A trend has been emerging in the domestic tourism market, in which young working couples living in London take weekend breaks to other cities in the British Isles; popular weekend break destinations include Cardiff, Cornwall, Dublin, Edinburgh and the Lake District. However, it is equally possible for people living outside London to take weekend breaks in the city, particularly because many London hotels now offer weekend deals for couples, making them more affordable.

If you do choose to take a weekend break in London, don't be overwhelmed by the number of options available to you in terms of entertainment. You can always concentrate on one activity during your stay in London. Shopping for example, is a popular pastime for visitors, especially in the run up to Christmas; London is home to thousands of shops unique to the city, as well as large flagship stores of retail chains that offer much more than in their regional outlets.

Predictably, most visitors in London will head to Oxford Street where the UK's major high street retailers usually have their flagship stores; Oxford Street is also home to a number of international retailers and department stores, like Selfridges. Other shopping destinations for people on weekend breaks in London include Bond Street, often seen as the UK's fashion centre, and Knightsbridge, which is home to the famous Harrods.

However, if you're looking for shopping with a difference, visit Camden Town. Easily accessible on the Northern Line of the London Underground, Camden Town is home to a number of markets that focus around food, clothing and books, amongst other retail items. Visit The Lock Market every Saturday and Sunday for a number of stores selling music and clothing. The Stables Market is also popular with shoppers in Camden, featuring hundreds of stalls that sell everything from antiques to fetish clothing, as well as a number of art pieces from around the world. If you're looking for alternative clothing, then The Stables Market is the place to go when you're in London; and make sure you don't miss The Black Rose and Cyberdog.

If you're tired after a hard day's shopping and want to unwind, there are plenty of bars and eateries in Camden that you can enjoy. Check out the Jazz Café, or The Underworld's alternative club night on a Friday night. Popular bars in Camden include The World's End, Devonshire Arms and the Barfly, one of the best venues for live music in North London. So if you're thinking of taking a weekend break in London, there's no need for you to be overwhelmed by the choice - simply select an area of London which you'd most like to spend time in, or pick a single activity and enjoy London's diversity to the fullest.

Andrew Regan
http://www.flickr.com/people/andrew_regan/