My favourite record shop in London. Old-school record store stocks eclectic blues, dance, soul, reggae and global music on vinyl and CD.

I trust owner and director Tamsin Clark completely with what I could and should be reading.

Leila McAlister's grocery shop and café off Arnold Circus, Shoreditch. You can find the best of everything, from jars of horseradish to eggs and croissants.

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.

Maybe an obvious choice, but the Barbican is always good. My favourite space in there is the curve gallery, last time I went was for Cory Arcangel's 'Beat the Champ'. I love the architecture, although not many people do. I think it was voted 'London's ugliest building' in 2003.