39. Discovering Treasure in London Charity Shops

For me it’s definitely the thrill of the unknown! The unexpected excitement of discovering something, anything, you never knew you wanted but now don’t know how you could ever live without it! And I am of the opinion that you don’t find it, it finds you. I am an eclectomaniac and charity shopping is possibly my favourite past time!!

I realised the joy of charity shopping in earnest when I did my first stint of community service, a very bright silver lining to a pretty dark cloud. Every Thursday for a year I would go along to the Salvation Army charity shop and help out, and as well as the glow of helping others, I would always leave with at least one bag of treasures.

36. All the little London things in between

• Some shop names just make you laugh.

There are, of course, certain places I consider my little London gems. Places I go back to time and again.

Scooter caffe on Lower Marsh Street, for example, for it’s quirky décor, cosy basement, resident cats and decadent hot chocolate. There’s the melt-in-your mouth sushi at Sushino on King’s Road and the Latino lounge, Azteca, nearby where I had my first mojito (and the one after that, and the one after that…). And there’s Souk Medina in Covent Garden - my favourite Moroccan cave of tantalising belly-dancing, low tables and delicious tagines where the mint tea is poured from an unbelievable height without spilling a drop. Don’t get me started about all of my favourite places to eat!

34. Trendy, Cool, and Sooo London: Soho

Soho London Pictures from 1973 John Hutchinson

Soho is one of my favourite areas of London. Its history stretches back hundreds of years, however, it is the period during the second half of the twentieth century when it really became the London’s cultural hub that catches my imagination. Back then it was a hot bed for aspiring artists, writers, musicians and fashion designers seeking success and inspiration. People looking to push against the conventions of their times - and explore new ideas in art, music, theatre - mixed together in and around the streets of Soho.

31. The East End: The Colours, The Stories, The Songs of London's Life

London's East End, famous the world over for serial killers, slums and venereal disease (and it used to be even worse). But everything I love about London can be seen and felt, not just in its East End, but on this very corner of Whitechapel High Street...

28. A Rich and Poignant Past: Wartime London

Showing the Imperial War Museum to a newcomer to London recently, I was reminded of how little attention most of us pay to the heritage of wartime London all around us.

With the richness of the 21st century city on offer and our ever-busy lives, it’s easy to understand why. Yet the spirit and the shape of this great city are so inseparable from its times at war, and there are so many opportunities to see and find out more, it can be really rewarding to spend a little time learning about the experiences of the city during wartime.

24. London's 'Ripping' Yarn: Jack the Ripper Tour

I know it sounds naff, touristy, and outright geeky, but the Jack the Ripper tour by London Walks deserves a place as one of the 100 Great Things About London. Please keep reading. I’ll explain; if you love London, which you do, and you don't mind a bit of history then it will interest you. Parts of London which you walk past every day suddenly come alive with meaning and significance; if that pushes your buttons then it’s a must. If you're not that into history, then please it you may even enjoy it more.

The Maguiver-esk tour guide thunders through his pre-rehearsed lines, gory detail after gory detail with as much empathy as the shipping forecast. As a hardened veteran of Victorian London he is no stranger to the blood stained cobbles of the East End and spares no expense in recounting each of the ripper’s murders to a mob of blood thirsty tourists. This is hilarious.

23. Lights, Stars, Music: A Date at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

For an atmospheric night of theatre, entertainment and romance you cannot beat the Open Air Theatre at Regent’s Park. Because of the glorious British weather, the Open Air Theatre only runs during the “summer” months (May to September) but it is a must for anyone who hasn’t been. Last year’s Crazy for You was an all-singing-all-dancing extravaganza and I loved every minute of it. The show wasn't something I usually would jump at to go see, if it was showing in the usual West End theatres, but at Regent’s Park it was an absolute treat!

21. The Magnificent Seven: London's Beautiful Crypts

“You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig.”

No, not spaghetti westerns: London historian Hugh Meller used the phrase ‘the magnificent seven’ for the first time in 1981 to refer to the group of large Victorian cemeteries established between 1832 and 1841 to deal with the problem of overflowing graveyards in inner London.

16. Become a Culture Vulture: London's Galleries in one Swoop

Right now in London there has never been so much art. I mean it is literally pouring out every single corner of central London. And, not only is it everywhere, the quality is truly outstanding. What is also wonderful about this, is that everyone I know (OK this could be an age thing) is getting involved and wants to go see these exhibitions.

Whilst the selection is quite literally intoxicating, the fact that there are so many is a problem. Our city is so overwhelming with choice that most of us don’t know where to start. So instead of suggesting a best one, I suggest that you do them all. In ONE day. Exhaust yourself in this remarkable city. Pretend for one day that you are a tourist, and you need to do it all or the giant rabbits will get you.

7. London’s Heart: A touching memorial

London is a reflection of the people who live in it. Our lust can be found in the narrow alleys of Soho, our need for knowledge is reflected in London’s libraries and bookshops. Our gluttony and our multi-culturalism can be seen in restaurants providing food from all over the globe. Our capacity for violence can be found in the need for police stations and our neglect for those less fortunate can be found in our homeless shelters. Every facet of our humanity, pleasant or not, is represented somewhere in London.

That’s why my favourite place has to be the Watt’s Memorial in Postman’s Park. It’s small and secluded just off the main thoroughfare near Holborn Circus, a little island of tranquillity only a moment’s walk away from the rush of cars and stampede of commuters who pass its gates every day.

2. Night at the Museum... without Stiller

So you think you’ve been to the Science Museum? Not like this you haven’t. Keen to get more young adults into science, the museum, alongside others in London, has been throwing their doors open after hours for special Lates events.

Open access, exclusive demonstrations and yes, “refreshments”, combine to make one of the most educational and fun nights you’ll have out in town this year. To get the most out of these events the key is to arrive early and know what you want to see. We went to the Science Museum, V&A and British Library and all were quite busy with queues starting early and demos packed out. However once you get in the door the experience is pretty surreal and quite cool.