I have the great privilege of staying in a beautiful flat in Chelsea when I’m in London. Perched on the third floor, it overlooks a green field that feels worlds away from the city’s relentless pace. In summer, the street is lined with towering, leafy trees carrying the sounds of children playing and the gentle applause of cricket matches.
A charming location, certainly – but be still, my beating London heart – it also happens to be just a stone’s throw from the King’s Road, where SW3’s impeccably dressed sip their morning matchas and lunch at Manicomio in Duke of York Square.
One of the great pleasures of staying in this area is that it’s remarkably liveable and central, yet it doesn’t come with the frenetic energy of some of London’s more crowded neighbourhoods. Afternoons are best spent wandering through independent boutiques and stores such as Anthropologie, Farm Rio, and Trinny London, or disappearing for an hour or two into John Sandoe Books.
Then there’s Ralph Lauren, where walking through the doors is rather like entering the dressing room of a freshly showered polo player – which reminds me: have you seen the delicious second season of Rivals yet?
Exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery (The Sun and the Moon: Art Inspired by the Celestial is on until 8 September) are a must, as is a stroll down the road for dinner at the Ivy Asian. At Daylesfordon Pimlico Road – perfect for brunch – you’ll find organic everything and the loveliest homeware. The new French spot on Sloane Square is Brasserie Olivia, which has beautiful interiors, inviting long lunches and late dinners. Have the lobster and fries.
The King’s Road offers some of London’s very best food stores too. Within walking distance are Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Whole Foods, and The Chelsea Grocer, formerly Partridges, and a treasure trove for culinary enthusiasts.
On Saturdays, the Duke of York Square Food Market becomes the social heartbeat of the neighbourhood with seasonal produce, artisanal cheeses, freshly shucked oysters, Bloody Marys, and bottomless bubbly flowing into the afternoon.
Why I Keep Returning
Of course, my true love affair with London extends well beyond the Hugo Spritzes and designer pop-ups in Sloane Square. And while Ralph Lauren’s immersive Summer of Sport clubhouse experience may be drawing the stylish crowds this season, the city’s enduring appeal lies in the way its rich heritage sits effortlessly alongside its newest hotspots.
Take Annabel’s extraordinary floral façade in Mayfair, for example. Made to mark the start of the summer, it’s worth going just to appreciate the hours it took artisans and specialists to construct.
So, whether you’re in the UK this summer or simply looking for inspiration for your next visit, here’s our pick of where to play.
1. Art Exhibitions
London’s cultural scene is particularly good this year. At the Serpentine Gallery, the late David Hockney’s A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts About Painting presents a remarkable 90-metre panoramic work inspired by the changing seasons of the French countryside. Meanwhile, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at the Victoria and Albert Museum celebrates the legendary designer’s enduring influence on fashion, creativity, and surrealism.
At Tate Modern, Frida: The Making of an Icon explores the life and artistic legacy of Frida Kahlo through more than 30 significant works alongside her personal items and immersive experiences. You can also book for the dining experience, created in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Santiago Lastra.
Don’t miss Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait – a centenary celebration of one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons, featuring works by renowned photographers and artists, including Andy Warhol and Richard Avedon. It’s at the National Portrait Gallery until 6 September.
2. Theatre
This season’s most anticipated production is Electra/Persona, starring Cate Blanchett. The production promises a bold reinterpretation of two classic narratives and is on at the National Theatre from 19 August to 10 October.
3. Restaurants
Among London’s many new openings is Impala in Soho, an open-fire restaurant with an in-house butchery that’s already been listed in London’s top 10. Drawing inspiration from North African flavours, the menu offers sublime dishes such as duck roasted in molasses with fig sauce and a celebrated date-and-pistachio custard tart.
Ranked among the world’s top 20 Italian restaurants, Pollini’s new alfresco dining space is at the Ladbroke Grove Centre for Contemporary Art in Notting Hill. Expect beautiful Italian cuisine such as chef Pollini’s speciality, Spaghetti Gambero Rosso, or the mortadella and pistachio pizza with rich stracciatella.
Gordon Ramsay’s five-concept culinary offering at the top of the 22 Bishopsgatebuilding offers 360-degree views across the city. Choose between Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, an intimate 12-seater Michelin-starred chef’s table; Lucky Cat, an Asian-inspired eatery and late-night bar; or Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, which now offers a signature afternoon tea experience 58 floors above the city.
4. Summer Terraces
Summer in London is terrace season, and few places can do alfresco glamour quite like the capital.
The Dorchester’s collaboration with Milanese fashion house La DoubleJ has transformed its garden terrace into a vibrant celebration of colour and design, while The Ritz offers an elegant Secret Garden complete with afternoon tea, a caviar and champagne experience, and botanical cocktails served beneath the trees.
For rooftop sophistication with fragrant flair, Flute at Broadwick Soho has been reimagined with a distinctly Moroccan spirit inspired by Marrakech’s iconic restaurant El Fenn. Expect iconic red-and-white umbrellas, exciting cocktails, and views across Soho.
For something more relaxed – and if you know, you know – head to Weezie’sin Belgravia. It’s one of London’s most popular spots right now, where you can order paper-thin pizzas or small plates served with a cold pint, groovy cocktails, and excellent wines.
Take the lift in Selfridges up to Alto, an Italian rooftop terrace where generous Aperol spritzes flow alongside an Italian menu. Some say it’s a little touristy, but with its lemony decor and vibrant atmosphere, it’s a great place to rest weary shopping feet.
5. Shopping
Perhaps the biggest retail news in London this year, Hermès has unveiled its magnificent new Bond Street flagship, a five-floor showcase of craftsmanship, design, and British eccentricity.
A rooftop terrace, private salons, and hundreds of artworks are centred around a giant Norman Hudson-designed spiral staircase. The botanical illustrations in the Beauty Room are exquisite, created by one of the 50 artisans involved in the building’s five-year restoration.
Nearby, Zara’s newly renovated Oxford Street flagship introduces a sleek new concept with limited-edition collections and new digital services (you can order online and collect in two hours).
For classic tailoring and timeless style, however, few addresses rival Jermyn Street, where generations of gentlemen’s outfitters continue to define British sartorial elegance. Watch this space for information on Turnbull & Asser’s exclusive South African show days in collaboration with YourLuxury Africa.
And for those who prefer village-like charm, head to Marylebone, where the streets are dotted with independent boutiques, delis, and cafés. Make stops at the famous Daunt Books and the gourmet grocery store Bayley and Sage.
6. Hotels
Luxury hotels in London reign supreme this year with flagship openings. These include the Waldorf Astoria London at the Admiralty Arch on The Mall, which transforms a historic monument into 100 opulent suites, a subterranean spa, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Six Senses London in Bayswater features a 20-metre indoor pool and a biohacking lounge.
The Newman is Fitzrovia’s new design-led boutique hotel with an Art Deco aesthetic. A Nordic-inspired spa comes with an ice lounge and a halotherapy room, the first medical-grade salt therapy room in a London hotel.
Designed around one of the largest private hotel gardens in the city, The Templeton Garden is a 156-room boutique hotel set within a collection of restored Victorian townhouses in Kensington, combining contemporary British design with a leafy oasis in the heart of Earl’s Court.
Images: Supplied
