The Glam Girl’s Guide to London

As any proper Anglophile is fully aware, it is never a bad time to visit London. Forget what you heard about the rainy, foggy weather. This vibrant metropolis has got everything you need for a perfect urban getaway, from cutting-edge theatre and fashion, to creative restaurants and hip nightlife. Throw in a few British hallmarks such as the Royal jewels and afternoon tea, and you’ve got a perfectly refined, slightly whimsical vacay. So, after you’ve crossed Big Ben and Parliament off your to-do list, be sure to hit these hot spots on your next trip across the pond.

Hippest Afternoon Tea: The Sanderson London. The Ritz may set the standard for this British tradition, but for a more unconventional—and arguably more amusing—experience, try the Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson London in Fitzrovia. There in a pretty outdoor courtyard you’ll find menus hidden inside vintage books, teapots adorned with monarchs, pastries and savories decorated with birdcages and clocks, and teas named after characters in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. There’s even a gluten-free menu for those shunning carbs. And if you prefer your caffeine with a little edge, wait until the sun sets for the Mad Hatter’s Tipsy Evening Tea, complete with alcohol-infused cakes and floral cocktails.

The takeaway: Leftovers (if there are any) packed in an adorable souvenir box or, if you’re feeling nostalgic after you’ve arrived home, an authentic Wonderland tea set you can order directly from Luna & Curious.

Chicest Hotel: Zetter Townhouse Marylebone. The sister hotel of the Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell is quirky in the most stylish way. Designed to feel like the private residence of a notorious fictional ancestor—the gambling, jet-setting Wicked Uncle Seymour—the eco-friendly Georgian townhouse (which was once the home of poet Edward Lear) is strewn with antique furniture and artsy curiosities that supposedly came from Seymour’s Grand Tour of Europe. The 19 rooms and three suites feature equally eclectic decor and oversize beds, while the penthouse apartment boasts a rooftop bathtub. If you can tear yourself from your room, indulge in a bespoke cocktail in the clubby lounge, enjoy a boozy afternoon tea in the lounge, or chow down on organic, locally sourced fare in the breakfast room.

The takeaway: Luxurious REN toiletries swiped from your well-appointed room.

Best City Oasis: Holland Park. Here in this lush, 55-acre space you’ll find shady trails for strolling, a fenced-in play area with a zip line and giant see-saw, and a Japanese-style Kyoto Garden where several resident peacocks strut their stuff as if they own the joint. The park surrounds a Jacobean mansion, Holland House, named after its second owner, the Earl of Holland, whose wife was the first person in England to successfully grow dahlias. In the 19th century, Holland House became a hub of political and literary activity, visited by Disraeli and Lord Byron amongst others, but was largely destroyed by bombs during WWII. These days, dahlias are still grown within the park, which also contains an open-air theatre and opera for al fresco entertainment.

The takeaway: A video of yourself gleefully descending the zip line in the children’s playground. Go when school’s in session to avoid the kiddie crowds—not to mention the disapproving glances from those proper English nannies.

Best Street for Hipster Gazing: Lamb’s Conduit Street. This drag’s got it all: Artsy boutiques. Artisan coffee shops. Cute resident dogs with designer collars. Shopping is as friendly as it gets on this partially pedestrianised street in Bloomsbury, as shop owners are often seen chatting up passersby and even dispensing free wine to customers. The brainchild of an architect and interior designer, Pentreath & Hall (17 Rugby Street) is a nostalgic interiors shop packed with ceramics, fabrics and knick-knacks made by local artistans. Women’s clothing shop Folk (53 Lamb’s Conduit) is the place to get luxurious jumpsuits and outerwear. Persephone Books (59 Lamb’s Conduit) is a unique publishing house that champions forgotten female authors. After shopping, refuel at Ciao Bella (86-90 Lamb’s Conduit), a favourite local Italian, then throw back a pint at the Lamb (94 Lamb’s Consuit) or Perseverance (63 Lamb’s Conduit), both classic local pubs.

The takeaway: An art print or a quirky alphabet brush pot (a.k.a., personalized crystal tumbler) from Pentreath & Hall.

Best Department Store: Liberty London. What exactly is a department store, you may ask, as many giant retailers have closed their doors in this age of online shopping. well, Liberty London on Regent Street has still got it going on, as locals and tourists alike flock to its thoughtfully curated, up-to-the-moment selection of fashion, housewares, fabrics and signature-print gift items. What makes this London retail landmark so dynamic is its ever-changing assortment of designer collaborations on everything from pottery to pocket scarves, proving that department stores can still be cool.

