Thu 10h00-18h00; Fri-Sat 10h00-22h00. Admission: free (optional donation). Tel: +44 (0)20-7887-8888 +44 (0)20-7887-8888 . Tube: Blackfriars or London Bridge.

Science Museum

Science comes to life through highly innovative exhibitions that engage adults and children equally at London's Science Museum. The emphasis throughout is on interaction with the many exhibits.

Among the many highlights are the aviation lab with hands-on flight simulator; Digitopolis, which allows visitors to explore a digital landscape and consider how technology impacts on everyday life; and the fascinating Secret Life of the Home which looks beneath our domestic surfaces.

The top two floors of the museum are given over to medical and veterinary history, with over 5000 exhibits from across the world that collectively demonstrate the strange confluence between art and science that can characterise anatomical science. Traditional subjects such as classical physics, engineering and astronomy are well represented with detailed displays.

Exhibition Rd, South Kensington. Open: daily 10h00-18h00. Admission: free. Tel: +44 (0)870-870-4868 +44 (0)870-870-4868 . Tube: South Kensington.

Leicester Square and Covent Garden

Leicester Square and the area around it is the classic tourist magnet for any visitor to London. With hundreds of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, the plaza is the natural starting point for your exploration of London Town. From the central square ringed with its famous cinemas you are just five minutes' walk from salacious Soho, and its dubious delights.

Up Charing Cross Road you come across a bibliophile's heaven: more than 30 bookstores ranging from the triple-levelled Waterstones to highly specialised antiquarian treasure troves. Tube: Leicester Square.

Nearby Covent Garden is a popular place for shopping and an ideal starting point for a night out with always plenty going on in this European-style plaza and its central Victorian market hall. The main London theatres are all in close proximity, and the old market plays host to an array of buskers interspersed with cafés and bars. The nearby opera house relays live performances onto an open-air screen during the summer months. Tube: Covent Garden.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

First built in 1598, the Globe was William Shakespeare's resident theatre where many of his most famous plays were premiered. The building featured a distinctive cyclindrical shape with a thatched roof and seating was tiered with the moneyed upper classes in the galleries and the "groundlings" at the bottom.

The original Globe Theatre burned down during a particularly enthusiastic performance of Henry VIII and although a replacement was quickly built, the acoustics were considered poor and the general design inferior. Within 20 years of Shakespeare's death in 1616 the Globe had been pulled down and its foundations buried. In 1970 American actor Sam Wanamaker set about rebuilding the Globe on its original site to its original design and the result was opened in 1987. The Globe has hosted a regular Shakespeare season since 1996, allowing audiences to participate in an authentic London ritual - some 400 years after the curtain was first raised on Julius Caesar.

If you simply want to have a look around, the Globe Exhibition is a treat for fans of Shakespearean theatre with displays of Elizabethan costumes and original manuscripts, with regular guided tours showing you what's what behind the scenes.

New Globe Walk. Exhibition open: daily 10h00-17h00 (Oct-Apr); 09h00-12h00 & 12h30-17h00 (May-Sep). Tours held every 15-30 minutes. Admission to exhibition: GBP9, adults; GBP6.50, children. Tickets to performances cost from GBP5 (standing) to GBP31. Tel: +44 (0)20-7902-1400 +44 (0)20-7902-1400 . Tube: London Bridge.

St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral rose from the ashes of the Great Fire of 1666, designed by England's most famous church builder, Sir Christopher Wren. The cathedral took ten years to design and over 40 years to build, but even several centuries on the massive dome and the fabulous acoustics are objects of architectural admiration.

During the war the cathedral became a symbol of British resilience in the face of the Blitz bombing campaign that saw areas of the city reduced to rubble - the dome proving indestructible even on the occasion that it was diectly hit by a Luftwaffe bomb. Although it has since been dwarfed by the skyscrapers of the financial "City" that surrounds it, the cathedral remains an indomitable part of the London skyline.

Climb the 530 steps to The Golden Gallery for an outstanding view and try out the amazing acoustic properties of the Whispering Gallery. Entombed in the Crypt are the remains of some great English heroes including Admiral Horatio Nelson, General Wellington, Florence Nightingale, and fittingly, Christopher Wren.

Open: Mon-Sat 08h30-16h30. Admission: GBP10, adults; GBP3.50, children. Note that service is held on Sundays and while you will not be required to pay to enter during worship, neither will you be able to visit all parts of the cathedral. Tel: +44 (0)20-7236-4128 +44 (0)20-7236-4128 . Tube: St Paul's.

The National Gallery

The British National Gallery houses an extensive collection of European paintings from the 13th to 19th centuries, including all of the big names from Van Gogh to Leonardo. Excellent audio-tours are available in several languages, and there is even a Micro gallery that allows you to browse the collection from a CD-ROM and print reproductions of your favourite works.

Trafalgar Sq. Open: daily 10h00-18h00 (Wed until 21h00). Admission: free, donations are encouraged. Tel: +44 (0)20-7747-2885 +44 (0)20-7747-2885 , Tube: Leicester Sq or Charing Cross.

Thames Cruise

The muddy Thames snakes its way to the sea through the city and en route links several of London's top bankside attractions. A cruise is a fantastic way to relax and see the sights roll by, accompanied by often rather corny, but quite amusing banter from the captain.

Several companies operate "hop-on, hop-off" cruises leaving from Embankment or Westminster pier, or you can take a cruise down to Greenwich or Richmond. Prices start at around GBP8 return although if you have a London Travelcard you will get a reduction. Tube: Embankment.

