Surrey


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barge-in">BARGE IN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Untitled-design-2023-09-12T154936.180.jpg" alt="Word on the Water, London" class="wp-image-77404" /></figure>



<p>London’s one-and-only book barge,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wordonthewater.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Word on the Water</a>, is moored up at Granary Square on the Regent’s Canal and is a world away from the shiny glass and steel that towers over it. The cosy interior is lined with books – as is the exterior on a dry day – plus you can order ahead for anything they don’t have in stock. It is, unbelievably, open every day except Christmas Day, midday-7PM. It’s also a venue for spoken word, author events and live music, especially jazz – something of a cultural hot spot.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">READ READ WINE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Untitled-design-2023-09-12T155028.300.jpg" alt="Bookbar, Highbury" class="wp-image-77405" /></figure>



<p>While we’re on the subject of books, how about a pinot with that paperback?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bookbaruk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bookbar</a>&nbsp;in Highbury is a wine bar, café and book store with a whole host of events including music, readings, wine tastings and its infamous ‘Books and Bangers’ DJ night. Not sure what to read? Join the Shelf Medicate&nbsp;club and a bundle will be picked for you based on a consultation and your resulting prescription – Gin and Tonic for the Soul for me please.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">RISING STARS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Untitled-design-2023-09-12T155233.905.jpg" alt="Big London Bake East" class="wp-image-77407" /></figure>



<p>Dream of holding aloft that GBBO platter but your Italian meringue buttercream isn’t quite there? At&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thebiglondonbake.com/the-big-london-bake-east?utm_source=googleads&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;utm_campaign=dsa&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwxuCnBhDLARIsAB-cq1rW89eNeNT7z8vZOU1U6iITHlL4xq18KN8uGjCJNSEFmGRjubX95oIaAjKCEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big London Bake East</a>&nbsp;in Haggerston you and a bunch of mates can have your own baking contest (well, more of a class but you can add a healthy slice of competition) while quaffing cake-inspired cocktails. Bakewelltini anyone? The 12-station set-up is even in a tent and it’s a different baking challenge each month if you really get addicted. There’s food, a heated drinks deck and beer garden for a full debrief after the big event.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SKY DIVING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Untitled-design-2023-09-12T154845.397.jpg" alt="Sky Pool" class="wp-image-77408" /></figure>



<p>Not one for the shaky knee brigade but the vertiginous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.embassygardens.com/sky-pool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Pool</a>&nbsp;has got to be seen – and swum – to be believed. The 25m glass-bottomed pool bridges between two building rooftops at Embassy Gardens in Nine Elms. It’s not your average local pool – you’ll need to snag an invite from a resident or health club member to have a go – or go big for your next bash and hire out the rooftop restaurant, pool and deck for the ultimate in sky high glamour.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BOARD MEETING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Untitled-design-2023-09-12T154959.281.jpg" alt="Draughts Bar &amp; Kitchen board game cafe London" class="wp-image-77409" /></figure>



<p>Secret board game lover? Go where no-one knows your name at this underground café where Monopoly is the order of the day.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.draughtslondon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Draughts Bar &amp; Kitchen</a>&nbsp;is hidden away in the Leake Street Tunnels in Waterloo and has a library of over 1,000 board games plus a like-minded crowd to play along with. There’s cocktails, wine, draught beer and the like and a decent menu of small plates – perfect to nibble while you play.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">EXOTIC BAKES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Untitled-design-2023-09-12T160112.400.jpg" alt="Japan Centre, Leicester Square" class="wp-image-77410" /></figure>



<p>The Japan Centre in Leicester Square is already the ultimate destination for all your seaweed/sushi rice/salmon sashimi needs, and now it’s got a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.japancentre.com/en/locations/japan-centre-mochi-bar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mochi Bar</a>&nbsp;of fresh baked mochi donuts, ice cream, and cookies, as well as daifuku and dango (kind of stuffed rice paper truffles – tastier than it sounds). Pair with green tea or the bubble variety if that’s your bag.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">LOST GARDENS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Untitled-design-2023-09-12T154911.914.jpg" alt="Hampstead Pergola" class="wp-image-77411" /></figure>



<p>When you amble around&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/where-to-go-at-hampstead-heath/hill-garden-and-pergola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hampstead Pergola</a>&nbsp;you have the feeling you shouldn’t be there – it’s usually empty and feels like the once-lavish gardens of a mansion. Well, that’s because it is – the stonking great big house, owned by Lord Leverhulme in early 1900s, is long gone and it was left to the City of London to look after the gardens. It’s prime Insta fodder here with its wisteria-clad arches and gothic ironwork, so bring your best pout as well as a picnic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SIP YOUR OWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Untitled-design-2023-09-12T155208.836.jpg" alt="BYOC London" class="wp-image-77412" /></figure>



<p>Booze cupboard stuffed full of unwanted spirits? Put them to good use at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.byoc.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BYOC</a>&nbsp;(Bring Your Own Cocktail), a snazzy Camden bar where you pay by the hour. As long as the bottle has not yet been opened, the mixologists will turn your potent potion into something gorgeous and completely bespoke to your requirements. You’ll get five cocktails in two hours and can wend your way home full of fresh ideas for your own cocktail trolley.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GLAM ALLEY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Untitled-design-2023-09-12T155147.561.jpg" alt="Royal Arcade London" class="wp-image-77413" /></figure>



<p>It may lose out to the flashier sights of Regent Street and jewel-encrusted New Bond Street, but the fabulous&nbsp;<a href="https://royalarcade.london/royal-arcade-history/">Royal Arcade</a>, which runs between Albermarle and Old Bond streets is an absolute gem. OK, so you may not be in the business of wanting some jewels from Browns or bespoke George Cleverley shoes but enjoy the window shopping, people watching and grab a box of Charbonnel Et Walker truffles on your way out.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CHILLING OUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Untitled-design-2023-09-12T155252.886.jpg" alt="Breakfast Club London" class="wp-image-77414" /></figure>



<p>Head on up to The Breakfast Club’s Spitalfields outpost, wander over to the fridge in the corner and get inside it. Trust me. Because inside you won’t find a soggy lettuce and mouldy cheese but a rather nice surprise. Welcome to&nbsp;<a href="https://thebreakfastclubcafes.com/the-mayor-of-scaredy-cat-town/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town</a>, a place of cocktails, sharing boards and boozy brunches. Just make sure you book ahead because there’s only so much space in that Smeg.</p>


Hidden London! The hottest little places you never knew about

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