From food to fashion, exhibitions, and royal getaways, we’ve captured the very best of the English capital this summer.
1. COCKTAIL HOUR
Spend a balmy evening at The Berkeley hotel’s rooftop bar, where you can order gin granitas and citrussy negronis served with alfresco Italian plates, all part of the hotel’s Capri in the City summer theme. Try the lobster, roasted pepper, rocket, and watercress pizza and don’t leave without ordering the Amalfi lemon sorbet with its sexy little dash of limoncello. Open to non-residents from Thursday to Sunday.
2. COOK WITH CHEFS
For something a little different and a great way to raise your cooking game, head to Jamie Oliver’s spanking new flagship cooking school, which has just opened at John Lewis on Oxford Street. Working alongside expert chefs, you can choose from 90-minute, two-hour or half-day classes ranging from Italian to Korean cuisine. Tuck in afterwards with a glass or two of something lovely from the drinks menu. Kids classes (ages 8-14) are available too. Priced at £59 pp for a 90-minute class.
3. EXHIBITS OF GLAMOUR
- With more than 350 Cartier pieces on display, The Telegraph has called London’s exhibition of the year “a spellbinding, once-in-a-lifetime display of old-world glamour.” Jaw-dropping jewels, historic gemstones, and iconic watches are on show in tribute to the Maison’s legacy of art, design, and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century. Highlights include Princess Margaret’s diamond rose brooch, which she wore to the Queen’s coronation in 1953, and the staggering Manchester tiara. On until 16 November at the V&A South Kensington.
- Hailed as a “kaleidoscopic view of the 90s”, the Gianni Versace Retrospective features some of late designer’s most iconic pieces worn by royalty, supermodels and A-list stars. Celebrating flamboyant – and fearless – style, it’s not to be missed. From July 16 at Arches, London Bridge.
- The V&A East Storehouse is London’s newest and most innovative museum, where thousands of creative works – like a Balenciaga dress and a Glastonbury drum – are featured in a self-guided display. Even more impressive is the Order & Object service that allows you to book and view artefacts you want to see up close – a world first. The David Bowie Centre, with an archive of more than 80 000 items spanning six decades of the musician’s life, opens on 13 September.
JAZZ AGE THEATRE
Fresh from Broadway, Tony-award winning musical The Great Gatsby is on at London’s Colisseum theatre and is the West End’s show of the summer. Based on the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, it’s a glitzy display of luxury and opulence featuring the very best of the jazz age. It’s on until 7 September.
5. SHOP + PLAY
A trip to London isn’t complete without popping into Selfridges. This summer, the department store is hosting SPORTOPIA – think fabulous collabs and merch, a Champions Sports Bar, live music performances, and immersive experiences like climbing a 10-metre column. You’ll find us at the Jacquemus x Nike collaboration in the Wonder Room with its enlarged swoosh sculpture (inspired by their Le Swoosh bag) where you can lift designer dumbbells while you shop and order Nike x Jaquemus pressed juices to cool down. It starts in August.
6. TEATIME TREATS
- Naya is Mayfair’s charming new artisanal patisserie, recently opened by fourth-generation Turkish chocolatiers and King Charles’ impressively cool goddaughter, India Hicks. It’s inspired by old-world masters and new-world adventurers, and in India’s words, “feels rather like an elegant English drawing room”. Luxurious and romantic with Salon Vert de Gournay wallpaper (swoon), the black forest cake, lobster rolls, and luxury chocolates all come recommended.
- Peter Pan said, “Think of the happiest things,” and that’s a given at the Aqua Shard’s afternoon tea, which takes you right back to the pages of JM Barnes’s much-loved novel. Magical touches include a custom-made tea stand inspired by Captain Hook’s pirate ship and menus with items like the “Enchanted Forest Tart” or “Peter Pan’s Hat”. Add your own pixie dust with a glass of Veuve Clicquot. From £70 pp.
- Devilish and decadent, The Devil Wears Prada tea is on at The Bloomsbury Hotel, just around the corner from the Dominion Theatre where the musical is playing. There’s a mini version of Nate’s grilled cheese and a strawberry, elderflower and lemon tart, called “Florals for spring? Groundbreaking”. You can order fashion-themed cocktails too. That’s all.
7. DINING DESTINATIONS
- The Chalkfreehouse: An elegant new pub by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge serving a fresh take on British classics. Conveniently located near the King’s Road, it offers draught on tap. Try the Cornish fish cake with fennel salad on the set lunch menu.
- Oma: This summer’s standout dining destination is located above its sister restaurant, Agora, at the Borough Market and is the only Greek spot in the city with a Michelin star. If you can get in (do not attempt this without a booking), must-try dishes include saganaki mussels, the scallops, and spanakopita gratin.
- Fonda: The tacos steal the show at this modern Mexican restaurant in Mayfair, and there’s not a sombrero in sight. Go for the Baja taco; beer-battered cod with chipotle and a cucumber, pistachio and mint sauce.
- Bluebird City at South Place Hotel: the sister restaurant to the iconic Bluebird Chelsea. Expect modern, stylish dining – and there’s that famous crispy duck salad.
8. TRAIN SPOTTING
Britannic Explorer, a Belmond Train UK, launches this month and offers passengers curated – and wonderfully British – rail experiences. It’s the first luxury sleeper train in England with three or six-night journeys to Cornwall’s blue waters, the rugged mountains of the Lake District, or the rolling Welsh valleys. With 18 cabins (including three Grand Suites), there’s an on-board Wellness Suite on one of the train’s beautifully designed carriages, and all treatments align with the movement of the train and the landscapes passing by. Elegant farm-to-fork dining celebrates Britain’s diverse regions, and there’s a botanically inspired bar to set the scene. The train departs from Victoria Station in central London. Starting at £11 000 for three nights in a double cabin, including meals, drinks, and excursions.
9. FOOD & MARKETS
From condiments and rubs to the freshest seasonal produce, to daily specials and everything else in between, sometimes food shopping is all the fun you need.
- Farm Shop Mayfair: Visit the secret wine bar downstairs,.
- The Chelsea Grocer: New on the Duke of York Square and next door to the Saturday fine foods market.
- Daylesford Organic: delicious breakfasts, beautiful homeware and the best basket bags. Find it in Pimlico or visit the farm if you’re in the Cotswolds.
10. A ROYAL RETREAT
In the woodlands on Sandringham’s 20 000-acre estate in Norfolk, you’ll find a charming turreted cottage, which, in partnership with King Charles, can be rented. Nearly as old as the main royal residence where the royal family gathers at Christmas, The Folly at Sandringham was once used to host ladies for tea and was where Edward VIII would rendezvous with his mistress. The restored cottage sleeps six guests and comes with charming period details, like preserved stone hearths, as well as the mod cons. You can also explore the entire estate’s trails and gardens. £4 000 for a minimum three-night stay.
- Get the scoop on Anya Hindmarch’s ice cream flavours, which celebrate cult brands this summer. You can book a blind ice-cream tasting, too.
- For sports lovers, 30 June is the start of Wimbledon, kicking off with the men’s and women’s singles. Catch all the courtside action, until 13 July.
