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The pop-up has been one of the cultural and economic successes of recent years. Whether that be the pop-up shop, gallery or restaurant the idea of using what was underused or vacant for something new and exciting seems to have worked. It cuts down on the outgoing costs and, if you do it right, can create it owns buzz of excitement. Which is exactly what The Seagrass is doing right now.

Housed is the still-operating 19th century Manze pie and mash shop on Chapel Market in Islington, The Seagrass is using the fantastic decor (original tiles, wooden pews and marble counter) of what would be a closed evening space to create a fantastic ‘new’ restaurant.

Three courses for £ 30 (cash only payment) and it isn’t licensed, so it is a BYOB (normally the mongrel of the restaurant world) but that just means you save money on the wine and can be guaranteed to be drinking something you enjoy. 

I had the lobster and crab bisque, the sea bass fillets and the chocolate brownie. All were excellent, although I think I should have had the roast duck starter judging from the comments around my table!

As with all pop-ups it is hard to tell how long The Seagrass will stay at this venue, but judging from how many smiling faces were tucking into the food last night, I think it will be here for a while. Let’s hope so. 

For me, spring in London is when it’s at its best – the city has woken from its winter cocoon and the excitement of long nights, picnics in the park and a continuous stream of festivals generates an infectious buzz in the city. Therefore, with the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics set to take centre stage – so will your social life – regardless whether you like the royals or have even seen the Olympics.

To kick-start the celebrations off, the historic Andaz Hotel, next to Liverpool Street station, is running a series of Jubilee Afternoon Tea ceremonies in the exquisite 1901 restaurant until June. Themes include, the Brandy Man and the Empress of India, and pay homage to the Queens of England – and their most famous legacies.

March is dedicated is to Queen Elizabeth I, and aptly named ‘The Virgin Queen’- as she never married. Expect miniature hamburgers and hotdogs, chocolate brownies and peanut brittle to celebrate her American connections, mixed with a quintessential favourite – cream and jam fresh scones. Ensure you save enough room for the cocktail, made with Appleton Estate Rum, mandarin and passion fruit purée, ginger beer – possibly the best I’ve ever had.

If the American theme doesn’t float your monarchist boat, the next few months will have Austrian, Indian and traditional British themes.

To help you feel even more royal, each guest will also go in the draw to win a pair of diamond stud earrings!  God Save the Queen indeed!

This once derelict house was bought by the Late American artist, Dennis Severs. Severs had been inspired by ‘Olde England’, so he renovated the house to reflect the 18th and 19th centuries. Eager to share his passionate creation with the public, Severs opened his house up to visitors.

With no signage outside, the house looks like any other Victorian townhouse. Although once inside, it’s quite a different story, as I felt I had entered a time capsule and had been ejected out somewhere between the 18th and 19th centuries.

Spread out on four floors, each of the ten rooms tells a different story. Props such as the remains of half eaten toast and cups of tea make the visitor feel as if someone just left the room. While the more permanent structures, such as the uneven floors, low beamed ceilings, antique furnishings and the smell of gas from the fire places lingering through the air allows the visitor to visualize and smell yester-year. The flickering of candles leave you feeling as if your presence is being observed by the occupants of the house, which of course are only as vivid as your imagination will allow.

Since Severs death in 1999, funding to keep the house open has been limited, therefore Severs intricate interpretation of centuries gone by can only be kept alive for as long as people continue to visit this special little place.

Stanfords travel book shop first opened its doors in 1901 and has since seen its fair share of customers, ranging from classic authors to modern day travel writers such as Bill Bryson and Michael Palin.

Centrally located between Covent Garden and Leicester Square, Stanfords is three stories high and is stocked entirely with guide books, maps, travel literature and accessories. Therefore, for any lover of travel and escapism, a visit to Stanfords is an idyllic way to spend a rainy afternoon and plan your next holiday.

Stanfords has an impressive selection of guide books covering every corner of the globe and detailed road maps to assist even the most adventurous traveller plan their next trip. Scattered among the books and maps are travel journals, colourful travel photography books and old fashioned world globes – making Stanfords a great place for a unique present.

And for those unable to travel, yet forever dream of a sejourn in exotic and far away places – travel literature lines the century old walls, allowing your imagination to be transported across the globe. Understandably, Stanfords is my favourite bookshop in London!

Located south east of central London and perched on the Thames is Greenwich, a village like area of London which is rich in British maritime history. While Greenwich is known for its markets and the meridian line, evidence of its maritime history can be seen everywhere you look.

Come the weekend, Greenwich is flooded with Londoners and tourists alike, so at some point refuge and a glass of wine is needed. And to offer you that protection is the Trafalgar pub, which is tucked away along the river and located on the Greenwich Maritime World Heritage Site.

Built in 1837, The Trafalgar, is bursting with history and use to be one of Charles Dickens’ favourite watering holes. And despite being over 170 years old, it has maintained its Victorian charm; wooden floors, cosy fire places and large bay windows facing out onto the river – making it a perfect hiding place on a dark and cold London winter’s day.

The Trafalgar also has a small but charming restaurant and the main pub serves up all the usual favourites including their specialty – fish and chips.

So next time you’re in Greenwich be sure you stop off at the Trafalgar to really get a feel of Greenwich’s past.