Lauren Laverne, the iconic 6 Music radio DJ, gives The Standard her rundown of what鈥檚 hot and what鈥檚 not around London, as she heads to Glastonbury.
Muswell Hill. I moved to London when I was a teenager and have lived all over, but I鈥檝e been in this neighbourhood almost 20 years now and I love it. The view from the terrace of Ally Pally is one of the most beautiful in London.
I was in a band and we moved down to sign a record deal when I was 18. We got a place just off St Paul鈥檚 Road in Camden which was within tottering distance of some great clubs. I had no idea, but my future husband was living round the corner on Camden Square. Camden was much more rough and ready back then.
A musician. I was supposed to be at university doing medieval studies but life intervened.
I鈥檓 a huge fan of the V&A so I鈥檇 probably say to head down to their new museum in Olympic Park. The perfect place to while away an afternoon getting to know each other.
Liberty 鈥 if it鈥檚 good enough for Emma Stone鈥檚 Cruella it鈥檚 good enough for me. Space NK in Covent Garden, where I could happily spend the whole day just smelling things. Foyles bookshop 鈥 same as Space NK but the smell is books. Audio Gold in Crouch End is my local record shop and sound system experts. The loveliest people and so knowledgeable. Dunns Bakery in Muswell Hill is an institution. Get the rosemary sourdough with salted crust, toast and butter it and watch your life change.
My 40th birthday dinner at Dean Street Townhouse. I love it in there, especially in the winter when they have a fire blazing in that twinkly Georgian dining room.
I鈥檇 reopen Bagley鈥檚 in King鈥檚 Cross for a gigantic rave.
Dickens. He knew every side of the city and the way he articulated its energy and people has become part of our collective memory.
We always end up talking about music! I had one who has a successful sideline as a house DJ and had just bought a record label. We had a good time chatting a load of Balearics鈥夆
A gig at Ally Pally or a night at Alexandra Palace Theatre. You can see anything from Iggy Pop or The Chemical Brothers tearing the place apart in the main space to brilliant plays and stand-up. And I can walk home!
My kids! They鈥檙e teenagers and just so much fun. I鈥檓 off to the ballet tonight to see Alice鈥檚 Adventures in Wonderland at the Royal Opera House with my youngest, and it鈥檚 Pulp at the O2 for my eldest tomorrow.
Museum memberships and theatre tickets.
Going to the clock gallery in the British Museum at 10 to twelve on a weekday and just waiting for everything to go off鈥夆 symphonic!
Getting the nation to start its day dancing on my 6 Music show, talking about life and music with a fascinating castaway on Desert Island Discs, and chewing the fat and having fun with The One Show team each. I鈥檓 also about to head back to Glastonbury to bring the event into listeners and viewers鈥 homes with the BBC.
Annie Nightingale taught me how to be joyful while also changing things 鈥 she always made being a pioneer look like a party! And my mam, who was the wisest, cleverest, most encouraging person I have ever known.
Books and records 鈥 and far too many.
The one that makes me happiest is the Peter Blake portrait of Sir Michael Eavis that hangs in the new entrance to the National Portrait Gallery. Michael is a wonderful man and seeing him honoured for all he and his family have done warms my heart.
鈥淪hepton Mallet two-week weather forecast.鈥
As told to Vicky Jessop鈥
Lauren Laverne will be broadcasting from Glastonbury on BBC TV, radio and iPlayer