A small, independent cinema with a lot to offer the Brixton wanderer. As well as operating like you would expect a converted theatre-to-cinema to, Ritzy offers exclusive, niche film viewings, two bars and an upstairs live music venue. All of which provide an amazing platform to be 'culture-slapped' into shape.

Beautiful park

The Barbican Estate is a residential estate that was built during the 1960s and the 1980s. An icon of Brutalist Architecture the Barbican Estate is an unique and complex real life experiment; a city within a city. The main focal point of the estate is the lake and its neighbouring terrace. High above and behind the terrace is the Barbican Centre, the largest performing arts centre in Europe. I really rate their visual culture exhibitions (for instance, Jean-Michel Basquiat and the Bauhaus) and live concerts (Nils Frahm and Ryoji Ikeda). Love it!

I spend many hours in the bookshops along this stretch, namely Henry Pordes for second hand books and new discounted titles (pile on left of photo), as well as Koenig Books for new art books with lots of great discounts in the basement. (photo right). In 2001 the rents for much of this strip were increased to align them closer to market value but thanks to public support they were reduced again. Unfortunately some bookshops still closed down; Koenig replaced the beloved Zwemmers - a real institution - but thankfully still provide great books, although others are no longer bookshops at all.

Designed by Wells Coates, the Isokon Building opened in 1934 and was the first apartment block to be built using reinforced concrete. The Isokon Gallery is open at weekends telling the story of the Isokon building, the pioneering modern apartment block as an experiment in new ways of urban living.