Best Pastries in North Ockendon

"Mini Éphémère, a lemon and yuzu meringue and cream version of the Merveilleux. Finding a delicious sweet treat for less than £2 anywhere in London is rare but finding something that will put your sweet tooth into a trance in South Kensington for £1.20 is some kind of miracle. At Aux Merveilleux de Fred, the mini versions of their namesake confections are so light – and inexpensive – that you can indulge without guilt."

"For the melt-in-the-mouth pastry experience only a true French chef such as Frédéric Vaucamps can achieve, book yourself in at Aux Merveilleux de Fred. Famed for their brioches, meringues and truffles, which are must-buys, the whole menu is highly acclaimed. Do yourself a favour and get some takeaway buns to enjoy as you travel around the rest of the city – they are truly merveilleux."

"If you’re a big fan of croissants, then the Pasty Parlour is a must for your Little Black Book. One of London’s best bakeries, everything is baked fresh on-site daily and their pastries are said to rival the originals from across the channel. 8 Piazza Walk, London E1 8FU; thepastryparlour.co.uk"

"This dog-friendly east London café is certainly one to add to your London vegan food roster. Not only is there a full vegan English breakfast, complete with crispy hash browns, roasted plum tomatoes and grilled sourdough dripping in creamy vegan butter, they also serve seriously generous portions, leaving even the hungriest of customers full. There’s far more than fry ups on offer, though: the spicy coconut ramen is a delightful winter warmer, served with silky tofu, shiitake mushrooms and thick udon noodles deliciously slurped up when drizzled in hot chilli oil."

"Italian-originating Said is the London offshoot of Rome’s oldest chocolate shop, but the gravity of such status doesn’t stop it from getting a little silly. Hot chocolate here transcends warm beverage to full-blown dessert – rich, thick, molten chocolate is spooned into cups so generously it often overflows. Cakes can be ordered here too, with the option of adding a dutiful drenching of hot milk, dark or white chocolate sauce."

"Fashion fans should bookmark this undeniably chic patisserie pronto. Pasticceria Marchesi is one of Milan’s most established bakeries and is now owned by one of the world’s biggest fashion powerhouses, Prada. They opened a London outpost earlier this year and it’s become one of Mount Street’s most Instagrammable spots – for both it’s sweet treats and sugar almond coloured interiors."

"Philippe Conticini is a legend of pâtisserie and both of his eponymous Londoncafés are home to some of the finest gourmet pastries on this side of the channel. Paying a visit to Phillipe Conticini is like paying your respects to the butter gods. His Paris Brest is a thing of delicate, complicated beauty; his vanilla flan a reminder of what heights custard can achieve; and his pain au chocolat, a pastry so layered and flaky that it makes all pretenders seem a sham."

"It’s finally time to move away from the Notting Hill / South Kensintgon area and venture towards East London. It’s a closed market which is actually made up of different streets but the whole area is known as Leadenhall Market. You can access it from different openings which converge in a central square area, the most Instagrammable spot in my opinion!"

"One of the immediate neighbours of Lloyd’s of London is the 19th century Leadenhall Market Building. It was built in the 19th century by Sir Horace Jones, who was also responsible for the Smithfield Market. Its origins go back all the way to the 14th century, making it one of the oldest markets in London."

"This picturesque interior and marketplace is in London’s financial district, hence why it looks a bit posh. When taking photographs try using a wide-angle lens so that you capture as much as possible. Best time for pics: DayCost: FreeLocation: Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT"

"You’ll love Columbia Road Flower Market for the vibrancy of colour and wonderful smells that permeate the neighbourhood on Sundays. Open from 8am till 3pm be sure to get there early for the freshest flowers but also arriving late on can grab you some bargains as sellers want to move stock, especially cut flowers, but beware of all stock selling out if you plan to arrive later in the day. Located on a historic street in the East End of London, the area springs up like an oasis in the concrete desert with all manner of plants from cut flowers to small bedding plants, to small and large trees."

"This street market off Hackney Road is an explosion of colour thanks to the breathtaking flowers that fill the stalls from exotic plants to local flora. Unsurprisingly, it smells incredible too. You might have to navigate your way through hordes of Instagram fans trying to capture that perfect picture, but it's well worth it just for the sights."

"When you’re looking for a floral fix, Columbia Road Flower Market makes for a great day out. Just make sure to visit on a Sunday as it’s only open then. Best shot: take your pick from any of the colourful floral displays."

"Calling upon punters from far and wide, the West End’s central point belongs to this celebrated casino. With doors open 24/7, the Leicester Square-placed casino boasts 20+ poker tables and an equally large number of roulette and baccarat seats. Additionally, there is more than enough room for modern slots and electronic versions of Craps and Sic Bo – all placed in high-ceiling halls with stunning décor."

"The Hippodrome is one of the more well known destinations on our list and is located in Leicester Square in the heart of London's west end. This casino has been open for over 100 years and is really impressive. You will be amazing by the size and entertainment available including a theatre, live music, burlesque, cabaret, 6 bars, restaurants and 3 floors of gambling."

"The London Hippodrome has been a centre of London entertainment since 1900. It was originally a music hall, which put a young Charlie Chaplin on stage for its debut show. It then became a nightclub named The Talk of the Town, which saw a roll call of big names grace its stage, from Frank Sinatra to Ella Fitzgerald."

"Established in 1971 at the site of the eponymous legendary pub, the Orange Tree is known for discovering (and re-discovering) writers and promoting their work. Such artists include Martin Crimp, James Saunders, Vaclav Havel, Fay Weldon and Torben Betts. Voted London’s Most Welcoming Theatre in 2016."