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

The Party Superstore was/is my absolute favourite London shop until it was bizarrely attacked and gutted during the summer London riots. They have been since adopted as a concession by the local Debenhams but you can still savour the full delights of the products and nonsense on line.

Bulk Market is a zero-waste shop in the arches next to Hackney Central station. The shop offers a range of products such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains all free from any packages. Bring your own empty jars and reusable boxes.

Audiophile paradise. Boasting one of the coolest looking and beautifully crafted sound-systems I've ever seen. More listening bar than club, it has a low key vibe with a diverse roaster of talented DJ's spinning an eclectic mix of tunes and full albums.

The Almeida, in Islington, is a small theatre with big influence. It's an intimate place to discover groundbreaking theatre and get up close to some of Britain's leading actors. The cafe/bar across has a constantly-changing tasty menu, relaxed atmosphere and free wifi. Open all day and great place to spend time even if you're not going to catch a production.