The Observatory. What a name for a coffee shop. As we ducked into the Bloomsbury shop in the drizzling rain, we disrupted the peace for a few minutes, but we eventually settled in to both observe and be observed. I love that it is acceptable to (surreptitiously) people-watch your fellow patrons in cafes. You go to be seen, isn’t it? Or at least, to be seen on social media (I am poking fun at my own self for this – I flat lay before I sip, these days).

The Observatory also had photography on display for sale, old film prints from the 60s and 70s. It served Redemption Coffee, which I love, but I didn’t pay very close attention to the aesthetic, because I was working with the photography students on focus, and I was, ahem, very focussed.

But anyway, the shop was lovely. It was quite niche, although photography and coffee do naturally go hand-in-hand. It wasn’t cosy enough for everyday visits, but I’d love to go back.