My friend Guillaume opened the swankiest rooftop in London that still feels like a house party. Louie is a French-Creole restaurant, live jazz music venue and oyster bar too.

This is a great, free and lesser known spot in London. A glass lift takes you up the side of st.Paul's cathedral right out onto the roof terrace of this shopping centre. A great view over London.

It's a members-only library but you might be granted access with a research request. The writer's room is great but there's a few special, hidden corners among the bookshelves to tuck yourself away in.

Escape the Eurocentric vortex here.

Excellent gallery. It has big rooms which often feature large pieces and admission is free.