24 hours in London for Frieze
London is calling: Frieze is back. Artists and aesthetes rejoice. It's a five-day extravaganza and, dare we say it, the world’s greatest contemporary art fair. In a city with flair, innovation and creativity, the art cognoscenti come out to play. Though our Frieze guide ventures a little beyond legendary Regent’s Park, you’re never too far!
With just 24 hours in this booming metropolis of creativity, here are the crème de la crème of oat cap cafés, wine bars, fine ol' sharing plate spots and, naturally, some of the most exciting exhibitions, design and film collaborations. Boy, have we got the roundup for you!
Beaverbrook Town House
Just a morning amble through Hyde Park, or a quick Lime bike cycle through the charming Marylebone, and you'll arrive at the artistic hub that is Beaverbrook Town House. It's close enough to Frieze's bustling exhibition programme yet has enough distance to escape the chaos.
Café Vins
A leisurely morning is key; ease into the day with a morning caffeine fix at this ever-so-chic coffee bar-cum-reading room.
64 Goodge Street
With baserri chicken long-aged in the Pays Basque, cod doused in Café de Paris butter and some irresistibly-good roquefort on the menu, lunch must be at 64 Goodge Street this week. If there's ever a moment for a hearty lunch, it's Frieze.
Hector's
Hop on your bike for a drink at Hector's. Here, natural wine reigns supreme, so you'll have no problem narrowing down that glass of orange. Trust Hector's to hunt down that perfect vintage in their seemingly ceaseless cellar room.
Sessions Arts Club
If you don't manage to nab a ticket for SAC's 90-seat pop-up at Frieze for a leisurely lunch or early dinner, head to the dining room in Clerkenwell's Sessions House for a melange of sharing plates. Girolle & corn risotto, oysters, anchovy and apple marigold...everyone will want the last bite.
Bambi
After a full day in the city, Bambi is the perfect marriage of good music and good drinks. But hey! There's nothing TOO crazy. With Charlie Dark curating an epic mix of tunes, expect the hi-fidelity sound system to be pumping.
Hollybush Gardens
Though Clerkenwell may not pop to mind when we think of London's gallery scene, a trip to Hollybush Gardens is a must. They're bringing Cynthia Hawkins, Lubaina Humid and Bruno Pacheco to the fair, so stop by the stall to catch them or pop by the gallery to view Charlie Prodger's Cardinal Beams.
Hauser & Wirth
Ok, ok. It might not be you "getting creative", you'll gather inspiration for your own artistic pursuits when you catch George Rouy's debut solo exhibition, The Bleed, Part 1, and Jack Whitten's iconic abstract paper works at Hauser & Wirth.
The Regent's Park
Struggling for time? Need to squeeze more hours into the day? Save that intense workout for the next London trip and spring for a stroll in beautiful Regent's Park.
VIV ARTS: Controlled Burn
Step away from the classical and head to Controlled Burn. Julian Charrière and VIV Arts are producing an absolute smasher. It's time to get immersive. The journey may begin at Welsh Chapel in Soho, but it will whisk you away on a disorientating trip through the cosmos.
Hannah Rees-Middleton
Wild swimming. Natural wine. Excellent exhibitions. And glorious country walks. These are a few of our editor Hannah Rees-Middleton’s favourite things. Whether she’s bouncing around Mexico, paddling through the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond or ogling another mound of butter at a fabulous supper club, Hannah is always in the midst of something cool. A consummate planner, a lover of beautiful things, a traveller never without a camera and a deck of cards. Hannah is many things (including the perfect resource for perfect travel tips).
