Alfie’s Antique Market
13-25 Church Street, London
An antique lover’s institution
Bibendum Restaurant, Oyster Bar, and Café
81 Fulham Road, London
Superb, award-winning seafood restaurant in historical landmark Michelin Tire building, c. 1909. The restaurant is named after Bibendum, the Michelin man. The Oyster Bar is informal and relaxed, with its mosaic tiled floors and marble top tables. The open-to-the-sidewalk café is a local hangout for great coffee, pastries, and lunch. Upstairs, the restaurant is elegant, but comfortable, and serves French food with a British influence.
Big Ben
Westminster Bridge Road, Parliament Square, London
The famous icon of London - a must see. The tower of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben is actually the nickname of the bell housed within the Elizabeth Tower - and Big Ben's official name is the Great Bell. Chimes ring through London every quarter hour.
Buckingham Palace
London
The home of the British Royal Family. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip reside here when in London. The famous balcony in front is renowned for appearances by the family during special occasions.
Chelsea Galleries Cafe
67-73 Portobello Road, London
Cowshed
19 Portland Road, London
Get a manicure/pedicure/massage in comfy chairs arranged in a circle looking out the windows, and with small TV’s at each station. Or just go for lunch - simple farmhouse-style soups and sandwiches at a long wooden table scattered with newspapers and magazines to look at while you eat.
Dennis Sever’s House
18 Folgate Street, Spitalfields, London
The most unusual museum experience you will ever have. The house is staged as if a family of Hugenot silk weavers are living there. In creator, Dennis Sever’s own words, “Whether you see it or you don’t - the house’s ten rooms harbor ten “spells” that engage the visitor’s imagination in moods that dominated the periods between 1724 and 1914. Your senses are your guide.” No talking, no photos. For a truly remarkable experience, book a “Silent Night Visit.”
Harrods
87-135 Brompton Road, London
From its beginnings as a grocer and tea merchant in 1834, this famous department store is a London icon. The exterior looks like a castle, while the interior boasts seven floors of luxury merchandise, from haute couture to tea cups. I’ve seen Harrods aptly described as “retail theatre.” Don’t miss the Food Hall - a feast for the eyes even if you’re not buying groceries. There’s over 25 restaurants, but be sure to treat yourself to a traditional British high tea in the elegant Tea Room.
Harvey Nichols
190-125 Knightsbridge Road, London
Known as “Harvey Nicks” to the locals, this department store has eight floors of beauty, fashion, food and home decor. Join the ladies-who-lunch in the fab fifth floor café.
John Boyd Hats
16 Beauchamp Place, London
Labour and Wait
85 Redchurch Street, London
Timeless, functional products for daily life - from kitchenware, to hardware, to clothing, to stationery. Martha Stewart would love this store for it’s classic homekeeping supplies.
Langham Hotel
1C Portland Place, Regent Street, London
Liberty London
Regent Street, London
Don’t miss this magnificent Tudor building with its rich history - wander up and down the timeworn wooden stairs to shop for anything and everything made in the famous Liberty prints, as well as contemporary designer clothing and table ware. Liberty also continues the company’s tradition of promoting new designers.
Luytens and Rubinstein Bookstore
21 Kensington Park Road, London
My favorite bookstore. “Founded in 2009 by established literary agents, the Lutyens & Rubinstein Bookshop sells fiction and general non-fiction with special sections for children’s books, poetry and art books. The core stock was put together by canvassing hundreds of readers – writers, publishing contacts, friends (both adults and children) about which books they would most like to find in a bookshop. Every book stocked has its place because somebody loves it and has recommended it.”
Margaret Howell
111 Fulham Road, London
Beautifully made, contemporary classic clothes for women and men. They also have a gorgeous collection of furniture and home decor.
Myriad Antiques
131 Portland Road , London
Great little antique shop across from Cowshed
Notting HIll
Notting Hill, London
An area in West London, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea most well-known for Portobello Market, which runs every day except Sundays, and the Notting Hill carnival, held every year on the last weekend in August.
Number Sixteen
16 Sumner Place , London
Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London
Saturday market - antiques, crafts, curiosities. Get there early to avoid the crowds.
Saatchi Gallery
Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, London
Sir John Soane’s Museum
13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London
The home of 18th century architect, Sir John Soane. He designed the house as a setting for his collection of artifacts, antiquities, and art, and opened it to the public in the early 19th century. At Soane’s request, the museum has remained as close to the original as possible, arrangements of sculpture and architectural artifacts left as he placed them. The Museum is lit by candlelight on the first Tuesday of each month, from 6 until 9pm, but get there by 5:30 because it’s a popular event.
Spitalfields Market
Brushfield Street, London
Saturday Style Market 11-5 - original designs from local artists
Stumper & Fielding
107 Portobello Road, London
Summerhill & Bishop
100 Portland Road, London
Gorgeous selection of tableware, decorative accessories, and kitchenware.
Tom’s Kitchen
27 Cale Street, London
Chef Tom Aikens serves up the best farm-to-table organic comfort food in this friendly, brasserie-style Chelsea restaurant. (Side note: Will and Kate used to eat here before they were married.) Make reservations.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road, London
The world’s greatest museum of art and design, representing over 3000 years of human creativity. In addition to its outstanding free permanent collection, the V&A offers a program of fantastic temporary exhibitions and an extensive events program.
Westminster Abbey
20 Deans Yard, London
Zetland Arms
2 Bute Street, Kensington, London
Bibendum Restaurant, Oyster Bar, and Café
81 Fulham Road, London
Superb, award-winning seafood restaurant in historical landmark Michelin Tire building, c. 1909. The restaurant is named after Bibendum, the Michelin man. The Oyster Bar is informal and relaxed, with its mosaic tiled floors and marble top tables. The open-to-the-sidewalk café is a local hangout for great coffee, pastries, and lunch. Upstairs, the restaurant is elegant, but comfortable, and serves French food with a British influence.
