This is the place where ghost pirates roam in times forgotten. Where great poems were once written. Everything has happened here. A few abandoned boats and much stillness. And an island in the middle. Most curious. Not much choice but to explore as far as your nerves will take you. Watch out for Zorro the dog.

The Nightingale is the antithesis of the hundreds of soulless gastropubs that a lot of decent pubs have recently become and remains everything a proper pub should be. Britain's pubs haven't had it easy lately. The smoking ban and the general effects of the recession have hammered the industry hard. The Nightingale continues to be what it has always been, a proper pub at the heart of the local community. Its annual charity walk has raised nearly £500,000 for good causes in over 30 years and it seems determined to do the things a pub should do and do them properly. Once inside you feel like you could be in a country pub instead of in the middle of South London. There's no jukebox and the TV is hardly ever on, but there’s a great atmosphere with a good set of locals and good drink and food. Bliss.

I love swimming and I love being outside. London is great if your into both these things. I swim at London Fields Lido which is heated all year round. Its best in the winter when the steam rises from the water and if your lucky its snowing a little on your head. If your brave you can also go for the unheated option of the Serpentine or Hampstead Ponds.

This uninspiring sounding place is a disused railway line that runs along the roofline from Finsbury Park to Highgate. A great place to excerise and escape.

Contemporary British cuisine at its best. Great food, great setting and ambiance, humble and passionate values and ethics towards food and gastronomy. The chefs and their passion and creativity towards food have earned them their first Michelin star in 2014, let it entice you and not put you away, they have remained true to their art.