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England Netball Co-Captain Sonia Mkoloma's London

Sonia Mkoloma, co-captain of the English Netball Team, has lived in London all her life.

Sonia's London ranges from Westfield to the West End, The O2 to Avenue Q, Hyde Park to the London Eye after dark.

In the lead-up to the netball team's big match at The O2 in February 2010, Sonia Mkoloma told Visit London what she loves about her home town.

You can see the England squad in action against New Zealand at The O2 in January 2011.

Q. Where do you live in London?

A: Notting Hill Gate

Q: Where do you work?

Sonia Mkoloma in action on the netball court

A: I love playing matches in London, we get loads of support when we play here and I love the crowds you get in London. I'm really looking forward to playing Australia at The O2 in February. And I'm excited about the London 2012 Olympic Games too, of course.

Q: Where do you like to socialise?

A: I've been to so many parties in London, but I'd probably have to say the best was my 30th Birthday in January (2009) at a club in the West End.

Q: Where do you eat out?

A: My last meal out was two days ago at Sophie's Steakouse in Fulham. And I like little cafés where you can get a proper English breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast and everything. Even though I'm training at the moment, it's OK in moderation.

Q: What shows have you seen in London?

A: I saw Avenue Q a month or so ago and that was pretty funny. And I saw La Clique at the Hippodrome earlier in the year, which is my favourite. A friend of mine plays piano in the show so I'm going to see it again at The Roundhouse next week. I can't wait!

Q: What's your favourite London icon?

A: I love Hyde Park. I sometimes run there and I love the space, and how you just see people relaxing and walking around, enjoying the atmosphere.

Q: What's the most romantic place in London?

A: Definitely the area around the London Eye. If you go there late at night, when the Eye is closed, and walk over Westminster Bridge, it's quite chilled. If it's not too late, there's a little jazz café nearby where you can go for a drink.

Q: Where do you shop?

The Village at Westfield London Shopping Centre

A: I like Urban Outfitters, I always find something funky there. But I don't really stick to one thing, I like to shop everywhere! A recent discovery I made when shopping at Westfield with the other netballers was a little clothing store called Lulu & Red.

Q: What's the strangest thing you've ever seen in London?

A: There's a guy who busks with a tin whistle but instead of playing a song, he just blows the whistle repeatedly! I've seen him twice now on the high street.

Q: If you were Mayor for a day what would you do?

A: I'd make parking free in all the London Boroughs for a day. Then I'd introduce a system where if you've actually bought a ticket and you're five minutes' late back to your car, you don't pay such a big fine as the people who haven't even bothered to buy a ticket at all.

Q: What if you were invisible for the day?

A: I'd go to Buckingham Palace or wherever The Queen was that day. I'd love to see what really goes on in the normal, day-to-day life of The Queen.

Q: What "makes" a Londoner?

A: Londoners have a sense of style that you don't get anywhere else – people just wear what they want to wear, with attitude!

Q: What are your top tips for visitors to London?

A: Go to the West End. Enjoy yourself but be safe. Most areas are cool, but don't be naïve.

Q: If you could go back to any period in London's history when would it be?

A: To the time of Jack The Ripper. I'd like to see the streets and how people were dressed, they were so elegant back then.

Q: If you could take one piece from a London museum or gallery, what would it be?

A: Probably a dinosaur skeleton from the Natural History Museum

Q: What do you miss most when you're away from London?

A: I miss the familiarity when I'm away. And when I get back from hot countries, I just lie on the floor and enjoy not having insects constantly buzzing around me! I also miss the multicultural side of London. I do travel loads and I love to come home to London.