London, for me, is less about rushing between landmarks and more about returning to my favourite, local places, rituals and routines.
This can look like so many things: a perfectly prepared matcha, wandering through the gardens, a beautiful bookshop, flowers from one of the longest standing stalls on the street.
These are some of the places I return to, in a place I once called home. When I think about what they have in common, its integrity, quality, and community - all the things that make up a life welle lived.
Keiko Uchida
Keiko sources onto the highest grade matcha (including her own blends). It’s so good I wait until I’m in London to replenish my supplies - she’s a true aficionado.
Katrina Phillips Interiors
Katrina is an oracle and has a deep understanding, knowledge, and appreciation for everything she chooses to share with us in her store and in her interior design. Everything’s intentional - a wealth of knowledge coupled with strong intuition - she’s her own visionary and it’s one I love.
Soph London
Went for an extraordinarily nurturing session with Soph and found her to be exceptional - Lymph is my thing, so if you’re wondering what Soph does and why, here’s a little breakdown. She’s a master! The Body by Soph Method:
- Moves the body out of fight or flight and into rest and repair
- Focuses on two key systems: nervous system + lymphatic system
- Supports lymph flow to help remove waste and maintain fluid balance
- Uses light, controlled touch to calm the nervous system
- Breathwork helps regulate stress and promote relaxation
- Music supports a calm, safe environment for the body to respond
- Helps reduce inflammation, bloating, and fluid retention
- Encourages physical and mental release
- Works with the body’s natural systems to restore balance
Chelsea Physic Garden
One of my favourite places in London. Founded in 1673, this extraordinary apothecary garden is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Britain, originally created for the study of medicinal plants. What moves me most is the living knowledge here — ancient plant wisdom that continues to inform modern medicine. For me, it’s less about the shop and more about walking slowly, reading every sign, and remembering how much nature already knows.
Jagged Art, Marylebone
Not all great art lives in major institutions. Jagged Art feels like an intimate discovery — a place to stumble upon something unexpected and leave thinking differently.
Supermarket of Dreams
Exactly that. A supermarket, yes — but also theatre. Extraordinary produce, supporting independent producers, glorious music, and a sense of abundance that feels joyful and very alive. It’s expensive, certainly — but this is quality over quantity. I made the most delicious salad here using only what looked freshest and in season. Recipe to come.
Maggie Jones’s
A British Classic - old-world English comfort exactly as it should be. Cosy, nostalgic, delightfully cluttered in the best way. Don’t miss the bread and butter pudding — and if you can, ask for Princess Margaret’s little corner nook.
House of Frankincense
Frankincense is a deep dive and if you’re into that - this is the place for you - full of integrity and the art of frequency, check this little gem out!
Daunt Books, Marylebone
A bookshop exactly as a bookshop should be. Informed staff, extraordinary curation, and one of the most beautiful interiors in London. I can lose hours here.
Portobello Road
Friday mornings are when the real magic happens. Vintage under canvas, proper discoveries, fewer tourists. Skip the weekends unless you’re willing to rise very early on Saturday with the antique dealers, who begin arriving at 6am. The early bird absolutely catches the worm.
Klear Labs Café
Klear Labs' food ethos is rooted in Nordic x Japanese precision and seasonality. Every dish is designed to nourish — low-carb, grain-free, sugar-free — without ever compromising on flavour. They work with whole, organic ingredients, adaptogens, and superfoods to create food that fuels both body and mind. Get their Collagen or Keto Cookie.
Clarke’s
A London institution. Beautifully understated, elegant without trying too hard. Lucian Freud used to lunch here every day, and I still remember having coffee with him. One of those places with genuine history in the walls.
The Flower Stand Chelsea
Treat yourself to some flowers and say hi to the gorgeous Adam from me if he’s there!
The Bathhouse London
As soon as I touch down in London I head straight to the bathhouse. Deep Russian wisdom and ancient healing, all wrapped up in a luxurious environment that combines traditional practices and English finery. There is no better way to combat jet lag than a russian banya, scrub, and cold plunge.
Chutney Mary
Sophisticated Indian dining at its finest. London does Indian cuisine extraordinarily well, and this remains one of the greats.
Lock & Co. Hatters
The oldest hat shop in the world and a masterclass in craftsmanship. There’s something wonderfully timeless about places that continue doing one thing exceptionally well.
Josh Wood
My original colour master. London hair at the very highest level.
Oxygen Beauty
For impeccably done nails.
Nina Morris
Beautiful bespoke tailoring that understands both femininity and structure. Some of my favourite suits have come from Nina.
The Twenty Two
My dream hotel! Both beautiful and staff that feel like family. Opulent and cozy, fun and groovy - best pics from the menu are the lemon pasta and little gem salad, and polenta chips. This might be my favorite hotel in the world.
Daylesford
The English version of Erewhon. Beautiful produce, thoughtful food to go, elevated simplicity. I always leave inspired.
Lidgates
When I was living in London I would only shop at Lidgates for the boys' protein. The best lamb chops and they still talk about it.
Pebble
Pebble feels like one of those rare London discoveries that reminds you why the city remains such a magnet for the culturally curious. What began as a search for semi-precious stones in India has evolved into a deeply considered world of objects, jewellery, and adornment sourced from across the globe — Africa, Thailand, South America, China — yet nothing about it feels overly polished or contrived. The philosophy is simple and rather wonderful: you cannot improve on nature. That ethos is felt in everything.
The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum
The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in South Kensington is open late every Friday until 10pm, when there’s less crowds and it’s easier to meet people. It’s super groovy.
Anderson & Sheppard
Anderson & Sheppard has made men's bespoke suits on Savile Row since 1906. In 2011, they opened the Haberdashery, on Clifford Street around the corner. Now that they’re bigger they’ve graduated to Anderson Shepard suits and accessories - where did the time go.
Melissa Odabash
My friend and fellow “Californian beach girl”. Nobody knows how to make the perfect bikini like Melissa and it’s all I’ve worn for the last 30 years - check out the Elle Cowboy, you’ll have seen me wear it in so many photos.
Chai Guys Notting Hill
Gabriel and Abhilash made a pilgrimage to the streets of Delhi in search of the perfect Chai. They talked to chaiwallahs and tea growers and returned home with suitcases filled with tea leaves and opened their very own tea store - today it’s one of the best in London!
I hope you get to experience some of my favourite places on your next visit, or if you’re a local and haven’t yet tried these gems, please make sure you do.
