Londoners love... recommendations from people who know

Win a personalised Monopoly set or a book (100 to give away) recommend your favourite bit of London

It has to be Brick Lane, and its ever-changing, growing selection of restaurants and ethnic stores. Abdul Hoque, from East London

My favourite bit of London is Portobello Market, the vibrant clothes and people, culture, food ,vibe I could just sit, watch, smile and learn. Elaine, from London

In 1992, my oldest son (born and raised in the US) went to university in Wales, where he met and married a lovely young lady from Wigan, eventually moved to London, and has lived happily ever after. Last month, while I was visiting them at their new flat in Tottenham, my son was eager to show me a lovely path along the River Lee. We ended up at the Ferry Boat Inn, which serves good food and has a PERFECT "old pub" atmosphere (no electronic games, no loud music). In warm weather, you can sit on its terrace and watch herons; in chilly weather, you can sit in the warm cozy interior with a glass of beer and a bowl of watercress soup. Sublime. I almost hate to tell anyone about it, for fear "discovery" might spoil it. Nancy Albrecht, from the US.

I just adore hackney! everyone says its just a dump, but they are sooo wrong.... It has a wonderful mix of old time London, (pie and mash cafes, retired boxers, old markets) and young modern London, (biggest concentration of artists in Europe, biggest concentration of football pitches in UK) and multi cultural Britain (amazing specialist food shops, vibrant mix of cultures.) To incorporate all of this, go down the Roman road market on a Saturday morning, relax over breakfast in a pie and mash shop, go shopping for the best bargains, then wonder up to the edge of Victoria Park The Crown Organic pub and have a amazing organic lunch with a pint of local real ale and then take a leisurely stroll in stunning Victoria Park, built by Queen Victoria for the poverty stricken eastenders........ this is beautiful London! Esther, from the The Organic Pubs

I was born is South Africa but have lived in London for 26 years. London is in effect a series of villages each with a distinctive character and I agree with Samuel Johnson that to tire of London, is to tire of life. My favourite part is the walk from Wapping to Canary Wharf which is a blend of old and new. The river is endlessly fascinating and I am drawn to the quality of light and feeling of space this wonderful expanse of the Thames engenders. There is the cobbled high street with its elegant Georgian houses and historic pubs.Then there are the old warehouses which have been given a new lease of life as apartments. Juxtaposed are exciting new residential developments. My husband and I agree that if we win the lottery we'll have one of the amazing glass penthouses overlooking the river. We like to stop at Limehouse Basin and watch the boats come and go. Finally there is Canary Wharf itself - a people friendly futuristic Gotham city with tree lined avenues, marinas, shops and offices. We feel like time travellers and fortify ourselves with delicious dim sum at the Royal China on the river, before our return journey. Sara Meyer London resident

I love Holloway. Although the Holloway Road can’t lay claim to be the most glamorous road in London, it does have one very strong literary claim to fame; it was home to one of London’s best-known fictional characters, Mr Pooter, the bank clerk (anti) hero of George Grossmith’s late nineteenth century satire of suburban life ‘Diary of a Nobody’. Pooter’s home was based on N19’s Pemberton Gardens, which still look the same today. Much of today’s version of Holloway however is a much more cosmopolitan affair than the nineteenth century version with Columbian cafes and grocers, Irish pubs, Cypriot greengrocers, and Portuguese fishmongers. Mr Pooter would not have known what to make of it! I love it! Alex Brannen, from London

The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew are, to me, one of the most special places in London and a real 'treasure'. The splendour and tropical atmosphere of the Palm House is quite unique. The gardens offer such tranquility, right on the edge of the bustling Capital. However, the views of the Thames never let me forget that I am in London. A perfect afternoon is always rounded off with a visit to the Pavillion for tea and then maybe a river boat trip from Kew's jetty, back into the City centre. Lesley Perry, from Essex

As a tourist guide I think that Westminster Abbey sums up everything about London. The history, ceremony, royalty, architecture, religion, the past, the present and the future that go to make our capital city such a fascinating place. Robina Brown, Chairman of APTG

It seems only five minutes ago that we moved from Teddington to Camden, but I doubt we will leave, for these reasons and so much more to discover: the view from Primrose Hill on a clear day with our little dog, the hills & woods of Hampstead Heath, the smells and wonderful characters of Camden, Brick Lane,
Spitalfields, Berwick Street, Greenwich markets among many others, driving our old BMW with the roof down past Lords on a barmy summer evening and hearing the clapping, the river trip to Greenwich, the beauty of our historical buildings wherever you go, watching a live football match wherever you can get in on a Saturday, like QPR , Top Shop at Oxford Circus, Selfridges store, Soho, China Town, all the trendy bars and poseurs, red buses & black cabs, walking from Teddington Lock to Richmond on New years day for a pint on Richmond Hill, and more and more and more. Lucy, Bruce and Chancer (the 'HMV' dog) Camden Town, from London

The peace and quite of Richmond Park at 7:00 on a Sunday morning, with the views over the centre of London on a clear day. You feel like a part of London, but also slightly removed from the mayhem and urgency of the West End. Lunch of sausages and mash at Maggie J's in Kensington - perfect hand-over food. At the end of the day finish your day with a pint at The Cat's Back in Wandsworth. Jim Mourilyan, from London

When friends from the States, Spain or Ireland come over we always start at the Mangal Ockabassi and then a nightime drive around London, ending up coming over Waterloo Bridge and down the Embankment. We will then pop down Roman Road market in the morning ending up with pie mash and liquor. The afternoon will then be spent over Highbury or Brisbane Road watching the footy. Sunday will be down to Spitalfields and then the worlds your lobster. Ian of Leytonstone

My favourite part of London would be Leicester Square. Many personal celebrations have taken place there, from Graduations, Birthdays and Holidays. When night falls the environment in Leicester Square changes. The smell of hot chestnuts and the clown juggling with fire is sure to bring you here. Shebul Miah, from www.visitbricklane.com

Do you have a your favourite bit of London? You could win a personalised Monopoly set or one of 100 books