Q. I have a free day in Chennai [Madras] next month while in India on a business trip. Can you give me any advice on what to do there?

James Tornos, West Malling, Kent

A. Start at St George Fort, which dates from 1640 and was the first foothold for the British in India. Immediately north is George Town, worth a wander to climb the dome of the giant redbrick High Court. To the west, in Egmore, is the Government Museum (chennaimuseum.org), which has the world’s best collection of Chola bronzes (deity statues).

In the afternoon, survey the city’s 27 square miles of sprawl from St Thomas Mount. This is where the saint was martyred, and nearby is Little Mount, where he passed his troglodyte-like final years.

Chennai’s Marina Beach is eight miles long and is a great spot for a sunset stroll. Along the beach you’ll pass the Ice House — a lovely old semicircular storeroom for New England ice, first imported to India in the 1830s.

A random thought, but if your day off is a Saturday and you’re interested in motorbikes, you can tour the Royal Enfield factory, 11 miles north of the centre. The Enfield Bullet has been in production there since 1955. The tour costs £8pp; book in advance at royalenfield.com.

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