Spend the morning cruising through 15 of my favorite paintings in the National Gallery before heading out to shopping meccas Liberty and then Oxford Street. Wrap up your shopping extravaganza at Selfridges for Conveyor-belt Sushi. Finally, find yourself on my famous Dogs, Lobsters & Parrots Tour at the Wallace collection. Treat yourself to afternoon tea in the gorgeous Wallace cafe when you’re ready!
Getting to National Gallery:
Begin your day, as early as possible, at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Sq. The closest London Underground stations to the National Gallery are Charing Cross and Leicester Square. Charing Cross is served by the Bakerloo and Northern lines, and Leicester Square is on the Northern and Piccadilly lines. Embankment station (Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Northern lines) is also within a short walking distance.
National Gallery
MAP | WEST LONDON, TRAFALGAR SQ.
The National Gallery is an art museum in Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, in Central London, England. Founded in 1824, it houses a collection of more than 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900.
Open Daily, 10am – 6pm, Friday lates until 9pm
My Nat Gal in 15 Paintings Tour
Here are some of my favorite paintings in the National Gallery. I have ‘curated’ them chronologically.
Grab a cuppa and a bun at the Nat Gal cafe before your shopping extravaganza.
From the Nat Gal, head to Liberty. MAP 0.8 mile
On your way, there are shops all along Regent Street as well.
LIBERTY LONDON
Liberty is known around the world for its close connection to art and culture, but it is most famous for its bold and floral print fabrics. The Tudor-inspired exterior of this upscale department store is a treasure. Inside, find curated designer fashions, homewares, fragrances, and the iconic floral prints for which it is famed.
If you’d like to splurge on a gift for your mothers – this is the place to buy them a scarf!
From Liberty, walk up to Oxford Street and head West. This is the home of all the global brands you could ever imagine. John Lewis is department store with affordable clothing if you need to resupply. In little alleys off Oxford Street are dozens of wonderful boutique shops too.
Your ultimate destination is Selfridges.
Weird detour… The Handel Hendrix House, MAP 0.3 mile
Handel & Hendrix Museum
MAP | WEST LONDON, MAYFAIR
Somehow this works… Handel Hendrix House cares for and presents to the public the homes of two of the greatest musicians ever to have lived in London. George Frideric Handel lived at 25 Brook Street from 1723 until his death in 1759. In 1968, Jimi Hendrix moved into an adjoining flat at number 23.
These buildings are an evolving celebration of Handel and Hendrix’s lives, sharing their music, their stories and our collections as a source of learning, enjoyment and inspiration for all.
Open Wed-Sun, 10am–5pm (last entry 4pm), ADMISSION FEE
If going straight to Selfridges from Liberty, MAP 0.6 mile
If going to Selfridges from Handel Hendrix House, MAP 0.3 mile
SELFRIDGES
Once you have arrived at Selfridges, enter via Oxford Street and enjoy exploring!
Selfridges is a sensory overload sometimes. There is a wonderful Beauty/Wellness Bar with very affordable treatments if feeling a bit overwhelmed. BEAUTY/WELLNESS BAR
YO! SUSHI AT SELFRIDGES
When you are hungry enough, head to the food hall for Yo! Sushi. (Can also be accessed by the Orchard Street Entrance.)
There are many restaurants in Selfridges if you’re not impressed by Conveyor-belt Sushi 🙂
When you are ready, head to the Wallace Collection, MAP 0.2 mile
Wallace Collection
MAP | WEST LONDON
The Wallace is my absolute favorite museum in London. Always quiet, always serene – is perfect antidote to noisy, busy London. The Collection numbers nearly 5,500 objects, a range of fine and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Open Daily, 10am – 5pm
My Famous Dogs, Lobsters & Parrots Tour
Because there is so much to gaze upon, so many details, I have created a fun tour to move you through the museum.
Whew! Treat yourself to a very special tea in the beautiful Wallace Cafe.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur Afternoon Tea
Enjoy sweet creations, perfectly baked scones, and classic savoury dishes in our Delusions of Grandeur inspired afternoon tea.
Make a reservation for Afternoon Tea between 12.00-17.00 (last sitting at 16.00).
