Slap bang in the centre of London, Mayfair is one of the city’s most exclusive districts. It’s bordered by some of the most visited tourist destinations in London too, with London’s largest park, Hyde Park, to the West; the iconic shopping destination of Oxford Street to the East; and Piccadilly and Regent Street to the South and North, both steeped in history. Within Mayfair there’s so much to see that it would be impossible to complete it all in a day, even with an unlimited budget. However, we’ve collated some of the most quintessentially Mayfair experiences to help you see the best of this world-famous district. Stuff your wallets, dress to impress, it’s time to hit one of the most expensive postcodes out there.
Live Like Royalty at Apsley House
Kicking things off with a bit of history is always recommended in London, as the city is full of historical wonders that must be seen. Apsley House is the venue for the first part of your adventure, a stunning Georgian building that used to be owned by the Duke of Wellington. He bought the house in 1817 for his brother to live in and spent tens of thousands of pounds on its renovation. The great architect Benjamin Wyatt was given free reign to create a truly opulent interior, splashing out on the incredible State Dining Room, which remains largely unchanged to this day. It was in this room that the Waterloo Buffet was held each year, a star-studded event with royalty and nobles in attendance.
The public can still enjoy the exquisite collections of silver and porcelain in this room, as well as one of London’s richest art collections on display throughout the entirety of the house. In total there are more than 3,000 items that the 7th Duke bequeathed to the Great British public upon his death in 1943, each of which is available to view at the house and has been immaculately cared for by English Heritage over the years. Despite certainly being the most important address on your itinerary, tickets are easily the most affordable part of the day, costing just £12.80 for adults.
Dress the Part on Savile Row
Whilst Savile Row is certainly more of an attraction for men than for women, the emergence of women’s tailors means that this experience can still be enjoyed by anybody, as long as they’re comfortable wearing a suit. Savile Row is arguably the most famous street for suits in the world, so famous that the Japanese word for suit is Sabiro; when you say it aloud the origin immediately becomes clear. This street is home to no less than forty different stores, each offering bespoke tailoring. There’s a huge amount of choice, from the modern tailors, to those who’ve created garments for the Queen, to those who’ve been in the very same shop for hundreds of years.
Bringing sophistication, precision craftsmanship and decades of experience, the shop for today’s itinerary is Richard Anderson’s. The eponymously named shop was first owned by a tailor who set up shop on his own after working as the head pattern cutter at Huntsman tailor’s shop. Their measurements remain as precise as ever, with just one sixteenth of an inch being the standard accuracy required by anyone who works here. You’ll be measured from head to toe, choose your fabrics, lining and buttons, then be asked to come back when your suit is ready. Everyone in the store specialises in one item of the suit, whether that’s the collar, the lining, or even the pocket squares. For this reason, the suits are fairly pricey with a two piece costing just shy of £6,000.
Pay a Visit to Crockfords
After a day’s shopping there’s only one way to finish the evening and that’s with a little fun and games. Keeping with the historical theme, we’re going to visit one of London’s most historic gaming spots, Crockfords. Although Crockfords doesn’t take the title of the oldest casino in Europe, as that goes to a 17th-century one in Venice, it is certainly the oldest in London and without a doubt the most exclusive. Opened in 1828, Crockfords has been catering to the gaming needs of Mayfair’s most elite gentlemen ever since.
Nowadays it is owned by the Genting group and requires membership to enter, but on a budget-busting weekend that should come as no surprise. Once inside the casino, you can enjoy any of the table games your heart desires, as well as recline in the beautiful leather armchairs to watch the sport, or indulge in a drink or snack. Their bar and restaurant is open continuously and provides freshly made cocktails, an incredible selection of spirits from across the world, and truly world-class food. The perfect ending to a luxurious day out.
