the workspace peopleMayfair is one of the city’s most desirable addresses, whether you are a London resident, business owner, retailer, or entertainment mogul.
With a well-established heritage, this area is known as being quintessentially British while boasting high class style and a touch of eccentricity. The area is filled with independent shops and restaurants, many of which have been part of Mayfair for decades and even centuries in some cases. Nestled between its glamorous streets you can find quiet gardens, beautiful old churches and exciting pockets of art and culture, including the new Gagosian Art Gallery, currently under construction on Grosvenor Hill.
Photos by @urbanpixxels. Dutch expat + photographer + travel blogger living in London. Bit of a foodie and coffee addict.
Jacintha Verdegaal, Urban Pixxels
Mayfair is well known for its busy and vibrant atmosphere, elegant hotels and a variety of restaurants offering sophisticated cuisines from traditional English to classic French. In one of London’s most exclusive area, you will find a selection of Michelin starred restaurants and trendy bars meaning you are spoiled for choice when eating and drinking in Mayfair. Choose from light meals, exquisite fine dining, tasty brunches and mouth-watering afternoon teas.
Burger and Lobster, as the name suggests, mixes the best of both worlds. The first restaurant was founded in the heart of Mayfair and due to the popularity of the simple and affordable menu, other branches have been launched across London. The delicious burgers are made with corn-fed cattle from the rolling hills of Nebraska, while the lobster is flown alive from the Atlantic Ocean and kept fresh in the restaurant.
WebsiteClaridge’s is one of London’s most gorgeous Art Deco jewels. It has offered an award-winning afternoon tea for over a century, combining classic finger sandwiches, warm scones and sweet pastries. The afternoon tea is served with a choice of teas from all over the world, carefully selected by a tea connoisseur.
WebsiteFor a classic French meal with a modern twist, you must visit Two-Michelin-starred, Le Gavroche by masterchef Michel Roux Jr. The beautifully crafted dishes are matched to an extensive wine list, so you can enjoy every mouthful of that ‘old-school’ fine dining has to offer. Each dish as tempting as the next, sautéed lobsters with lemon-grass and coconut infused lobster jus is one particular ‘must-try’ combination.
WebsiteIf you prefer Chinese fine dining, Princess Garden of Mayfair is a superb choice for authentic Pekinese dishes, such as lobster, shark’s fin and Peking duck. A leading Hong Kong head chef is in charge of preparing dishes with distinctive Chinese flavours and traditional rich texture. A selection of steamed, fried and grilled dim sums can be found in a variety of seafood and meat fillings, for the perfect lunch or evening meal out.
WebsiteHelene Darroze at the Connaught is another must-try restaurant in Mayfair. French cuisine is served in a sophisticated and elegant setting by Two-Michelin-starred chef, Helene Darroze. Rustic yet refined dishes, such as foie gras and venison, are served in the historic dining room with wooden panelling and floral ceilings. It is a chosen destination for business lunches and Saturday brunches.
WebsiteFood and drink courtesy of @mulia Italian foodie in London – Blogger – Baker – Coffee lover, Photographer & Traveller
Giulia Mulè, Mondo Mulia
Nestled amongst the residential property, exclusive shops and restaurants, you can get pampered at the finest spas, be inspired by the latest technologies in the gym, or stretch and lengthen your muscles with a pilates or dance session. Discover a new place or way to work out and then wind down next door to some of London’s finest streets.
This may be THE place to learn to dance! The entire timetable can be accessed whether you choose drop in or membership options. It’s a hub for dance industry professionals, but also caters for those of us who are new to the ‘one, two step’. They don’t have a gym, but do offer fitness classes and you can even borrow a set of weights to get some strength work in.
WebsiteLocated on the top floor of the hotel, Claridge’s Health Club & Spa offers a tranquil and peaceful environment with stunning views to match. The sumptuous Claridge’s beauty treatment rooms are a calm sanctuary where you can relax completely and emerge refreshed, rejuvenated and glowing. Claridge’s gym is airy and energising with everything you would require to meet your fitness goals. You can also book one to one sessions with a Personal Trainer, lasting between 30 and 90 minutes.
WebsiteJust a few minutes from Oxford Circus tube you’ll find this light, airy and stylish studio. Choose from dynamic reformer Pilates (beginner, intermediate and advanced levels), HIIT (high intensity interval training), Pilates circuits, jump board and personal training. This studio also offers sports massage facilities to release sore, tired muscles.
WebsiteHyde Park is one of the capital’s eight Royal Parks. The park is relatively flat, covering 350 acres but makes up for it with sheer space and variety of scenery. Hyde Park boasts a boating lake, horse track, open water swimming, boating, cycling, tennis, meaning there’s something on offer for everyone. Failing that, just find a spot and watch the world go by!
WebsiteSituated in the heart of Cavendish Square, just minutes away from Oxford Circus tube, this studio boasts a positive atmosphere and a class to suit your every need. Barre classes are a mix of interval training and static stretches to work every muscle in your body. Each 60-minute workout also improves posture and alignment, no matter what your fitness level.
WebsiteThis place could change your life; especially if you’re looking to commute by bike or run. They offer a secure bike park with shower and changing facilities in addition to indoor cycling classes, run club and a timetable full of fitness classes. With friendly staff and motivational trainers, you’d better get your trainers on and plan a reason to run or cycle into town!
WebsiteXtend Barre classes fuse elements of dance, ballet and Pilates, to strengthen, lengthen and chisel your body. Each class features an elegant yet energetic combination of moves that challenge your core and help to develop a long, lean physique. No matter what your fitness level and irrespective of whether you can touch your toes or not, classes are suitable for everyone. Grab your grippy socks and book yourself in; your first session is complimentary.
