The V and A houses a public collection of prints and drawings of every kind imagineable from old master drawings to photographs, playing cards, fashion plates and wallpapers. You have to select what you want to see from the collection http://collections.vam.ac.uk/and book in advance. The behind-the-scenes route up to the study room of v and a is a treat alone (pictured)

Being an East London boy at heart I am partial to an occasional fix of café culture. Pellici's has been running since the start of the last century, to which me, my father and my father's fathers have all enjoyed its mix of tasty Italian/London grub and energetic atmosphere. If you're visiting, make sure you drop by, as it will provide a valuable, forever-depleting education into what East London is really all about.

A gift from Kyoto - a beautiful hidden Japanese garden in Holland Park 

Since The Columbo Group took over The Jazz Cafe, it's become the best programmed venue in the city, focusing on jazz, soul, funk, disco and afrobeat.

A small but specialist record shop built around proprietor Jean Claude’s extensive knowledge of 20th and 21st century recorded music. Connoisseurs in vinyl, you can expect to find an eclectic range of new and pre-owned rarities. Based on the 3rd floor of an office block in Noho, it feels like a secret hideout for super vinyl freaks.