What to do in London

Travel time: 26 minutes on the Northern Line (Bank branch)

Enjoy the upmarket, slightly quirky vibe here with independent shops and vintage stores plus places for brunch, lunch and a drink in the evening.

Don't miss these

• Ottolenghi's on Upper Street has salads and delicious cakes or Gallipoli Again serves great Turkish food, great prices and great atmosphere
• Lord Byron or the Old Queen's Head on Essex Road are both traditional pubs serving good ale and food
• The Estorick Collection of modern Italian art sits in a beautiful old house
• Music at O2 Academy for indie bands and singer-songwriters or Lexington which is also an American whiskey bar.

Travel time: 32 minutes on the Northern Line (Bank branch)

This is where you'll find The City and the heart of historical London. Come here to see St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

It's also London’s historic financial district so restaurants and bars can be expensive. To treat yourself, try some serious steak at Hawksmoor Guildhall on Basinghall Street or go for a drink at Vertigo 42 for a celebration with amazing views of the City.

Travel time: 17 minutes on the Northern Line

Plan your visit

During the day, soak up the atmosphere of Camden's bustling market stalls with the tourists, students, goths and punks who all hang out here. Walk or cycle from Camden along Regent's Canal for a picnic in Regent's Park and see the animals at London Zoo. Go for a drink in the Hawley Arms (former favourite of Amy Winehouse) and The Good Mixer or play pool at The Camden Head.

Then in the evening, see live music at Dublin Castle, Camden Assembly, and Dingwalls or go dancing at Koko, Proud, the Jazz Café, Electric Ballroom, or The Underworld. There's something for everyone's music taste here.

Travel time: 23 mins on the Northern Line to Euston; 24 mins to King's Cross

• Visit the British Library, Euston, which holds a copy of every publication produced in the UK and Ireland. Join as a member to use to the reading rooms - it's easy to do - or visit the exhibits here from Shakespeare's first folio to the Beatles' manuscripts
• Go for a night out in Granary Square, near to King's Cross station. The Star of Kings hosts regular DJ nights and nearby Scala music venue has everything from indie to hip hop to folk
• Take the train from Euston and King's Cross to other cities around the UK such as Cambridge, or get the Eurostar from St Pancras International to Paris and Europe.

Travel time: 13 mins on the Northern Line

Head to Hampstead for a walk on the heath (that's another word for a big green space). There's woodland, meadows, plenty of wildlife and fantastic views of the city. When you're there, join the kite flyers on Parliament Hill or go for an outdoor swim in the ponds (one for men, one for women, one is mixed), or at Parliament Hill Lido.

There are historic buildings, boutiques, restaurants and pubs in Hampstead too. Get cultured at the Hampstead Theatre, Everyman Cinema, Keats Museum or Kenwood House or shop in a fashionable boutique. After that try the Horseshoe traditional English pub for a drink.

Travel time: 26 minutes on the Northern Line (Charing Cross branch)

Get some culture

• See work by the world's best artists in the National Gallery – entrance is free
• Snap up a half-price theatre ticket
• Treat yourself to a night at the ballet or opera in the Royal Opera House

Take a walk around

• Sit on an iconic lion in Trafalgar Square
• Walk through newly-revamped Leicester Square
• Enjoy watching a street performer in Covent Garden

Get some food

• Have dim sum for lunch in Chinatown
• Get ice cream or frozen yogurt on Leicester Square.

Travel time: 26 minutes on the Northern Line (Charing Cross branch)

Plan your day out

• Get cheap tickets for a play Shakespeare's Globe theatre along the Thames
• Eat at Borough Market on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and wander round the food stalls
• Drink at the Victorian Royal Oak pub for delicious beer in a traditional atmosphere

Travel time: 30 minutes on the Northern Line (Bank branch)

This area is bursting with bars and clubs, independent shops and trendy boutiques plus lots of hipsters.

What to eat

• Grab a curry down the infamous Brick Lane
• Get a cheap, fresh bagel from the Brick Lane Beigel Bake
• Order Vietnamese at the restaurants around Kingsland Road.

Night life

• Join other students from around London at the Prince George pub in Dalston
• Head to Cargo for live music nearly every day of the week.

Travel time: 26 minutes on the Northern Line (Charing Cross branch)

For culture, take a short walk to The British Museum – one of the oldest museums in the world. For shopping, try the big-name stores on Oxford Street, from Primark to Selfridges or smaller places around Carnaby Street. For cheap eats, go to Koya on Frith Street for Japanese noodles or Hummus Bros for healthy dishes. For a fun night out, check out the heart of London's gay community in Soho or the Roxy and Madame Jojo's where there are great prices for students.

Travel time: 26 minutes on the Northern Line (Charing Cross branch)

What to do

Try the world-famous Southbank Centre for free music, dance, art and performance or Tate Modern for the best modern art. Go to the top of the London Eye to see all of London before you or watch a film on the biggest screen in Britain at the BFI IMAX cinema.

Where to eat

Buy a picnic - don't forget dessert from chocolatiers Konditor and Cook - and sit by the river watching the world go by.

Where to drink

Try the Hole in the Wall, virtually under Waterloo Station, or the Anchor and Hope pub (which has great food too!).