A long existing focal point for sporadic outbursts of national celebration and London tours of tourists yearning to view the changing of guards, Buckingham Palace stands grandiose on the greens of St. James Park, just minutes away from Mayfair. It is imposing, but architecturally dry and although the parts not visible from the front are no more exciting, the gardens are a glorious exhibition of what wealth and status can afford a family.

Public tours are now available throughout summer and are worth a visit, if only to gawp at the sheer opulence of the design. For those interested in trinkets and art, Buckingham Palace does house an impressive collection of valuable objects collected over the years, reflecting the long history of the British Empire and even more is on display at the Queens Gallery around the corner from the main gate.

As a word of warning to the thrifty, philistines and socialist tourists- once you've seen the changing of the guard, there is no reason to be here unless there's been some event that requires the nation to turn out on the Mall, i.e. peace in our time, a new monarch, or if they have another party where Brian May is allowed to stand on the roof and play guitar.