Walthamstow Wetlands are London's largest urban wetland nature reserve, home to many wildlife species. Only 15min from central London. The cafe is open daily for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. 

Quiet outdoor garden with bar and pizza meters away from the busy and vibrant Dalston main roads.

This is one of the only buildings in London that can lift depression. Each concrete block in the building is hand cast and hand hammered. Certainly the best bannisters in town.

The gallery was extended into a neighbouring Victorian House space about a year and a half ago, with a real skill in judging the meeting point between the contemporary and the conserved. The architects — 6a — were also responsible for Raven Row near Spitalfields (another favourite place). I'm lucky enough to work part of the week next door, at Camberwell College of Arts. This is about great food and good books. The café — a real haven at breakfast time before work — is run by the nicest team of people, with intertwined relationships to Camberwell. This book, designed by James Langdon, represents the kind of find possible in the bookshop and also the quality of conversation content had, over the best coffee.

A friend took me to this bar on Greek Street, I’m unsure of what it’s called or if it should be there, but it feels pretty authentic and makes you dream of the Soho of the 60s.