The Caffeine Chronicles: Nostos Coffee, St James's Park

My favourite London coffee opening of 2021 was Nostos Coffee's original Battersea cafe. Nostos lives up to its name (from the Greek for 'homecoming') — I felt at home there from my first visit. Their coffee is impressive too. Nostos's second coffee shop goes even further, with an experience bar, where you can enjoy unique coffees and brewing techniques.

The Caffeine Chronicles: Moonstruck Cafe

I took advantage of the recent Easter long weekend to check out a few new-to-me coffee shops and Moonstruck Cafe, which opened in Stockwell earlier this year, was high on my list. With fantastic coffee served by welcoming staff in a beautifully designed space, Moonstruck is an excellent addition to the neighbourhood.

How To Spend a Perfect Weekend in Brighton & Hove

Brighton and Hove makes for an ideal weekend getaway in the UK. Located on the Sussex coast 55 miles south of London, this seaside gem has it all: a bustling beachfront, labyrinthine lanes filled with independent shops and eateries, a thriving art and cultural scene and a bohemian, inclusive spirit. You can easily take a day trip but to make the most of all Brighton has to offer, why not spend the weekend there? Read on for my perfect Brighton and Hove weekend itinerary, filled with things to do and places to eat, drink, shop and stay. And scroll to the end for a map of everywhere featured in this guide.

Ten Speciality Coffee Shops To Visit in Brighton and Hove

Brighton is one of my favourite destinations for a day trip. An hour away from London by train, it has the wonderful beach and seafront, fantastic independent restaurants and shops and a laid-back, bohemian spirit. It also has many excellent coffee shops and roasteries but somehow, I'd never quite managed to make a Brighton speciality coffee guide. As I've been visiting a lot more frequently since some family members moved down to Sussex 18 months ago, I'm excited to finally share my favourite coffee spots in Brighton and Hove.

Where To Eat and Drink on Bermondsey Street

Bermondsey is, without doubt, one of London's best neighbourhoods for foodies. Yes, I'm biased: I've lived in the area since 2012 (it was one of the reasons I moved here). It's home to Maltby Street Market, which draws huge crowds every weekend, and Spa Terminus, where you can hop between the railway arches, tasting and shopping for everything from kimchi to comté. But if you're looking for a restaurant, bar or coffee shop, look no further than Bermondsey Street. And if you're looking for a guide to the best places to eat on Bermondsey Street, read on! (Scroll to the end for a handy map.) 

Coffee Subscription Review: The Local Coffee Club

Last autumn, I was excited to try out a new-to-me coffee subscription service. The idea behind The Local Coffee Club is that each month, they will send you a carefully selected bag of coffee from a roaster that is local to you. Currently, they have subscriptions for Bristol and Bath, London, Scotland and South Wales subscription — and an 'everywhere' option in case the service isn't yet in an area near you.

How To Spend Two Weeks in Thailand

2023 was the year I finally travelled to Thailand, the country that had been on my travel wishlist since 2000 but which I'd somehow never quite managed to visit. In this post, I am rounding up my overall experience: my itinerary and how it worked out, what I did, where I stayed, how I got around and my advice and practical tips.