Hayley Daen

Not all homes are mentioned in The World of Interiors, nor are they published in quite as many magazines, as collector and extraordinaire Gordon Watson's home in Tangier. It is, but for good reason - a Wunderkammer of a space, it is an art aficionado's paradise. Though not open to the public, if you're in the market for some luxurious antiques, book an appointment through Watson himself. 

Dance the night away in the basement of the A’DAM tower. With a minimalist interior and a hidden trapdoor as the entrance, this hip venue boasts a remarkable sound system and curates some of the best quality house and techno music in the city. Spun amidst immersive lighting and laser visuals, it's time to get groovy and enjoy the boogie!

Disco balls and neon lights, the Duky of Tokyo brings the energy of Japan's capital to the streets of Amsterdam. For a night which will leave your voice hoarse, belt out your favourite tunes in one of the private karaoke booths whilst sipping on funky cocktails and innovative sake mixes. 

If we could quit our day jobs, we’d likely be beating down the doors at Clay Coffee asking them to hire us. This charming, sunny pottery studio hosts 5-week-long courses, as well as one-off sessions for events or team building. If you’re not into making your own vessels, you can also sip a well-whisked matcha out of a beautiful, professionally made mug in their café.

Across the road from Borough Market, Monmouth offers a great breather from the busy stalls. The queue is constant but fast-moving and on a sunny day there’s always a crowd sitting on the pavement sipping out of ceramic espresso mugs. There are no single-use paper cups here, so those who want to stroll to the river can pay a deposit on a reusable container. A British artisan coffee pioneer.

There are now six Rosslyn coffee shops in the City. Our favourite is this light-filled spot by Moorgate Tube station, but each one is a well-oiled machine with at least one more member of staff behind the counter than you’d normally see. The result is a warmth and hospitality that owner James Hennebry styled on the Irish pub. His partner, Australian Mat Russell, is responsible for the perfect flat whites. Hands down the best cup of coffee in the Square Mile.

Set within a five-storey Georgian townhouse, stepping into Offer Waterman feels uncannily like walking into your quintessential London dream house. A beautiful space paired with an astonishing collection of artworks, the temporary exhibitions on show are just exquisite. Catch the works of David Hockney, William Turnbull, and curations by the likes of Jonathan Anderson. 

Exhibitions here take in Japanese culture from all angles. There could be replica bowls of noodles and plates of sushi that look good enough to eat or bright Pop Art designs painted straight on to the walls. Either way, restaurant Akira upstairs serves beautiful bento boxes and the shop is packed with gift ideas – from animal- topped Legami pens to edamame-shaped chopstick rests. Keep your eyes peeled for designer Paul Smith who visits regularly for inspiration.

Opened as a memorial to Prince Albert in 1871, this beautifully round concert hall doesn’t focus on one thing. Look at the roster in any given year – there is a phenomenal mix of everything from ballet to rock. Its circular nature means the stage could end up anywhere and there’s no such thing as a bad seat. The Films in Concert series – watch Gladiator or The Lion King with a full orchestral ensemble – are brilliant, but it’s the Letters Live and Cirque du Soleil tickets that are the hardest to nab.