Moving to...Mayfair really is all you need

Ah, Mayfair. A name that conjures visions of elegance, prestige, and—dare I say—absolute perfection. When I was invited to pen this inaugural blog for A London Life, I thought, “What better place to begin than with Mayfair, the epicentre of civilisation as we know it?”

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tarquin Montague Harpendale-Smythe—public school alumnus, property aficionado, and now something of a writer (though I’ve always said, one doesn’t write, one curates one’s thoughts). My friends describe me as "a man of taste," though I modestly suggest I am merely a product of my environment. And what an environment Mayfair is!

To those unfamiliar (though I simply cannot fathom how), Mayfair is not just a postcode but a way of life. Tucked between the bustling thoroughfares of Piccadilly and Oxford Street, it is an enclave of refinement, where the air smells faintly of success, freshly polished silver, and the distant aroma of foie gras.

Now, some people suggest Mayfair is "pricey." I find this sort of comment peculiar, like saying, “Isn’t Fortnum’s tea a bit expensive?” or, “Do you really need a third holiday home in Tuscany?” Of course, one needs these things. They are life’s essentials. Much like Mayfair itself.

Mayfair isn’t just about grand townhouses and perfectly coiffed hedgerows, though those certainly help. No, it’s about community—or at least the sort of community where one nods politely to one’s neighbours, a safe distance of several marble staircases away. Where else can you stroll to Mount Street for a perfectly tailored suit, pop into Claridge’s for a light luncheon, and still be back in time to oversee one’s portfolio?

And let us not forget the greenery! Hyde Park is just a stone’s throw away (though one wouldn’t throw in Mayfair—it’s simply not done). A morning walk through the park is invigorating, though I personally prefer a gentle canter on horseback. Or one of those excellent Boris bikes, which I think are rather quaint—though I usually send my assistant to pedal around on my behalf.

For those considering a move to Mayfair (and who wouldn’t?), let me assure you that it truly is all you need. Forget the outlying boroughs with their charming but cramped terraces and "artisanal" cafes (code for mismatched crockery and slightly burnt sourdough). Mayfair is the real London—a place where heritage meets the future and both sip champagne together.

In this series, I shall offer my insights into other corners of the capital, though I must confess: it feels a bit like comparing first growth Bordeaux to supermarket claret. I’ll do my best to summon enthusiasm. But for now, I leave you with this simple truth: Mayfair really is all you need.

Toodle-pip,
Tarquin Montague Harpendale-Smythe