A walled secret garden, the Physic Garden is like a time capsule, founded in 1673 to allow apprentices of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London to study the healing properties of plants, it is now a living museum. Tours are offered by volunteers with immense knowledge of botany and the cultural history of the garden or visitors can wander the grounds alone and spot odd and fascinating plants such as the mystical Mandrake.

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.

An incredible restaurant celebrating the diversity and richness of Chinese food. The 10 course 'Taste of China' menu takes you on a tour of the country with each dish being very different. An unforgettable culinary experience.

Located in Camberwell College of Arts University. The etching room is spacious and has excellent natural light, perfect for fully engaging in this historically rich process. With knowledgeable technicians that show a clear understanding of their craft, this criminally under used workspace is a gem of South London.

Half a mile from Markfield Park down the River Lee is Springfield Park. The park rises steeply up from the river and has an amazing array of tree species making it beautiful in all seasons. At the brim of the hill there is a line of park benches each one surrounded by box hedge offering a private view across the Lee Valley, Walthamstow and beyond. The park warden was nice enough to give me a chestnut log a couple of years ago from which I carved a bench and two stools.