Either way, expect to see eclectic architecture, famous bridges and even some quieter more rural sections on the outer fringes of the city. Another longer walk that can be completed in the course of a long day, The Wandle Trail is a 14-mile hike from Wandsworth to Croydon in London’s suburbs.

Don’t miss In leafy Assistens Cemetery, sunbathing couples and red squirrels neighbour the graves of Hans Christian Andersen and Soren Kierkegaard And don’t forget your travel insurance! We recommend World Nomadsor True Traveller who both offer reliable, comprehensive cover, includingmedical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. The walk starts at Alexandra Palace Station before delivering into the Victorian landscaping of the north London park itself. By far the longest and most comprehensive walk in our guide is the London Loop. This monster of a circuit loops right the way around greater London. We’re not talking about the middling ground of the Capital Ring Walk. We’re talking about the very edges of London’s part of the map. Still, while some places like the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town and Nightjar have made their way onto most people’s radars, others like Oriole have stayed relatively low-key.We’ve all gone through our fair share of “OMFG I love London” and “ugh, I’m so bored – all I wanna do is sit at home and drink tea” phases with this weird and wonderful city we call home. Been there, done that It’s all very well and good extolling the virtues of exploring the unexplored places in London but who has the time to do all that research? To weed through the copious amounts of chaff to find the stuff that’s really worth doing? That means you can go and enjoy the delicious street food and *cough cough* boozy drinks in the golden main hall in a relatively crowd-free setting – or at least without the hoards that you’d expect elsewhere. Nearest stations are Victoria, Sloane Square, and South Kensington. 24. Berenjak, Soho Photo: Berenjak Serving decadent drinks with live jazz in a fin-de-siecle interior, Oriole is everything you want from a secret bar in London– hush hush, fancy and not afraid to shake up some adventurous tipples.

Want to find them? Read our handy guide (hint: there’s a map to help you along with the task) Mercato MayfairThis walk is one of my all-time favourites, it’s a great way to spend a few hours if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle – it’s also pretty undiscovered, so you won’t be followed by throngs of tourists. The restaurant of The Mandrake Hotel has always been a pretty decadent place to dine, but when YOPO got a makeover it also became one of the most flashy.

That’s not where the story ends though. The name supposedly comes from a tree that Elizabeth I rested under as she took refuge here on a journey through the Great North Wood that used to cover most of South London. Some, like Damien Hirst and Antony Gormley, you’ll know, others less so – well-known or not, each artist has created a work that draws on and complements its surroundings. I say grab a glass of prosecco from the bar and give yourself plenty of time to do both. Kew Gardens The City’s Sky Garden gets no shortage of attention from locals and visitors alike, but just down the road, The Garden at 120 is one of London’s hidden gems. Let’s get the big stuff out of the way first – yes yes – Leadenhall was used as a filming location for Harry Potter. If you make believe hard enough, you can almost transport yourself to the world of Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone.Not the longest walk in our guide, but certainly one of the more interesting, the Jubilee Walkway takes you past some of London’s most iconic landmarks. Prior to Crystal Palace being named Crystal Palace after the giant Victorian construction, the area was just a part of Sydenham Hill – and that in turn was a part of the Great North Wood that covered much of South London. The mansion is now a private residence again but you can still go and visit the gardens. They are home to a Grade II listed bronze statue of a young woman holding a goat, a donation from the National Council for Animal Welfare in the thirties.