Shard View

This stylish, couple's hideaway, housed in a Victorian warehouse, in a cobbled courtyard in Central London, is just over a five-minute walk from The Shard. For artisan produce, head to one of the city's largest and oldest food markets, Borough Market, a four-minute wander. If you love art, the Tate Modern is ten minutes on foot, while one of London's most iconic landmarks, Tower Bridge, is under a twenty-minute saunter. Of course, there are plenty of restaurants and chic bars on your doorstep in this desirable location – there's even a historic wine bar one-minute away. You don't have to go anywhere, though, to admire Britain's tallest building – The Shard is thrillingly visible from your bedroom window. We love the designer furniture here, from the Isamu Noguchi coffee table and Eames chairs to the Italian suede sofa – all shown off to perfection by the walnut floors and exposed brick walls. Pour a glass of Champagne and survey the city from the Juliet balcony, then whip up some dinner in the sleek kitchen. We were surprised how tranquil this sunny home is, given its fabulous location – it’s a quiet haven after all that sightseeing.

Home truths:
* This 2nd floor gem is a good few flights of stairs up and the building is not equipped with a lift
*There's no air conditioning here
*If you have a car, there's free on-street parking, along with a multi-storey car park nearby