London: home to priceless art, groundbreaking architecture and many, many delicious artisanal bakeries. A trip to the UK’s capital always promises energy and adventure, plus the numerous historical landmarks are great for selfies. We decided to tap up set designer and art student Mélia, a native Parisian turned North London convert, for some insider tips on the most stylish things to see and do in the city at the moment.

WHERE TO EAT
It’s no surprise that a city as non-stop as London works up quite a hefty appetite. When she’s peckish, Mélia heads to E5 Bakery, an independent shop and cafe nestled into one of the arches in leafy London Fields. Describing herself as a “bit of a croissant expert” thanks to her French heritage, Mélia loves the authenticity and expertise at E5, known for their conversation-stopping toasted cheese sandwiches and great coffee. “They’re really passionate about what they do” she tells me, adding that exploring the surrounding area is a great way to eat up an afternoon. Taste everything at nearby Broadway Market (every Saturday until 5pm) before walking, or rolling, over to Haggerston for the next stop on Mélia’s itinerary.

WHERE TO DRINK
Stepping into Map Maison, it’s clear that Mélia sees the city through the eyes of a set designer just as much as she does a local resident. A decadent, baroque bar nestled behind dark, overgrown windows, Map Maison is the stuff of Golden Age novels. She loves it for the interior design, describing it as her “treat yourself place” - a special little hideaway for celebrating in style. Map Maison also hosts a cocktail making masterclass, perfect for adventurous drinkers like Mélia who’s always on the hunt for something a little bit different. Her top tip? “try not to always order the classics, go for something unique”.

WHERE TO PARTY
Naturally the nightlife in London is pretty diverse. Whether it’s dancing all night in Vauxhall or a last-minute gig in New Cross, you’re never short of options. “There’s so much amazing music in London” Mélia enthuses, “there’s literally a gig every night you wouldn’t want to miss, just yesterday I was at Moth Club”, a venue in Hackney. “If you want to discover the heart of the London music scene” she advises “go to the Windmill in Brixton.” A venue called Grow factors high on Mélia’s list of must-sees as well; a DIY warehouse space in Tottenham near where she lives. “It’s a multipurpose space with a record shop, garden and cafe. In the day you can do gardening classes and learn about herbs and plants and later they have great DJs and all night parties.”

WHAT TO DO
The city is packed with students and artists like Mélia; passionate about creating spaces that reflect the energy and culture of their communities. Over the past few years, South London has become the unofficial home to many of them. “London’s great because of the people in it” she says, “you meet so many amazing creatives in Peckham, and there’s so much to do around there”. “Places like Levels and Bussey Building have all sorts of different capacities - you might have a cinema in the basement, a rooftop bar and then a yoga studio, restaurant and gallery in between.” There’s a big DIY culture happening in those spaces, “there are all sorts of fairs and workshops” to look out for. Mélia also loves Peckhamplex cinema, a cult spot just behind Levels with big screens and cheap tickets. Hungry for more inspiration? She advises you head back to North London and check out the Forgotten Circus School, where you can take classes in circus skills (no experience necessary!).