NORTH LONDON

Camden

Perhaps best known for its hippie market, Camden is also home to the city’s creative indie-kid community, whether they’re bopping along at the Roundhouse or shopping for second-hand threads by the river’s Lock. No longer the radical neighbourhood it used to be, but with just as much junk being peddled at the market stalls as always.

Primrose Hill

Dominated by a hill on the north side of Regent’s Park from which most of inner London’s skyline can be seen, Primrose Hill really came into its own in the 90s when the likes of Jude Law, Sadie Frost and Kate Moss set up camp (and lines) in fashionable Victorian terraces.

Little Venice/Maida Vale

Little Venice makes up the southern part of Maida Vale, whilst wide, tree-lined avenues and grassy squares take up its centre – making this the perfect place for a mid-afternoon promenade.

St John’s Wood

Original headquarters of cricket, and home to Abbey Road – made famous by that Beatles album cover – St John’s Wood is another popular residential enclave for music industry professionals and artists alike.

Hampstead

London’s grassy knoll hold not only the capital’s prime cruising grounds, but also one of the most expensive residential areas. The views are undoubtedly stunning from the top of Hampstead Hill and the area really comes into its own in summer, in a Beatrix Potter way, when crepes, ice-creams and cakes are all proffered off the rolling streets and the population heads out to the Heath’s various lawns and ponds for a bit of sunbathing. The men’s bathing pond allows skinny dipping in the muddy waters if you worked up too much of a sweat in the bushes.

Islington

Starting from Angel tube, Islington’s Upper Street is like a more artisanal Oxford Street (ignoring the glaring N1 Islington Shopping Centre), though it also has a decent array of bars and restaurants. The nightlife around Old Street is popular with hip media types and young politicians who seem to have migrated to the area, making it a nice area but less posh than others with equal amounts of green space and cultural perks – Lily Allen is one of the more famous residents – case in point.

Stoke Newington

Next to Islington – to the right geographically and way to the left politically – and North of Dalston, enter Lesbian territory. Friendly and with several drinking dens where organic growing methods and knitting patterns are discussed, it’s a lovely neighbourhood where gay boys are welcome, too.