The best of Chelsea by the people who know - Cadogan

24 | INSIDER | Favourite places
The Insider’s Guide
to favourite places
By Michael Hoppen, owner of
the Michael Hoppen Gallery in
Jubilee Place. He is a leading
photography dealer and his
recent exhibitions have
included works by legendary
fashion photographer Guy
Bourdin and the first European
solo show from Japanese
photographer Hisaji Hara.
Michael is the son of Stephanie
Hoppen, whose gallery is
in Walton Street, and the
brother of interior designer
Kelly Hoppen
St Luke’s, Sydney Street
I have always loved St Luke’s church.
It’s beautifully maintained, close to my
gallery, and the gardens are always
a good place to reflect. A refuge.
606 Club, 90 Lots Road
606 still makes my feet tap whenever
I go.
Chelsea Physic Garden,
Royal Hospital Road
The Chelsea Physic Garden is an
amazing place to wander. So much
history and so many beautiful, small
things to look at.
Chelsea Arts Club,
143 Old Church Street
A long lunch at the Chelsea Arts Club
is a perfect way to spend an afternoon
in Chelsea.
Fetter Lane Moravian Church,
381 King’s Road
My secret green space is the Moravian
gardens down at World’s End. I remember
seeing the lion cub exercise there
when I was a small boy growing up
around Chelsea in the 1960s (see
‘Christian the lion’, page 16, in Streets
and Sights).
Phat Phuc Noodle Bar,
151 Sydney Street
The best Vietnamese noodles in town.
The Pig’s Ear, 35 Old Church
Street
This pub has a great atmosphere for
when the Arts Club is too busy.
The King’s Road
I have so many memories of the King’s
Road as I grew up here from the early
1960s. I remember the Stones’ concert in
Hyde Park when all the hippies came
down the King’s Road walking to the
park. There was a couple who painted
their bodies with flowers and walked
naked up the street. My eyes were on
stalks!
Cocomaya, Unit 10, 186 Pavilion
Road
A wonderful café behind Peter Jones –
the best coffee in Chelsea bar none.