London 2023 - Sample Issue

For something a little bit different, Oche is a newcomer to the London scene and has already made quite a name for itself. The home of ‘gastro-gaming’, this is a place to enjoy a cocktail and a few bites from the sharing menus while playing a round of darts. Their bottomless brunch also includes live West End singers. oche.com

A taste of Italy in London

Spread over several floors, giant Italian food hall Eataly houses a market and retail space, as well as three restaurants and a bar. Shop Italian cheese, cured meats and wine to your heart's content before sitting down to a perfectly cooked plate of pasta, or why not learn to make your own at one of their special cooking classes? eataly.co.uk

Modern dining on the South Bank

On the top floor of the famous OXO Tower, complete with iconic views of St Paul’s, the OXO Tower Brasserie offers up a grand space with a casual atmosphere and a bustling open kitchen. This place is always buzzing, and the food is excellent too.

oxotowerrestaurant.com

Pick up lunch at a medieval market

Dating back to the 13th century, Borough is London’s oldest food market, and its atmospheric halls and passageways are a treat for the senses. From chorizo wraps to gourmet scotch eggs, you'll find stalls full of delicious food and drink everywhere you look. www.boroughmarket.org.uk

Skyline dining

For breathtaking panoramic views and an intimate dining experience, grab a table at Oblix, on the 32nd floor of the Shard. The dimly lit space is elegant and romantic, and the cuisine superb, but chances are you'll only have eyes for the stunning views of London. www.oblixrestaurant.com

Hit Harrods

From humble beginnings as a grocery shop, Harrods is now a Knightsbridge icon, and looks magical at dusk when it lures you into the warm with its glowing lights. Its swanky dining hall has six restaurants, including a grill, a caviar house and London's poshest chippie. This being Harrods, you can also create a bespoke blend of tea and dry age a steak for as long as you wish in the food halls. www.harrods.com

Fortnum & Mason remains renowned for its ready-toeat luxuries: this is the place to pick up foodie souvenirs, from caviar to conserves

Royally good food

With its roots in devising snacks for hungry travellers–hence the invention of the scotch egg – Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly remains renowned for its readyto-eat luxury foods, having provisioned British soldiers during the Peninsular war and Florence Nightingale’s hospitals on the request of Queen Victoria, no less. Pick up foodie souvenirs from caviar and Stilton cheese to biscuits and conserves. www.fortnumandmason.com

Clockwise from this image: The food at Lilly's is pictureperfect; Oche serves up dishes to share while playing darts; Fortnum & Mason

Calling all coffee connoisseurs

The London Coffee Festival on trendy Brick Lane takes place in late September and features masterclasses on mixing the perfect coffee-infused cocktails and demonstrations from world-class baristas, while you can browse and sample to your heart's content at 250 artisan coffee and food stalls. www.londoncoffeefestival.com

Sample street food at Broadway Market

Broadway Market, a buzzy parade of shops and stalls in Hackney, is a magnet for the area's hipsters every Saturday. Join the queue for tasty morsels from the likes of Citron Vert (French Creole bowls), Temaki Bros (sushi handrolls), Toropampa (Argentinian steak burgers), Deeney's (whose ‘Macbeth’ haggis toasties have a cult following) and Street Pig (applewoodsmoked BBQ ribs). Arrive hungry. www.broadwaymarket.co.uk

Taste traditional fish and chips

There are countless chippies in London but The Fryer’s Delight in Holborn is a charmingly old-school one-off, serving delicious paper-wrapped fish and chips. One taste and you'll see why they have won numerous awards. www.facebook.com/fishandchips.co.uk

FEEL-GOOD FOOD AT LILLY'S

Just metres from Covent Garden's Piazza, this forward-thinking, ultra-cool café is headed up by pastry chef Kimberly Lin and serves up Instagrammable dishes containing moodboosting, natural and seasonal ingredients inspired by the elements, gems and signs of the zodiac. Head in for all-day brunch or an evening meal. lillys-cafe.com

Cornering the Market

Once Covent Garden was a vegetable patch for monks. Now it is one of the capital’s most popular shopping districts. Here, we chart its colourful history

WORDS LAURA SILVERMAN

Above: The Royal Marines Band perform the Ceremony of the Constable's Dues, in which traditionally a barrel of wine is delivered to the Tower’s Constable, representing the ‘dues’ once collected on the King’s behalf from vessels travelling the Thames

Opposite: The Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula is the burial place of Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey

Gary Thynne has been a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London for seven years, and he lives at the Tower with his wife, Tamika. Yeoman Warders guard the 900-year-old fortress, which is still a working royal palace, conduct tours for visitors, and take part in ceremonial duties, including royal visits. We spoke to Gary to nd out what it is really like to live and work at one of Britain’s most iconic and historic landmarks.

I spent nearly 24 years in the British Army, serving in the Royal Artillery. Early in my career I pinpointed becoming a Yeoman Warder as my ‘dream job’ and was determined to reach the required prerequisites – at least 22 years’ service, being a former warrant of cer or senior non-commissioned of cer, and holding the Long Service and Good Conduct medal. On retirement from the Army I became a Metropolitan Police Of cer, but continued to look out for vacancies at the Tower of London. In just under a year a position became available. There were interview stages and, as Yeoman Warders live at the Tower of London with their families, my wife was also invited along with me to see the accommodation available. My rst day as a Yeoman Warder

at His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London was 7 April 2015, my 41st birthday – now that was a great present!

I had an interest in history before I became a Yeoman Warder, but it did naturally develop living and working in such a historic place. History is embedded into every part of the Tower and you cannot help but absorb it.

The role of a Yeoman Warder is an extremely varied one. One day could be spent ‘On Post’ rotating through different positions within the Tower, making sure the area is safe for visitors, helping tourists nd their way, answering questions and even having photographs taken. Another day could be spent giving the world-famous Yeoman Warder tours. We give three tours a day to sometimes very large groups, which is my favourite part of the role.

We are involved in ceremonial duties including the daily Ceremony of the Keys, which is the traditional locking of the Tower of London that has taken place each night for over 700 years! Visitors can book to witness this historic ceremony through the Historic Royal Palaces website.

Five-star Spas

From ancient baths to snow rooms and sleep pods, London is home to some of the best and most innovative spas in the world. We’ve handpicked some of the city’s most sought-after spas for world-class pampering of body and mind

WORDS HENRIETTA EASTON

LONDON in LIGHTS

From its 16th-century origins to the bustling hub of today, London’s Theatreland remains at the centre of performers’ dreams and public affection

WORDS CRISPIN ANDREWS

Brits are ercely proud of London’s West End. Throughout history, leading performers have fallen over themselves to tread the boards in London.

Shakespeare himself is said to have been a part of an acting troupe called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men who played in the original Globe Theatre on the south bank of the Thames. In more recent times, Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Noël Coward, John Hurt, Helen Mirren and Anthony Hopkins are just a few of Britain’s nest to tread those

famous stages. And from the USA: Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Charlton Heston, Judy Garland and Sammy Davis Jr. Every year, a host of Hollywood actors add West End credits to their resumes, such is the lure of the bright lights of Theatreland.

In the heart of London’s West End, Theatreland is traditionally de ned by the Strand to the south, Oxford Street to the north, Regent Street to the west and Kingsway to the east. Take a walk down Shaftesbury Avenue, across Leicester Square and through

Above: Shaftesbury Avenue is home to some of London’s most iconic theatres and shows

IMAGES: © PETER DAZELEY