April 2013
The Winslow Boy, Terence Rattigan's captivating play about a father's battle to clear his son's name, continues its run at one of London's best-loved theatres, The Old Vic. Inspired by a true story from the Edwardian era, Lindsay Posner directs an award-winning cast to re-capture the inspiring tale of family honour and justice. Runs until 25 May (oldvictheatre.com).

March 2013
The extraordinary human stories from the 2,000-year-old volcanic disaster, preserved like the huddled casts of its victims, are being resurrected for the first time at the British Museum in Life and death in Pompeii and Herculaneum. The first major exhibition of its kind in London, catch it until September (britishmuseum.org).

April 2013
Shimmy back to the roaring Twenties during one of the exclusive Claridge's Charleston master dance classes in the prestigious Claridge's hotel ballroom on 15 April and 13 May. In a celebratory nod to the new Great Gatsby film, London's “finest flappers”, The Bee's Knees, will have ladies performing bunny hops and fish tails before finishing the 90-minute session with authentic cocktails from the jazz era. Booking essential.

February 2013
The View from the Shard: The four storey observation deck 800ft up opens to the public for the first time this month, offering those with a head for heights dazzling 360 panoramic views across the capital. theviewfromtheshard.com

March 2013
Take an hour's train ride from King's Cross station to stay at The Varsity, a luxury hotel and spa retreat located among the bustle of the stunning university city of Cambridge. After working through the many quirky boutiques, stroll back along the picturesque River Cam to finish the day enjoying a view across the city from the hotel's Jacuzzi (thevarsityhotel.co.uk ).

October 2012
Thai Square Spa (25 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, WC2, tel: 020 7240 6090. thaisquarespa.com) Try this inner-city spa for a one-hour body bliss massage, easing knots and soothing aches as you doze off in a haze of warm oil and frangipani. A Thai bael fruit tea completes the treatment, soothing the digestive tract and relaxing muscles. (One-hour body bliss massage £75, or try the new couple's massage packages in a private suite).