For an authentic laid-back atmosphere with a real kick-start coffee aroma, there are few places like Ray’s Jazz Cafe in Foyle’s Bookshop. As much as the famous Charing Cross Road branch of Foyle’s has become a safe-haven for the literary minded, their recently rejuvenated first-floor lunchroom offers a relaxing mixture of cool music, great food and freshly-brewed blends – setting it in complete contrast to the sterile coffee-house chains that have taken over the city.

The wide range of organic freshly-made food – from out-of-the-oven quiches to scrumptious salmon bagels and pastries – is also what separates this cafe from its lowly generic counterparts. Another feather in their cap is the reliable free wi-fi service that they provide, although you will find most patrons prefer to sit back with a light refreshment and an engrossing novel. If you are on a whistle-stop tour of the London sights, this chilled-out refuge – halfway between the British Museum and Trafalgar Square – is an ideal place for a quick time out. Also, try to pay a visit on a mid-week evening, when they host performances with some of the most accomplished jazz musicians the city can offer.

After a few hectic hours of shopping in the West End of London, you could well be in need of a time out. If you find yourself stranded in the middle of the high street with nowhere to turn, take a little walk down the cobble stones of Covent Garden and you will come across the hidden sanctuary of Neal’s Yard – a true oasis in the retail insanity.

The range of charming coffee shops and restaurants here provide an array of choice for a perfect mid-afternoon snack and also serve up more substantial dishes if you have built up an appetite. A more ethical coffee break can be had at the World Food Cafe and definitely not to be missed for a quick treat is the delectable carrot muffin from the Neal’s Yard Salad Bar.

Although problems may arise from spending too much time relaxing in the colourful surroundings of this safe haven rather than facing another battle on the high street, the area surrounding the yard features a number of charming boutiques selling everything from antiques, handicrafts and homemade goods that will no doubt help ease you back into the action.

The stunning Keats’ House would be definitely considered a lesser-known attraction, but is still one with plenty of merit. Situated in the plush neighbourhood of Hampstead in North London, it is an obvious destination for fans of the seminal English poet – as it is where he wrote some of his most famous lines – but the interior of his former abode is truly a must-see for any admirers of immaculate decor and architecture. Decorated in the style of the early 19th Century, this Grade I listed Victorian dwelling has been immaculately maintained to recreate life as it once was for the great wordsmith.

Outside in the charming grounds of the house, a fairly innocuous looking Mulberry tree also possesses some significance. As it dates back to the 17th Century, it is believed to have offered the shade from which Keats composed some of his famous works and has also been mentioned in a selection of his poems and letters. Of course, combining a trip to Keats’ House with nearby Hampstead Heath will make for a memorable London day out.

After a few days in the centre of London it may well be time for some fresh air. Being one of the best cities for parkland in the world, there is a fine selection of charming green spaces that can offer some respite, but a visit to Hampstead Heath will be one for a true escape.

The thick forests and overgrown meadows of ‘the Heath’ – as it is more commonly referred by the locals – are not something you would normally associate with a trip to the capital, and when you find yourself in the middle of this 790-acre wilderness, all the high-paced congestion of the city streets will seem a million miles away.

As well as a wealth of lakes, ponds and charming architecture (Kenwood house being the big attraction in that department) no visit would be complete without a walk to the top of Parliament Hill. A steep climb it may be for some, once you approach the gap in the trees you will be met by probably the most enchanting view of the city. It is at this point that many people fall in love with London.