In London, for instance, our 1,030 museums and galleries and 214 theatres helped attract 15 million international tourists in 2011. With 349 live music venues, 108 cinemas, 10 major concert halls, 337 night clubs and 37,450 restaurants, London punches well above its relatively tiny weight and gains massively as a result.

With Christmas just around the corner, and internet shopping making gift seeking easier but more impersonal (and with the added pressure of relying on estimated delivery times) I'd like to think there's a lot to be gained from combining your shopping with a little culture - and who knows, you might even find the time to check out an exhibition or two to celebrate your new purchases.