Things to Do in Mayfair: Tea, Shopping and Christmas Lights

If you’ve ever seen the glowing angels floating above Regent Street in a photo or video of London, you’ve already had a glimmer of things to do in Mayfair. They’re called the Spirits of Christmas lights. But there’s so much more to this neighbourhood than that famous shopping street that curves.

It’s the side streets, the places to eat and the spots most tourists walk straight past that make Mayfair one of the most beautiful places to see in London. Planning a leisurely day allows you to have a long, luxurious afternoon tea that’s really reflective of British culture, time to see shop windows full of handbags and shoes encrusted in diamonds and to purchase a special souvenir you’ll have forever, like a Christmas ornament from Fortnum & Mason.

Even if you only have half a day, it’s worth it. Here’s how I’d spend it.

Mayfair at a Glance

Best for: afternoon tea, beautiful shops, heritage and Christmas lights
When: any season, from spring and autumn to Christmas. This plan is an early winter afternoon, from about 2pm
Allow: half a day, or a whole day if you love to shop
Start: Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly
Finish: Regent Street, once the lights are on for Christmas in London
Next door: Marylebone, just over Oxford Street

Mercato Mayfair is one of the places most people walk straight past.

Why I love Mayfair

Mayfair is the neighbourhood to see if you want to be surrounded by elegant British history and style. It’s where suits are still cut by hand and restaurants have quiet, spacious tables with delicious food. The experiences are traditional and timeless. And at Christmas? It’s absolutely gorgeous.

This plan below is built for an early winter afternoon, when the lights are up. Visiting in spring or summer? The same streets are lovely in long evening light, and shaping a summer day like this is something I do with my consultation clients all the time.

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Things to do in Mayfair, in the right order

Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason, around 2pm. Shopping comes up again and again in my consultation questionnaires and Fortnum & Mason is one of the names clients mention most. When a client mentions Fortnum’s, it’s a signal to me that they’re clued up on a more British experience, not just Harrods. So I’d be remiss not to start here. Take your time over tea, then browse for souvenirs. Tea tins are lovely, but I always suggest a tea timer because you’ll use it forever. I have one, and I even had a custom blend of tea made for me there, which is next level as souvenirs go. The famous hampers? Beautiful, but too tough to take home. Book your tea ahead, especially from November.

Burlington Arcade. Cross Piccadilly and step inside. This covered arcade has been here since 1819 and it’s still looked after by beadles in gold-braided top hats. Look up as much as you look in the windows.

Savile Row. Come out the far end of the arcade and turn right. This is the street of bespoke tailors you might recognise from Kingsman.

Bond Street. Now head back west to Bond Street. In winter the luxury brands dress their buildings head to toe, with lights and decorations stretched over every exterior. I always say it’s like a big light show contest between the brands, and the passer-by is the one who wins. Every display is striking for a different reason, and collectively it’s one dazzling photo to have as a souvenir from your London trip.

Regent Street. Finish under the Spirits of Christmas lights as darkness falls. They’re up from early November into the new year. It’s one of the pictures of London at Christmas most people imagine. Seeing it in person is absolute magic.

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What to wear to afternoon tea at Fortnum’s

Not sure what to wear? Fortnum’s is smart casual. I usually wear black trousers and a nice sweater to afternoon tea in London. If I’ve been filming all day, you might even catch me in my Skechers. And Mr Sunny has worn jeans to plenty of afternoon teas.

The very top hotels are a different story. We booked the Ritz festive tea for 16 November, then realised Mr Sunny would need a jacket and tie. At £125 each, it’s one we’d be paying for ourselves. So, I can’t have him not relaxed and enjoying the festive vibe for that kind of money. Unfortunately, it’s a booking we may cancel- stay tuned.

Planning a tea? Read my afternoon tea etiquette guide and my pick of the best afternoon tea in London.

Where to Eat in Mayfair

Don’t do afternoon tea and a big dinner on the same day. Trust me, it’s too much food. Save dinner for another evening.

Sartoria on Savile Row exceeded my expectations when I was their guest. The lobster tagliatelle? The standout of the night.

Sartoria, my pick for a special-occasion dinner in Mayfair.

The Mayfair Chippy is our top recommendation for fish and chips in London. When I was their guest, we experienced excellent service, a beautiful room and food as good as it looks.

Our favourite fish and chips in London.

Mercato Mayfair used to be a church. Now it’s a food hall, with a crypt bar downstairs and a rooftop terrace on top. It’s perfect for a relaxed lunch, especially if you’re with a multigenerational family, because everyone can find something that interests them in the variety of options.

Just over Piccadilly in St James’s, Claro serves Mediterranean food. When we were their guest, our dinner there was incredible.

For more places to eat near the sights, my Guide to London Restaurants has them by neighbourhood.

Mr Sunny’s verdict: Mayfair probably isn’t his favourite neighbourhood. He’d rather have his feet stick to the floor in a proper boozer than wear a tie and jacket while eating tiny cakes. And honestly, there just aren’t many pubs here he’d send you to. If you’re with him on that, start with Mr Sunny’s 15 best London pubs.

What AI can’t tell you about Mayfair

Many of my clients arrive with a plan from ChatGPT. It’s a start. But AI doesn’t know:

How an afternoon tea in Mayfair tastes and feels compared to others in London, or how decadent the pastries are in real life.
Which shops make it a truly British experience. Hamleys is a mad house, I’ll be honest, but it’s very British and there’s always something fun happening outside. Molton Brown is Mr Sunny’s favourite and we’re always fully stocked with their bath wash, soaps and other scents.
About Heddon Street, a little street off Regent Street packed with lovely restaurants. Heddon Street Kitchen is where I had Gordon Ramsay’s signature beef Wellington for the first time and I can’t say enough how phenomenal it is.

Where to stay in Mayfair

Mayfair is one of the loveliest places to stay in London for a special trip: quiet streets, grand hotels and Green Park on your doorstep. Use the map below to compare hotels and prices.

Mayfair Hotels

Still deciding? My guides to choosing a hotel and the best hotels near London attractions explain where to stay in London for the sights you most want to see.

Getting to Mayfair from Heathrow

Nearly all of my trip consultation clients who fly into London come through Heathrow. The Elizabeth line runs direct from Heathrow to Bond Street, right on the edge of Mayfair. With a lot of luggage, though, a private car is usually the most comfortable way to arrive.

Every way to get from Heathrow into London, ranked by price.

Fitting Mayfair into your London Trip

One afternoon in Mayfair is easy to plan. Fitting it around the Tower of London, a West End show and everything else on your list of things to do in London is the challenge. If you’d like your own days put in the right order, with every sight grouped by area and nothing backtracked, that’s exactly what my custom London itineraries do.