A LOCATION
WITH ENDLESS POTENTIAL

The iviting corner cafe on Norfolk Square is an offshoot of the independent media brand Monocle, whose HQ is just a short stroll away in Marylebone. Besides silky flat whites and Swedish cinnamon buns, Kioskafe champions the best in print: be it indie magazines, leading newspapers or coffee tables books from publishers such as Phaidon and Gestalten.

The clue is in the name. The Frontline Club formed in 2003 as an association of frontline journalists and conflict reporters. It has expanded since to include a broader media remit but excellence in the field remains the base criteria. Although the club room and in-house hotel is for members only, the restaurant and events are open to all.

The rooftop venue overlooking Grand Union Canal hosts a vibrant, happening food market and bar. After work drinks and long weekend lunches are the ticket here, especially come summer.

For over half a century, the Lisson Gallery on Bell Street has been at the forefront of the contemporary art world. It was founded by Nicholas Logsdail in 1967 and has hosted artists such as Anish Kapoor, Marina Abramovic and Ai Weiwei, as well as helped launch a number of British artists in the 1980s and 90s, like the abstract sculptor Richard Deacon.

There are a few pubs in London that could rival the Sunday roast at The Cleveland Arms. Owner Maria Tamander took over the historic venue – which has been open since the mid-19th century – in 2014 and artfully restored the building bringing a modern touch without effacing the gritty, Victorian charm.

Kioskafe in Paddington is a concept cafe and publishing shop from the makers of the glossy heavyweight publication Monocle magazine. This is a unique offering of wonderful magazines, periodicals, and even a print on demand service of a huge range of international newspapers, which allows one to obtain a fresh copy of a chosen international newspaper whilst a delicious coffee is prepared for you.

There are parks, and then there is Hyde Park: its expansive beauty has few comparisons. The north entrance and Italian Gardens are a 3 minute walk from Paddington Square, opening up a whole host of possibilities: morning runs, afternoon strolls, summer picnics and everything in between.

The canal and adjoining Paddington Basin opened in 1801, connecting London’s waterways to the west and north of England, bringing with it new possibilities of commercial and cultural exchange. Though the trade has ceased, the social importance of the canal has only become more emphatic. The waterside today is dotted with restaurants and cafés, frequented by strollers and runners, and an ideal spot for activities such as paddleboarding and kayaking.

Walking north along the Grand Union Canal reveals an idyllic stretch of London known for its waterside, white-stucco terraced houses, dating back to Regency London and the early 19th century. The juxtaposition of water with such fine architecture quickly drew the nickname Little Venice. A wander around Warwick Avenue and the environs feels like a mini-escape from London – despite being firmly in the heart of the city.

Unveiled in 2017 on Merchant Square, the smartly designed floating park creates green and public space for 120 people on the Paddington Basin. Plants, herbs and materials have been specifically chosen to help cultivate the local wildlife, from ducks to bees. There is free wifi and comfortable seating too, encouraging local workers to swap the desk for the outdoors.