Mapped Out with Richard Lee Massey
WHAT TO DO IN… LONDON
Few cities are as progressive, interesting or diverse as London. As famous for its history as it is for innovation and reinvention, the British capital has long attracted those with an appetite for creativity, culture and vibrancy. It has birthed and homed some of the world’s most famed visionaries, from David Bowie to Alexander McQueen via Zadie Smith. It’s a place of opposites – famously grey, but then irrepressibly joyful; grumpy and unfriendly, as well as quietly welcoming; it's the stuff of Instagram dreams but is also entrenched with grit. Long-time Londoner Richard Lee Massey has made his love of the city the focus of his aesthetically-pleasing Instagram account, a go-to for discerning residents and tourists alike. Here, he provides his definitive guide to London, from the best restaurant and bar in town to the tourist attraction actually worth its salt. He also explains how London, in all its idiosyncratic glory, has influenced his personal style.
London style looks like...
“From the antipodean flat whites at Ozone Coffee Roasters to the fragrant pho at Sông Quê Café, London life is a hybrid of the modernity we experience while living here – and London style is just the same. I love that a Londoner would wear their Sunspel basics with a Maison Margiela jumper and very-American Converse without thinking twice.”
My weekend wardrobe constitutes...
“It doesn't change much from my regular one. Brand-wise, I'm a 36-year-old man with zero interest in TikTok attire, so brands like Officine Générale seem to lure me in. I love that the clothing is ethically made and unpretentious but still refined – think soft tailoring with tees and relaxed trousers. It's just perfect for any day of the week.”
My favourite non-fashion stores are...
“I spend far too much on scotch eggs at The De Beauvoir Deli Co, but I also love Leila's Shop for things I want but never need. R Garcia & Sons on Portobello Road is great for Spanish bits too. I just wish it was closer to me. The Quality Chop House Shop is amazing too; you can buy their ready-made confit potatoes there – my best lockdown discovery.”
My ultimate piece of style advice is…
“Stay curious but keep it subtle and remember comfort is king.”
“This one is tough, but I think Greenwich. London is quite the pro when it comes to making its past a part of our present. I love areas with history because we get to learn about disaster and about survival, and in turn, we learn how to deal with our future. To think Greenwich gave its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time just blows my mind.”
“The Queen's House is my favorite building in London. It's home to an internationally renowned art collection but the building itself is an architectural masterpiece. It's houses Britain's first self-supporting spiral staircase, The Tulip Stairs and has the most spectacular ceiling fresco too – all in gold leaf – by Turner Prize winner, Richard Wright.”
“House Roastery seems to be nailing the interior of their coffee shops. They're a bit like the Aesop of the coffee world and the Maltby Street site is extra special. Otherwise, I'm pretty loyal to Climpson & Sons on Broadway Market.”
“London's Open House event, when more than 800 private buildings open to the public, is the best way to really see the city. Abbey Mills Pumping Station is also a firm favourite.”
“Visits to The Bull & Last make for the best Sundays. What better way to sign off a weekend than with a delicious roast followed by strolls through the Heath? Heaven.”
