This ancient heath is filled with woodlands and meadows, and surrounded by houses worth daydreaming about. But perhaps most lovely are its swimming ponds. The Ladies’ Pond is the UK’s only exclusively female wild swimming spot. There’s also a mixed pool open in summer, but the gender- specific ones are for the truly dedicated cold-water plungers. There’s a wonderful camaraderie at both, and even Christmas Day draws a crowd. A slightly eccentric slice of the city that doesn’t feel like London at all.

Enjoy the sunset from the summit of Parliament Hill—there's hardly a better place to do so in London. Grab a seat on a bench with some rosé and peep the best possible view of London’s skyline. 

Part of what makes London great is its numerous parks within the city. Within lots of these parks are the iconic lidos, one of which is this gem in Parliament Hill. Open all year round this outdoor pool is also kitted out with a sauna, making those winter swims all the more bearable. 

The Neapolitan pizzas here are named after well-known Italians: the vegetarian Sofia Loren, for example, and the somewhat spicy Caravaggio. The team is adamant that the traditional Caputo flour is what makes the difference in their slow-fermented dough. Whatever it is, they’re churning out the best pizzas in north London.