Hidden delights in London

Findings from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show nearly half of all tourists who visit the United Kingdom spend at least one night in London.

But what is it visitors find so attractive about the city?

We all know about the headline sights - Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park and St Paul's Cathedral et al – but these are incessantly busy and it can be hard to make into a rewarding visit.

Below the surface there are a myriad of smaller, niche delights on show, with the city offering a world-class selection of restaurants, amusements, attractions, exhibitions and events.

For example, just yards from the beaten track in Kensington is the Chelsea Physic Garden.

Founded in 1673 as a training ground for aspiring botanists, it has since developed a major role in public education, focusing on the renewed interest in natural medicine.

Over the first and second weekends in February the garden will be open, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see it in winter and enjoy the many fragrant shrubs and bulbs in London's 'secret garden', which is otherwise closed until Easter.

February also sees the London Wetland Centre open its doors – this time for free.

On February 2nd - as part of Wildlife and Wetland Trust’s World Wetlands Day celebrations – the wetland centre will allow visitors to get close to nature and enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise in beautiful surroundings.

There will also exciting events and hands-on activities at the site, in what is described as the "best urban site in Europe to watch wildlife".

The British Museum is also proving attractive to tourists at present.

Already holding one of the finest collections of ancient artifacts in the world – including the Elgin Marbles and Rosetta Stone – the museum presently has a collection of Terracotta Army figures from China on display.

Taken from the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor of China, the statues can be viewed until April. The museum has also extended its opening hours (until midnight on Thursday - Sunday evenings) allowing more visitors to see the spectacular sight.

For something a little more offbeat, the Outside Edge museum is set to open on February 7th in the Docklands area of the city.

The exhibition is a trip through the black British lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history of the last 30 years.

This community has been vibrantly active for a long time in the city but has not always been well represented culturally. This display seeks to redress the balance and acknowledge the presence of the community.

If the theatre is more your thing, then you could do worse than a visit to theOld Vic.

Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey has been curator at the theatre for a number of years, and is now set to take the lead in David Mamet’s Speed of the Plow.

Between February 1st and April 26th Spacey will be joined by Jeff Goldblum and Laura Michelle Kelly in the quick-fire play satirising the deal-making that goes on behind the scenes in the movie business.

Finally, for all those wishing to take time out from the hectic pace of the city, there are always the infamous Sam Smiths pubs dotted around the city.

There are about 40 of the taverns, with the best situated on the corner of Trafalgar Square.

The traditional pubs sell English ale and larger, without branding, and in a traditional atmosphere – although there is no music. The prices are also rock bottom, and a good time is guaranteed.