Catch some rays

Zephyrs rippling the treetops and clouds wreathed in birdsong, the golden dusk dappling a Mary Poppins skyline – there’s really nothing to beat the eastwards views from this enchanted home. On a leafy street near Shepherd's Bush, this Georgian apartment has high ceilings and is furnished in a style both graceful and demure. Take coffee on the balcony – and you can choose between the boutiques of Notting Hill and the endless shops of Westfield. Yes, it can’t be denied, this home’s a scorcher.

Beams of delight

Your hostess is no stranger to long, balmy days. She’s from Australia, and she’s now a permanent London resident. A lawyer with a love of opera and contemporary art, she’s an energetic type. When the mercury rises you’ll find her swimming lengths of the Serpentine.

Summer of love

You’ll come first to the open plan living space, warm and bright, the sunshine spilling through the large windows pooling on the honeyed wooden floor. Take a seat in one of the antique armchairs and investigate your hostess’ collection of art books. The kitchen’s granite worktops are illuminated by a chandelier, while the dining table seats four. But it is our belief that everything tastes nicer when eaten outside – and you’ll find more seating out on the balcony, with its views down into the gardens below.

The master bedroom has a kingsized wooden bed and vintage bedside tables, and next door, the bathroom is given old-school glamour with grey marble and mirrors.

Feeling hot hot hot

Holland Park’s cafes and delis are close-by, as well as some of the best butchers and bakers in town. Pick up a joint at Lidgates, then head to the Hummingbird Bakery in Notting Hill for a box of scrumptious cupcakes. Nearby Westfield is packed with shops, and a terrific selection of restaurants, indeed, there’s even a multiplex cinema. You could walk to Kensington, or go into town. The tube from Shepherd's Bush or Holland Park to Oxford Circus takes around ten minutes.