Be on the gallery scene

By all means, see the city's most famous museums on your London trip. But if you really love art, and hunger to check out what's on the cutting edge, head over to London's East End, where a vibrant art scene has been taking shape in a concentrated cluster over the past ten years. The renowned White Cube has played host to exhibits by luminaries such as Damien Hirst, Chuck Close and Antony Gormley. Find newcomers from around the world at Victoria Miro's warehouse at 16 Wharf Road. Finally, check out Maureen Paley (21 Herald Street), host to a continually changing line-up of art world stars-to-be.

Follow Dickens

Dickens walked and rambled through the streets of London to mull over ideas for his books. You can do the same. Start out at the Charles Dickens House, at 48 Doughty Street, where he wrote Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickelby and Oliver Twist then walk through Holborn, making your stops at Dickensian haunts. See if it inspires you. More ideas for experiencing literary London.