London has the power to captivate, excite and allure like few other cities.

While any large city has its shortcomings and its detractors there is something special about our capital; the inspiring architecture, unrivalled museums and galleries, restaurants, beautiful parks and the West End shows.

And every child should be given the chance to experience the city in all its glory. They can’t fail to be excited by its myriad attractions.

A great deal can be packed into a couple of days if you plan correctly.

We set off by train which is the best, most civilised and relaxing way of getting to London. South West Trains have numerous offers which won’t break the bank.

Getting the right accommodation is also key. We stayed at the Royal Park Hotel, a boutique hotel which is a haven of elegance amidst the hustle and bustle of central London.

It is an intimate, luxury hotel offering 48 exquisitely appointed rooms and suites.

The rooms feature period furniture and original oil paintings. Handmade beds with silk details and limestone bathrooms create an atmosphere of exclusivity.

Located just a block away from Hyde Park, it is within easy walking distance of London attractions such as Kensington Palace, The Royal Albert Hall, Oxford Street, Park Lane, High Street Kensington and Portobello Road.

Paddington Station is a short walk away and offers Underground access to the rest of London. Service was exquisite and proved an ideal base for the busy itinerary we had lined up.

The hotel comprises three carefully restored, mid 19th-century Grade II listed townhouses and is perfect for business, leisure or romantic breaks.

They also offer special deals for families and offer real soul and charm that you will never get in a big chain hotel.

We began our weekend in London at a fairly leisurely pace taking in the typical tourist sites of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace and then a few less then leisurely hours in the main shopping streets.

Then it was time to crank up the gears and take in some of the attractions run by Merlin including the London Eye, London Dungeon and Aquarium which are all based around the old county hall.

Madame Tussauds is also a must-see and offers a much more interactive experience than just static waxworks on display, as intriguing as they are.

We also got London passes which is a great way of seeing numerous attractions at a hefty discount.

The London Pass gives access to more than 55 top London attractions including Westminster Abbey, ZSL London Zoo and the Tower of London. With a range of additional special offers, the London Pass makes for a perfect day out for less.

Users have priority access at the busiest sites to avoid queues and receive a free guidebook and more than 40 additional great deals and discounts.

London also has the best theatre scene in the world and no visit should be complete without taking in a show.

We saw The Pride at Trafalgar Studios, a critically acclaimed production of Alexi Kaye Campbell’s landmark play with an exceptional cast which follows the characters Philip, Oliver and Sylvia in a complex love triangle which spans over half a century.

The award-winning Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen is now playing at Trafalgar Studios and is worth a visit.

We also saw The Ladykillers, the fantastic Ealing black comedy brought to stage at the Vaudeville Theatre. The theatre is now showing Duck House starring Ben Miller.

There are also hundreds of restaurants offering every cuisine under the sun.

We decided to visit a restaurant run by celebrity chef Mark Hix who trained at Weymouth College and also operates the Hix Oyster and Fish House in Lyme Regis. The restaurant boasts Mark Hix’s signature daily-changing menu of seasonal British food, and an eclectic collection of mobiles and neons from celebrated British artists. The food and atmosphere were excellent and provided a relaxing few hours over a leisurely lunch in the middle of a hectic day.

We also ate at the family-friendly Giraffe restaurant in Islington as we explored this vibrant part of the city en route to London Zoo.

The vision behind Giraffe was to offer somewhere relaxed where people could have great coffee and freshly cooked food at any time of the day – all to the spirited sounds of world music.

It doesn’t matter how many times you visit, you’ve never seen it all in London. There’s something different to experience every day though we managed more than most thanks to a great hotel location and good planning.