Epping Forest is a 2,400 hectares area of ancient woodland between Epping in the north and Wanstead in the south, straddling the border between Greater London and Essex. I tend to get off at Loughton Tube Station (Central Line), which is about 10–12min walk to the forest.

Frank's bar opens on the roof of a multi-storey carpark in Peckham every summer. It's great to go for a drink and get this phenomenal view of London. I love the design of the bar, which is different each year, and the exhibitions are always interesting.

A green oasis in Hackney, offering affordable, beautiful plants. A jungle full of inspiration. (Pic from meltingbutter.com)

The Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library, mostly dealing with medecine and social history. The exhibitions are unusual and engaging, and the permanent collection includes bizarre items such as medieval masks and human remains.

Where 1984 of George Orwell got its inspiration from, the craziness of a real ministry of propaganda.