Hyde Park

The mark of any great capital is the amount of space left open for its citizens. London is dotted with dozens of parks, but Hyde Park, right at its heart, is one of its most popular. This vast open space is a bolt of green amid the city grey where the picnic blanket and the rollerblade rule in peace. On a summer's day it's just about possible to forget you're in one of the world's busiest cities.

You can also ride a horse down Rotten Row, take a boat on to Serpentine Lake or listen to people share their views at Speakers' Corner. Tube: Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch (for Speakers' Corner).

London is never short of entertainment, catering to all tastes and persuasions. The trick is to know what you are looking for because the range of options can be bewildering. Time Out magazine is the definitive weekly listing for all London events and entertainment schedules, although the Guardian's "The Guide" (free with the paper on Saturdays) and Thursday's Evening Standard supplement do a pretty good job too.

For information on current events you can also contact the tourist office at:

Britain and London Visitor Centre 1 Lower Regent St Tel: +44 (0)20-8846-9000 +44 (0)20-8846-9000 Open: Tue-Fri 09h00-17h30 (Mon 09h30-17h30)

Music

Classical Music and Dance

Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore, SW7 Tel: +44 (0)20-7589-8212 +44 (0)20-7589-8212

London's favourite classical music venue for over a century, the magnificent Royal Albert Hall comes into its own during the Proms season (Jul-Sep) though concerts are held here throughout the year. Home to the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the ornate hall concentrates on classical performances, but big name rock and jazz artists sometimes play here too.

Barbican Centre Silk St, EC2 Tel: +44 (0)20-7638-8891 +44 (0)20-7638-8891

The imposing concrete of the Barbican Centre disguises an excellent programme of music, dance and theatre; home to the London Symphony Orchestra and the English Chamber Orchestra.

Royal Festival Hall South Bank Centre, SE1 Tel: +44 (0)870-401-8181 +44 (0)870-401-8181

The cavernous Royal Festival Hall by the river was built for grand choral works and symphonic events but can be an expensive venue.

Sadler's Wells Rosebery Ave Tel: +44 (0)870-737-7737 +44 (0)870-737-7737

Another key venue for classical entertainment is Sadler's Wells in Islington. It hosts a varied and ambitious programme of events throughout the year, that includes ballet and contemporary dance and theatre alongside music.

Royal College of Music Prince Consort Rd, SW7 Tel: +44 (0)20-7589-3643 +44 (0)20-7589-3643

If you want to catch some free performances, the Royal College of Music holds lunchtime concerts at 13h00 during term time.

Rock & Pop

Brixton Academy 211 Stockwell Rd, SW9 Tel: +44 (0)20-7771-3000 +44 (0)20-7771-3000

London's major music venues attract an endless stream of touring bands and popular acts from all over the musical spectrum from jazz to rap. Travel south to the Brixton Academy for one of London's finest live music venues, alternating between big-name performers and club-nights.

Shepherds Bush Empire Shepherds Bush Green, W12 Tel: +44 (0)20-8354-3300 +44 (0)20-8354-3300

One of West London's top venues is the Shepherds Bush Empire which hosts quality bands and musical acts.

Roundhouse Chalk Farm Road Tel: +44 (0)207-424-8456 +44 (0)207-424-8456

North London?s Roundhouse has had a chequered history hosting some legendary gigs in the 1960?s including Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd under the name ?Centre 42?. Lack of funding closed the establishment but in 2004 it was redeveloped into a centre for the performing arts actively encouraging budding young artists to get up and perform. Open seven days a week there?s something to suit all tastes.

O2 Arena Peninsula Square Tel: +44 (0)208-463-2000 +44 (0)208-463-2000

Heading east is the brand new O2 Arena, a spanking new venue located in the Docklands attracting all the top acts including the Rolling Stones and Prince as well as large exhibitions such as Tutankhamun.

Brixton Academy 211 Stockwell Road Tel: +44 (0)207-771-3000 +44 (0)207-771-3000

Established popular venues hosting quality bands the Brixton Academy, alternates between big-name performers and club nights

The Forum 9-17 Highgate Road Tel: +44 (0)871-230-1093 +44 (0)871-230-1093

The Forum located in Kentish Town is an old favourite with gig goers continually attracting new talent and international stars.

Pubs and smaller venues

Borderline Orange Yard off Manette St, W1 Tel: +44 (0)20-7534-6970 +44 (0)20-7534-6970

Try down-to-earth Borderline for guitar-based rock, pop and country-tinged music.

ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) The Mall, SW1 Tel: +44 (0)20-7930-3647 +44 (0)20-7930-3647

The ICA for more quirky, arty performances appealing to an achingly trendy crowd.

Jazz

The Jazz Café 5 Parkway, NW1 Tel: +44 (0)20-7916-6060 +44 (0)20-7916-6060

Is a slick venue with a mixed programme, ranging from big band outfits to soul divas.

Ronnie Scott's 47 Frith St, W1 Tel: +44 (0)20-7439-0747 +44 (0)20-7439-0747

World-famous Ronnie Scott's is a smoky and, yes, jazzy venue that has hosted a fine pedigree of jazz greats.

West End Shows and Theatre

London's West End is one of the world's leading centres for contemporary theatre and musicals. Long-running Andrew Lloyd-Webber productions such as "Phantom of the Opera" are always a favourite, while "Les Miserables" has been playing to packed houses for over a decade. Performance musicals such as Stomp have been resident on the Strand for years.

