Katherine MacAlister develops a new love for the capital after a day on the tourist trail

I could imagine for a split second what an incredible spectacle the Royal Wedding had been from The Mall, the crowds swelling and cheering as the royal carriages swept past with Kate and Wills in situ.

On this wonderful sunny day as I walked down The Mall for the first time, turning every few metres to study the regal splendour of Buckingham Palace, I chided myself for leaving it this late.

There were no excuses. I had lived in London for several years, turning left at Victoria to wander home rather than right to admire the world’s most famous palace.

Why? I thought it too touristy and was happier leaving it to the throngs of overseas visitors that ring the area, turning my nose up at our best known architectural treasure. What a waste, because it’s such a fascinating part of town and so easy to access and explore.

My change of heart was largely brought about by my invitation to stay at The Cavendish London a four-star boutique hotel located in Mayfair, which brought me past the Queen’s premiere residence en route, conveniently located slap-bang in the middle of Mayfair and Piccadilly in Jermyn Street, where from our suite we could view the rooftops of central London and marvel at where we were. Because you can never get over familiar with this view, and it’s always exciting.

Keen not to waste any time, once we had marvelled at the sheer opulence of our hotel suite, bounced on the beds, opened all the cupboards and checked out the vast bathroom, as you do, we ventured outside to process the streets, the shops being dominated by art and antiques with the odd ancient pub thrown in for good measure.

And as it was a Friday, all the workers had taken up early residence in the city’s inns, ties loosened, suits at ease in these cobbled streets, starting their weekends early.

We lingered in the sunshine, drinks in hand, basking in the heat, until it was time to return to our gorgeous room and all its wonderful facilities to get ready for the night ahead, dinner at one of London’s most acclaimed tapas restaurants El Pirata and somewhere I’d been dying to dine since discovering Omar Allibhoy, the head chef, and his mission to introduce us to proper Spanish food. Situated in the same neighbourhood we walked to Down Street, enjoying the surroundings, biding our time.

El Pirata is not a pretentious place, the onus here being on the sunny food and service, and it didn’t disappoint. Nestled in the window seat watching the world go by we were served with plate after plate of delicious authentic tapas, the highlights being the Gambas al pil-pil (prawns in olive oil, garlic and dried hot chilli peppers) and the Patatas a la pobre, (roasted potatoes in onion, garlic and parsley), whose price tag belied the address, making it utterly affordable, the food living up to its formidable reputation with each mouthful, enhanced by the incredibly welcoming and professional staff.

Strolling contentedly home afterwards, stopping for a few drinks en route, soaking up the atmosphere as we went, we decided that there was no better place in the summer than a night out in London, without any of the time constraints of home.

And with our wonderfully comfy hotel beds to return to and a fantastic night’s sleep, this was certainly the case in the morning as we had a leisurely and delicious hotel breakfast before heading home, back to Oxford, content, relaxed and ready to face another day.

So from now on I am viewing London as an open book; full of surprises, accessible, friendly and as impressive and inclusive as always. I shall never again take any of its treasures for granted.

FACTS
Cavendish Hotel,
81 Jermyn St, London SW1Y 6JF, 020 7930 2111,
thecavendish-london.co.uk

Summer break from £179 per room per night includes breakfast
Available July 28-September 7

El Pirata, 5-6 Down St, London W1J 7AQ,
020 7491 3810
elpirata.co.uk