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. 

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. 

A true British gem. It's charming, it's cute, and it serves a damn good full English. Sausage, beans, tomatoes, and a perfectly fried egg piled on top of a classic white slice: Mario's is one of the last old school, independent caffs left in North London. When the tiramisu arctic roll is on the menu, it's a must. 

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.