Time is precious, right? And when popping away for a quick weekend break, who wants to use up the minutes sitting on the train getting to your final destination. Which is exactly why when heading into London, don’t waste time going to a periphery airport, instead use the Blue Islands Jersey to London City service – which gets you right into the heart of the action.

Here’s our guide to what to do over the course of a quick trip in one of the greatest cities on earth.

1. Rib Voyage

If you’ve taken the early morning flight in, nothing shortly of a double-triple-mega espresso laced with caramel syrup will wake you up nearly as much as this blast up the Thames in a 740 horsepower twin turbo V8 monster right through the middle of London. If you opt for the full 75-minute tour, you’ll see the where, the what, the how and the who of London life – and in a city increasing known for its traffic gridlock, can take comfort in the fact you’ll (probably) be the fasting moving people in the entire city. So, screaming past The Shard, Tower of London, HMS Belfast, 02 Arena and Thames Flood Barrier, this is THE way to do it.

2. Science Museum

To be fair, you could visit every day for a month and barely scratch the surface of what this epic stop n’shop centre of scientific knowledge contains. But, fear not, that’s no reason not to set aside a few hours to explore the latest hands on exhibit and expand your knowledge. Early computers, space hardware – the coolest thing on or off the planet – including the Apollo 10 command module, along with an IMAX cinema which can send people deep into space, or see them exploring the depths of the ocean, make this well-worth your time.

Until June this year there’s also a special exhibition about the huge impact of the First World War on medical advances. Then just to scare you a little bit, is about special exhibition about the real and present danger of superbugs and antibiotic resistance. Contagion, anyone?

3. Harry Potter Studio Tour

Listen up, muggles, this spellbinding (sorry) tour will leave superfans in Potter heaven as they get up close and personal with all the greatest props from the billion-pound movie franchise. Stroll through the Great Hall at Hogwarts, wander up Diagon Alley, relax on Platform 9 ¾ and get a few pictures next to the iconic Hogwarts Express. Original costumes, behind the scenes information and little tid-bits of knowledge and facts gleaned over the years, you even get the chance to try a butter beer. Here’s a top tip, shell out for the VIP Experience tour, which gets you a guide to talk you through literally everything, skip-the-line access to, well, everything with a line (especially worth it for the ride a broom), along with photos and videos you would usually pay for, it really is the best way to get the most out of this extraordinary collection, chronicling one of the greatest, most beloved stories every told.

4. Sky Garden

You’ve seen London from the ground, now see it from the sky. After all, why bother going to London if you’re not actually going to see it all? Step into the lift and get whisked 35 storey’s into the air to reveal 360 degree uninterrupted views of the city. Landscaped gardens, an open-air terrace and cocktails a plenty in the City Garden Bar, it’s THE venue to reflect on the day you’ve just had.

5. For King and Country

Forget just visiting London: how’s about saving it? Which is exactly what you’ll get to do at this immersive theatre experience. Picture the scene, it’s December 1940 and a German invasion force has landed on the south coast. Parliament recalled sees you become a “designated survivor”, leaving you part of an elite group of people whose decisions will shape the course of history, placing you front and centre of the unfolding crisis. With actors gently nudging the story along, your decisions will be played out in real time as you attempt to save England from the horrors of Nazi occupation. Keep Calm and Don’t Lose the War.

There you have it, five great, varied things to do in London.