Though the sky over this fine city tends to dwell in a decidedly moody state, London’s markets still thrive all over town. And, it’s the food markets that London does best. On a tour of London’s markets, your first stop has to be the sprawling maze that is the Bourough Market, where wine-infused ‘drunken’ cheeses, doughnuts worth lining up for and freshly made Scotch eggs necessitate the largest basket you can find. On a Saturday morning, after a stop by the Columbia Road Flower Market for fresh blooms, it’s the eclectic Broadway Market neighbouring London Fields where you’ll find food-loving folk filling up on the likes of pulled jackfruit burgers, towering layered cakes and take-home preserves.

Of an evening, Pop Brixton is an idyllic place to imbibe a gin cocktail and a curry-filled naanwich or truffle-topped pizza from one of the many shipping container-based stalls. If you’re in London a little longer yet, Shoreditch’s Boxpark, Maltby Street’s Rope Walk markets, Portobello Road Market and Old Spitalfields Market will keep market-hopping dreams alive. If time (and abdominal space) permits, next up is Kerb Camden, which proffers a well-balanced selection of vegan tacos, fried chicken and an alarmingly large range of desserts.

As the adage suggests, if you’re bored of London you’re likely bored of life. Between the pursuit of the city’s best meals and snacks, there are endless cultural pursuits to keep you entertained. With the recent renovations to Tate Modern, Britain’s iconic home of contemporary art, the state-of-the-art venue is now not only a mecca for artistic inspiration, but also boasts inimitable views over the Thames. Aside from the large-scale, world-renowned galleries and museums in England’s capital, spaces not-so-commonly frequented by tourists – including the Whitechapel and Victoria Miro galleries – regularly host work from some of the world’s best-loved contemporary artists – from Yayoi Kusama to Guerilla Girls. During summertime, art institution Victoria & Albert Museum also hosts a fun series of Friday night concerts and exhibition opening that present an immersive London cultural experience.

It would be greatly remiss of design-centric travellers to leave London without first seeing the London Design Museum, which is well worth a visit to see the awe-inspiring building interior alone. If you’ve had your fill of top-selling musicals, take a trip to Islington’s Almeida Theatre where brilliant (and often well-known) performers take to the stage. Just make sure you plan ahead – those in the know tend to book their seats early.

No trip to London would be complete without first sampling the fruits of its flourishing dining scene. If casual dining accompanied by natural wines is on the agenda, Soho’s Ducksoup and Exmouth Market’s Shawarma Bar and Covent Garden’s The Barbary are your new go-to locales. For speedy, hearty and satisfying dishes, the pasta at Padella, pizzas at Pizza Pilgrims and Franco Manca, or the contemporary Indian dishes at Dishoom keep travellers spirits’ high. For more decadent and leisurely paced meals, NOPI by Ottolenghi is a well-dressed space where memorable shared plates abound. Sketch London provides not only Instagram fodder, but a stripped-back, French-inspired menu, and Duck and Waffle gives diners a spectacular view of a sparkling cityscape – 24 hours a day.

On spring and summer days, the green spaces of London become the perfect destination for sun-seekers, picnickers and active types. Hampstead Heath is a verdant paradise only a short over-ground train ride from London’s centre. Wander through historic Kenwood House, lounge on its rolling hills, and, if you’re feeling particularly brave, take a dip in its swimming spots. Most corners of the city are home to their own green spaces and some of the most lush include St James’s Park, The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, Highbury Fields, Clapham Common, Clissold Park, Richmond Park (where wild deer roam), and, of course, Hyde Park. For a touch of English greenery paired with good food, you can flock to Petersham Nurseries’ Cafe, too. As the sun sets, and temperatures drop, you’ll find London’s residents, young and old, four- and two-legged, cosying up in their local pubs in good company with traditional pub food.