These giant spectral cylinders are great at different times of the day but my favourite time is around dusk when the buildings in the city start to light up. The Gherkin and the new Shard building are framed in the lowest ring then the shifting colours of the sky are almost split in the following ellipses.

Truly independent and informed programming twinned with a beautiful Art Deco façade makes the Rio a genuinely unique and unpretentious cinema. A stalwart of Kingsland High Street the Rio’s single screen shows new releases, classic and quirky Sunday double bills and hosts special events and film festivals.

I’ve always been very fond of the ICA and its maverick spirit, less so in the latter part of this decade. These days the place is magnetic. To feel this incredible and unique place for arts and expression, breathing, breathing invigoratively, is rewarding to a London dweller or/and visitor. Its incredible transformation, revived from near death by Stefan Kalmár, is felt as soon as you enter the space, it feels open and alive, with vibrant and human energy in staff and visitors; risky, independent, engaging, resounding, and topical to our times programming, which is focused on breaking barriers in imagination an intellect rather than visitor record numbers. It is a breath of fresh air and an example what London art institutions are capable of if they open themselves to welcoming in an outsider and their passionate vision. And they have the best membership in town!   

Just above the Dorfman Theatre lobby at the National Theatre, is the entrance to the high-level walkway, a public walkway that overlooks the National Theatre props and scenic workshop. It's free and is a unique chance to get a glimpse of what happens backstage. I love popping in when I'm on the south bank, as you get a completely different sight each time, depending on which production the workshops are working on at the time.

Izakaya-inspired dishes, incredible music played through a proper audiophile set-up, in a beautiful looking and low-lit setting. What all restaurants should be like.