If you like some nice cool beer, portuguese sweets (the once with yellow custard inside) tasty and affordable sandwiches, good strong coffee and football, at all hours. Max Snack Bar is worth checking out.

Get on the list for tickets and surprise someone who will appreciate the 'village of books' upstairs in particular.

My favourite local beer garden.

A special place, a shop which is like a museum, worth popping in to feel the humanness and heritage of London. And if you are looking for rope, compass or any sailing supplies, this is the place. There is no shop like it.

Getting lost is an age old suggestion but a good one. Put away your cell phone or your A-Z and just wander around. I still do this regularly even though Ive lived here for nearly 10 years. London is a big city and it drip feeds you its secrets sometimes. You will come across things you wouldn't usually, in amongst the Starbucks and pret a mange there are some amazing sights. Just 'being' somewhere is a great experience and one no guide book can help you find.