The last place I traveled to before the pandemic was London in January of 2020. It was a short weekend after Pitti with little on the agenda except to check-in on what could be my favorite global city. There’s much to love about Paris, Copenhagen and Tokyo, but they don’t do it for me the way London does. It could be the only place I would ever consider living abroad — not that I’m actually considering it. It’s a fun thing to think about and it’s obviously a wonderful place to visit with a light agenda. Just recently I made my way back to enjoy a long weekend in the city before heading off to Northern Ireland for a trip with my friends at The Fliers Club. Once that part of the trip was done I flew back over to Heathrow for a weekend in the country and my first ever visit to Oxford. This was a trip in three distinct parts with each section having its own pace and feeling. As always I found a few new places and revisited some old haunts. Even if travel can be difficult at times it’s unmatched in its ability to direct your focus on the world around you, and more importantly, to within.
Below is a photo recap. No real cameras this trip but iPhone got it done. This email will be cut off due to length so I encourage you to click through to the website to see everything from Oxford and the English Countryside. I’m already scheming to rent a country house in England next summer.
The bar at the Durrants. A welcoming place if you are staying in the hotel or if you happen to be near Chiltern street.
The vintage watch shop in the Burlington Arcade is my favorite window shopping watch shop anywhere. I don’t think I’ve ever been in side, but I love the Omega inspo I get when I’m there.
Hatchards and Daunt Books are running an excellent tote program. Blackwell’s Bookshop in Oxford (not pictured) was one of the best book stores I have ever visited.
Vintage books for sale at Hatchards.
Good brand marketing.
It’s been a few years since I have been to London and I was delighted to discover Labour & Wait had another shop off of Chiltern.
Spotted in Labour & Wait. These bird calls are reminiscent of my childhood and also of ACL 1.0.
Drake’s Savile Row > all other Drake’s shops
Over the weekend in London things continued to feel cinematic. The light was just right and movie scenes kept presenting themselves. Just lovely.
These have a special place in my heart. After the trip to Scotland this spring I’m paying more attention to the UK grocery store hierarchy.
A perfect blue sky day in London. Everything felt right and I couldn’t help but to stop and appreciate the many beautiful buildings.
The highlight of the trip, two walks around Royal County Down. More on this in the next ACL GOLF dispatch.
The Slieve Donard wasn’t just the best golf hotel I’ve ever visited — it’s up there in the general rankings. Such a lovely place to rest your head.
Portstewart felt like something from a children’s book. The dunes are arrestingly beautiful.
A fox sighting at Ardglass.
The perfect Barbour evolution by way of The Fliers Club.
We went to the the Old Bushmills Distillery and I was terrified I would see a photo of myself on the wall. Thankfully I was spared the embarrassment.
Imagine eating lunch here in college.
The famous Oxford punts ready to go.
A delightful Oxford street scene.
The beautiful Magdalene College quad.
My travel kit. I had so much extra stuff packed into that golf bag it was ridiculous. Those Sun Mountain kickstand travel bags are far and away the easiest to roll.
One of the perks for flying up front on Virgin Atlantic is the private entrance and separate security line. It made busy LHR a breeze.
