The accelerated ‘topshop’ youth culture of today appear to roam the streets with no incentive to contribute to anything to society, instead tackling their endless free time by patrolling the streets.

Myself? Where do I spend my free time? London, the greatest city in the world in my own personal opinion.

A city that gets a great deal of negative coverage.

So I am seizing this opportunity to elaborate on why I feel it is worth visiting.

There is never enough time when I go there it seems to just evaporate into thin air.

As soon as I arrive it appears to be time to depart with my love for this city once more.

This of course is just a mere feeling as I could explore this concrete jungle for days on end. Why you ask, that’s what you really want to know, with that in mind I will gladly enlighten you.

London appeals to me immensely due to many aspects. Its history as a city is profound. Writing as one of the ‘accelerated’ youth of today, the history has to be enthralling to suffice to the new, ever changing tastes of modern youth. This it does and it does it spectacularly, as London is full of hidden treasures that have been preserved by time for us to be amazed by.

There are so many places to see, explore and witness for yourself. Historic monuments, buildings, ships all are catered for by this aging city.

It would be a crime not to see some of the delights London hides away from the busy ever changing financial city that surrounds them.

Being in London gives me a totally different feel. I love just walking down Oxford Street, past the rush of people like a flock of birds ‘migrating’ to the nearest sales.

I love just sitting on Trafalgar Square and watching the world go by, sitting there wondering where they’re all going? And why? I love being on the Embankment and breathing in the cool but no doubt polluted London air.

I love the way everyone has something to do, somewhere to go except for me as I’m not rushing.

At night the city ‘switches itself on’ with a collection of lights from all angles, attacking my eyes, however at the same time appeasing them until I take a step back, take them in and marvel at the sight.

I walk down Southbank and watch the river that has seen so much, contributed so much. I occasionally visit the Tate Britain or the Tate Modern to bear witness to the modern sensation known as ‘modern art’.

The sound of ‘black cabs’ roaring past me like a native being to this jungle of buildings and roads. The chime of Big Ben creeping over me whilst I stroll around Parliament Square. Walking down Carnaby Street, the fashion central of the 1960s, long live the ‘Mods’. Sitting in Hyde Park watching the post Christmas fat being burnt off by hoards of joggers. Catching our beloved tube, hearing ‘Please mind the gap’ and having trouble with my ticket at the barriers. All small events that can only be truly experienced in London.

London is so different, so new yet so old, as it has been there years. Still new fashions, music and events emerge, all so very new surrounded by historic landmarks and the London that is known by everyone.

Places like Camden ‘the power for the youth’ emerged in this old city with all its fluorescent scenes.

Meeting the workers at Billingsgate Market and speaking the cockney dialect.

There it is. A small piece of my mind and why as a youth with too much free time, I explore our capital city.

Go there some time with a new open mind not filled with all the bad coverage this place receives. Explore that concrete jungle because I believe there is something for everyone within it.

London shows us all our history and brings us closer to the hardworking Londoners we as a nation overlook. It truly is a spectacle that will continue to delight generations to come, that is if global warming does not claim it but that is another story!

By James Bowman, age 17, from Orpington