Welcome To Our World - London Arts

If you fancy a bit of fresh air and don't mind a short train journey, visit Eltham Palace and its 19 acres of gardens. Here you can wander in the footsteps of the young Henry VIII. This unique palace combines Tudor and Art Deco styles and is completely glamorous and totally eccentric.

Another of London's lesser known gems is the Dulwich Picture Gallery; said to be the most beautiful art gallery in the world. Its exhibitions are always changing, so it's always worth a visit.

If you fancy losing yourself for a whole afternoon, head to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Did you know there are over 4 million objects in the gallery, spanning around 3,500 years of human creativity? And it's such a beautiful building, built from marble and stone; those high Victorian ceilings are awe inspiring. Somehow it never feels crowded.

For 20th and 21st century design, the Design Museum's exhibitions are always full of inspiration and wonder – and it has one of the best gift shops in London. There's also a fantastic restaurant on top called the Blueprint. If you fancy a quick bite rather than a restaurant meal, pop along to Le Pont de la Tour food store in Butler's Wharf. Choose one of their amazing sandwiches, sit on a bench by the Thames and watch the boats go by.

One of London's top art galleries is the Whitechapel in East London. It changes its exhibitions regularly and is considered a major influence on the contemporary art scene – responsible for launching David Hockney and the Pop Art movement. It's free to get in and easy to find, on top of Aldgate East tube station – which, by the way, is perfect if you want to go for a curry in Brick Lane afterwards.

For the latest in contemporary art, keep an eye on what's happening at the White Cube's galleries in Hoxton and St James's. The owner, Jay Jopling, is married to artist Sam Taylor-Wood and represents many leading British artists, such as Damien Hirst (remember that £50m diamond skull?) and Tracy Emin (who represented Great Britain at the 2007 Venice Biennale).

Sometimes its not all about the art. For instance, Tate Modern has some lovely coffee shops and cafes with amazing vistas across the Thames. And the views over Trafalgar Square from the National Portrait Gallery's restaurant are truly breathtaking.