Tate Modern can always be relied on for offering up interesting, challenging exhibits, housed in great architecture and with one of Londons best cultural bookstores. An ever reliable weekend hangout.

Relaxed with character. Tiny garden at the back overlooked by Waterloo train station. Not sure if mother cat still lives there. Nice to go with friends or alone. Books. Good for a coffee and cake or a bottle of beer. Spiral staircase down to basement. One loo serves the place - tip - lock the door, don't just rely on the curtain and save an awkward encounter.  Photo credit: http://www.appletoothpaste.co.uk/2017/05/coffee-scooter-caffe-london.html

A station, a stop or two away from London sits a shop that is only open once or twice a year – its specialty are books but it also sells things.

This painted of the shopping centre by my brother, Leo Verhoeven, shows a rather idyllic vision of the shopping centre we both share. Its pretty rough, full of budget shops and funny cafes and framed by a shanty town style open air market. I have a real soft spot for it as the classic under dog, thats so often slated and condemned but lives on.

Looking for books on Sound Art, Photography, Art or Cultural Theory? Then Conor Donlon's bookshop is the place to go. Supplying printed matter for a variety of tastes this delightful shop has a lot to offer. Ranging from fanzines and fashion magazines to books on underground culture, artists writings and sheer bizarre booklets on uncommon sexual practices, this engaging shop has something for everyone. Conor also deals in rare and out of print books and John Waters is a frequent customer. If you come soon you might just be in time to pick up one of John Waters signed copies of: 'Role Models'.