As in any great city, each neighborhood in London tells its own story. Wander through West End and Covent Garden, anchored by landmarks like Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, and Trafalgar Square. Slip into the village-style enclaves of Notting Hill and Marylebone, or embrace the vibrancy of Camden Town, where street markets, art galleries, and style create an ever-changing community.

From charming parks and gardens to the latest culinary gems, navigate London with our curated guide, inspired by Assouline's newest Chic Series title that honors the remarkable capital.

Left: The King's Guard outside Buckingham Palace. Right: The Pertersham Nurseries greenhouse restaurant is a charming spot for tea. Photos by Mark Anthony Fox.

Cultural Corners

Since 1959, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club has hosted major jazz artists to the likes of Miles Davis and Zoot Sims, while the Old Vic Theatre continues its tradition of classic performances such as their annual production of A Christmas Carol. 

For opera and ballet, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden remains unmatched. Its red velvet and golden horseshoe auditorium hosts world-class productions, including this fall's Tosca and Like Water for Chocolate.

The London National Gallery houses masterpieces from da Vinci to Van Gogh, while Tate Britain spans five centuries of British art, from Barbara Hepworth to Francis Bacon and beyond.

Literary Escapes

Begin at Daunt Books, where travel literature adorns the walls under oak galleries and stained glass. The celebrated Edwardian bookshop on Marylebone High Street organizes its collection by country, making it the perfect spot to plan your next adventure.

Spend your afternoon at Maison Assouline, our London flagship, where art, fashion and lifestyle titles are displayed in a gallery-like setting. Afterward, settle into Swans Bar for craft cocktails amid a literary atmosphere that reimagines the traditional cocktail club for the modern world.

Photos by Mark Anthony Fox.

Culinary Adventures

Jeremy King's The Park elevates British dining with seasonal menus in elegant surroundings, while The Dove offers modern European cuisine that feels innovative and familiar. For something completely different, Carniceria Los Andes brings authentic South American flavors to London's culinary landscape.

Mount St. Restaurant serves cuisine inspired by London's culinary heritage. The restaurant is adorned with over 200 artworks, including pieces by Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse, and Lucian Freud.

End your evening at L'oscar, a boutique hotel near Covent Garden designed by Jacques Garcia that transforms evening cocktails into a theatrical experience.

Shopping with Character

Burlington Arcade dazzles, selling everything from cashmere to handmade chocolates beneath its Regency glass roof. Liberty London enchants with its Tudor Revival façade and mix of fashion, beauty and homeware, while Harrods remains the ultimate department store destination: excessive, and completely English in its design.

For rare finds, step into Alice's antique shop on Portobello Road, where you'll find some of the best vintage treasures. If the world of art is more your speed, check out L. Cornelissen & Son, a boutique that has supplied paints, canvases and brushes to British artists for over 190 years, including Rex Whistler and Aubrey Beardsley.

Left: The façade of Alice’s Antique Shop on Portobello Road. Right: Queen Mary's Rose Gardens in Regent's Park. Photos by Mark Anthony Fox.

Hidden Gems

The Barbican Conservatory shelters a lush canopy of tropical plants within London's concrete jungle, perfect for a morning stroll. 

For a change of scenery, visit Petersham Nurseries in Richmond (take a 30 minute train ride from Waterloo Station) which offers a different kind of escape, where garden meets seasonal dining in their gorgeous greenhouse restaurant. 

For the discerning smoker, The Davidoff of London on St James's Street pairs fine cigars with rare spirits in an old-world setting steeped in history and warmth.

Where to Stay

At the corner of Carlos Place and Mount Street in Mayfair stands The Connaught, a beacon of London's hospitality. Don't miss their Afternoon Tea, where Chef Jean-Georges reimagines the quintessential British ritual with a modern twist.

London's true elegance reveals itself through infinite possibility, where rich cultural layers combine to offer each visitor their own unique gateway into the essence of Britain.

Discover London
All Books Swans Bar
$30 USD
The Classics Collection London Chic
$120 USD
The Legends Collection Francis Bacon by Francis Giacobetti
$250 USD

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