Exploring St James’s
Morning
Starting from St James’s Park Underground, walk
up through Queen Anne’s Gate, noting the lovely 18th-century houses.
Pass through the alley in the corner into Birdcage Walk then into
St James’s Park
. Get a coffee from the café, Inn the Park, and watch the pelicans before heading up to
Buckingham Palace
for the Changing of the Guard at 11am. After the ceremony, head up The Mall, past
St James’s Palace
and into St James’s Street. Turn right into Jermyn Street,
and check out such traditional shops as cheese seller, Paxton and
Whitfield, and perfumery, Floris. Walk through Wren’s St James’s Church
near the end of the street, leaving by the north exit where a craft
market is held. Head west down Piccadilly to Fortnum’s.
Afternoon
Fortnum & Mason
is the perfect place to buy tea, as a souvenir, and to have
lunch, in the Fountain restaurant, where the dieter’s choice is caviar
and half a bottle of champagne.
Cross Piccadilly to the
Royal Academy of Arts
and spend an hour on their permanent collection, including Michelangelo’s sculpture, Madonna and Child. Window shop along Burlington Arcade and then the
Cork Street
galleries. Turn left into Bond Street, heading for
Brown’s
stylish hotel in Albemarle Street, and relax over a lavish (and expensive) English tea.
Shopping
Fortnum and Mason
Famous
for its food hall and restaurants, this elegant department store still
has male staff who wear coat tails. Try the extravagant ice-creams in
the Fountain restaurant .
Asprey
The
British royal family have bought their jewels here for more than a
century. Other gift items to be found here include pens and silver
picture frames.
Charbonnel et Walker
One
of the best chocolate shops in town selling a tempting array of
handmade chocolates. Fill one of the pretty boxes, which come in a range
of sizes, with your own choice of chocolates.
Gieves and Hawkes
Purveyors
of fine, handmade suits and shirts to the gentry since 1785, this shop
is one of the best-known in a street of expert tailors. Off-the-rack
clothes are also available.
Browns
London’s most famous designer clothing store stocks pieces by Lanvin, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen among many others.
Mulberry
Come here for the complete country-house look, including clothing, household items and gorgeous leather goods.
Cork Street Galleries
Cork
Street is famous for its art galleries. You can buy works by the best
artists here, from Picasso and Rothko to Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.
Sotheby’s
View everything from pop star memorabilia to Old Master paintings at this fine arts auction house founded in 1744.
Sotheby’s auction house
Fenwick
An up-market, pleasantly small department store.
Waterstone’s
What is possibly Europe’s largest bookshop occupies a large building on Piccadilly .
Eating and Drinking
Sketch
The
cooking here is some of the finest London has to offer. The Gallery is
buzzy and informal, while the pricier Lecture Room attracts the
fashionable and famous.
9 Conduit Street W1
020 7659 4500
Momo
Brilliantly-decorated in a kasbah style, this modern, North African restaurant serves tajines and couscous. The Mo Tea Room and Bazaar next door serves tea and snacks.
25 Heddon Street W1
020 7434 4040
The Avenue
Join the smart set in this vast, lively restaurant. Food is European and caters to the British preference for large portions.
Tamarind
This
Indian restaurant doesn’t disappoint. The food is modern, original and
seasonal while staff are helpful and efficient. The set menus are great
value.
20 Queen Street W1
020 7629 3561
The Square
Wonderful
French food is on offer at this sophisticated modern restaurant. Only
set-course meals are served; at lunchtime 2- and 3-course meals are £30
and £35.
6–10 Bruton Street W1
020 7495 7100
Disabled access
The Wolseley
The
art-deco interior gives this famous brasserie an air of glamour. Opens
7am (8am Sat & Sun). Book well ahead for the formal restaurant.
160 Piccadilly W1
020 7499 6996
Nicole’s
Located in the Nicole Farhi fashion shop, this café is a popular lunch stop.
158 New Bond Street W1
020 7499 8408
Alloro
This Mayfair restaurant has an airy first-floor dining room, and good Italian food.
19–20 Dover Street W1
020 7495 4768
ICA Café
Good food at reasonable prices is on offer at this arts centre restaurant.
The Mall SW1
020 7766 1451
The Greenhouse
Michelin-star modern European cuisine in a serene Mayfair location.
27 Hay’s Mews W1
020 7499 3331
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Unless otherwise stated, all restaurants accept credit cards and serve vegetarian meals |