Theatre includes the classic and official world's longest-running play "The Mousetrap" (currently at the St Martin's Theatre) as well as the latest contemporary works by modern English playwrights such as Patrick Marber or Michael Frayn.

For Shakespeare there is no better place than the reconstructed Globe, on the south bank of the Thames just along from the National Theatre, which also hosts big budget classic productions from the Royal Shakespeare Company. If you don't want to tackle anything too heavy the Reduced Shakespeare Company performs the Complete Works of William Shakespeare in a hilarious hour-and-a-half show at the Criterion on Haymarket, just off Piccadilly. If you'd rather scream than laugh the Woman in Black continues to haunt theatres in the city, and is undoubtedly the most terrifying production on any stage in the world.

There are more theatres than it is possible to list. Most are centred on Piccadilly, Charing Cross Road and along Shaftesbury Avenue (the "Theatre District"), but there are others around Covent Garden and along the Strand. Other shows may be held at out-of-centre locations, in Victoria or Hammersmith for example. A good current listing guide like Time Out or your ticket agent should tell you how to most easily get to your venue.

Ticket prices vary depending on seat quality and booking outlet - expect to pay upwards of GBP35 for a good seat, while GBP10 will often be enough to get you into a matinée. Except for premi?res or in the first few months of a big show, you can get tickets for most productions from the theatre box office, right up to the time the curtain rises. Reputable ticket agents include Ticketmaster (Tel: +44 (0)870-400-0700 +44 (0)870-400-0700 ). You can also get half-price tickets for same day performances at the TKTS ticket booth in Leicester Square.

Opera

The English National Opera St Martin's Lane, WC2 Tel: +44 (0)20-7632-8300 +44 (0)20-7632-8300

While the National Opera is "olde worlde" London, the Royal has revived the elitist traditions of opera with its exorbitant seat prices and formal dress code. Tourists often see it as all terribly English.

The Royal Opera House Bow St, WC2 Tel: +44 (0)20-7240-1200 +44 (0)20-7240-1200

In summer, the Royal's largesse extends to a live telecast of performances on the big screen in Covent Garden.

Cinema

Right in the centre of the city, Leicester Square is thronged with the largest cinemas in the UK. Blockbuster movies dominate the show list, and ticket prices can be steep (up to GBP11). Premiere nights are the biggest draws as the red carpet is rolled out for Hollywood's major stars, and even the odd Royal trip to the movies.

National Film Theatre South Bank Tel: +44 (0)20-7928-3232 +44 (0)20-7928-3232

One of the best of the independent cinemas, the National Film Theatre has a mixed programme of art-house and foreign-language films and loyal audiences.

The Curzon Soho 99 Shaftesbury Ave, W1 Tel: +44 (0)20-7734-2255 +44 (0)20-7734-2255

Curzon Mayfair 38 Curzon St, W1. Tel: +44 (0)20-7495-0500 +44 (0)20-7495-0500

A popular choice for lovers of art-house cinema.

IMAX 1 Charlie Chaplin Walk, SE1 Tel: +44 (0)870-787-2525 +44 (0)870-787-2525

The IMAX cinema in Waterloo is a great experience that transports you almost within the movie.

The Prince Charles Cinema 7 Leicester Place Tel: +44 (0)870-811-2559 +44 (0)870-811-2559

The Prince Charles Cinema just off Leicester Square has a winning combination of London's cheapest cinema prices (from GBP1.50), art house/cult classics and Friday night participation movies such as the Rocky Horror Picture Show and the strudel-sweet classic Sound of Music.

Ritzy Picture House Coldharbour Lane Tel: +44 (0)871-704-2065 +44 (0)871-704-2065

The Ritzy Picture House is a beautiful restored Edwardian cinema in Brixton that shows mainstream and art house films, as well as hosting numerous events and special screenings. Tickets are GBP8.50, adult; GBP5.00, child (discounts on showings before 5pm).

Nightclubs

A long-established clubing capital, London has everything from big-name DJs to highly individual underground clubs. Each area of the city has its own club flavour worth seeking out, and the scene moves swiftly as the celebrity circuit with its paparazzi entourage tends to drop nightspots and pick up new ones as regularly as it changes its taste in music and fashion. To keep up with the latest fads you have to be wealthy, well dressed and in the know. Thankfully there are some places that still let mere mortals enter their hallowed halls.

The West End and Soho are the most popular central areas for a night out, with a great many late night pubs and bars to choose from - ranging from Piccadilly's massive Trocadero centre, with its seemingly countless bars spread across half-a-dozen floors, to the exclusive portals of Chinawhite or the Elysium Lounge. Hoxton and Shoreditch, a bit further from the centre to the north-east, has in the last few years gained a reputation as the place to go out in, with a range of trendy bars such as Home and Blue, and late night clubs that try to pretend thay have a gritty feel, but are in fact as gentrified as West End hotspots. People who fancy things genuinely earthy, perhaps cut with a bit of punk, should try the nightlife in Camden - but take care where you wander.

The best club nights are hopelessly over-subscribed, you either have to obtain tickets well in advance or be prepared to queue if you want to hear the hottest DJs at the most popular venues in town. If you're serious about your clubbing then you should check listings carefully, there is genuinely something for everyone going on somewhere in London, pretty much every night of the week. If you're more of a casual clubber then you'll always find somewhere where you can dance the night away.

