Here’s a lovely video from British Airways, showing two of their cabin crew, Mark and Lucy, enjoying a perfect day in London. 

From London Heathrow Terminal 5, to the Houses of Parliament, Primrose Hill, Camden Passage, The Langham, Hamleys, Fortnum & Mason, Natural History Museum Ice Rink, and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, they certainly enjoy a busy day. (I’m just not sure about that picnic, considering today’s temperatures are hovering around the 3°C mark.)

For more London videos, check out our YouTube channel.

If the children of London won’t come to Warwick Castle, then Warwick Castle will come to the children of London.

Bold knights, fair maidens and even noble birds of prey arrived in the capital on Sunday as very special birthday party guests. The characters brought a touch of medieval mayhem to Hamleys, one of London’s leading stores, which celebrates its 250th birthday this year.

William Hamley opened his first toy shop, Noah’s ark, in 1760 on High Holborn. This was later destroyed by fire and a new branch called Hamleys opened on Regent Street. The store has had a colourful past, having been bombed five times during the Blitz and given a Royal Warrant as a toy and sports merchant. So stepping back through Britain’s magical past would seem a fitting way to mark this momentous anniversary.

My sons certainly thought so. The boys were thrilled to be greeted by Sir Warwick the Knight, clad in full armour, and were all the more impressed when the brave warrior let them handle his shimmering sword. Then there were big blushes from my eldest when a fair maiden approached, begged he tell her his name and asked how many dragons he had slayed recently.

They had an opportunity to meet Warwick Castle’s 22-year-old bald eagle, Sydney. The kids had never been up close and personal with an eagle before, so were rather in awe – though the sight was not quite as awesome as the fabulous array of toys that surrounded them. Having the opportunity to spend their Sunday in Hamleys was like a dream come true for my sons – and an expensive day out for myself!

If you were unable to attend on Sunday, fear not. Every Saturday and Sunday through October and also half term, Sir Warwick, the castle knight, will be coaching budding heroes in store. Princess Arabella will be spreading an air of royal beauty around too. Visitors will also be treated to a 2-4-1 voucher to Warwick Castle – Britain’s ultimate castle – when they visit Hamleys in October.

Tim Harrison-Jones, general manager at Warwick Castle, said: “Throughout October, all who visit Regent Street will get a taste of the medieval for the first time.

“With birds of prey, castle characters and discounts on offer they’ll be plenty to keep the children entertained – we look forward to seeing you there.”

Hi, I’m Angie Greaves from Magic FM’s Drivetime, and I’m a brand-new guest blogger on blog.visitlondon.com.  

What I’m hoping to do is bring some suggestions of things to do in London, whether it’s eating out, seeing a good play at the theatre, enjoying outdoor London, or, if you’re a parent, finding interesting and stimulating things to do with your children.   

Every Christmas, Magic hosts a Christmas party at Hamleys toy store in Central London. Now, I have to be honest, the thought of braving Hamleys doesn’t immediately fill me with much joy, (human traffic isn’t one of my favourite pastimes). However, the faces of the children when they come out with their gifts and toys does!  
 
The main concern I hear when I mention Hamleys is price, but it really isn’t as astronomical as you’d think. As well having concessions like Build-A-Bear and Hello Kitty, Hamleys do their own range of toys, games and gifts which suits every budget.

In Hamleys, you can find anything from a tiny fluffy cat, to a talking-and-walking dog; perhaps you’re looking for a magician’s box of tricks or remote-control car. If you want to be a little more adventurous, you could even go for moving farm animals, to a life-sized giraffe.  The choice really is yours. 

If you stick within your budget, there’s no reason why an afternoon at Hamleys couldn’t be considered as part of your Christmas shop, and it’s got a great atmosphere for kids.  
 
Each floor is themed: 

• Girls
• Boys
• Soft Toys
• Computer Games
• Toddlers

There are staff are on every floor conducting demonstrations and the children are the priority.  
 
Hamleys’ cloakroom facilities are brilliant, and the baby changing room has everything you need if you have very little ones who need changing and/or nursing. Then there is a café with hot drinks and snacks keeping everything you need for your day under one roof.

This is also the special time of year when your children can go to Santa’s Grotto. Pose for a photo with the big man as a reminder of the fantastic day you had at “London’s Favourite Toy Store”.
 
Set your budget, be realistic and make your way to Hamleys, it’ll be fun for the kids and you too!

It’s Hamleys’ 250th birthday in February so keep an eye on magic.co.uk in the New Year for news on special birthday events that we can all enjoy!

On Saturday, there are just 1,000 days to go until the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has released details suggesting more than 5 million people are now “involved” in the Games in one way or other.

So, if you’re reading this, chances are you’re either one of them, or you know someone who is!

Whether it’s the Inspire Programme looking at community projects, the Get Set programme in schools, the Cultural Olympiad, School Sports Week, or your company is working on the Games, it’s becoming clear than 2012 is having quite an impact.

So, tomorrow is time for London to celebrate this involvement in different ways:

• A Games-themed photography exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, called The Road to 2012, featuring portraits of people working towards the Games
• A spectacular firework display from the BT Tower tomorrow night, including a huge LED banner count-down message on top of the tower. (Watch this from London’s hilltops – Primrose Hill, Parliament Hill or on the BBC Lottery programme from 8.45pm)
• The London 2012 Corgi-made replica London bus goes on sale tomorrow in Hamley’s
• The limited edition adidas t-shirt, with pictures representing all the Olympic sports is available to buy here
• The Royal Mail’s 2012 stamps go on sale

With just 1,000 days to go, all eyes are on the next step: the aquatic centre’s roof is due to be finished before the end of the year…

But, alongside London 2012, we want to know what you’re going to achieve in the next 1000 days? Let us know in the comments below, tell twitter @london2012team, or visit www.london2012.com.