Walking around the West End and Mayfair

Combining an evening out drinking and eating with good friends with a walk around some of my favourite parts of London...Who needs a car or London Transport?

We met where I was working in Portman Square - which meant that a stroll through Selfridges was obligatory - particularly if you stop for a chilled glass of refreshment at the Champagne Bar while you contemplate the impossible prices of the designer hand bags. We can all dream!

Then a short walk along Oxford Street to St Christopher's Place where there are multitude of eating and drinking places - one to suit every pocket. After wandering around and admiring the small art galleries, the independent clothes and accessories shops and pavement cafe society (or is this Paris?) in full swing we settled for supper at Auberge where I feasted on moules and frites (to complete the feeling of being a Parisienne in London). This was washed down with a nice bottle of wine and lots and lots of water...

So we set off again, strolling happily around the centre of the West End. We had a little look in Molton Street before connecting with New Bond Street to admire yet more upmarket designer shops housed in lovely buildings (always remember to look up when walking around London!). We turned right into Bruton Street and stopped for a swift glass at the pub on the corner where the people chatted happily outside. Then onto Berkeley Square where it was too noisy to hear any nightingales.

We went up Hay Hill so that we could walk down Dover Street - home to the lovely Arts Club and an old favourite - The Dover Street Wine bar. Across Piccadilly and down the side of The Ritz (the doormen always say hello in between taking photos of posing guests and celebrity seekers)towards La Caprice and you come to a cosy and rather ordinary pub that has a surprising mix of local, tourist, business and partying people.

Finally we wandered back onto Piccadilly to start our journey home - and was met by the sight and very loud sound of a large group (what is the correct group noun please?) of disco roller bladers - are we in London or San Francisco? What a great way to end the evening....

So what's your favourite walking route in London when you are on a night out with friends????