Madam Jo Jo?s 8-10 Brewer Street Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 3040 +44 (0)20 7734 3040

Tucked in the heart of Soho is Madam Jo Jo?s a funky retro style club with popular funk, disco and rockabilly nights and lots of live music, cabaret and burlesque dance performances.

Fabric 77a Charterhouse St, EC1 Tel: +44 (0)20-7336-8898 +44 (0)20-7336-8898

From new kid on the block to leader of the pack on the London club scene, it's been an interesting few years for Fabric since it opened in 1999. It has matured somewhat, but still has the energy of its early days, and doesn't seem to be diminishing in popularity. Although there are plenty of pretenders to its crown, Fabric is still consistently named top club in the capital. Gay night, DTPM, held on Sundays.

Herbal 10 Kingsland Rd, E2 Tel: +44 (0)20-7613-4462 +44 (0)20-7613-4462

Trendy Shoreditch's current favourite club, Herbal has just the right blend of warehouse cool and moneyed clientele that is an inevitable recipe for success. Celebs think they're getting back to the roots of clubbing, while Joe Public is happy to rub shoulders with the British movie stars and children's TV presenters who seem to permanently inhabit clubs like this. It's fantastic.

Ministry of Sound 103 Gaunt St, SE1 Tel: +44 (0)20-7378-6528 +44 (0)20-7378-6528

Ministry of Sound is the mega-club that invented the entire concept - and now it's killed it off, relaunching itself as a more laid-back super-lounge. Genuinely needing no introduction it still has the capacity to pack the crowds in every Friday and Saturday night. Big name DJs play for big name VIPs, and a host of paying customers. If you're looking for a big night out, and can afford time to recover the next day, then look no further.

Salsa! 96 Charing Cross Rd, WC2 Tel: +44 (0)20-7379-3277 +44 (0)20-7379-3277

Salsa! does exactly what the name implies. Live bands or a DJ spins salsa and merengue music, which gets the admittedly quite talented crowd strutting their stuff. Lessons are available for beginners, but single girls be warned, brylcreamed Latin lotharios constantly circle the dance floor looking for partners. They are usually more interested in themselves than their dance partner so you're not in real danger apart from perhaps a bit of nausea.

Sound 10 Wardour St, W1 Tel: +44 (0)20-7287-1010 +44 (0)20-7287-1010

A massive club with a central location, Sound can't really go wrong. There's nothing too clever, just a roster of dancefloor-pleasing pop, and an enthusiastic if young crowd of revellers who want to have a good time, and invariably do.

Cargo 83 Rivington Street, Shoreditch Tel: +44 (0)20 7613 7743 +44 (0)20 7613 7743

Hoxton is home to the effortlessly cool Cargo, which continues to offer an eclectic mix of nights from electro beats to funk and soul plus lots of live performances. There?s a tasty kitchen to keep you going throughout the evening and a relaxed outdoor seating area.

Gay nightlife

It comes as no surprise that London has an active gay and lesbian scene with a great choice of clubs and bars to choose from. The majority of these are accumulated around the district of Soho, and in particular along Old Compton Steet, in the city's West End. For listings of what's on, pick up a copy of the Gay Times, qx or the London Official Gay and Lesbian Guide (the latter is produced by - and available free of charge from - the tourist office). As far as clubs go, there really is something for everyone - here are just a couple of the mainstays of the scene:

Heaven The Arches, Villiers St, WC2 Tel: +44 (0)20-7930-2020 +44 (0)20-7930-2020

Billed as the most famous gay nightclub in the world, Heaven has been going for more than two decades, and continues to entertain its mixed clientele of gay, straight and extroverted people. Although you can pitch up pretty much as you are, and still enjoy the night, many regulars go that extra mile, and when they say that anything goes - it usually does.

G-A-Y Astoria nightclub 157 Charing Cross Rd , WC2 Tel: +44 (0)20-7434-9592 +44 (0)20-7434-9592

Another old favourite, G-A-Y at the Astoria is a regular night of fun and frolics held several times a week including Fridays and Saturdays. The popular club night appeals to a predominantly young - and fairly posey - crowd of gay men and lesbians, on occasion attracting big name live acts on stage. .

Ghetto Falconberg Court, W1 Tel: +44 (0)20-7287-3726 +44 (0)20-7287-3726

Just behind the Astoria, the Ghetto is an altogether more down-to-earth affair attracting a fun-loving, unpretentious crowd every Friday and Saturday night.

Comedy

Many of the world's great comedians cut their teeth at London's many comedy clubs, and international comedians regularly come to the city with their latest shows. Major stars of the circuit such as Eddie Izzard, Steve Coogan and Ben Elton play to packed out theatre venues when on tour (check press for details) but there is always a range of performances at the smaller more intimate venues to provide a few laughs any day of the week.

Comedy Café 66 Rivington St, EC2 Tel: +44 (0)20-7739-5706 +44 (0)20-7739-5706

Quality stand-up and good food can be found at the Comedy Café.

Jongleurs Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 Tel: +44 (0)870-787-0707 +44 (0)870-787-0707

While Jongleurs at Camden Lock is a purpose-built venue with a strong line-up - it also has branches in Bow and Battersea.

Canal Café Theatre Delamere Terrace, W2 Tel: +44 (0)20-7289-6056 +44 (0)20-7289-6056

A good midweek bet is the Canal Café Theatre.

