London Diary
After several near-misses, it was such a joy to finally be back in London. I have long been chewing the ear off friends and family, describing my yearning to visit again, a whistle-stop tour taking in all my favourite galleries, museums and restaurants. Well, my patience and effort paid off - as ever, London did not disappoint!
Manchester has some amazing attractions – notably The Manchester Art Gallery, The Lowry, The Whitworth – but London’s galleries have a breadth and depth that set my pulse racing like nowhere else.
During the course of my short visit, I saw some of the most breathtaking and beautiful art ever produced, from Jan Van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait to Jean-Honore Fragonard’s The Swing.
My trip started with breakfast at my favourite Chelsea establishment, Partridges of Chelsea, located just by The Saatchi Gallery, off the King’s Road, and happily proximitous to my capital digs. I highly recommend a visit to this most charming, family-run deli, which specialises in gorgeous, fresh, decadent food and drink.
Upon leaving Partridges, I took a stroll through the heart of Chelsea, passing some of the grandest homes and apartments that the Royal Borough has to offer. The Victoria & Albert Museum was the first stop on my tour, a short 10-minute walk away. I began with the dazzling and glittering Faberge Exhibition, before progressing through some of my favourite rooms and exhibits.
Six hours in the V&A left me more than a little hungry, so dinner was gratefully taken at one of my favourite London eateries, Daylesford Organic, and consisted of a hearty chicken broth with greens, fresh organic crusty bread and some carrot and walnut cake.
The evening was cool but fresh so I took the opportunity to stroll down to the Chelsea Embankment, to see the Albert Bridge sparkling in the night sky. After a quick night-cap, I retired to bed.
The next day necessitated an early rise, with breakfast reservations at Colbert, the iconic Sloane Square staple, at 8am. Colbert is the most delightful French bistro, inspired by the endearing boulevards of Paris. A chilly and misty morning, it was lovely to observe the locals flocking in following their morning stroll, dressed in their luxurious woollen coats and cashmere scarves, feasting on freshly baked viennoiserie, le plaits and oeufs.
I was exceedingly excited for the day ahead because it offered the promise of my first visit to The Wallace Collection, as recommended by so many of my lovely followers. And what a magnificent collection! Each room is plushly decorated with silk wall coverings and wallpaper, Riesener and Weissweiler furniture and Sevres porcelain; several huge rooms are dedicated to medieval weapory and armoury. The museum holds a world class collection of art by the likes of Sir Peter Paul Rubens, Diego Valazques, Frans Hals, Canaletto, Rembrandt and van Dyck. I was particularly overwhelmed by the extensive collection of Francois Boucher, Boucher being one of my favourite rococo artists. Not an enormous museum, the collection is nevertheless both vast and resplendent.
Next on my list was a visit to the jewel in the crown - that is, The National Gallery. I was determined to visit every single room, a feat I triumphantly completed 5 hours later! This truly is one of my happy places, and I am constantly awed by the range of the collection.
I ended my day with a reservation for dinner at the ever so chic French restaurant, La Poule au Pot, located in the heart of Belgravia, and comfortingly close to some of my favourite interior design stores, including Colefax & Fowler, Robert Kime and Rose Uniacke.
