It’s coming up to Christmas and if you’re like me, i.e. like to avoid the hustle and bustle of a jam packed Oxford Street to find that perfect item for that special someone why not check out Folk Clothing which is tucked away close to Central St. Martin’s near Southampton Row and surrounded by some really interesting shops including the People’s Supermarket.

The St Bride Foundation is the home of the St Bride Library, an incredible resource of printing history, in the form of books, printed ephemera, and tools from the trade. It also hosts many fantastic talks each year – check their website for details.

There's something about this street, probably the fact that it's pedestrianised, that makes it feel like holidays. It also has a solid range of bars (Cafe Kick), restaurants (Berber & Q) and cafes (Brill) so is a good option for all times of the day. They have a quality variety of street food vendors operatin during the day, and fairy lights help it to come alive at night

Hidden away in the backstreets of Finsbury Park, I used to share a house opposite this pub, where it assumed the role as our second living room. A real north London gem, I still go there these days for the tree-house-like, leafy terraced beer garden, which is perfect for summer evenings.

Bulk Market is a zero-waste shop in the arches next to Hackney Central station. The shop offers a range of products such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains all free from any packages. Bring your own empty jars and reusable boxes.