The GQ Guide to London

The Hotel: The Beaumont Mayfair Once a 1920s car park (Brit-speak for parking lot), now a hotel that still has all its Art Deco charm. A stay here, Clark says, is “like being in a bit of a film.” Loosen up at the spa—enjoy all the temperatures, courtesy of a steam room, sauna, and cold plunge—before dining at Rosi, helmed by acclaimed chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen. The Restaurant: Romano’s A menu with beef and ale pie and ox cheek mushroom pudding lets you know you’re eating classic British—but steeped in easy opulence.

The Museum: Dulwich Picture Gallery With all due respect to the National Portrait Gallery, this is the more interesting (and less-crowded) location to see Old Master paintings, with underrated B-sides from Rembrandt to Rubens. Dulwich has “got all that historic side to it as well—but in a much calmer, quieter, more peaceful space,” Clark notes. The Bar: Skehan’s This non-touristy pub is tucked into a residential neighborhood—not that it’s sleepy: The scene is “a raucous Irish version of Cheers,” Clark says.

The Club: Palais The renowned spot reopened after a long renovation, and, thanks to a more mature crowd, it’s always bumping without being “scuzzy.” One Perfect Shopping Day Four can’t-miss stores in London. Jerks A vintage-clothing shop absolutely stacked with esoterica, from ’90s movie apparel (like a Kids promo tee) to archival Comme des Garçons. You might just snag something that would’ve otherwise ended up in Paul Mescal’s next red-carpet fit.

Margaret Howell Flagship Store As much an art gallery as it is a boutique, Clark says, this spot is both “where serious people buy their clothes” and one of the “most peaceful shops” in London. Phonica Records Even if your home isn’t stacked with rare LPs, Clark says this independent record store’s nonjudgmental staff won’t make you feel like a “dickhead for taking an interest.” Peckham Car Boot Held every other Sunday, this bazaar is basically a flash mob tag sale with 100-plus sellers offering up everything you can imagine—much of it sold from the trunk of their cars. That’s only half the reason for stopping by.

The “people watching is better than Fashion Week,” says Clark. A version of this story originally appeared in the October 2026 issue of GQ with the title “The GQ Guide to London.”