Hidden in a subterranean vault with curved ceilings and tables lit by flickering candlelight, Gordon’s Wine Bar is the perfect spot to escape the elements. Opened in 1890 and thought to be London’s oldest wine bar, this city stalwart feels like a time capsule.

This charming Edwardian shop was taken over by James Daunt in 1990 and specialises in literature and travel books.

It’s a great pub whatever the weather, but the Drapers Arms comes into its own on a rainy day, with friendly staff, candlelit tables and fireplaces creating a homely feel. Its horseshoe-shaped bar has a selection of beers and ales on tap and there’s also an extensive wine list.

What do Charles Dickens’ pen case, Mick Jagger’s jumpsuit and Henry VIII’s desk have in common? They’re all part of the V&A’s magnificent collection, which spans 5,000 years of art and design.

When it first opened in 1976, this west London record shop had an anti-establishment and egalitarian ethos, making it well-placed to champion the burgeoning punk movement.

There’s a lot to love about this Hackney pub on a quiet residential street. A vibrant atmosphere, local beer and the option to order in from Yard Sale Pizza, for a start.

There’s no shortage of things to see at this kid-friendly museum in Forest Hill, but the giant stuffed walrus is one of its most popular exhibits.

Filled with luminous treasures, God’s Own Junkyard was set up by renowned neon artist Chris Bracey, who started out by making signs for Soho’s bars and strip clubs in the 1970s and 1980s.

Forget gas or electricity — in the open kitchen at this narrow Soho restaurant, almost everything is cooked in a wood-burning kiln oven or on flame-powered grills, making it an excellent place to warm up if you’ve been caught in a downpour.

On the edge of picturesque Hampstead Heath sits Kenwood House, a grand stately home dating back to the 17th century.