Things to do in Mayfair

• Stroll, cycle or paddle through neighbouring Hyde Park, spotting swans and ducks at the Serpentine Lake on the way.
• March to Marble Arch, the former entrance to Buckingham Palace’s ceremonial courtyard, which was moved to its present location in 1851.
• Meander between the pristine lawns of Grosvenor Square, spot 200-year-old London plane trees at Berkeley Square or hide away at the smaller and secluded Mount Street Gardens.
• Grab a cuppa and rest your feet at the Brown Hart Gardens, a peaceful oasis just a stone’s throw from the busy Oxford Street.

Hangouts for the culture vultures

• Check out the latest blockbuster exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts and don’t miss its annual Summer Exhibition.
• Appreciate more art at Mayfair galleries, from modern and contemporary masters at Michael Werner and at Castle Fine Art, to mixed media at Halcyon Gallery and photography at Hamiltons.
• Spot blue plaques of Jimi Hendrix on Brook Street, Charles X on South Audley Street, Harry Gordon Selfridge at Fitzmaurice Place and more – which showcase the places renowned characters have worked or lived.
• Marvel at the glittering (and very Instagrammable) interiors of Apsley House, housing more than 3,000 stunning artworks.
• Take a seat between Churchill and Roosevelt at the Allies Sculpture on Bond Street.
• Visit the homes of musical innovators from different eras – Frederic Handel and Jimi Hendrix – at Handel & Hendrix in London.
• Wander inside The Grosvenor Chapel, built in the 1730s and usually home to weekly organ and choir concerts.
• Shake it up a little and explore The Faraday Museum, home to 200 years of science history and a workspace for 14 Nobel Prize winners.

The best Mayfair shopping spots

Seek out Mayfair’s main shopping hubs, ranging from high-end brands on Mount Street and Bond Street, quirky shops in Burlington Arcade and independent boutiques along South Molton Street, to Oxford Street's many flagship stores.

Independent boutiques and high-street brands

• Fancy yourself as a rocker? Zadig & Voltaire is the go-to place for French luxury with a rock twist – or find more bold fashion at ERDEM.
• Pick from the tailors along Savile Row for some of the best gentlemen’s garments in the capital.
• Browse one-of-a-kind fashion finds at four-floor Adidas LDN, which sells product collabs and quirky commissions from London artists.
• Turn your shopping experiences upside down as you set foot in French Connection Studios at Duke Street, featuring exclusive threads and behind-the-scenes access.
• Grab real bargains at the Paul Smith Avery Row outlet store.

Find fancy accessories

• Find your fit with jewellery pieces from Annoushka or be greeted by the crocodile handle at Giovanni Raspini’s flagship on South Molton Street.
• Don’t miss out on the dreamy stores of the Burlington Arcade, including the Vintage Watch Company and Manolo Blahnik's boutiques.
• Bag a Balenciaga piece at Mount Street, the fashion house’s first UK store – or complete your look with a handbag from Misela.
• If red soles are more your bag, walk down the block to Christian Louboutin – Mayfair.
• If you’re more into British design, shop for shoes made in London at Gina Shoes.

Uncover uber-cool shops

• Peruse ancient artefacts and centuries-old collectables at Grays Antique Market.
• Learn top photography tips and tricks at Leica Store Mayfair, which features the camera brand’s first in-store Leica Gallery and Leica Akademie in the UK.
• Stock up on show-stopping stationery from Mount Street Printers.
• Pimp your home with The New Craftsmen's collection of crafts from British makers.

Foodies’ shopping favourites

• Tea and coffee aficionados should rush over to H.R. Higgins – this is where the Royals get their coffee fix!
• Or explore the crème de la crème of wines and spirits from across the globe at Hedonism Wines. See if you can find the 27-litre bottle!
• Satisfy your sweet toothed cravings with luxury chocolates and truffles from Charbonnel et Walker at The Royal Arcade.

Top Mayfair restaurants and cafes for your bucket list

Special occasion or a shopping pit stop? Find where to eat in Mayfair, from the affordable to the downright indulgent.

Economical eats

• Tied between a burger and a lobster? Why not have both at Burger & Lobster.
• Shuffle between four floors of quirky Jak’s Mayfair, each with a unique theme and food offering. Pizzas, pastas and sharing plates offer great value.
• Treat your taste buds to street-food style delights at church-turned-eatery Mercato Mayfair, an Instagrammers’ haven.
• Sharing is caring! Mix and match small Italian and Spanish plates at May Fair Kitchen.
• Or take wannabe rockers to the Hard Rock Cafe. After filling up on its famous burgers and American fare, venture to The Vault, the restaurant’s very own rock ’n’ roll museum.

Fancy feasts

• Experience the feel of the elite polo clubs of India at Michelin-starred Gymkhana.
• Be transported north of the border at Boisdale of Mayfair, home to live music, speciality cocktails and Scottish-influenced dishes.
• Take your pick from Sketch’s quirky dining rooms: Sketch: The Gallery, Sketch: The Parlour and Sketch: Lecture Room & Library.
• Gordon Ramsay fan? Don’t miss out on a visit to his Asian eating house, Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay.

