prettycitylondon: Discovering London’s Beautiful Places (The Pretty Cities, 1)

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Perfectly perched along the canals in Kings Cross, Rotunda is a sleek bar and restaurant that'll give you unparalleled views of river life. Soak up the sun in summer moths with light bites and glasses of wine or cosy up with a hearty roast from the comfort of the plush indoors. A visit to this Suffolk village, which gained its market charter from Henry III in 1257, offers a perfect picture of prosperous medieval England, thanks to its high street of half-timbered houses and more than 340 listed buildings. The lime-washed and brightly coloured buildings are a delight, with standouts including Corpus Christi Guildhall and the De Vere House, which starred in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’. The richly decorated fifteenth and sixteenth-century St Peter & St Paul Church dominates the village with its soaring 141ft tower.

Head to Hithe + Seeklocated in The Westin London City hotel, which not only serves delicious tipples but gorgeous views of the city. Be sure to sip on top-notch wine while overlooking the River Thames, Shakespeare's Globe and the Tate Modern. The first comes in the form of and art walk that takes you past roughly thirty different bits of public art in the Olympic Park including a moving mural by New York artist Miya Ando that’s made in commemoration of 9/11.

You’ll find The Petersham at 2 Floral Street, London, WC2E 9FB and at Nightingale Lane, Richmond, TW10 6UZ. It's not the quietest of walks– St James's Park is one of the busier, touristy places – but it's still worth it. The views of the iconic fountain welcome you into the park, as do gigantic weeping willows – it's hard to believe it was once a muddy swamp. Don’t miss In leafy Assistens Cemetery, sunbathing couples and red squirrels neighbour the graves of Hans Christian Andersen and Soren Kierkegaard

Short enough that you can do it in the course of a (long) day, the London stretch of the Lea Valley Walk is a 15.6 mile stroll along the Lee Navigation Towpath from Waltham Abbey to Limehouse Basin.Once you arrive in Newington Green, there’s plenty of cafes and pubs nearby so you can grab a well deserved bite to eat (and a pint, go for it!). It’s not all serious though – there’s also a huge maze, which is great fun for kids (and kids-at-heart). Fenton House One of Shoreditch's hidden gems, this unique private members club offers a range of stunningly decorated rooms, from a luxurious restaurant and elegant lounge bar to a secret basement club. Head to this East London babe and you're sure to be blown away by the vintage style of it all. Don’t miss Trundling across town on the old-fashioned 28 tram and exploring the cobbled streets of Alfama, the city’s oldest neighbourhood

Although the name contains the word bar and grill, this isn’t an ordinary eatery, as it’s a high-end champagne and oyster bar operated by insanely popular Chef Richard Corrigan. The Exmoor Cornish Baeri and Empanadas with Wagyu Beef will have your palette dazzled for days. Seafood lovers simply must try the Chupe de Langosta, a half-native lobster, bisque with edamame beans. Chuku’s Another longer walk that can be completed in the course of a long day, The Wandle Trail is a 14-mile hike from Wandsworth to Croydon in London’s suburbs. Plus, the garden is maintained by a group of volunteers recovering from issues like homelessness and mental illness – so it’s a place that’s more than worthy of your support. Myddelton House GardensNow, London has plenty of parks for you to explore but sometimes you’re looking for something a little more intimate – or you just want to find a new outdoors spot. You can’t really go wrong enjoyinga pint in the sixteenth-century Noah’s Ark inn, but there are plenty of other pleasures here. Wander at will and you’ll come across picturesque half-beamed cottages, a watermill, a beautiful row of village green cottages, and, a 15-minute walk west along Dial Green Lane, even a winery selling mead, honey, gin and raspberry liqueur. One for plant lovers and kids of whimsy, Bourne and Hollingsworth Buildings is one of the prettiest bars in London. From their nod to British dining down to their cutesy conservatory space kitted out in the finest of foliage, you're sure to find all things beautiful here.

Long-distance walks in London tend to either skirt around the city’s outskirts or head out into the countryside.Berenjak’s Soho spot made the list for good reason: the interior is perfection itself, and the food is just as fantastic. Modelled on the hole-in-the-wall eateries of Tehran, Berenjak has a ravishing range of kababs, khoresht, and more Persian dishes available. If you can snag a seat in the Hayat, you’ll find a cosy, comfy space hidden behind a curtain, which really is the perfect hideaway to try everything on the menu. They’ve also got a late-night bottomless kebab menu – need I say more? Learn more here. Brought to you by the owners of well known wine name Diogenes The Dog,Aspen and Meursault is another gorgeous dedication to all things grape. A Battersea beauty bathed in yellow, head on over for natural wines, biodynamic options and plenty of small plates on offer.