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London, the UK's buzzing capital of culture, fashion and commerce is one of Europe's most popular city break destinations and it's easy to see why. You may think you know the ins and outs of London but car hire will change your mind. Hiring a car in London not only allows you to escape crowded Tube stations and packed double-deckers, it also gives you the option of exploring a number of other lively and historic cities on day-trip excursions. Whether you choose to discover the charms of Shakespeare's Stratford Upon Avon or Jane Austen's Bath, you'll find car hire allows you to enjoy London and its beautiful surrounding cities at a pace that suits you. The following is a guide to the best sights of London and beyond.

London City Airport Mini Guide:

London City Airport is situated 16km from the city's West End district. The airport is an important base for a number of international airlines including British Airways, Air France, VLM Airlines and budget carrier CityJet.

Things To See/Do in London:

With so many of its attractions famous the world-over it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what you want to see and do first in London, especially if you haven't got much time. Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Cathedral and Big Ben are all guaranteed to top the list of camera toting tourists. Meanwhile, excellent museums like The Tate and British Museum vie for your undivided attention too. A hire car allows you to explore every option open to you- glitzy West End Musicals, ancient World Heritage sites, country manors and trendy shopping streets-the choice is yours!

Eating Out in London:

London is a truly multicultural city, where it's possible to sample food from just about anywhere in the world. Whether you're craving spicy fare from the far flung reaches of Southeast Asia, authentic Italian pizza and pasta, elegant French cuisine or good old-fashioned pub grub, you'll always find something to silence hunger pangs in London. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, it's worth sampling local London specialities such as pie and mash, jellied eels and meat pies. Meanwhile, the full English breakfast (Fried bacon, sausages, fried bread, fried egg, baked beans, black pudding and fried tomato) is the perfect fuel for a day of sightseeing around London.

Day Trips/Events in London:

London is an excellent base from which to explore some of England's most scenic locations. Worthy day trips include the Georgian city of Bath, the setting for countless period dramas. Brighton, the cheeky Victorian seaside town is another easy excursion, while the world-famous university cities of Oxford and Cambridge are also within a short driving distance from London city centre.

The locals of London love to have a good time. Fortunately, with an events calendar teeming with sporting events and colourful festivals they have an events calendar that provides plenty of excuses. Calendar highlights include June/July's Wimbledon Championships, March's London/Cambridge Boat Race, May's Chelsea Flower Show, August's Notting Hill Carnival and September's Thames Festival.