The home of football hosts a fair few English victories, albeit currently outweighed by defeats! All the same, Wembley is one of the largest and most spectacular stadiums in the world. It's a short bus ride away from the studio, so check out any matches being played.

If you visit in the summer, you may want to investigate spending a day at the world's most famous cricket ground. If you're timing is extra lucky (and you have a some spare cash to find something for), you may want to join the rat race for a day at an England test match, although Middlesex county are often in town too throughout the summer. 

The Brent Artists Resource promotes a wide variation of works by artists in Brent. It is based in the gallery in Willesden Library Centre, less than five minutes from the studio.

North-West London (Hampstead/Highgate/Kentish Town). Even studio boffs need to treat their skin to some sun once in a while! Hampstead Heath is probably the closest of London's famous parklands. A good option for a summer's afternoon, the Heath is not too far by tube/bus, and the views across the city are tremendous.

Brent Muesum is another new cultural addition to Willesden, showcasing a vast array of artefacts linked to the local area. Like the Artist Resource, it is based in the Willesden Library Centre, just around the corner from the studio.

Queen fans can visit the cremation site of Freddie Mercury at the Kensal Green cemetery. The burial ground contains an interesting variety of Victorian memorials and mausoleums.

Kilburn Market is a large street market that operates next to the High Road in the centre of the north London suburb. Stalls on the market sell a wide range of goods from fresh fruit, vegetables and other foodstuffs to clothes and shoes, electrical goods, jewellery and much more. The market is a great place to get a feel for the area and pick up a bargain. 

After fighting your way out of Willesden Green tube station, you might be glad to see this haunt sitting next door! It serves anything from brunch in the morning, through to roasts on a Sunday. There's a large wine and cocktail menu, (never a bad thing), a pub garden and all the spiffing interiors you'd expect for a top of the range gastro pub.

Since being taken over by new management in August '07 (and briefly refurbished in April '08 when this photo was taken!), The Paradise has shot-up in the opinions of local residents and workers. The food and drink is great, as is the music. The frequent cabaret nights seem popular too. 

One of the several gastro-pubs engulfing Kensal Green (a short bus ride south of Willesden), The Greyhound attracts a young and trendy crowd throughout the week. There is a pleasant beer garden out the back, supplementing the covered terrace at the front of the pub.

The Chamberlayne serves as another option to those seeking a haunt for eating, drinking or both. Set on the corner of an attractive tree-lined street, the entire side of the pub is lined by its popular terrace. The steaks have certainly acquired fans on the London pub blogosphere!!

Boasting one of the best beer gardens in the area, The Masons Arms' popularity seems to be ever-growing. In keeping with the interests of most of the pubs in this area, it prides itself on a great food and drink menu. There is a private hire room upstairs, whereas downstairs boasts a fantastic interior design.

The William IV has undergone many changes of late, much to the approval of its clientele. The food menu now ranges from traditional pub nosh through to Tapas, with the Sunday Roast as popular as ever. This is another pub with a very likeable beer garden. The smoking ban has never been so easy!

Less than 5-minutes away from the studio is The Rising Sun. More of a traditional pub that hasn't caught onto the burgeoning gastro seen of the area, the food portions here are generous for a reasonable price. The staff are notoriously friendly.

Stocking over 1000 products of only organic food, this small characteristic shop offers a completely healthy option to the usual double-stuffed crust pizza and doner kebab!! Selling everything from the freshest fruit, veg and meats, to vegan and baby foods.

This terrific little restaurant is tucked behind Willesden Green station, and is renowned for great food at great prices. Some offers even include an incredible two course for £5.50! An endearing element to the restaurant is its cosy and characteristic atmosphere.

The favourite local sushi bar by a long shot. Not only is the food great, but the staff are true pros, sharing their passion for their menus by explaining the qualities of each dish they serve, should you want them to.

This colourfully decorated noodle bar serves a wide range of good quality oriental cuisine. The Queens Park restaurant is the latest of several newly-opened London restaurants in the same chain.

The hugley-popular organic bakery/restaurant has a branch on Salusbury Road near Queens Park tube station. The company pride themselves on serving the freshest organic food, cooked daily and concocting delcious recipes from around the world, as well as selected seasonal varieties.

An upmarket pub and diner, seemingly steering away from your bog-standard bangers & mash, and opting for the slightly more sophisticated menu of pappardelle with hare in game sauce, and roast duck leg with sage and balsamic vinegar. Meals cost roughly £18 / head.

Widely-appreciated as one of the best sports pubs in the North-West, The Corrib Rest provides a lively atmosphere on matchdays, however the staff still ensure that the often-large crowds are served quickly and efficiently. The food portions are reported to be more-than generous!

Since recently changing hands The Prince of Wales has gone up sharply in people's opinions. There is a Chinese buffet on weekdays, and a very popular roast carvery on Sundays. The Saturday night Karaoke may be of interest to some.

One of the Lumianire's closest neighbours, The Good Ship has established a rapidly growing reputation for attracting great bands and artists since its opening in 2005. Their upcoming listings are on their website.

Although a little bit small, this bar rates well as it’s simple and stylish. The Cane bar classes itself as a cocktail bar, however it’s quite rare seeing anybody actually drinking any cocktails. You’ll find cubed puffs, a sofa, and even a bed, which is ideal for slouching out on. There are tables outside which are great in the summer, or at least when it’s sunny. Drinks are reasonably priced, and are only served in double measures. Cane has a fresh, relaxed vibe that’s ideally suitable for any mid week misadventure.

Sirous Tapas Bar & Restaurant is half restaurant/half bar, although a lot of people forget that it’s a restaurant and use it just as a bar. Sirous Bar and Restaurant is a good venue to get some after work drinks, it’s the kind of place where you go when you want to go out; but can’t really be bothered to make an effort.

This looks just like any other little pub on the outside, and true to form on the inside it’s an old traditional British pub, apart from the big screen that comes out when the footballs on. There’s a certain charm about Ye Old Black Lion, it’s not at all stylish, it smells of beer and stale cigarettes, but it’s always busy. The pub still keeps a very local feel to it. The regulars are mostly harmless old men, that like to sit and drink by themselves, they’ve been doing that for so long that they’ve become part of the furniture, and now the place wouldn’t be the same without them. Ye Old Black Lion, is a good place to go out to during the weekend if you’re just up for ’going down the pub’, it’s a no frills kind of place so don’t expect more than a pub with a nice beer garden.

This little late night bar, in the middle of West Hampstead plays the best/ worst of 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s pop on Friday and Saturday nights. Open for 25 years, this bar really knows what works and what doesn’t. From the outside it looks like a pretty sophisticated wine bar, however when you get downstairs to the packed dance floor, everyone’s dancing to the sounds of Michael Jackson, Duran Duran and old skool Locomotion Kylie. The bar during the week is still busy but if you want to experience the real thing, you need to get down on a Saturday night. 

Located just a stone's throw from Hampstead Heath in leafy north west London, this historic pub housed in a Grade 2 listed building has recently been given a new lease of life by a young team. Outstanding seasonal food and great service while retaining a traditional pub atmosphere.