Explore the best of London and find that ‘One Great Thing’

Tate Modern’s permanent collection features some game-changing pieces of modern and contemporary art from artists such as Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso and Bridget Riley. But the building’s as much the star, from the vast turbine hall of this former power station, to the viewing platform on top of the new extension.

Tate Modern, Bankside, London, SE1 9TG. tate.org.uk

Premier Inn London County Hall, Belvedere Rd, London, SE1 7PB. 300 metres

There’s always something to enjoy at one of the Southbank Centre’s esteemed spaces: the Hayward Gallery, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room concert venues, and the mighty Royal Festival Hall. You’ll also find free displays, installations and events bringing the foyers and riverside walkways to life.

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London, SE1 8XX. southbankcentre.co.uk

Premier Inn London Waterloo, York Rd, London, SE1 7NY. 650 metres

Overlooking Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace is home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Although you won’t be able to see their private quarters, there are many spectacular public state rooms. Princess Diana had her apartments here and many of her most iconic dresses and outfits are on display in a special exhibition.

Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London, W8 4PX. hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace

Premier Inn London Kensington (Earl’s Court), 11 Knaresborough Place, London, SW5 0TJ. 1 mile

Book an appointment to visit the V&A’s world-leading archive of fashion and textiles, where thousands of often-fragile historic pieces are stored. There are eighteenth-century court dresses, twentieth- and twenty-first century haute couture, 3,000 pairs of shoes, 2,000 hats and 1,000 bags. Free guided tours on last Friday of each month.

The Clothworkers’ Centre, Blythe House, Blythe Rd, London, W14 0QX. vam.ac.uk

Premier Inn London Kensington (Olympia), 22-32 West Cromwell Rd, London, SW5 9QJ. 1.1 miles

The eccentric home of nineteenth-century architect Sir John Soane is packed with seemingly random artefacts he collected during his life: an Egyptian sarcophagus, iron mantraps, Roman figurines, stained-glass panels… Ask a curator to show you Hogarth’s eight-painting series A Rake’s Progress, which folds out of the wooden panelling.

13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3BP. soane.org

Premier Inn London Holborn, 27-29 Red Lion St, London, WC1R 4PS. 0.5 miles

The hallowed rooms of the National Gallery contain some of the most famous masterpieces by history’s most celebrated painters: Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci… Paying exhibitions (Monet & Architecture, Mantegna and Bellini) are heavyweight affairs that draw crowds, so it’s worth booking in advance.

National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN. nationalgallery.org.uk

Premier Inn London Leicester Square, Queens House, London, WC2H 7BP. 300 metres

Be dazzled by the exquisitely crafted Crown Jewels, including the solid gold crown used for coronations since Charles II, and our Queen’s more everyday version. The Yeomen Warders, aka ‘Beefeaters’, will regale you with stories of the palace’s previous occupants – murdered princes, beheaded queens and a menagerie of exotic animals.

Tower of London, London, EC3N 4AB. hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london

Premier Inn London Bank (Tower), 20 St Mary at Hill, London, EC3R 8EE. 500 metres

Step into a pod at the London Eye and enjoy some of the best views of the city. One trip round takes just over half an hour and from the top, 135m up in the air, you can see for up to 40km in all directions.

London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London, SE1 7PB. londoneye.com

Premier Inn London County Hall, Belvedere Rd, London, SE1 7PB. 300 metres

A sightseeing ticket for Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece allows you to revel in the cathedral’s spectacular interior and climb the dome to check out its famous Whispering Gallery. Early risers can attend morning prayer in one of the intimate side chapels, and you can also book to see an evening concert.

St Paul’s Cathedral, St Paul’s Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD. stpauls.co.uk

Premier Inn London Blackfriars, 1-2 Dorset Rise, London, EC4Y 8EN. 650 metres

Don’t just admire Tower Bridge from the outside – ride up to the high-level walkway and gaze down to the Thames 42m below through the new specially engineered glass floor. Once back at ground level, visit the Victorian engine rooms that originally raised the bridge. Check the website for upcoming bridge lift times.

Tower Bridge Exhibition, Tower Bridge Rd, London, SE1 2UP. towerbridge.org.uk

Premier Inn London City (Tower Hill), 22-24 Prescot St, London, E1 8BB. 600 metres

Tucked away behind Euston Station, unassuming Drummond Street has been renowned for its excellent (and cheap) curry houses since the 1970s, and many look as if they haven’t changed much since then. Try Diwana Bhel Poori House (121-123) or Ravi Shankar (133-135), then pick up some traditional Indian sweets from Ambala (112-114) or Gupta Confectioners (100).

Drummond St, London, NW1.

Premier Inn London Euston, 1 Dukes Rd, London, WC1H 9PJ. 0.5 miles

In the summer, Granary Square becomes a lively urban beach, with its play fountains surrounded by café terraces. But there’s always something happening in and around this neighbourhood hub: alfresco concerts, seasonal markets, a giant TV screen, classic-car boot sales, a skip garden, and exhibitions at the House of Illustration.

Granary Square, King’s Cross, London, N1C 4AA. kingscross.co.uk

Premier Inn London King’s Cross, 26-30 York Way, London, N1 9AA. 650 metres

Regent’s Canal Waterbus runs a regular narrowboat service between Little Venice and Camden Lock – you can join it by London Zoo in Regent’s Park. Another great option is a trip from the Canal Museum (also worth a visit) behind King’s Cross, through the 878m-long Islington Tunnel.

London Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Rd, London, N1 9RT. canalmuseum.org.uk; londonwaterbus.com

Premier Inn London St Pancras, Clifton House, NW1 2RA. 1.4 miles

Feast your ears on the sultry sounds of top jazz, blues, soul and country musicians (Boisdale’s programme is curated by Jools Holland), while tucking into an à la carte menu with a strong Scottish accent (Scottish seafood, Aberdeenshire steak, haggis). Boisdale also prides itself on its extensive whisky menu.

Boisdale, Cabot Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4QT. boisdale.co.uk

Premier Inn London Docklands (ExCel), ExCel East, London, E16 1SL. 2.7 miles

For a unique dramatic experience, visit this twentieth-century reconstruction of Shakespeare’s famous theatre, which once stood nearby. Guided tours take place year round, and there’s a permanent exhibition charting the history of this unusual riverside landmark. Productions in the summer 2018 season include ‘Hamlet’, ‘As You Like It’, and ‘Othello’.

Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London, SE1 9DT. shakespearesglobe.com

Premier Inn London Southwark (Bankside), Bankside, London, SE1 9EF. 300 metres

Don’t throw away your shot to see the most-talked-about musical of recent years. Fast-paced raps, catchy tunes and a dynamic cast tell the inspiring story of the birth of the USA and one of its most unlikely founding fathers, penniless immigrant Alexander Hamilton.

Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria St, London, SW1E 5EA. www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk

Premier Inn London Victoria, 82-83 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PS. 500 metres

Relive your ’90s TV fantasies in this immersive simulation of The Crystal Maze. Run around the Industrial, Futuristic, Medieval and Aztec zones, solving puzzles, completing challenges, getting locked in rooms, and winning crystals. And yes, it does all end up in the Crystal Dome, scrambling for golden tokens.

The Crystal Maze Live Experience, 10-14 White Lion St, London, N1 9PD. the-crystal-maze.com

Premier Inn London Angel Islington, 18-26 Parkfield St, London, N1 0PS. 0.5 miles