I rediscovered this place recently having not been for years and now I keep returning. The geological galleries are my favourites.

There is a rather beautiful faded glory to these mythical creatures, which flank the steps guarding the ruins of the Italian Terraces in front of the former Crystal Palace, which dramatically burnt down in 1936.

One of the few newsagents in London with the widest selection of specialist international fashion, media, art and design magazines. Just off Portobello Road.

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

As a keen runner, running through Greenwich Park and on to the river side I see the Thames Barrier, which is not only the worlds second-largest movable flood barrier (after the Oosterscheldekering in the Netherlands) but is also an iconic site on what is fast becoming a recognised stretch for developers including the 02 and Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication.