Peter Hoffer (1980)

Tintin might be better associated with Belgium, but there is a tiny shop hidden on a side street in Covent Garden dedicated to the crafty Belgian journalist (and his dog Snowy).  The Tintin Shop is a cosy shop (definitely not as spacious as Captain Haddock’s Marlinspike Hall), but it is packed with plenty of gifts to keep Tintin fans happy.

The Tintin books are the centrepiece – hardcover editions, special collectors’ books and Tintin art books pack the shelves.  For fans who know all of Tintin’s adventures by heart, there are other items like t-shirts, coffee cups, framed posters and stuffed Snowy dolls to keep everyone pleased.  For serious collectors, there are special figurines which can cost hundreds of pounds, but who wouldn’t want the Thompson twins or Professor Calculus sitting on their desks? 

The recent Tintin film may have introduced Tintin, Captain Haddock and Bianca Castafiore to a new generation of Tintinologists.  This shop ensures that new fans and old can tag along with Tintin on all of his thrilling adventures.

Shopping on the King’s Road in Sloane Square is a serious business; anyone caught idling on the pavements will be run over by determined shoppers who will show no mercy when looking for the perfect gift. Bargain hunters here wear determined faces and take their shopping extremely seriously.

Yet on Saturday afternoons at Duke of York Square, shoppers and locals seem to take time to chill out. Steely faces melt into smiles, and gruff mutterings turn into laughter. The Farmers’ Market seems to have that kind of effect on people.

An hour or so wandering around the stalls at the Duke of York Square Market is a relaxing tonic for the mind and a treat for the stomach. The air is filled with smoky British sausages mixed with the fragrance of Jamaican rum cakes. French cheese carts stand next to Nigerian food stalls. A short meander is like walking through a global gastronomic wonderland.  The market is also a few steps from the Saatchi Gallery, so you can combine modern art with eclectic food.

On the Saturday afternoon of my visit, a local jazz band entertained locals as they sat down on public benches to chat and eat. I munched through a few empanadas at one booth before sneaking some chocolate at another. I figured the carrying of shopping bags would burn the calories.

I love to relax with a good book. I also like to chill out with a glass of wine. But try taking a hardcover book into a bar. It’s dim. It’s crowded. And you’ll probably be sitting next to a very desperate guy chatting up a girl way out of his league. Not an ideal place to dive into a book.

The solution to the above dilemma can be solved at the V&A Reading Rooms in South Kensington (which has recently been transformed to give a more ‘Continental vibe’ – think sidewalk cafes and street musicians). Located just a few minutes from the V&A Museum, this little bookshop/bar offers space for the more discerning readers just wanting some peace and quiet. Many of the books specialise in design, but there are many other books covering current events, poetry and literature as well.

This cosy spot is actually two bright and airy rooms full to the ceilings with books, with the first room also holding a small bar. Rather than separate you from the book stacks, tiny tables are placed throughout the rooms to actively encourage you to challenge your interests as your taste buds drown in wine or espressos. Just be sure not to spill any of your drink into their books – that’s just rude.

Situated just minutes from the hectic shopping hordes of Oxford Street, the serene atmosphere of the Wallace Collection in Hertford House offers a gentle breather from the over-stimulation of last-minute sales. 

The art collection itself covers such a wide range that most visitors will find something to please them. Art from Turner, Canaletto, Reubens and Van Dyck will capture the interests of fans of paintings, while the large collections of porcelain will entertain ceramics connoisseurs. The house recently completed renovations, and the results are spectacular.

Although the art pieces are a joy, I think it’s the rooms themselves that are the big draw to the museum – each room gives a taste of Versailles: sumptuous, decadent and occasionally over-the-top. Often I find I stare as much at the rich wallpaper and delicately crafted fireplaces as much as the art on the walls.

The room I find I spend the most time is on the ground floor just beyond the gift shop. The European and Oriental Armoury collection includes every shape of sword and every size of armour. The real draw is the equestrian armour displayed in the centre of the room. Spending a few minutes here will tap into the inner-knight in all of us.

For many bleary-eyes travellers, the journey between Heathrow and central London is an anonymous journey on the Piccadilly Line. However for the more adventurous (or more wide-awake) traveller, the suburbs between the airport and the centre of town holds a few treasures.

One of my recent discoveries is the magnificent Osterley House and Park. If you’re an aspiring stately home owner like me, a few hours exploring the neo-classical rooms or wandering through the gardens will make you feel like the lord or lady of the manor.

Exploring Osterley House itself is like stepping into a Jane Austen novel. In its heyday, the house was mainly used for entertaining and impressing guests. The ornate furnishings, rich tapestries and detailed references to Classical architecture all add to the home’s personality. And if cinematic rumours prove true, then Osterley House will be standing in as ‘Wayne Manor’ in the next ‘Batman’ film.

Although there is an admission fee to see the home and garden, walking around the grounds is free. Plus the stables have been converted to a neat cafe – ideal for a lazy brunch.  For gentle spring afternoons and upcoming summer mornings, I can think of few better ways than strolling around the lakes, listening to birdsong and enjoying the splendour of Osterley Park.