Chelsea Galleries Cafe
67-73 Portobello Road, London
Langham Hotel
1C Portland Place, Regent Street, London
Notting HIll
Notting Hill, London
An area in West London, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea most well-known for Portobello Market, which runs every day except Sundays, and the Notting Hill carnival, held every year on the last weekend in August.
Tom’s Kitchen
27 Cale Street, London
Chef Tom Aikens serves up the best farm-to-table organic comfort food in this friendly, brasserie-style Chelsea restaurant. (Side note: Will and Kate used to eat here before they were married.) Make reservations.
Zetland Arms
2 Bute Street, Kensington, London
Big Ben
Westminster Bridge Road, Parliament Square, London
The famous icon of London - a must see. The tower of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben is actually the nickname of the bell housed within the Elizabeth Tower - and Big Ben's official name is the Great Bell. Chimes ring through London every quarter hour.
Buckingham Palace
London
The home of the British Royal Family. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip reside here when in London. The famous balcony in front is renowned for appearances by the family during special occasions.
Dennis Sever’s House
18 Folgate Street, Spitalfields, London
The most unusual museum experience you will ever have. The house is staged as if a family of Hugenot silk weavers are living there. In creator, Dennis Sever’s own words, “Whether you see it or you don’t - the house’s ten rooms harbor ten “spells” that engage the visitor’s imagination in moods that dominated the periods between 1724 and 1914. Your senses are your guide.” No talking, no photos. For a truly remarkable experience, book a “Silent Night Visit.”
Notting HIll
Notting Hill, London
An area in West London, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea most well-known for Portobello Market, which runs every day except Sundays, and the Notting Hill carnival, held every year on the last weekend in August.
Saatchi Gallery
Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, London
Sir John Soane’s Museum
13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London
The home of 18th century architect, Sir John Soane. He designed the house as a setting for his collection of artifacts, antiquities, and art, and opened it to the public in the early 19th century. At Soane’s request, the museum has remained as close to the original as possible, arrangements of sculpture and architectural artifacts left as he placed them. The Museum is lit by candlelight on the first Tuesday of each month, from 6 until 9pm, but get there by 5:30 because it’s a popular event.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road, London
The world’s greatest museum of art and design, representing over 3000 years of human creativity. In addition to its outstanding free permanent collection, the V&A offers a program of fantastic temporary exhibitions and an extensive events program.
Westminster Abbey
20 Deans Yard, London
Alfie’s Antique Market
13-25 Church Street, London
An antique lover’s institution
Cowshed
19 Portland Road, London
Get a manicure/pedicure/massage in comfy chairs arranged in a circle looking out the windows, and with small TV’s at each station. Or just go for lunch - simple farmhouse-style soups and sandwiches at a long wooden table scattered with newspapers and magazines to look at while you eat.
Harrods
87-135 Brompton Road, London
From its beginnings as a grocer and tea merchant in 1834, this famous department store is a London icon. The exterior looks like a castle, while the interior boasts seven floors of luxury merchandise, from haute couture to tea cups. I’ve seen Harrods aptly described as “retail theatre.” Don’t miss the Food Hall - a feast for the eyes even if you’re not buying groceries. There’s over 25 restaurants, but be sure to treat yourself to a traditional British high tea in the elegant Tea Room.
Harvey Nichols
190-125 Knightsbridge Road, London
Known as “Harvey Nicks” to the locals, this department store has eight floors of beauty, fashion, food and home decor. Join the ladies-who-lunch in the fab fifth floor café.
John Boyd Hats
16 Beauchamp Place, London
Labour and Wait
85 Redchurch Street, London
Timeless, functional products for daily life - from kitchenware, to hardware, to clothing, to stationery. Martha Stewart would love this store for it’s classic homekeeping supplies.
Liberty London
Regent Street, London
Don’t miss this magnificent Tudor building with its rich history - wander up and down the timeworn wooden stairs to shop for anything and everything made in the famous Liberty prints, as well as contemporary designer clothing and table ware. Liberty also continues the company’s tradition of promoting new designers.
Luytens and Rubinstein Bookstore
21 Kensington Park Road, London
My favorite bookstore. “Founded in 2009 by established literary agents, the Lutyens & Rubinstein Bookshop sells fiction and general non-fiction with special sections for children’s books, poetry and art books. The core stock was put together by canvassing hundreds of readers – writers, publishing contacts, friends (both adults and children) about which books they would most like to find in a bookshop. Every book stocked has its place because somebody loves it and has recommended it.”
Margaret Howell
111 Fulham Road, London
Beautifully made, contemporary classic clothes for women and men. They also have a gorgeous collection of furniture and home decor.
Myriad Antiques
131 Portland Road , London
Great little antique shop across from Cowshed
Notting HIll
Notting Hill, London
An area in West London, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea most well-known for Portobello Market, which runs every day except Sundays, and the Notting Hill carnival, held every year on the last weekend in August.
Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London
Saturday market - antiques, crafts, curiosities. Get there early to avoid the crowds.
Spitalfields Market
Brushfield Street, London
Saturday Style Market 11-5 - original designs from local artists
Stumper & Fielding
107 Portobello Road, London
Summerhill & Bishop
100 Portland Road, London
Gorgeous selection of tableware, decorative accessories, and kitchenware.
Langham Hotel
1C Portland Place, Regent Street, London
Number Sixteen
16 Sumner Place , London
