Tip 32: LATE night at ZSL

Summer in London is great for many reasons - the main one being that ZSL in Regent's Park run their LATE night sessions for people who don't like going to the Zoo during the day.

Similarly to the Museum LATES, you can get a drink and some tasty market food and wander round the Zoo saying goodnight to the animals, before heading to the silent disco to cut some quick shapes.

Animal bedtimes are clearly marked upon arrival at the Zoo so you can work out who to go and see first before they turn in for the night. (Visit Tammy the anteater first as she loves an early night).

For the overly adventurous; there is the option of dressing up as your favourite Zoo animal too, so there is quite literally, something for everyone.

Sign up here to be the first in the know for the 2014 season: http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/whats-on/zoo-lates/

Tip 31: We all shop at Harrods

I thought the only thing I could afford at Harrods was a slither of stilton but I have recently found out that their take-out lunch offerings in the food hall are also within my price range. With the summer weather well on its way, you can go and buy a fancy (but well-priced) lunch, ranging from traditional pork pies and pastys to hot sandwiches and trendy salads, and then cross the road and walk 100m and you’ll be in the beautiful surroundings of Hyde Park.

Picnics at their best (and a nice change to Pret). 

Tip 30: The most fascinating Museum in London

If you're after something a little different after your Saturday brunch, I highly recommend you slip along to The Hunterian Museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields. 

The museum is in the Royal College of Surgeons, and it has something for everyone (well, everyone who likes seeing foetuses at each stage of gestation). Whether you're partial to species sitting in formaldehyde, eyeing up the skeleton of the Irish giant, or having a look at Winston Churchill's dentures, you will be fascinated (and possibly a little dumbfounded) at what this small museum has on offer. 

The nearest tube is Holborn and the museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free, plus there are toilets and a free coat check. Avoid visiting when hungover. 

Tip 29: First Thursdays

Head out East on the first Thursday of every month for free events, talks, workshops and exhibitions in galleries and museums. Over 130 exhibitions are open until 9pm on that night only. 

Check out more details here http://www.firstthursdays.co.uk/

Tip 28: A cheeky manicure with free nail varnish

The Cheeky Parlour in Shoreditch offers a £10 manicure (file, shape and paint), and you get to take home the nail varnish with you!

This English run salon offers a whole range of treatments for reasonable prices. You don't need to book - just walk in. 

So if you are out East and want to buy a nail polish, pop into the Cheeky Parlour and get a manicure too!

http://www.urcheeky.com/cheeky-parlour/redchurch-street-london 

Tip 27: Walk your way around London

Most people would have taken a New Europe walking tour in a holiday destination, but have you ever thought about doing one in your own city?

This tip-based tour takes place in the City of Westminster and covers most of the main tourist spots. There is so much to see in London and sometimes it can be overwhelming, so this walking tour is a good start!

The New Europe London walking tour departs at 11am and 1pm every day from the Covent Garden Piazza by the Apple store. There is no charge for the tour but you are expected to tip your guide the amount you think the tour is worth. Look for the person wearing a red t-shirt and remember to take some change (a fiver is normally appropriate).

More information is available here: http://www.newlondon-tours.com/daily-tours/royal-london-free-tour.html

Tip 26: Save Time On The Tube

Get above ground quicker with the nifty app Station Master - it shows you Zone 1 stations in 3D so you can work out the speediest exits. (Note: TFL sends people the long way around a station to maintain the flow of people)

The app shows you tunnels, escalators, stairs and lifts so you can find sneaky shortcuts that can reduce walking times between platforms and to  exits. No more walking for what feels like 45 minutes through Green Park station!

Here is one tip we will give you for free!
The Piccadilly Circus: if you come from the northbound Bakerloo line, don't follow the signs to the Piccadilly line; there is a secret spiral staircase halfway down the platform.

For other tips you will have to download the app. It is called Station Master, and it costs £1.99.

Tip 25: £175 off a weekend-break

If you have never completed a booking with Airbnb (or if you are sneaky and create a new account I suppose), you can get up to £175 off your next trip.

Here are the terms:

• You must book before 17th Jan 2014 - so book now for a weekend away!
• Your trip needs to be 2 nights or longer
• Your trip must start by 31st March 2014
• You get your first night free - up to £175
• Use the promo code ONENIGHT when making the booking. 

Use this as a chance to explore other parts of the UK. For 2 of us to stay in Bath for 2 nights, for example, it will costs £37.50 each (not including Airbnb service fee). Bargain. 

Visit https://www.airbnb.co.uk/ to book a winter city-break! I think there is a niggly verification process, but worth it. 

Tip 24: Whose keys? Queen Elizabeth’s keys

If you love a bit of London history this is definitely a hack for you as it feels as though you are stepping back in time. This has been my favourite London experience so far –The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London.

This ceremony happens every night at 21.53 without fail and has done so for the last 760 years (Whoa!) with the only exception being in 1941 when the tower was bombed and consequently the ceremony took place 6 minutes late. Although the monarch no longer resides at the Tower of London, the crown jewels do and they need to be securely locked up from dusk till dawn.

At 21.53 the Chief Yeoman Warder emerges from the Byward Tower wearing his long red coat and Tudor bonnet, with a candle lantern in one hand and the Queen’s keys in the other. He then meets his military escort and together they lock the main gates of the Tower. It’s surreal to watch.

Tickets are free but there can be a wait time of several months. I assure you though, it is honestly worth the effort. When you apply make sure you list at least three dates you would like to attend as often they are booked up quite far in advance. I went in November and I’d recommend applying for a date when it will be dark by 9.30pm as the wintery feel contributed to the thrilling experience.

Follow this link for information on how to apply: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/WhatsOn/theceremonyofthekeys

Tip 23: All You Can Eat and Drink

Pix tapas bars run Infinite Sundays where you can eat as much tapas as you like, and drink as much cava as you can handle for only £29.95 each. The snacks are skewers of delicious morsels, and would definitely suffice as a dinner. So that's a full three course meal and unlimited cava for £30. Not bad!

Pix is located in Soho, Covent Garden, Islington and Notting Hill. Bookings are for 90 minutes, and the deal is on from 1:00 - 10:00pm on Sundays only. You should probably book http://www.pix-bar.com/reservations.html

Tip 22: Maltby Street Markets

Sweet little Maltby Street in Bermondsey has an even sweeter little market on Saturdays and Sundays. It is close in location to the infamous Borough Market, but way less hectic and offers a quaint market experience with a community feel. Locals to the area call the street market itself  "Ropewalk" - so be sure to drop that into conversation whilst wandering.

Huddled under the old railway arches you will find independent eateries and drinkeries as well as market stalls selling tantalising fare and awesome antiques. Two personal favourites are the amazing Reubens sandwiches from Montys Deli and a spritzy G&T from Little Bird Gin.

Maltby Street is in SE1 and is open from 9am on Saturday and runs until early afternoon. It opens a little later on a Sunday; either 10am or 11am. Take the Jubilee to Bermondsay to get there. Check their Facebook page for official opening times: https://en-gb.facebook.com/maltbystreet