Families are heading for London in their thousands this summer as hotel prices hit rock bottom. Deals offering three nights at four-star hotels for £99pp have been selling out, and double rooms at five-star hotels can be found on the internet for as little as £99.
Mike Holland concludes his 1,000-mile boat trip around England's canals with an exhilarating dawn passage through central London on the River Thames. Read his final dispatch and links to the full journey.
The London String of Pearls festival, which will mark the Queen's 50-year reign next year, will feature a series of heritage landmarks linked together by the river Thames