Time for... afternoon tea

Celebrate the quintessentially British tradition at Mayfair's best afternoon tea spots. 

• Devour the award-winning afternoon tea at The Palm Court, surrounded by fancy foliage and art deco designs.
• Munch on delicately designed cream cakes and savouries at Claridge's traditional, champagne or children's afternoon tea.
• Thinking of bottomless afternoon tea drinks? Head to The Athenaeum for the option of 90 minutes of free-flowing prosecco. 

Cute cafes

• Delight in picture-pretty Parisian goodies from Ladurée London at Burlington Arcade.
• Feeling peckish for bakes? Popina bakery’s fresh, local and simple goodies await.
• Feel the classy vibes in cosy Caffe Concerto, pairing picture-pretty cakes with occasional live music.

Pubs and bars in Mayfair

Classy cocktails, low-key pints or quirky concoctions... enjoy a few drinks in Mayfair London bars and pubs.

• Sip on fancy cocktails at swanky The May Fair Bar, housed within The May Fair hotel.
• More than a 100 whisky varieties await you at the Bar at The Athenaeum.
• Perfect your hula dancing at Polynesian-themed Mahiki, one of Prince Harry’s hangouts.
• Brave the creative concoctions served at Mr Fogg’s Residence. But watch out, they might just teleport you over the other side of the world!
• Test your well-honed palate at St James's Hotel and Club, where you’ll find more than 50 gins.
• Keep it classic with a pint at Victorian pub The Red Lion.
• It’s no secret singing and drinks go hand-in-hand, so prep your vocal chords for an evening at Karaoke Box Mayfair.
• Wash down The Windmill’s award-winning pies with a beer or two.
• Let the cosy American Bar at The Beaumont take you back to the 1920s, as you select from Martinis, bourbons and rye whiskies.
• Make your way to The Footman Mayfair, established in 1749 – making it one of the oldest pubs in London.

Relax and slow down

• Unwind with treatments and candlelit relaxation at the May Fair Spa.
• Ready for some pampering? Treat your hair at Duck & Dry.
• Escape into tranquillity at Spa Illuminata, a holistic oasis of peace and calm in the heart of Mayfair.
• Have an itch for a dance class? Give everything from ballet to street dance a go at Danceworks London’s drop in classes.

Mayfair events for your calendar

• Give your Instagram feed some added sparkle as Bond Street, South Molton Street and Mount Street switch on their Christmas lights in the run-up to Christmas.
• Pick out knickknacks and trinkets from the annual Mount Street Christmas Market.
• Find the word on the street... Mayfair & St James's Literary Festival brings exciting events for bookworms and linguists each October.
• Spend the summer exploring the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, one of the world’s largest art shows open to submissions from both professionals and amateurs.
• Take a walk at the seaside… well, a man-made beach, during The May Fair each summer.
• The three-week long Summer in the Square includes free fitness classes, funky gigs and family fun.

Find the ideal Mayfair hotel

Plan a stay at the most luxurious and hippest hotels in Mayfair.

• Cosy up at The May Fair Hotel, the official hotel of London Fashion Week, which houses its very own cinema.
• Follow in the footsteps of royalty and film stars with a stay at iconic Claridge's.
• Spot the Insta-worthy living wall at Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, just across the road from Green Park; or snap a selfie with (or even stay in) Antony Gormley’s imposing sculptural suite at stylish The Beaumont Hotel.
• Foodies will love four-star The Chesterfield Mayfair‘s gin tastings and quirky themed afternoon teas.
• Stay among the iconic gardens at The Biltmore Mayfair, where you can enjoy an afternoon tea by the open fire.
  
• Enjoy park views from five-star The Dorchester and even hire one of its classic cars for some city exploration.
• Base yourself among Mayfair’s quiet backstreets at five-star Marriott Grosvenor Square.
• Pick from various suites or splash out with the penthouse at family-run Flemings Mayfair Hotel.

How to get to Mayfair

Mayfair is easily accessible within a five to 10-minute walk from three Tube stations: Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines), Bond Street (Central and Jubilee lines) and Marble Arch (Central line).

If you’re arriving at Mayfair London by train, Marylebone (services towards Aylesbury and High Wycombe), Charing Cross (services towards Sevenoaks and Gravesend) and Victoria (services towards London Gatwick Airport and Brighton) are all 15 to 20 minutes’ walk away.

Mayfair is also easily accessible by bus. Hop on routes 390, 10, 94, 23, 7, 98, 159, 139 and 113 – or take route 22 for Mount Street.

More about Mayfair

Keep discovering Mayfair at mayfairldn.com.

Explore other London neighbourhoods

Seek more London adventures in surrounding areas, including the West End, nearby St James's and Covent Garden.