In the heart of Southeast London sits "Eltham Palace and Gardens". Once a medieval estate, in the '30s it was styled with mesmerizing art deco furnishings.

They have an array of all the classic pastries you’d expect from a French bakery, from pain au chocolat & croissants to my favourite croissant aux amandes.

Their Reading room is a mix between a gallery and a library with books and lots of places to sit and read or do some work on your laptop.

The Barbary pays homage to the culinary traditions of the countries from the Atlantic Coast through to the Mediterranean Sea leading to the Middle East.

The seats are comfortable, the lighting dark & despite its clear disinterest in hyper-trendiness, after dark The Derby manifests a brilliant dive bar vibe.

With connections to the local skate scene, it's a place where the mulleted, leather-jacketed alternative students from art unis head for a big night.

"Kew Gardens" is the famous UNESCO world heritage site in Southwest London. It's great to visit for its plants, flowers and Christmas festivities!

"Canopy Brewery", just below the railway tracks, is another perfect spot to sample some of London's finest brews, directly from the source!

"Yum Bun" makes Taiwanese-style buns in London. It doesn't claim to be authentic, but it's absolutely delicious and has great value for money lunch boxes!

"Tayyabs" in London is a legendary Punjabi run. I'll go weak at the knees at the aroma of their sizzling platters of marinated lamb chops & shami kebabs...

"Sambrook's Brewery" in London is tucked among housing and insustrial estates; it's off the beaten track but should be on every beer lover's map...

"Mondo Brewery" in London is a meeting point for me and other appreciators of hoppy liquid gold. Plenty to love, but no other taproom has free popcorn!