WebsiteGreen Park is the smallest of London’s eight Royal Parks, bordering the south side of Mayfair. Its 40 acres of trees and green land is right on the doorstep of Buckingham Palace. Hire a deckchair (March-October) for picnics or sunbathing, or use the space for yoga or boot-camp. You might even want to take on part of The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk stretching seven miles, the choice is yours!
WebsiteHealth and wellbeing courtesy of @keepitsimpElle. Health & Fitness blogger | Personal Trainer. Triathlete in the making!
Elle, Keep it simpElle
Mayfair is arguably one of the most exclusive areas to shop in London and boasts a truly luxurious feel when visiting the stores on offer. Bond Street is full of all the big name designer stores such as Dolce & Gabbana, Smythson and Hermes while South Molton Street is where you’ll find something a little more unique when visiting the more unique fashion boutiques. Ensure to look out for the art galleries too, they are filled with some must-see, beautiful pieces.
Fenwick of Bond Street originally opened its doors way back in 1891. Over the years it has doubled in size and now hosts over five floors of fashion, beauty and home-ware. The fashion floors include clothing from top designers, Joseph, MaxMara and Orla Kiely. A great place to shop to escape the busy department stores of neighbouring Oxford Street.
WebsiteIf you’re a fan of pump shoes then Pretty Ballerinas has you covered. The store stocks some of the most beautiful premium pump shoes in all manner of colours and designs. They also stock accessories and even children’s pumps and shoes too, making it a great place for mothers and daughters to go shopping together.
WebsiteKnown for their exquisite jewellery, you’re sure to find the perfect gift in Thomas Sabo. The store on South Molton Street is the brand’s biggest store in the UK and exclusively stocks the Thomas Sabo fine jewellery collection, making it one in five of the only places in the world that stocks it. You will also find the Rebel at Heart collections and watch collections here too.
WebsiteVictoria’s Secret is located on the corner of New Bond Street and was the first European flagship store when it came to London in 2012. In the windows they display the famous Victoria’s Secret angel outfits and wings from the runway. Inside you will find three floors of underwear, sleepwear, loungewear, accessories and beauty and also a private shopping lounge on the top floor.
WebsiteThe windows of Butler & Wilson on South Molton Street are filled with sparkly jewellery and accessories that you simply won’t be able to take your eyes off. Butler & Wilson is where you will find some of the greatest costume jewellery and accessories you will ever see. Inside is a jewellery magpie’s heaven, with pieces adorned on the shelves that are not for the faint hearted.
WebsiteThe Burlington Arcade connects Bond Street to Piccadilly and is a straight line of shops that has become the iconic shopping destination in Mayfair. Inside you will discover high class jewellery stores, such as Theo Fennel and other more unique jewellers with a selection of Art Deco pieces. There are also small branches of top branded stores, like Chanel, Penhaligons and Lulu Guinness.
WebsiteShopping courtesy of @TheLDNDiaries your source of all things fashion, beauty, lifestyle, food and then some.
Paula Holmes, The LDN Diaries
Mayfair has a wide range of must-see places waiting to be discovered, many of which often house a treasure trove of unique stories and experiences. Explore some of our top recommendations below and get the insiders’ take on Mayfair’s hidden gems.
In 2010, a comprehensive revitalisation turned Mount Street into one of the city’s most exclusive shopping streets. Now containing brands like Marc Jacobs and Christian Louboutin, taking a wander along the street is like having front row seats at London Fashion Week. Tucked beneath Mount Street however is Mount Street Gardens; a calm, green oasis, filled with artworks and plenty of benches, in which you can take refuge if all the shopping gets too much.
WebsiteThe London Underground has several ‘ghost stations’, where trains still whistle past empty platforms. You can visit the shuttered entrance to one such station, on Down Street. This station once served as wartime offices for Winston Churchill, after the station was formally closed. These days a blank door conceals the entrance to the disused station and a non-descript newsagent has taken up residence next door, but the history down below remains.
WebsiteBlink and you’ll miss the Handel House Museum, hiding up above Aspinal of London, on Brook Street. Only a blue plaque on the front of the building hints it might hold more than a shop. Head down narrow Lancashire Court and you will find the entrance to this remarkable little museum, which contains portraits of the musician among restored Georgian interiors. The museum was Handel’s home for over 35 years before his death in 1759.
WebsiteWith the bustle of Oxford Street to the north of Mayfair, a hidden garden on top of an electricity substation is the last thing you’d expect to find in this area. Brown Hart Gardens were originally provided for the residents of the Peabody Estate apartments that surround this elevated terrace. The gardens were restored and reopened to the public in 2007 and there’s now a café up on the terrace too.
WebsiteIn 2010, a comprehensive revitalisation turned Mount Street into one of the city’s most exclusive shopping streets. Now containing brands like Marc Jacobs and Christian Louboutin, taking a wander along the street is like having front row seats at London Fashion Week. Tucked beneath Mount Street however is Mount Street Gardens; a calm, green oasis, filled with artworks and plenty of benches, in which you can take refuge if all the shopping gets too much.
WebsiteHidden gems courtesy of @AccidentalLDNr. Urban blogger. Londoner. Gin enthusiast.
Flora Tonking, The Accidental Londoner
Mayfair is a largely commercial area, with many former homes converted into offices to provide major corporation headquarters for embassies, hedge funds and real estate businesses.
Offices starting from £950
Offices starting from £900
Offices starting from £750
