A beautifully curated mix of plants from mature palms to microscopic succulents. It is impossible to leave empty-handed.

A station, a stop or two away from London sits a shop that is only open once or twice a year – its specialty are books but it also sells things.

Beautiful minimalist Japanese ceramics.

I vaguely thought about leaving London recently and the British Library came to mind as somewhere I’d miss. It’s an essential resource because it has almost everything. It also has some interesting exhibitions.

Epping Forest is a 2,400 hectares area of ancient woodland between Epping in the north and Wanstead in the south, straddling the border between Greater London and Essex. I tend to get off at Loughton Tube Station (Central Line), which is about 10–12min walk to the forest.