The thing I love most about London is the juxtaposition of urban and rural, and nowhere is this better illustrated than in Lea Valley Park. A genuine wilderness where I’ve seen everything from ponies, to a rogue Costco outlet, and all less than 20 minutes from my front door.

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.

It's really close to my house and one of my favourite pubs in London! (I even went before it was close to where I lived!) It is London's first cooperatively owned pubs and has lovely events and workshops, exercise classes and great parties, and good beer! It's lovely in the beer garden in the hot summer and equally great in the winter, next to a real fire.

A residential estate that once housed 40,000 people which has now become an abandoned ghost town. Minutes away from Elephant & Castle, is an unexpected dystopian treat.

I'm a big fan of Richard Serra. As this is the train station I use to pass in and out of London. I think it's safe to say i've spent more time gazing and contemplating this art work than any other on earth! The steel monolith sits in a rather petite amphitheatre with surrounding step/seats. During the week, it's packed with picnicking stray commuters. I just love sitting there.