Comedy Store Haymarket House 1 Oxendon St, SW1 Tel: +44 (0)870-060-2340 +44 (0)870-060-2340

The legendary Comedy Store regarded as the birthplace of alternative comedy.

Tattershall Castle Victoria Embankment (opp London Eye) Tel: + (0)7932-658895

Another good choice is the Tattershall Castle, a floating comedy club on the river Thames. A unique venue with a mixed line up.

Sport

Football has become England's largest cultural export, and English teams are passionately supported all over the world. Book in advance and visit one of London's hallowed grounds for a live game. Ticket availability varies greatly according to opposition and current team success (or lack thereof). Some of London's top teams include:

Arsenal Highbury Tel: +44 (0)20-7704-4040 +44 (0)20-7704-4040

Chelsea Stamford Bridge Tel: +44 (0)870-300-1212 +44 (0)870-300-1212

Spurs White Hart Lane Tel: +44 (0)20-8365-5100 +44 (0)20-8365-5100

Fulham Loftus Rd Tel: +44 (0)870-442-1234 +44 (0)870-442-1234

Charlton The Valley Tel: +44 (0)871-226-1905 +44 (0)871-226-1905

Cricket

Lord's MCC Museum Tel: +44 (0)20-7289-1611 +44 (0)20-7289-1611

If you love cricket or are intrigued by the game's arcane rituals, a visit to Lord's - the spiritual home of the sport - is a must. As well as hosting first-class matches and test cricket, Lord's houses the MCC Museum which offers an invaluable insight into the venerable history of the sport. Open for visitors' guided tours 10h00, 12h00 & 14h00 (except match days). Tube: St Johns Wood.

Experiences

Hang around Buckingham Palace to see some of the unique rituals of the monarchy. The Changing of the Guard is always a draw for tourists. The new guard, consisting of bearskinned and red coated soldiers, marches to the palace from the barracks further down the mall accompanied by a martial band. The old guard then ceremonially hands over the duty of guarding the monarch before marching back down the mall. The Changing of the Guard occurs daily at 11h30 in summer, and every other day through winter.

Hyde Park Corner on weekend mornings hosts impassioned speakers indulging in various diatribes fuelled by the self-righteous air conveyed by standing on a soapbox. It is a good-natured atmosphere provided no one takes it too seriously. The speakers' enthusiasm is greatly subdued during the winter months of December to April. Tube: Marble Arch.

Special Events

January

On New Year's Day, there's an enormous parade through the centre of the city in the middle of the day, featuring around 10,000 performers, and attracting hordes of spectators.

March

The annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat race takes place on the Thames between Putney Bridge and Chiswick Bridge and is one of the few free sporting events in the capital. Soak up a very English tradition and enjoy the festival atmosphere.

April

Far more than a sports event, the Flora London Marathon is the longest street party in the world and is regarded as the most prestigious of the world's "big city" marathons. If you're not amongst the 30,000 runners, then the bands, pubs and entertainment that line the route still make coming out to support the runners a worthwhile way to spend an afternoon.

June/ July

The world famous Wimbledon Championships takes place in June soldiering on whatever the weather ? normally rain! Since 1827 the tournament has played host to legends such as Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Billie-Jean King, Boris Becker, Steffi Graf, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer to name but a few. If you aren?t lucky enough to obtain one of the prize Centre Court seats then you will have to join the masses and queue early to gain entry. For more information: Tel: +44 (0)20 8971 2473 +44 (0)20 8971 2473 .

There is something to suit everyone at the City of London Festival held during June and July. As well as music ranging from jazz and roots to classical and contemporary, there are theatre, dance, literature and visual arts events during the three-week programme.

Every July London's gay and lesbian community holds a Pride march along the streets of the city centre, followed by a raucous Mardi Gras party held in one of the central parks.

August

The Notting Hill Carnival is Europe's largest street festival. Over a million people take to the streets during the end of August bank holiday for this festival of music, dance, drama and food. The parade is the highlight of the celebrations, with colourful floats and flamboyant dancers, to the beat of a few hundred different rhythms. Be warned: the Carnival is not for the claustrophobic and keep tight hold of your belongings.

November

Bonfire Night is held across Britain on November 5 (or the nearest weekend) each year, in order to celebrate Guy Fawkes's ill-fated 1605 attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Domestic displays of fireworks in people's back garden mean the air is filled with smoke, light and noise, but for the best visual displays you should head for one of London's major public spectaculars. Battersea Park is the most renowned display, attracting thousands of spectators - Primrose Hill affords a spectacular view. Alexandra Palace also holds a good show, with an indoor funfair, ice rink and other attractions to keep you entertained.

December

Christmas is big business in London and nowhere is this more evident than along Oxford Street and other central shopping areas which are packed with shoppers and adorned with festive lights (which are switched on back in November). There are several outdoor ice-skating rinks in the city, most of them open throughout December and most of January. Somerset House on the Strand (WC2) is one of the most central and scenic - and therefore often gets booked up a long time in advance. Otherwise, try the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich (SE10) - a little further out, but equally atmospheric.

London doesn't indulge in public New Year's Eve festivities as much as some cities in the world - many people celebrate in pubs and clubs or at home. However, with Big Ben as the backdrop, naturally thousands of people are keen to come to hear the most famous clock in the world chime out the old year and in the new on December 31, and fireworks often light up the Thames.

With an estimated 30,000 retail outlets, London offers tremendous variety and choice to the shopper, and has a flair for presentation that makes for a highly entertaining shopping experience. On public holidays stores may close early although in the city centre they are likely to be unaffected.

