After the recent flight ban due to the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano disrupting British airspace, thousands of people were left grounded and stranded. Maybe it’s time to rethink travelling abroad and reducing our carbon footprint. Residents of Brighton know more than most that Britain has so much to offer. The city receives thousands of domestic tourists each year. This Easter weekend, we took a ‘staycation’ in London to celebrate my parents Ruby wedding anniversary.

Naturally , a landmark celebration deserved something special. We considered all our favourite destinations in the US and Europe but realistically none of us could afford much. Ironically, if we had taken any of these trips we would have been stranded due to the flight ban. I’d hinted to everyone to consider London, as after an amazing trip to New York in November, baby in tow, I realised I never explore London the way I do New York. Day trips by train can be tiring and constraining. Why not book a hotel, so we can roll in when we like and be more flexible? It was a done deal after my folks came back from their New Year’s Eve celebrations in London. They‘d been standing on the embankment with crowds, with a bottle of sparkling wine, plastic flutes and watched the fireworks over the Thames. London is a world class city after all.

We booked the Marriot in West India Quay. Docklands isn’t usually on people’s day trip agenda to London but I relished researching the neighbourhoods, cobbling together my own short walking tour around Limehouse. The Docklands Museum is in West India Quay offering a closer look at the area’s history, it‘s completely free plus there‘s a special tour for kids. Canary Wharf is very quiet at the weekends but that appealed to us. We could dip into the hustle and bustle of London when we wanted, then retreat and chill out in the hotel. Saturday we took a trip into Mayfair for early dinner at the Hard Rock Café. It’s child friendly and special to our family, we love music and have been going there for years. It was the very first Hard Rock, opened in 1977 and has a certain charm plus some awesome memorabilia.

Easter Sunday was my parents actual anniversary and we booked the Oxo Tower. Pushing the boat out, certainly, in terms of budget, but it wasn’t as astronomical as we expected. £65 per head for three courses, coffee, cheese and petit fours, a glass of champagne. The atmosphere was relaxed, the staff were faultless and friendly. It’s even worth popping up to the Brasserie for a drink and to take in the spectacular views over London.

All in all the cost wasn’t far removed from a Euro city break but I guess with the air travel taken out, we were slightly more carbon friendly. I would also argue whether some of the cheaper continental destinations could really offer the vast amount of landmarks and intricate history. There really are endless possibilities in a city like London; nightlife, fine dining, historical tours, countless museums. On a family friendly scale I was pleasantly surprised. The tube is a nightmare but the Docklands Light Railway is buggy friendly (off-peak) with lifts at the station and ample room to park once you‘re on the train. London inhabitants don’t have the most brilliant reputation for warmth and hospitality but like Paris, I think the city has had to change their attitude to keep the tourism trade rolling in.

The highlight of the weekend? Apart from only a 90 minute journey from the hotel to my front door? Dragging my tired high-heeled feet across Tower Bridge in time to see the most amazing sunset across the city. Now I know what Ray Davies was singing about.