Five reasons why Regent Street and St James's are the hot ticket this summer

Head to Heddon Street and the surrounding area to sample some of the capital’s finest international flavours. There’s Sabor, the Michelin starred Spanish eatery taking inspiration from Andalucía, Castile and Galicia, and Aqua Kyoto, where you can sample the best contemporary Japanese dishes and indulge in free-flowing weekend brunch on their roof terrace.

Not far away, in St James’s, you can experience the essence of Indonesian cuisine at Toba with their £16 weekday express lunch menu, or splash out at 45 Jermyn Street for outdoor terraced seating, seasonally-inspired menu and old-school glamour complete with a roaming caviar trolley (yes, really). For seasonal British produce, Fallow serves up a sustainable culinary experience – expect heritage tomatoes, English asparagus, Maldon oysters and loads of the freshest rhubarb.

With heritage brands and specialist boutiques, Princes Arcade is the place to shop connecting Piccadilly with Jermyn Street.  If you’re looking to up your style game, grab a specialty coffee at Compane and peruse boutiques including Barker Shoes, Luca Faloni and SageBrown.

If big brands are more your thing, then look no further than Regent Street. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute wedding guest outfit or just want to do a bit of window-shopping, the street's mix of designer labels, international brands and high street staples – not to mention the two-floored flagship of lifestyle brand KITH – will have what you need.

No summer excursion to Regent Street and St James’s is complete without a stop at the Royal Academy of Arts for a mooch around the Summer Exhibition. Held annually since 1769, this year showcases artists from Grayson Perry to Marina Abramović. Not done with art quite yet? Take a leisurely stroll to Waterloo Place to check out Banksy’s latest statue, Man Blinded by Flag. Film fans will want to make a visit to the uniquely historical Regent Street Cinema, one of the last cinemas in the UK to screen 35mm film alongside digital 4k. 

You can also head to St James’s Market for more culture. The Pavilion provides a suitably architectural backdrop for open-air exhibitions which this summer includes the work of fashion photographer Horst Friedrichs. While you're at St James's Market, you might as well catch a slice of the summer’s tennis action. Pick up a Pimm’s, find a deck chair and watch the highlights until July 12 at the Wimbledon screen in St James's Market. 

Counter a busy summer by dedicating some time to all things wellness. At Quadrant Arcade, you’ll find a modern barbershop experience on offer at Supply 91, plus endless luxe skincare at BIOGENA.

If treatments are more your jam, nestled within the Langham Hotel is Chuan Spa. With a spa menu rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, a Chuan Body + Soul signature massage or HydraFacial promises to help you restore balance. For a more affordable – but no less luxurious – option, consider an immersive bespoke facial at Aesop Regent Street. Fitness your thing? At E St James’s, you’ll find loads of specialist classes – cycling, boxing and pilates included – as well as a curated selection of healthy prepared food for helping with your nutrition.

As with so much of our great city, the best way to see Regent Street and St James’s is to walk it. Start your stroll at St James’s Park, taking in its surrounding green spaces. Then, walk down The Mall to Trafalgar Square, where you can double back on yourself to take in the architectural wonders of Haymarket, Charles II Street, and St James’s Square and Gardens. The towering terraced houses of Ada Lovelace and William Gladstone are a must-see.

Finally, head towards Golden Lion to catch all the action of the World Cup on big screens with cold pints and cheer on your team. Why not round-up the troops and book a table just for the occasion?

Uncover more summer on Regent Street.