Located on the South Bank, right next to London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium harbours one of Europe’s largest collections of global marine life covering more than 500 species, 14 themed areas and two million litres of water. The exhibition includes favourites such as seahorses, octopuses, zebra sharks and clownfish. There are also interactive experiences, so you can see diving displays, watch the sharks being fed, or even try and feed the stingrays yourself. And don't forget to take a dive 'under the ocean' in the glass tunnel walkway.

London's largest UNESCO World Site, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is the largest conservation project of its kind in the world. Visit the Davies Alpine House and experience the high-altitude conditions that allow alpine plants to grow, take a trip to the desert to the jungle at Princess of Wales Conservatory, marvel at treacherous carnivorous plants and take in sweeping views of London from atop the Great Pagoda.

At a staggering height of 135 metres (443 ft), The London Eye offers a superb view of the capital's most famous attractions. A full rotation around the observational wheel in one of the glass capsules lasts some 30 minutes and it is so popular that each year it receives more visitors than the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids of Giza. And once you've taken a 360-degree ride on the wheel you'll understand why.