Michael’s Guide to London

Do

National Theatre

I always try to plan my visits around a show at the National Theatre. If that doesn’t work out, a performance at the Royal Albert Hall is the ultimate London experience.

Sunday Flower Market

On Columbia Road. It’s divine and suddenly, you feel like you’re hanging out with Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady.

Diana Memorial Fountain

Go for a walk through Hyde Park and make sure you save time to take in this memorial.

Aman Spa

Get a massage at this spa in the Connaught hotel. It’s an amazingly tranquil place in the middle of the bustling city.

Serpentine Galleries

Explore the modern art. There’s always something cool and new to see, even if you’ve been there before.

Eat

Rules

Soak up the history at the oldest restaurant in London. It’s in the theatre district and they have fabulous roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and game, if you’re up for it. For Downton Abbey fans—go to Rules and suddenly you are Lady Mary.

The Delaunay

I love the Viennese chic and the great schnitzel.

Royal Oak

I love sitting upstairs for a classic Sunday roast. The food is clean and fresh like a modern gastro-pub, but downstairs it’s a fabulous old British pub.

River Café

The ultimate classic. It’s the most perfect Italian food outside of Italy. To be in that setting right on the river, especially outside on a sunny day, and have that food is spectacular.

J.Sheekey

Classic fish and chips at the ultimate British seafood experience right in the heart of Covent Garden.

Arlington

Nothing is more stylish than a late supper at Arlington—the room, the crowd, it’s a chic classic.

Stay

Claridge’s

It’s one of those rare places where they’ve held on to the history and the tradition of the hotel but modernized it for today’s world. The service is parallel to none and the location is spectacular, everything’s at your doorstep, and the art deco bathrooms have the greatest water pressure of any hotel in the world.

Shop

Liberty London

Not only is the building itself charming and very British, but they have everything from their signature fabrics to the latest designer finds.

Fortnum & Mason

I think no one has better condiments than the English. Everything from the best horseradish sauce to the best chutney. To me, nothing beats filling a basket here with lots of condiments to bring back as gifts.

Dale Rogers Ammonite

The most divine store filled with minerals and gemstones that are objects for the house and petrified wooden bowls—it’s dreamy! You just look at all the colors and textures that nature can give you and it’s mind-blowing. I’ve traveled the world and have never seen an assortment like that.

Bentleys on Sloane Street

I’m vintage-luggage obsessed—I love the idea that something can be beautiful and utilitarian. Whether you use luggage when you travel or just stack it in your house to hide all the things that people don’t need to see. I think England is THE place where people have attics full of fabulous luggage.

Connolly

Located in Mayfair, it’s a very special shopping experience with everything from leather goods to art pieces, all with impeccable style.

Portobello Market

I always go on a Saturday for the vintage shopping and then check out Rellik nearby—it’s one of my favorite vintage stores.

Visit us in London

Regent Street 187–191 Regent Street London, UK W1B 4JP

White City, Ariel Way Unit 1051 London, UK W12 7GF

Bluewater Shopping Centre Unit L134AB, Bluewater Parkway London, UK DA9 9ST