Whether you plan to visit for The Chelsea Flower Show, Wimbledon or just to soak up the London atmosphere, there is nothing more gratifying than a weekend break in our neighbour’s capital city.

Oh London my love. In the words of the sage Paddington Bear, “In London, everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in.” London has long been our home from home, and the go-to for a hastily planned weekend away, but has our infatuation with London town faded with the rise in popularity of the European city break? I hope not.  A mere one hour flight from Dublin makes London an appealing prospect when whittling down prospective destinations for a short break, especially given the sheer variety of things to do once you land on English soil. The only difficulty will be narrowing down those choices.

When to Visit

Truthfully, you don’t visit London because of the weather. Like Dublin, it can be fickle and while sunny evenings on the banks of the Thames might be magical, it’s not something we can rely on. Fortunately, it matters little when the city has so much to offer.

The upcoming Chelsea Flower Show ((May 24-28) is the ideal time to visit for those with an interest in all things horticultural, or indeed flowers and plants in general. You may pay a premium for accommodation but the city is bustling and if the weather plays nice, there is nowhere better to spend a weekend https://www.rhs.org.uk/

In late June, tennis fans will descend on the city in their droves to attend Wimbledon (June 27 – July 10) which has been cancelled for the past two years. Tickets can be purchased on the Wimbledon mobile app and each day there a number of tickets made available for those with the patience to queue https://www.wimbledon.com/

Towards the end of summer, the last weekend in August is the date for The Notting Hill Carnival, when the streets of West London come to life to celebrate the diverse neighbourhood that is Notting Hill. Expect music from Caribbean steel bands, food, drinks and a carnival atmosphere second to none https://nhcarnival.org/

Where to Stay

Unsurprisingly, the sky’s the limit when it comes to hotel options in central London – often with prices to match. Visiting at peak times will mean paying a premium but, as Joey says, it’s London baby.

Dukes Hotel, Mayfair

If there was one reason alone to stay in London’s famous Duke’s Hotel, it would be their legendary martinis, which were hailed by The New York Times as “one of the world’s best.” The bar is staffed by world class bartenders and guests are encouraged to retire to the drawing room or indeed the Cognac and cigar garden where you can enjoy some classic (and not so classic) Cognac and food pairings. Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal with frozen green grapes and salted caramel truffles? Why not indeed. Double rooms from £229 www.dukeshotel.com

The Kensington, South Kensington

It’s all about the location at The Kensington which is situated in the heart of South Kensington, one of London’s most appealing neighbourhoods. The hotel is mere moments from The Royal Albert Hall, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Kensington Gardens and the surreal shopping experience of Harrods. Owned by the Doyle family, The Kensington comes from the same stable of top notch hotels that include The Westbury and The River Lee in Cork so you know you are in for a treat. Double rooms from £350 www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-kensington-hotel

The Clerk & Well, Farringdon

A short walk from Chancery Lane station, The Clerk and Well is one of London’s oldest public houses. The pub has just eight well-appointed boutique bedrooms but all are well equipped with king sized beds, Nespresso machines, Wi-Fi and smart televisions. Double rooms cost from €200 www.clerkandwell.co.uk/london

ZSL London Zoo Lodges

Travelling with children? This is the sleepover of dreams for many children and indeed some adults I could mention. The London Zoo Lodges are situated in the jaw dropping surroundings of the Land of the Lions exhibit, where guests can snuggle in for the night within roaring distance of the lions. The price includes an after hour’s tour of the zoo, a morning tour which includes a meet and greet with the zookeeper and dinner on the night of your stay. Our advice? Book well ahead. Lodges from £345 www.zsl.org/ticket/zsl-london-zoo-lodge-adults-night

Where to Eat

The choices are endless and good food is not difficult to find in London. Sadly, neither is mediocre food, but you won’t go far wrong with a visit to one of these gems.

Café Cecilia, Hackney

Max Rocha’s London gem has gone from strength to strength since opening and recently was the recipient of immense praise from Marina O’Loughlin. The menu is concise but utterly perfect. For breakfast there is toast with butter and jam, Guinness bread with boiled eggs and Coolea cheese to give you an idea of the simplicity. For lunch or dinner, there is always onglet with peppercorn sauce and proper chips, a fish dish and whatever is in season and available. The prices are more than fair and as for the desserts….Open Wednesday – Sunday with dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. Book well in advance www.cafececilia.com

The French House, Soho

30 Champagnes and wines by the glass. I repeat, 30. That’s just one reason to visit The French House in Soho, the food is the second. Or maybe that’s the first. I can’t decide. Either way, there are enough reasons to warrant a meal here. Menus are posted daily and expect reasonably priced fare such as Carlingford oysters, English asparagus with sauce mousseline, or confit duck. There is a ‘no music, no machines, no TV and no mobile phone’ rule here so you may actually have to converse, but hey, it’s a holiday.  Oh, and another reason to visit? Aligot. www.frenchhousesoho.com

The Wolseley

Whether it happens to be for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can always rely on The Wolseley from restaurateurs Corbin and King to be busy and buzzy. AA Gill famously wrote about ‘Breakfast at The Wolseley’ and if it’s good enough for him then it’s good enough for me. Dining at The Wolseley is in the style of the grand cafés of Europe, and equally as impressive. The Wolseley serve food from 7am – 11pm so no excuses www.thewolseley.com

Other delicious options worth tracking down include any Ottolenghi outpost, Bibendum Oyster Bar, Dishoom, The Patisserie at The Connaught and Sushisamba.

What To Bring back From London

Two words. Duty Free.

Both Ryanair and Aer Lingus fly direct to London daily.