Can't see the wood for the trees in one of south east London's most creative neighbourhoods? Try Vibe's fail-safe guide to SE23.

Wake up: There are so many places to grab coffee, it’s hard to choose. My favourite is The Montage because it’s like a labyrinth spanning two floors and coiling round into a secret garden so there’s always somewhere to sit.

There is 1950s music playing, you can buy the vintage furniture or even visit the gallery upstairs. Even if you stay for hours using their cafe as an office, they’re unfailingly polite.

There’s also a hidden cave for little un’s to go and bash about while the adults enjoy their caffeine hit in peace.

St David’s is also a great place to escape the rush of the south London streets.

Gorge: Again it’s a toughie when deciding on food.

I find it hard to walk past Aga’s Little Deli and not go in and order the three cheese sandwich whatever time of day it is and however many other pressing engagements I have.

It costs a fiver to have the sandwich with salad and the cheeses are all from Neal’s Yard. It also a mean hot chocolate.

News Shopper:

Canvas and Cream also offers great cakes in a surprisingly large gallery-style cafe, of which apparently Nigella Lawson is a fan.

Booze: Now you’ll probably need to roll down the hill and have a drink to go with all that cheese.

The Sylvan Post is great: friendly staff (who are so helpful when we went for a recent birthday trip that we donated them the birthday cake), a range of booze, and a fun pub quiz all set in an a converted post office.

The food is delicious and I normally go for the burger. The Dartmouth Arms is also a lovely place in the summer with a little garden out the back.

Laugh: By this time you may be bloated, drunk, with cheese sweats but you still want a little more bang for your buck before you hop on the train.

I would recommend you go to The Hob, ideally on a Sunday about 6pm, where you could snaffle a £3 ticket to see the likes of Josie Long and Crystal Palace resident Daniel Kitson.

News Shopper: Horniman goes to Extremes with late night exhibition

Now go get your horn on at the Horniman: Only joking, this would be totally inappropriate although I have always thought the gardens would be a great spot for a boozy picnic.

The museum itself, founded by Victorian tea trader Frederick Horniman, is one of the best in London and the aquarium is a treat.

There are also events throughout the year including a Saturday morning farmers’ market, film showings in the summer and recently a taxidermy themed book launch.

And voila! Your Forest Hill day is done. Although the area has too many delights to list here so you'll obviously have to come back.

For the moment, you just have to navigate getting home having consumed all that culture, booze and cheese. Have fun with that.