The threat of a London terror attack has loomed large for the past year, even after the recent attack in March. Last summer the Underground station nearest my work set off a controlled explosion of a mysterious object. My route was changed when London Bridge station was evacuated due to a suspicious empty car. London St. Pancras played their emergency announcement early on the autumn morning I caught the Eurostar to Paris, which also experienced an atrocious attack from misled Islamic extremists.

It’s really quick and easy to get from London to Gatwick and vice versa. The Gatwick Express is an excellent, speedy train service which links the airport to London Victoria train station. Victoria is a very central station – it’s within walking distance of Buckingham Palace. The Gatwick-London journey is direct and takes 30 minutes. Trains leave every 15 minutes. There’s a slightly slower (by five minutes) train on the same route, and you can also get trains from Gatwick to many other places, including London St. Pancras, Luton Airport, Portsmouth, Brighton and Bedford.

The restaurant atmosphere remained the same. But the knowledge that the London Bridge terror attacks occurred so near to us, only minutes before, set us on edge. First, terrorists ploughed a car into innocent passers-by on the bridge before charging into a restaurant, armed with knives. As we planned our route home, news flashed up of the attackers in Borough Market. Who knew what would happen next?

You’ll need a minicab for this trip, but it’s a simple journey along the M25 (about 15 minutes). Denham (map) is a picturesque village with a number of wonderful traditional pubs; visit The Swan for a taste of the local Rebellion Brewery’s ale. The village’s single street is flanked by fine Georgian brick and older half-timbered houses; a walk across the golf club is a pleasant way to work up an appetite.

The walk starts on the West side of Hyde Park (Queensgate Tube Station) where you can find Kensington Palace. Famous for its gardens among other things, it is also home to many Royals including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William & Kate, with their family along with Prince Harry among others.

Before we delve into all the amazing things to see in Notting Hill, I’ll start my Notting Hill guide by explaining how best to reach the London Neighbourhood. Thankfully its very easy to do as the Central Line stops inches away from the main Notting Hill attractions at the Notting Hill Gate station. 

Once you have seen the square, turn back on yourself, and head to Whitehall which links Trafalgar Square to Westminster.

If you have sufficient time (layovers of six hours and longer) for a visit to Central London, I recommend taking the Heathrow Express train which gets you to Paddington Station in 15 minutes. Choose from a wide range of tours in Central London, purchase a ticket for the Hop-on, Hop-off Bus (which includes a Thames River cruise) or explore this amazing city on your own with a London Pass. Alternatively, you can opt for a private transfer – the driver will greet you at Arrivals and drop you off at .....your address in Central London. Make sure you’re back at Heathrow Airport at least 1.5 hours before your flight (2 hours if you need to check-in for your next flight). Show less

Visiting a pub in London every day is a healthy habit, so as soon as you check in (and assuming you arrive at the end of the day), go straight to The Lamb & Flag. It’s one of the oldest and most iconic pubs in London in the heart of Covent Garden, one of the main nightlife areas in the city and perfect for a late-night snack and a beer. After a pint, or two, or three, take a walk around Covent Garden. If you’re in London for your birthday, .....register at the pub’s website for a free birthday drink. Show less

You can find live flight information on the Gatwick Airport website. You can also find these details on the airlines’ websites and apps. I use the Easyjet app a lot and find it to be very accurate and useful.

Something I learnt working close to Leicester Square is that you never know when you might wander through and spot a celebrity. There are a number of large cinemas in Leicester Square, including Odeon Leicester Square, Vue Leicester Square and Cineworld Leicester Square. Throughout the year there are regular film premieres where you’ll be able to spot a celeb strutting down the red carpet.

Despite the somewhat confusing title, the tower of London IS actually a castle that was founded as part of the Norman conquest way back in 1066.

This is a much-loved museum on the history of the River Thames. It includes exhibits on pirates, a World War II bomb shelter, Sailortown, as well as hands-on fun in the Mudlarks Children’s Gallery. It is free for all ages.

Castles of London?  You may be wondering – Does London have a castles?  Yes there are castles in London to visit!  They just don’t have the word castle in the name!

Last, of all, let’s deal with food. Of course, it not hard to get something to eat in London because every time you turn a corner, you will be greeted with restaurants, sandwich shops, and takeaways. However, what we are really concerned with here is those hidden gems that too few people know about.

One of the great things about London is how many of its greatest assets don’t cost anything. The Natural History Museum, the National Gallery, the Science Museum, and the Tate Modern art gallery are all sites worthy of several hours browsing time, and all of the main exhibitions are free.

Of all the London airports, Heathrow is by far the easiest to get to with the most efficient service, although it’s not as close as London City Airport, and it would be best suited for London weekend getaway. The Piccadilly Line on the Underground has three tube stations that serve all five terminals. Buses operate regularly from Victoria Coach Station with a round-the-clock schedule.

Of course, other attractions will capture your imagination in the big smoke as well. One, in particular, being the ever beckoning call of the West and London’s theatre district. Don’t think it’s all about big budget musicals either as there are plenty of London theatre options to choose from, including classics such as Mamma Mia but also some real original gems such as Dust.

If you like opera, you’ll love this restaurant where employees sing while serving you. With prices above 100 Euros per person, it’s not for every taste and certainly not for every budget. However, the place, the service, and the dishes are impressive. If you can afford it, give it a try. It’s on Bayswater Road, right next to Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Since you’re in the neighborhood, take a moment to visit Kensington Palace, the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Your trip is incomplete without having a tour to these well-known attractions. I enjoyed a lot with my family the Tower of London. You should check out these amazing sites as well.

There are plenty of great places to eat around the South Bank to choose from especially around Christmas time when all of the Christmas markets are out. One of my favorite places to eat around the South Bank is Strada an Italian restaurant with a modern twist. With a menu of hand-stretched pizza and freshly made pasta, they have something for all tastes on their menu. I highly recommend any of the fresh pasta dishes washed down with a glass of wine.

Another elegant shopping area in London, defined by the iconic British architecture, Piccadilly is home to heritage UK brands such as Fortnum and Mason, Cath Kidson, and the Dover Street market.