Apart from the fact that its building is worth a visit by itself as it's the only purpose-built stable that functioned as a horse hospital within Central London that is still intact, it also offers some of the best underground and avant-garde culture in London. Aside from exhibitions, film screenings and music events it also houses 'The Contemporary Wardrobe Collection' which features vintage street fashion, couture items and accessories to the Film, TV and Fashion industries.

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.

The Garden is nestled behind walls and positioned close to the River Thames in Chelsea. The Thames location is no accident as back in 1673 the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries chose their Chelsea village site for its proximity to the river to make the most of its warm air currents. It also gave them a base to moor their barge, allowing them to conduct plant finding expeditions in surrounding areas and to teach their apprentices to identify plants.

At first a memory of an old relationship, it quickly became my favourite market. Major highlight for the gin tasting with rosemary on a sunny Sunday afternoon. 

Whipps Cross flats next to Hollow Pond boating lake is where I run. A perfect antidote to the chaos in the city.