Where to Shop

Best Areas

The biggest concentration of shops in the capital is around the shopper's holy trinity of Regent Street, Bond Street and Oxford Street - a mile and a half consumer dual carriageway that pilgrims visit when they want to indulge in some serious spending. Here you can get literally everything you could desire from the UK's biggest stores. Nip off the main thoroughfare and you'll find smaller more intimate shops tucked away down the maze of side streets.

For exceptional tailoring Savile Row and Jermyn Street will have you stitched up in no time - although your wallet will receive a pricking from the world's best traditional bespoke tailors. If books are your bag you can do worse than head for Europe's largest bookstore - the Piccadilly outlet of Waterstones. Charing Cross Road is also a good hunting ground for bookshops. Nearby Covent Garden and its environs has a little bit of everything but is particularly good for knick-knacks and gift shopping.

London is a shopper's paradise and wherever you are in the city you'll find numerous shops of interest, with many stores having more than one outlet besides a main one on Oxford Street or its tributaries.

The Westfield Shopping Centre located in Shepherds Bush is the latest shopping experience to open in the city. It houses over 265 stores including some of the top British designers, Burberry, Amanda Wakley, Mulberry and Joseph. You will also find lots of the high street favourites and some independent boutiques. Open: daily 09h00-21h00.

Department Stores

London has some of the world's finest department stores. Visits to expansive Selfridges (Tube: Bond St) and the charming fine foods emporium that is Fortnum & Mason (Tube: Piccadilly) are integral parts of the London experience.

Probably the most famous of all London's shops is Harrods (Tube: Knightsbridge), a luxurious consumer wonderland. Try the famous food hall to put together a picnic to remember and tour the floors to see the finest of English and international merchandise. Just round the corner is the other Knightsbridge institution Harvey Nichols: equally exclusive but appealing to a slightly younger, trendier clientele.

Markets

Markets are a London art form where the shopping is an experience in itself. Portobello Road (Saturdays. Tube: Notting Hill Gate) straddles the fence between antique and secondhand, while Spitalfields (Sundays. Tube: Liverpool St) has a vast enclosed emporium of miscellanea ranging from arts and crafts to secondhand clothes - try a head massage or some Mongolian cuisine when it all gets too much.

Nearby Petticoat Lane (Sundays. Tube: Liverpool St) sells clothes, luggage and other functional items at rock-bottom prices. This is one of London's oldest and most traditional markets having been established over 400 years ago.

Camden Market (Saturday and Sunday. Tube: Camden) offers London's cheapest clothing and most varied collection of people - claustrophobics beware: it gets seriously crowded in the afternoons.

Covent Garden's antique market is a far cry from the traditional perception of a market, traders and customers alike look suspiciously well-to-do and prices are artificially high. There are no bargains here but the range of collectables is extensive and the quality always excellent. If you're a serious collector of cigarette cards, hip flasks or any other frippery of English life, or simply looking for a more exclusive souvenir - this is the place to head.

Borough Food Market (Tube: London Bridge) is a feast for the senses with a wide range of specialist food and wine stalls. There is a massive fresh produce section alongside unique, home-made farm style goods and exotic or difficult to find global delicacies. The market is housed in a recently refurbished Victorian building close to Southwark Cathedral.

What to Buy

London is world famous for fashion and many visitors will want to check out the myriad fashion emporiums in the city. Blue-chip houses Burberry, Aquascutum, and Alfred Dunhill capture classic English styling. For more contemporary fashion look out for local heroes Alexander McQueen and Clements Ribeiro. To complete the look, step into Jimmy Choo and Johnny Moke for shoes and accessorise with Lulu Guinness, Bill Amberg and Georgina von Etzdorf.

Secondhand and outrageous fashions can be found around Soho, while the famous Carnaby Street does a good line in retro fashion, with some of the clothes in the boutiques not seeming to have changed much since the street's 60s heyday. Unfortunately prices most definitely have moved with the times, and are distinctly bang up to date.

Having given birth to the prodigious writing talents of Dickens, Johnson and Shakespeare, to name just a few, it isn't surprising that literature is among one of the most enduring souvenirs of a visit to London. Books are relatively cheap in England although you can expect to pay a lot for well bound hardback editions. Look out for the antiquarian and modern bookstores on and around Charing Cross Road.

Antiques are widely available, but aren't too cheap in the city centre. Covent Garden is a good area to start any hunt for English relics and specialist stores can be found throughout the city. Jewellery ranges from antiquarian to cutting edge contemporary designs; look out for the best pieces in the affluent avenues of Kensington, Chelsea and similar areas.

The best that the nation has to offer is also available on London's shopping streets, so look out for Edinburgh crystal, Stoke pottery and Sheffield cutlery among other items. Also keep an eye out for more international wares - particularly outside the city centre. It might seem strange to come back from London with a Persian rug but this is the most cosmopolitan city in the world and anything is possible.

Finally, you can't fail to notice that the city is plagued with vendors and shops selling plastic policeman's helmets, masks of the Queen, and absolutely everything you can think of emblazoned with a Union Jack - buy something if you must.

Opening Hours

Shops generally open Mon - Sat from 09h00-17h30/18h00; Sun 10h00-17h00. Many shops have late hours on Thursdays. Some shops close on Sundays.

