Getting lost is an age old suggestion but a good one. Put away your cell phone or your A-Z and just wander around. I still do this regularly even though Ive lived here for nearly 10 years. London is a big city and it drip feeds you its secrets sometimes. You will come across things you wouldn't usually, in amongst the Starbucks and pret a mange there are some amazing sights. Just 'being' somewhere is a great experience and one no guide book can help you find.

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.

Greatest "free" bar view over London. The Heron Tower is a commercial skyscraper in London. It stands 230 metres tall including its 28-metre mast making it the tallest building in the City of London financial district and the third tallest in the UK.

A charming family-run restaurant offering a great selection of freshly made hand-rolled pasta. Delicious:p

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.