Contemporary art gallery always showcasing interesting artists. Area is great and building is top

There are very few better places to be on a summer's day than the massive beer garden at People’s Park Tavern on Victoria Park

Lots of traditional charming country pubs around the area, but it can a bit hit and miss. A really friendly one with amazing food (and a unusually large veggie selection…) is the Beehive in Epping Green; close to the Great Wood. It's friendly enough you dare going there by yourself with the paper and are not at the mercy of local rubbernecks ("the rubberneck" = person who stares at strangers without any sign of guilt)

Whipps Cross boating lake is a true hidden East end gem. Located on Whipps Cross flats midway between Walthamstow and Wanstead.

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.