Ben Goldsmith

This gorgeous spot may be a bit old-fashioned, but it's also definitely the best spot in town to see and be seen. Dine upstairs before heading down for an evening of cocktails and boogying.

Although it’s largely a flat city, London does have a handful of vantage points with sweeping views: Frank’s famous car park café in Peckham looking north to the City, and from Alexandra Palace looking south. But the slope of Primrose Hill acts as a natural amphitheatre with views across Westminster towards the river. On a summer evening there are few nicer places to head with a picnic blanket and a bottle of wine. 

Even on a rainy day, this green space, which spans the Borough of Camden and the City of Westminster, is a wonderful place for a stroll. There are stunning rose gardens, oodles of running trails and a zoo that Charles Darwin visited to study an orangutan named Jenny. Check out the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in summer for its award-winning performances in a magical setting. 

The Spurstowe Arms is an avant-garde pub that serves Modern European and classic Brit dishes. Of course, we recommend their Sunday Roast but also suggest that you visit them for a Margarita on the rocks or a Bellini Spritz on their gorgeous terrace. 

It took six French polishers eight weeks to revive the woodwork in this next-generation Mayfair boozer from Hauser & Wirth owners Artfarm. It’s part pub, part contemporary gallery, and the ceiling, painted a kaleidoscopic patchwork, offsets all the dark panelling. There are craft beers on tap – and on the wall, the latter in a work by Canadian artist Rodney Graham. A pioneer of the new breed of British publicans putting a spotlight on the bits that work and giving everything else a good scrub.

Every culture vulture should visit this iconic landmark at least once. It's known for its stunning dome, rich history and for hosting one or the other royal weddings. If you like architecture you will LOVE St. Paul's Cathedral. 

LA-born Larry Gagosian is one of the biggest gallerists in the world – with not one but three spaces in Mayfair alone. There’s a charming gallery-bookshop inside Burlington Arcade that’s worth checking out, but it’s the double-height Grosvenor Hill spot that tends to show the most interesting works – from Willem de Kooning to Damien Hirst and Takashi Murakami.

Through some humble-looking black painted doors in Clerkenwell is the emporium of art and design that is Hollybush Gardens. The temporary exhibitions are remarkably curated and simultaneously interdisciplinary. Pop by for a performance or lecture, and swing by the shop before you leave. You're sure to find a book you never knew you needed.