Things to do

With an area reaching from literary Bloomsbury in the west to artistic Barbican in the east, and including permacool Old Street and Kings Cross in between, you'll never be at a loss for something to do in Clerkenwell. From visiting the British Museum - to look up in awe at Norman Foster's Great Court if nothing else - to bar-hopping on Hoxton Square, you may never make it to another part of London.

Exmouth Market is one of the Jewels of the Clerkenwell Crown, where the traditional hardware shop and pie & mash gaff sit side by side with kooky boutiques and beautiful handmade jewellery or Econe (www.econe.co.uk). Or head to Leather Lane market one weekday lunchtime for one of the city'[s best hidden treasures. Shoes, clothes, bags, electrical goods and more are all on sale in this busy 300-year old London institution.

We couldn't begin to talk about going out in Clerkenwell without mentioning very youthful and well established super night club Fabric (www.fabriclondon.co.uk).

If you prefer your sophistication to come in a cocktail glass, then head to the All Star Lanes (www.allstarlanes.co.uk/holborn) for the glammest bowling this side of the 1950s. A splendid drinks list and an atmosphere reminiscent of post-prohibition America make this one of the coolest venues in town - whether you bowl or not.

Exhausted by bar-popping, street-shopping and club-hopping? Head to the lovely 1930s Turkish Baths (1-11 Ironmonger Row EC1V 3QF) for a steam, a swim and relax, before heading back home.