Tax Refund

Value-Added Tax of 15% is added to the price of most goods and services purchased in the UK. When leaving the country, tourists from outside the EU can apply for a tax refund against VAT paid on goods to be exported. The minimum purchase to qualify for a refund is set by individual shops. Some shops allow foreign nationals to purchase items directly at tax-free prices, on production of appropriate documentation.

Otherwise, to reclaim tax you need to request a VAT refund request form, when you make a purchase, which states the amount of tax you have paid and the refund due. Customs officials must stamp these documents as you leave the country and the refund will be processed and sent to you.

Alternatively, you can purchase goods from shops participating in the Tax-free Shopping programme (look out for the Tax-free Shopping logo displayed in the window). Simply show your passport when you make a purchase and you will be given a Tax-free Shopping Cheque showing the refund you are owed. As you leave the country, customs officials will stamp your cheques. You can claim your refund from the Tax-free Shopping desk or have the refund sent to you.

Almost everybody has heard of London's public transport network with the capital's red double-decker buses and "the Tube" underground railway being as much tourist attractions as they are essential for getting around the metropolis.

To and From the Airport

Most international visitors flying to London arrive through London Heathrow, situated west of London. Domestic flights and some European arrivals may land at one of London's other airports: Gatwick; Stansted; Luton; or City.

London Heathrow

Heathrow is located about 24km west of the city centre. Contact Tel: +44 (0)870-000-0123 +44 (0)870-000-0123 for further information.

Underground

The cheapest way to get into the city centre from Heathrow is via the London Underground's Piccadilly Line, running every five to nine minutes between 05h00 and 23h30. One-way fare to Zone 1 GBP4; one-day travel card GBP13.80.

Trains

The train is the quickest way to and from Heathrow (20mins). The Heathrow Express departs every 15 minutes from Paddington station. Tickets cost GBP16.50 one way.

Taxis

Licensed taxis are available outside every terminal; expect the 45-60 minute journey to cost approximately GBP50.

Coaches

National Express offer services into London Vistoria. Average journey times vary between 40-80 minutes and a single trip will set you back GBP4.

London Gatwick

Gatwick is located 45km south of London. Tel: +44 (0)870-000-2468 +44 (0)870-000-2468 .

Trains

From Gatwick, London is best reached by train. The rail station is next to the South Terminal from which the Gatwick Express train leaves for London Victoria (30mins). The service runs from 05h20-01h35. Trains leave every 30 minutes between 05h20-06h50 and 20h50-00h50. Every 15 minutes between 05h50-00h35. It costs GBP16.90 single, GBP28.80 open return.

An alternative is the Thameslink train service which ferries passengers into Kings Cross Thameslink station (45mins), just around the corner from Kings Cross underground and mainline station. Tickets cost approximately GBP21.50 for a day return - with the exact price dependent on peak and off-peak hours.

London Stansted

Stansted is 56km north-east of London but enjoys excellent rail and road links (the M11) to the capital. Tel: +44 (0)870-000-0303 +44 (0)870-000-0303 .

Trains

The Stansted Express train service to London's Liverpool Street Station (40mins) runs every 15 minutes from 08h00-16h00 weekdays and every 30 minutes early morning, evenings and weekends. Trains run from 04h55-22h55 (Mon-Fri); 04h40-23h25 (Sat-Sun). It costs GBP17 for a standard single fare and GBP24 for a return fare.

Buses

Alternatively, Airbus A6/A7 runs every half-hour to central London during the day and every hour during the night. (Journey time: 1hr30mins.) Fares cost GBP10 single and GBP15 return. Tel: 0870-5747-777 (UK only) for more information.

London Luton

Luton is 53km north of London, but is on the M1 corridor allowing easy access to the capital by road.

Trains

Thameslink Trains run every 15 minutes from the airport to London Kings Cross and take 35 minutes each way. Alternatively, the Greenline bus No.757 runs every 30 minutes to central London from outside the terminal building. Fares costs GBP15 for a return ticket, valid for up to three months. You pay the driver once on board.

London City Airport

London City Airport is the closest airport to the city centre, only a few kilometres from Canary Wharf in the south-east of the city and around 10km from the cental tourist zone. As it lies practically within the city it is easily accessible by standard public transport or even taxi cab.

Trains

The quickest way into central London is to catch the Docklands Light Railway which runs every 10 minutes from the airport to Bank Tube station, taking just 22 minutes and costing GBP4 for single or GBP2.50 with an oyster card.

Public Transport

London's much maligned inner-city public transport system is not the most efficient in the world, but it is relatively easy to use. By using the Underground, or "Tube", and the bus system, you can travel in London from GBP4 for a single journey.

The city is divided up into six concentric circles or "zones", with zone 1 being the centre. Depending on the duration of your stay, the cheapest (and most convenient) option is to purchase a daily, three-day or weekly travelcard that gives you unlimited access to tubes and buses as well as local overland trains in the city. The price varies according to which zones you plan to use.

A day travelcard covering zones 1 and 2 (which together contain the vast majority of London's most interesting sights) costs GBP6.80 (GBP5.30 if bought after 09h00). A three-day travelcard costs GBP17.40 Both of these allow the unlimited use of any bus or tube within these two zones for the ticket's duration. Travel cards expire at around 04h00 hours the morning after the date on them - so are valid for tube trains after midnight and night buses.

Single tube tickets are more expensive with costs increasing as you cross zone boundaries. All tickets must be bought in advance from your departure station. A single journey within zones 1-6 costs GBP4, including point-to-point tube journeys.