The takeaway: A breezy scarf in one of the store’s signature floral prints.

Best City Views: The Shard. While killer views aren’t hard to come by in this town (the London Eye observation wheel and the top of the Tate Modern are two of our favorite London lookout spots), the city’s highest viewing platform is technically the 95-story skyscraper The Shard. Designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano and inaugurated in 2012, the building stands an impressive 1,016 feet high and is the fifth tallest structure in Europe. Twenty-five pounds buys you a ticket to The View from The Shard, which includes a ride up to a glass pyramid tower and access to an open-air observation deck on the 72nd floor. After taking in the panoramic views, satisfy your food and/or fashion fix among the many restaurants and shops strewn throughout the building.

The takeaway: A Shard snow globe pen for only 6 pounds.

Best Restaurant For Seeing and Being Seen: The Wolseley. A favorite hangout of the fashion and media crowd, The Wolseley (160 Piccadilly) offers modern European food and sexy-yet-subdued glamour from breakfast to late-night. Come in the morning for the double-chocolate brioche, in the afternoon for traditional tea, or at night for oysters and Coq au Vin. Got show tickets? After curtain closing, pop in for cocktails and finger food. The building, with its high ceilings and Art Deco decor, was built in the 1920s as a car showroom and was later a bank before turning into the foodie hotspot it is today. Even the souvenir shop, which stocks everything from tiny teapots to gift baskets and champagne, is a highly anticipated destination.

The takeaway: A sleek canister of the Wolseley’s signature English Breakfast Tea, or a copy of the mouth-watering cookbook Breakfast at the Wolseley.

Best Not-So-Touristy Tourist Attraction: The Victoria and Albert Museum. After you’ve done the traditional museum circuit (and who doesn’t adore the British Museum and the National Gallery?) and feel ready for something different, head to the Victoria and Albert Museum in Brompton, the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design. V&A houses a permanent collection of more than 2 million objects spanning 5,000 years—ceramics, glass, textiles, costumes, metals, sculpture, prints, drawings and photos from across the globe. But it’s the museum’s eclectic exhibits that set it apart. With shows like, “You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966-1970” and “Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear,” you are guaranteed to stay interested. Currently, an exhibit of Frida Kahlo’s personal artifacts and a show everyday objects we’ll be using in the future are on the menu.

The takeaway: A signed, unframed fashion print from the museum’s colorful shop makes the perfect lightweight but long-lasting souvenir.

Best Outdoor Market: Borough Market. If you happen to be south of the Thames, soaking up the sites at the Tate Modern, the Globe and the surrounding Southbank area, be sure to hit nearby Borough Market at the north end of the London Bridge. The city’s oldest outdoor market, this place is a kaleidoscope of smells, colors, tastes and textures. Here you’ll find everything from locally grown fruits and veggies to baked goods, spices, condiments, flowers and housewares. Many of the market’s stallholders are themselves producers: the farmer who reared the animal, the fisherman who caught the fish, the baker who baked the bread. Other traders have built their reputations on seeking out small-scale artisan producers and bringing their wares here. Grab a loaf of bread, olives and cheese for an impromptu picnic by the water, or grab a small souvenir from one of the charming home-goods suppliers before heading into one of the market’s cafes for a fish taco and pint of ale.

The takeaway: A packable memento from one of the market’s home-goods stallholders, such as British designer Richard Bramble‘s shellfish-themed kitchen towels or Borough Kitchen‘s stylish linen aprons.

Best Night Spot: Nightjar. Named after a nocturnal bird, this sexy speakeasy is renowned for its live music and meticulously prepared, vintage-inspired cocktails. Located on the edge of Shoreditch—London’s closest version of a Silicon Valley neighborhood—this prohibition-themed bar at 129 City Road offers a healthy dose of old-school glamour. Behind its doors lies an underground chamber where live blues, swing and boss nova take center stage, the Art Deco decor creates a sultry environment, and innovative drinks like the White Tiger’s Milk (a concoction of pisco, cashew tiger’s milk, Ancho Reyes, and sake dashi) help eradicate the day’s stresses. Because the bar has a no-standing policy, you’ll be forced to take a load off and finally relax after a day of heavy-duty sightseeing.

The takeaway: A newfound (or renewed) appreciation for 1920s jazz.