London Travel Guide by Alex Eagle

Tell us a little about yourself

I’m a creative director and founder of Alex Eagle Studio, a space and brand that sits somewhere between fashion, interiors and lifestyle. I’ve always been interested in how we live as much as how we dress, the overlap between a well-cut jacket and a well-considered room. My work tends to come back to the same ideas: simplicity, function, longevity, and things that quietly improve everyday life.

What is your connection to London?

London has always been home. I grew up here and built my business here, so it’s deeply personal. It’s a city that constantly evolves, but still holds onto its history, which I think is what makes it so special. There’s always something new to discover, even in places you’ve known forever.

How would you personally describe it?

London is layered. It’s traditional and progressive at the same time, slightly chaotic but deeply comforting. You can walk down one street and feel like nothing has changed, then turn a corner and find something completely new. That mix of heritage and reinvention is what keeps it interesting.

What essentials do you always bring when you travel?

I travel quite simply, I like things that work hard and don’t require too much thought.

• A great shirt, something that works from morning to evening
• A cashmere knit for layering
• Tailored trousers or good denim
• A notebook and a good book, I always think better when I write things down and like having something to dip into
• Sunglasses, always
• An ACTIVIST Mānuka Honey Mask, and our Alex Eagle Sporting Club baseball cap, something functional but also practical and adds a sporty touch.

Eat & Drink

Toklas ~ Effortless and quietly chic, simple food, a beautiful space, and always a good atmosphere.

Luca ~ One of my favourites for a slightly more polished moment. Exceptional food, but still relaxed enough to settle into.

Mountain ~ Near where I live in Soho. The bread and butter alone are worth visiting for, but I highly recommend the mushrooms.

River Café ~ This place is iconic, timeless, consistently delicious, and always feels like a treat.

William Curley ~ Totally delicious chocolates, the best in London. A small indulgence that always feels worth it.

Klear Labs ~ Clean, delicious, freshly made food that feels genuinely nourishing. A really lovely café on Golborne Road.

The Corner Shop ~ A great local deli with everything you could want, from freshly pressed celery juice to chocolate croissants and all the things in between.

Shop

Mouki Mou ~ A beautifully considered edit; everything feels quietly special and thoughtfully chosen.

Liberty Joy Archive ~ A beautiful mix of vintage and archival pieces, curated in a way that feels playful but still very chic.

Reference Point ~ An incredible selection of reference books, endlessly inspiring and slightly dangerous in the best way.

Visit / Do

The Courtauld Gallery ~ One of my favourite galleries, beautifully curated and always calm and inspiring.

Serpentine Galleries ~ Especially good in the summer, an easy, uplifting way to see something new.

Pedalo boating in Battersea Park ~ Slightly nostalgic, very fun, and a reminder not to take things too seriously.

Tennis in Hyde Park or Holland Park ~ A great way to reset. Being active in the middle of London always feels like a luxury.

Sir John Soane’s Museum ~ Completely unique, layered, eclectic, and full of ideas.

Tate Britain and Tate Modern ~ Always worth a visit, consistently strong exhibitions, and easy to dip in and out of.

Swimming at the ponds in Hampstead Heath ~ If you like it, it’s one of the best ways to completely reset. It feels wild in the middle of the city.

180 Health Club ~ A proper reset: acupuncture, reflexology, infrared sauna, even cryotherapy.

The Skin Sculpter by Guendalina Gennari ~ My go-to for facials, incredibly intuitive and restorative.

Joanna Evans Skin Matters ~ Thoughtful, calm, and always leaves you feeling completely reset.

Josh Wood Colour ~ Where I go for my hair: reliable, relaxed, and always done properly.

Walking or cycling through London’s parks ~ One of the best ways to see the city. If you can, walk everywhere; you notice so much more.

Weekends in Marylebone and around Chiltern Street ~ A lovely area to wander, with great shops and a really nice pace.

Farmers’ markets, especially Marylebone Farmers’ Market and Pimlico Road Farmers’ Market ~ A perfect weekend ritual: good produce, good people, and a nice way to slow down.

Stay

Oakley Court ~ Just outside London and worth the short trip. It feels like a proper escape: beautiful grounds, calm, and a completely different pace from the city.

Claridge’s ~ A classic, elegant without trying too hard, and always feels like a true London experience.

The Clement ~ A new hotel from Nick Jones at 180 The Thames: a space designed around how we actually want to live, blending culture, comfort, and a sense of community.