One of the best ways to enjoy a city and get a real feel for its character is by walking through it - exploring every nook and cranny, getting lost, endlessly consulting you're A-Z and discovering places you never knew existed.

Many people only know London by a tube map and don't realise that Piccadilly Square and Leicester Square are so close you could walk it in 5 minutes.  London is so big that you can walk every route a million different ways - if crowds don't appeal you need never even come across them there are so many side streets.

If you love walking and would like to learn a thing or two about the capital whilst meeting new people, why not try a guided tour:

• Secret London Walks and Visits

Dianne Burstein, a City of London Guide and LBC Broadcaster provides walking tours in the capital with a personal touch.  As it says on the tin, Dianne reveals hidden treasures with her specially customised tours that take in historic London, museums and colleges.

For more information visit the Secret London Walks Website.

• London Beatles Walks

If your passion is the Beatles and all they sang and did then why not try this tour company run by Richard Porter, owner of the Beatles Coffee Shop and author of the ‘Guide to the Beatles London'.

There are five scheduled tours a week which cover the likes of film locations, Abbey Road and the location of the ‘rooftop sessions'.  The company also runs private tours tailored to suit your own personal interests and can be undertaken by foot or coach.

For more information visit London Beatles Walks.

Fear not, however, if the Beatles are not your cup of tea.  Richard also runs tours for the likes of the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Kinks, Jimi Hendrix and the Sex Pistols.  For more information visit London Rock Tours.

• Walks

With an impressive line-up of guides including a leading London historian, a London archaeologist, a London Tourist Board's Guide of the Year and several renowned actors and actresses, this tour company provides historical walks of London.  From their famous Jack the Ripper tour to Westminster by Gaslight this company caters for every day of the week, every time of the day and (it seems) every interest.

Joining a tour is simple.  Check the start location and time, and (with your money in hand) be there or be square.  For more information on their London Tours check out London Walks.

• Tour London

Run by Mike Keene, this independent tour company provides bespoke tours, visiting your favourite buildings and historical locations, whilst teaching about great London traditions.  With tours charged out at a daily rate for groups of up to 12 people this is a great personal way to see the city.  You can visit as many or as few places as you like, entering any that take your fancy along the way.

        For more information visit Tour London.

• London Mystery Walks

London Mystery Walks organise scheduled and private group walks.  Tours include Jack the Ripper, Haunted London, Shakespeare & Dickens' London, Movie Locations and London's Famous Markets.

For more information visit London Mystery Walks.

• Jack The Ripper

Started in June 1982, this company runs tours for a maximum of 36 - 39 people, leaving from Aldgate East tube station to visit murder scenes, pubs and buildings dating back to the 1800s.  Even if you do not have the cash to enjoy the tour, their website is fascinating and well worth a visit.

        For more information visit Jack The Ripper Tour.

• Tours for the 2012 Games

If you are excited by the prospect of London hosting the 2012 Olympics, why not enjoy a tour which concentrates on the resulting regeneration of East London.  The tour visits areas that will be transformed into parkland as well as sites of construction that have already started like the Main 80,000 seat Stadium.

For more information visit Tour Guides.

 Remember - with most tours meeting on the street at the start of a walk, make sure you are with the correct tour company and leader, and do not give money to anyone who cannot prove they are.