Where to Stay
The Connaught
To understand that unique British brand of luxury and elegance, the best place to stay is the pristinely restored century-old hostelry in the center of Mayfair that is actually affordable.
Morning Activity
Portobello Road
Head to this Notting Hill market early on Saturdays (it opens at 9 a.m.) to beat the throngs seeking everything from porcelain and silver to vintage clothing and antique garden tools.
Afternoon Activity
London Eye
Get the lay of the land from the big wheel—the essential view of London, which gets 3.5 million customers every year. You can see 25 miles from the top of the Eye—as far as Windsor Castle if the sky is clear.
Dinner and Evening Activity
The Wolseley
It’s the all-day English brasserie where the buzz never fades and the people-watching can’t be beat.
Ceremony of the Keys
The nightly shuttering of the Tower of London is great fun and history in one. Order tix well in advance by mail.