The Hummingbird Bakery

The Hummingbird Bakery opened in 2004 to bring American home baking to London, and it is known for the cupcake with a swirl of frosting on top. The St John's Wood shop is at number 39, and it is one of six around the city, alongside South Kensington, Notting Hill, Victoria, Soho and the main bakery in Spitalfields.

The counter is full of cupcakes, with red velvet the one most people go for. There are also layer cakes, pies and seasonal bakes that change through the year, and coffee to go with them.

It is a useful stop for birthdays. Whole cakes are baked for collection, and the team can make cakes for occasions and events. You can order ahead online and pick up from the High Street, or have it delivered in London.

The shop is open every day from 10am to 6pm, so it works for an afternoon treat after school, a cake for the office or something sweet on the way home from Regent's Park. It is a few minutes' walk from St John's Wood station.