I trust owner and director Tamsin Clark completely with what I could and should be reading.

SOAS university has a small gallery space dedicated to exhibitions about Asia, Africa and the Middle East. There's a small but beautiful Japanese zen garden on the rooftop (currently closed for refurbishment)

One of the few remaining bastions of alternative Soho, The Crobar is a metal bar which attracts a friendly crowd and serves a top selection of beer and whisky

Traditional Punjabi restaurant that has been serving aromatic, spicy dishes since 1972. Bring your own alcohol.

The thing I love most about London is the juxtaposition of urban and rural, and nowhere is this better illustrated than in Lea Valley Park. A genuine wilderness where I’ve seen everything from ponies, to a rogue Costco outlet, and all less than 20 minutes from my front door.