A beautiful selection of products curated by Momosan's owner Momoko Mizutani whose interest is to link different cultures in practical, resourceful and imaginative ways.

The fantastical shop front for the children’s literacy charity, the Ministry of Stories – which offers one-to-one writing tuition for local kids. The shop sells ‘Bespoke and Everyday Items for the Living, Dead and Undead’, including Thickest Human Snot, Compacted Earwax, and Tinned Fear. (And all their products make perfect presents for humans.) All proceeds go to the charity.

An obvious choice but no 'best of London' list is complete without the Barbican

The Nightingale is the antithesis of the hundreds of soulless gastropubs that a lot of decent pubs have recently become and remains everything a proper pub should be. Britain's pubs haven't had it easy lately. The smoking ban and the general effects of the recession have hammered the industry hard. The Nightingale continues to be what it has always been, a proper pub at the heart of the local community. Its annual charity walk has raised nearly £500,000 for good causes in over 30 years and it seems determined to do the things a pub should do and do them properly. Once inside you feel like you could be in a country pub instead of in the middle of South London. There's no jukebox and the TV is hardly ever on, but there’s a great atmosphere with a good set of locals and good drink and food. Bliss.

There are many great parks in London to choose from, but Hampstead Heath is by far my favourite; a lido, Parliament Hill with a great view of the city, ponds, woods and plenty of space. It’s a great place to hang out in the summer, but also presents a lovely walk in the winter. Address: (As it’s so big obviously it doesn’t really have a specific address but there are 2 main entrances) Entrances by Gospel Oak or Hampstead Heath Entrance.