New London Tripbod Robyn shares her favourite parts of the capital – from the best free city skyline views, to top London cycle routes and the newest west end bars. Plus, discover where she goes to catch-up with fellow Kiwi ex-pats for an authentic taste of New Zealand in the heart of London…

Describe London in three words: Vibrant, Addictive, Fun

What’s unique about London?
London is a vast and vibrant city – whatever you are looking for, you are likely to find it here. World-class theatre? Check. Paintings by the world’s masters for free? Check. Mouth watering food from pretty much anywhere on this planet? Check. Trees and green spaces for roaming? Check. Markets to find hidden treasures, handmade goods, other peoples junk and fantastic food? Check, check and check again.

London is home to more than 7.5 million people and yet for such a huge city you can still find little alleyways, deserted back streets, open fields of green and something new to excite you. Every day can be an adventure in this city.

What is your favourite London weekend activity?
I love making the most of my weekends, and taking the time to seek out new and exciting things.

But there are two things that I try to do whenever possible. The first relates to one of my great loves in life – food! I love to either head along to Borough Market in London Bridge early on a Saturday morning before the tourists arrive to get my fill of tasty treats. Or otherwise on a Sunday morning I head along to my local, the Queen’s Park farmers market, where I get a real sense of community.

My other great love is spending time outdoors. I enjoy getting into one of the many green spaces – a run or walk on Hampstead Heath, a cycle around Richmond Park, a walk along the canals, a wander through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, a promenade in Regents Park or a cycle along the Thames Path from Kew towards Hampton Court.

What is your favourite London local tradition?
I have truly embraced the tradition of heading along to the local pub. Me and my partner often head down the road for fantastic food, time to catch up with each other’s lives and great service from staff who know us and what we like! There are great pubs on almost every corner – London pub listings and reviews

What is a typical breakfast for locals in London?
As a kiwi, I am a big lover of long and leisurely brunches with friends on the weekend. And with more and more fantastic NZ and Australian cafes opening up all around London I am able to get out more and have mouth watering breakfasts like French toast, or scrambled eggs and bacon, ricotta pancakes or breakfast tortilla.

You’re in London for your birthday – where do you go to celebrate and what do you do there?

I try and get a group of friends together for some great food, wine and conversation. Depending on the weather and the day of the week this may be a BBQ in our back garden, a picnic in a park, brunch at a café or drinks in a new and interesting bar in the West End. It’s all about good times with good people.

24 hours in London with a limitless budget – what would you do?

I would wake up and it would be a glorious summer blue sky day and I would head up to Hampstead Heath and go for a run first thing and see London coming alive from the top of Parliament Hill.

Then it would be back home for a shower and a change before heading out for brunch at the Modern Pantry or any other one of the great kiwi cafes which are opening their doors around London.

I would then take to the streets, walking through Bloomsbury and Soho and stopping off at the small independent stores along the way, to buy something truly unique and different. There may be a quick stop off at Liberty to buy a new dress for the evening – I might as well take the opportunity when money is unlimited!

Then a walk across Waterloo Bridge to take in the view down the Thames to see the London Eye and Houses of Parliament and to savour the “you are in London” sensation, and then continue to walk down the Southbank towards Tate Modern and then across the Millennium Bridge to get my favourite view in London – the dome of St Pauls Cathedral rising above me.

By this time my feet will be getting tired, so it will be time to sit on a river boat and enjoy a trip down the Thames and relax in style. Then just as I start to get hungry I will meet with good friends and my partner to sit at the chef’s dining table of one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants London has to offer.

Just when I am full to overflowing with fabulous food, it will be off to watch the sunset with a bottle of champagne at Vertigo 42, the tallest building in London. Then off home to bed to relive it all again in my dreams.

Contact London Tripbod Robyn for bespoke trip recommendations and personal help planning your unique trip to London.