The Gasworks Gallery is a great little exhibition space in Kennington that shows a mixture of new…read moreemerging artists and more established names. It's an intimate space with consistently good shows that often have an international leaning. This is due to the residency and fellowship programmes that they run throughout the year. I thoroughly recommend a visit.

This shop space is either owned by a rich individual who can afford the waste of space or by a…read moreconceptual artist who has a calling to display obscure installations in this window whether totally profitless or not. I do not know who or why it is there, what I do know is that each time I walk along North Cross Road there is a different window display/installation, from a manikin dressed in a patchwork ball gown, to a pile of screwed up paper to the most recent show of posters pasted onto the window. Until I find out the story behind Space Station 65 I will keep peering through the window with intrigue. I recommend rather than walking past in order to get to the shops quickly, that you pay this window display some attention.

From the owner: Space Station Sixty-Five (SS65) is an artist-run space based in South-East London. Co-directed by…read moreRachael House and Jo David, SS65 has been running since July 2002. At artist-led Space Station Sixty-Five, we continue to curate the contemporary art we love in accessible venues, unswayed by fashion, trends and the whims of government funding. We encourage local people to engage with the work of the artists, and artists to engage with the community. The gallery has a healthy local following as well as a wider contemporary art audience.

One of the most out of the way random locations I've ever been to as it is in between main stations…read moreso prepare to walk. On first visit what will hit you is the clean lines and whiteness of it all. It is very similar in feel and mood to the White Cube on the other side of the Southbank. It's so clinical, white and spacious it perfectly marries a modern theme of art and the restaurant that Damien Hirst wanted to portray it would seem. It's actually two floors but a lot of rooms that are vast wit very high ceilings and lots of Space to see the art from back afar. It feels like the gallery of the future. Something you might see Kubrick do for one of his films, and for that it gets high praise from me. The exhibit wasn't amazing but the space did let the work sing as you walked through it and did that job well.

Newport Street Gallery is a brand new art space in relative nomansland. I wonder if it will do the…read moresame to Vauxhall/Lambeth as The White Cube did to Bermondsey? Criticism or doubts about regeneration and gentrification aside, Newport Street Gallery is a beautiful place, even before you have seen a single piece of art. And don't be put off when you learn that Damien Hirst is the driving force behind this venture. You don't have to be a fan of dots or pickled sharks to enjoy the gallery. While affordable examples of Hirst's own works are available in the shop, the gallery space is given over to works of art in his collection. Entry is free, and the art is great - what's not to like! There are plans for a restaurant - perhaps a bit unimaginatively called "Pharmacy" like its original in Notting Hill Gate. Expectations are high whether he'll be able to create the hype and wonder of the YBA years.

If you like pop art, Amstel Art Gallery is for you. There is a wonderful collection here as well as…read moregreat coffee and paninis. The owners are very friendly and welcome you as soon as you walk in, a place you must visit!

You know those tiny copper sulphate crystals you grew at school for chemistry class? You remember…read morethe mesmerizing blues that they came in? Some clever clog has gone and poured nearly a hundred thousand litres of superconcentrated copper sulphate solution into a disused council estate flat and made the flat into one GIANT copper sulphate mind blowing er... mine. Seizure by Roger Hiorns has been nominated for a Turner Prize this year and I must say the sparkling crystalized flat was totally worth the hour waiting in drizzling rain. The exhibition has been extended till the end of the year.

What a lovely little place, tucked away behind Waterloo station. Whenever I come to Lower Marsh I…read morepromise to return during the daytime to check out the other little gems along the way. The fact that I keep forgetting probably adds to the magic of this area. While it's Eastbound continuation has become busy with bars and restaurants, Lower Marsh still retains its old-fashioned village feel - and long may it continue. Travelling Through may be new (opened about six months ago) but fits right in. It's a lovely independent bookshop upstairs with a cafe and art space downstairs - a hidden walled garden even allows you to catch some sunshine while reading your book and enjoying a cuppa. I visited for an evening event in support of a photographic exhibition dotted around the shop. For £2 entrance fee we were treated to an intimate presentation by the artist and a relaxed chat before and after. The red wine on offer (bargain at £3.50!) was very smooth, and I will definitely return to sample some of their cakes.

We saw an in progress comedy show in the downstairs event space/cafe it is a lovely intimate space…read morefor an event, lovely tea great books!

Room 401 (River Suite)…read more This room was advertised as a "Superior Room" online, and it certainly came with "Superior Room" pricing. However, the room was incredibly small. There was only one small cupboard for all our clothes and no chest of drawers. The "desk" was so tiny that it was completely occupied by the kettle, coffee machine, cups, and glasses. Two tiny stools were positioned under the alcove windows and were too low to sit on for any length of time, leaving the bed as the only seating option. The shower was so small that the door only slid back partially, forcing us to enter and exit sideways. Additionally, there were no grab rails for safety, making this maneuver quite challenging. I've seen rooms at IBIS hotels larger than this one, and it was half the size of the room we stayed in last year, for a fraction of the price. When I went downstairs to complain, I was told, "the pictures are on our website" and "all the other rooms are booked." One of the lifts was permanently out of service for "renovation" for the entire week, and the remaining two kept breaking down or overloading when they reached their capacity of "5 persons without luggage." The sign at reception instructed patrons to press both buttons for the lifts, causing them to stop at nearly every floor, even if there was nobody getting on. If someone did want to get on, they invariably couldn't because of "capacity." In short, getting to and from the lobby from the 23rd floor was a nightmare every time! The bar staff were inexperienced and often quite rude. I was shepherded from one side of the bar to the other to order my drinks, order my snacks, and then pay by card. Once paid, I had to quickly ask for the receipt before it ended up scrunched up in a little ball on the floor. Given all these faults, the least I expected was some sympathy and a reduction in the room rate, but I received neither. My complaint was met with complete indifference. Last year, I would have given the UJC an overall rating of 8 and recommended it to all my Ex-Army friends. This year, it gets a one, because of the view from our window.

A really lovely and pretty place. We were dining in the restaurant for the Christmas Lunch which…read morewas very good value, with a starter, turkey mains, Christmas pudding, mince pies and coffee for £19.50. We were able to book here as my friend has two members of her family in the service, as this is a private members club for people in the services. The staff were friendly and service was efficient. Only complaint was that the Christmas Pudding and custard was cold and when we sent it back, it came back overdone, chewy and hard, so impossible to eat. However, they did get one right and it tasted delicious! Shame the other three were not the same. After lunch, we retired to the bar area which was comfy and welcoming. The whole place was very relaxing and British. I would love to go back to explore a little more next time, as I had another engagement to get to, and could not spend too long there after lunch.