If you are just making sporadic journeys by tube then it is well worth buying an oyster card which provides fares at a reduced rate. A single fare will cost GBP1.50 for a journey within zone 1; GBP2 within zones 1-2; GBP2.50 within zones 1-4.

Tickets can be bought from tube stations, either over the counter or from vending machines. In larger central stations multi-lingual vending machines are available for non-English speakers. Many newsagents and local shops also sell tickets and travelcards.

Tubes/Underground

Navigating the tube is as easy or difficult as you make it. All pocket guides to London will have a tube map in them and the same map is well posted in tube stations. Take note of the final destination on the line you want to catch as well as the general direction of travel (north, south, east or west). This will help you locate your platform and appropriate train easily underground. All trains stop at all stops on their line unless special circumstances apply. Staff are posted at strategic points underground to provide assistance and multi-lingual help can often be obtained if needed.

You must buy your ticket before you travel. It must be inserted into the barrier and withdrawn from the slot at the top (if a travelcard) before the barriers open. Note: Try not to travel on the tube at peak rush hours. If you must travel at these times try to ensure you know roughly which line (destination and direction) you are looking for. Commuter rage when tourists block passages to consult maps isn't unknown. Likewise when on the train try to leave doors unblocked by luggage or yourself as much as possible.

Buses

Buses are red and mostly double-decker. All have a number and a list of final and interim destinations on the front above the driver's window, on the rear and somewhere on the side. On most modern vehicles you board at the front, paying the driver when you board or showing the appropriate pass, whereas in the older buses, you can hop on the back and pay the conductor. In the very centre of London, however (the area roughly bounded by Paddington, Kings Cross, Waterloo and Victoria), you must buy a ticket before boarding the bus. Bus stops where this is necessary have a yellow sign saying "Buy tickets before boarding". You can pay at the ticket machines at bus stops (which require exact change), at most newsagents and in Underground stations. To leave the bus press the bell and alight at the middle doors, or front ones if necessary.

Night bus services (with their route numbers prefaced with an "N") replace standard buses after the tube shuts down (at around 00h00). This may mean that routes vary slightly.

Coaches from and to national destinations arrive and depart at Victoria Coach Station, right next to the Victoria Railway Station. National Express is the biggest operator and coach travel remains the cheapest way of travelling around the country.

From within the UK you can phone Tel: 08705-80-80-80 for booking and timetable enquiries.

Trains

London's overland train network complements the local public transport system alongside the buses and tubes, as well as forming the easiest way to access national and international destinations from the heart of the city. The main railway terminals are Waterloo, Victoria, Paddington, Euston and Kings Cross/St Pancras. Liverpool St. Marylebone and Charing Cross are other large stations in the heart of the city. All main stations are connected to the Underground network. Additional stations that offer connections to the overland network are marked on the tube map with the British Rail symbol.

Trains to national destinations in the North leave from either Euston or Kings Cross/St Pancras. Kings Cross trains generally travel up the East Coast line, to cities such as Nottingham, Sheffield, York, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh. You can also catch trains to destinations such as Cambridge, Ely and Norwich from here. Trains from Euston usually travel along the West Coast and Cross Country route to destinations such as Manchester, Liverpool, Oxenholme (the Lake District), Carlisle and Glasgow.

Paddington trains head west out of the city towards Wales. Typical destinations include Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and the West Country, into Devon and Cornwall. For South Coast destinations and Brighton, trains leave from Victoria. International trains via the Channel Tunnel leave from Waterloo and give direct access to European destinations including Brussels, Paris and Lille.

Although the British Rail network comprises several independent operators, the one phone number you will need for rail travel in the UK is the number for the National Rail Enquiries line, Tel: 08457-48-49-50 (from within UK). This will tell you all the timetable and price information you need to know. Alternatively ask at any customer service or ticket desk at a British Rail station.

Be aware that should you need to transfer between stations in London as part of a single journey your ticket should be valid for this transfer via the Underground. Also, if you already possess a multiple zone travelcard and are purchasing an additional rail ticket for a destination outside London, you should tell the staff serving you before purchase. You will then be given a cheaper ticket that takes account of the furthest extent of your travelcard.

Driving

You will not need a car within the city - unless you enjoy stress and slow moving traffic. The congestion is chronic in the centre and parking nearly impossible. Unlike many international cities, London has nothing like an organised grid structure of streets and navigation around the city is extremely difficult for visitors.

If you must drive to and around London it is worth knowing that the M25 orbital motorway rings the city at approximately 20 miles' (32km) distance. The inner London ringroad is the A406, which allows full orbital navigation around the city centre.

Renting a car is a good option if you plan to explore the countryside around London. Get the best of both worlds by taking the train to Gatwick or Stansted and then renting and driving the car from there. Most major car hire companies have desks at London airports and in the city centre. .

You will need to bring your overseas driving licence if planning to drive while in the UK. You do not need a special licence and can use your national licence for up to 12 months from the date of your entry into the country. A current International Driving Permit is also accepted.

All visitors bringing their own cars require green card insurance to ensure full insurance cover and you should carry your registration documents at all times. The minimum driving age is 17. You must drive on the left-hand side of the road and overtake on the right. The driver and all passengers in the car must wear seat belts where fitted. Although drivers are allowed to drive with a minimal amount of alcohol in their blood stream, the penalties for exceeding this limit are extremely severe in the UK. You are encouraged to never drive following a drink, even if you believe you are under the limit.