Now, before we all get London-parahenalia claustrophobia, if we haven’t already, let me bring you some of the best you’ll find. These two divine little objet d’art toys are NOT just for children. Meh! No, we all want them. Coming to a Muji store near you, the Horse Guards (Beefeaters? The choice is yours) and the tube merry-go-rounds are made from FSC wood and will be available from the first weekend in June to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee and the Olympics. Personally, I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the four day weekend than eating Victoria sponge cake, drinking lemonade and playing with these. In true Muji style, these sleek paired-back wooden forms perfectly capture some of our favourite London icons, they are simple and satisfying with their limited colour scheme and straight lines. This is the sort of gift that ought be gracing the souvenir stalls rather than the cringeworthy mouse-face boob postcards and the plastic chintz. Let’s show the tourists exactly what design can look like even if, strictly speaking, it’s not British but Japanese. I may dislike the 2012 logo for its patronising condescension naiveté (don’t get me started) these go a way to make up for it.

Well done Muji. (Now can you start stocking those midnight blue pens again? They are my favourite)

Limited Edition tube and horse guards merry-go-rounds, £12.95 each, Muji (suitable for children 3+)

images with thanks to Muji.