Take a short drive (22 miles from London) to Brocket Hall. In a hunting lodge beside the lake you'll find Jean-Christophe Novelli's restaurant Auberge du Lac (+44 (0) 1707 368888). Expect old-style French treats: slow-cooked and meaty.

Disorientatingly nowhere near Leeds, but named for the man who built it in 857, Leeds Castle near Maidstone in Kent is breathtaking.

If time is tight, head west to Kew's world-famous gardens. Call in at Maids of Honour tea rooms (+44 (0) 20 8940 2752) for its eponymous custard tart: legend says it was invented in Henry VIII's kitchen.

At the foot of the South Downs lies Charleston Manor (+44 (0) 1323 811265), country base for the Bloomsbury Group who came to dominate Britain's early 20th-century cultural life.

For picture-postcard prettiness, go west to the Cotswolds. Book into the Lygon Arms in Worcestershire (+44 (0) 1386 852255), an historic 16th-century inn which once served both Charles I and his arch nemesis, Oliver Cromwell.

Small is sensational at the Dulwich Picture Gallery which houses a glorious collection of Old Masters. Alternatively, visit its architect's own home: the Sir John Soane's Museum is filled with architectural delights, paintings and objéts.

Modern art fans should get to Tate Britain, which shows the artists short-listed for the Turner Prize from late October. Do ask: 'But is it art?'

Belgravia remains the place to shop, which is good news because it is on the doorstep of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. Master leathermaker Connolly has re-opened its much-loved Belgravia store showcasing luxury luggage, driving gloves and leather-bound stationery. Following a £107 million renovation, grand old Peter Jones has just opened two restaurants and 10 new beauty rooms, including the delightful Clarins Studio. At Heidi Klein, the year-round holiday shop, you can choose your Melissa Odabash bikini and have a pre-holiday buff in the second-floor salon.

The essence of Bar Boulud London’s menu is authentic French charcuterie served alongside seasonal bistro cooking. To book Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park's very own Bar Boulud call (+44 (0) 20 7201 3899).

Antipodean restaurateur Will Ricker brings his pan-Asian fusion cuisine to Chelsea at Eight Over Eight (392 Kings Road, SW3; +44 (0) 20 7349 9934), with mouth-watering delicacies such as chilli salt squid and Dover sole tempura. Join the beautiful people in the bar for a pre-dinner lychee martini.

The Italian-influenced menu focuses on quality ingredients and strong flavours. Head to über-trendy Hoxton to sample the delights of Jamie Oliver's first restaurant, Fifteen (15 Westland Place, N1; +44 (0) 20 7251 1515).

Should be über-trendy.

The Notting Hill set's bar of choice is master mixologist Dale DeGroff's Trailer Happiness. Showy but friendly, it serves some of the best cocktails and tiki-drinks in town.

At the famous Drones Club (+44 (0) 20 7491 0576), Marco Pierre White's exquisite English and Italian fare is as popular with celebrities as it is with the families and friends that frequent it. Live music, exotic bar snacks and world-class cocktails keep the guests happy at one of Knightsbridge's most popular meeting spots, Mandarin Bar at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park (+44 (0) 20 7201 3724).