Times may have changed for the modern London gentleman, but as man about town Josh Sims says, there’s still plenty of things to do in a city that perhaps sadly no longer cares about the colour of your brogues.

There was a time when the only concern the English gentleman of leisure had while in London was what time his club began to serve drinks, whether his batman had gone ahead to prepare the country estate for his aunt’s visit that weekend, and if he really could pass muster wearing brown shoes in the city. All, of course, as Country Life’s recent list of Gentlemanly Commandments put it, while being ‘honorable and gallant’.

That ruling may remain as true as it ever was, even if the figure depicted above is more a relic of P.G. Wodehouse’s imagination. But this is not to say the modern gentleman does not have places to go and things to do in London. And, indeed, it is not to say that the smart man about town cannot aspire to living both high and with class.

Hi Ho Silver: Forget the steeds of steel — every gentleman can ride a real horse, eschewing the two-wheeled version. And, as unlikely as it may seem, one can learn to command a mount in the middle of London. The Riding Club is a concierge club for those of equine leanings, and the ladies at Hyde Park Barracks — home to the Household Cavalry — will soon have you in the saddle.
66 Brook Street, W1

Cutting Edge: The hoi polloi attended the ‘penny barber’ but a gentleman would be shaved by his servant. Today a trip to Geo F. Trumper, established 1875, is as close as most can get — the same can be said of its wet shaves. The traditional barbers even runs a one-on-one wet shaving school, for the man who, unfortunately, really has to shave himself occasionally.
9 Curzon Street, W1

Suits You: The Duke of Windsor upset Savile Row by preferring the Scholte cut for his suits, in which the cloth is cut on the bias to be form-fitting. Anderson & Sheppard made it their trademark. Tailor Steven Hitchcock, who trained at Anderson’s, now uses it to make some of the best bespoke suits around.
11 Saint George Street, W1

Crowning Achievement: The time was when no self-respecting man would be seen without a hat. Mass elegance ensued. Sadly, those days are over. But today’s gentleman need not let his standards slip: Lock & Co might suggest a bowler — it invented the style — but go for its Nomad, a soft, rollable broad-brimmed trilby with just a hint of Indiana Jones. 6 St. James Street, SW1

Cleaned Up: The modern gent still needs his immaculate appearance to be maintained. Typically washerwomen and butlers would slave over soapy tubs and hot irons to keep him spick and span. These days he goes to Mr. Steeds, ‘elite dry cleaning services’, situated — somewhat unexpectedly — in Clapham. Mr. Steeds is not known for shrinking shirts. After all, it does all the special cleaning for the Queen.
71 Mitcham Lane, SW16

What, This Old Jalopy?: It’s not the done thing for the modern gent to be seen in a modern car — that’s far too nouveau. He will visit Jeffrey Pattison at Landmark Cars, London’s first super-dealer of prestige vintage cars, and a favourite shopping spot for the King of Malaysia and, erm, Bruce Willis. Hop into a classic Mercedes, 1960s Porsche or a priceless Ferrari of the old school.
109 Devonshire Road, W4

Puff Daddies: Not content with being one of London’s most tucked-away hotels, Ten Manchester Street Hotel also has one of the most tucked-away cigar-chomping venues in London — its Cigars at No.Ten offers not only one of the city’s most comprehensive menus, but what it calls a ‘full service of cutting and lighting’ on its unique all-weather terrace.
10 Manchester Street, W1

Ice Ice Baby: As the modern gent knows, every hour is cocktail hour. Agostino Perrone, one time International Bartender of the Year, heads up perhaps the most stylish and well-equipped cocktail bar in London, at The Connaught hotel — a favourite drinking spot of Churchill’s. Try Perrone’s Martini. Then, almost certainly, try another just to be sure. Carlos Place, W1

Shooting Star: Clay pigeon and game shooting has become the stuff more of corporate events than the tweeds and breeches crowd. But that doesn’t mean knowing how to handle your Purdey isn’t a useful life-skill. The Pre-Shoot Perfector at instruction experts Bisley- 40 minutes by train from Waterloo — will have your shoulder bruised from recoil by the end of its crash course in letting loose both barrels.
Bisley, Brookwood, GU24 0NY

But Is It Art?: Every gentleman has to collect something — it passes the time. What better than British modern sculpture. That’s the hot tip from Jonathan Horwich, Bonham’s global director of picture sales. If, four years ago, you’d have bought, for £80,000, an Elizabeth Frink piece at auction as advised, you could have sold it two years later for £289,000. Or you could have kept it and used it as a doorstop.
101 New Bond Street, W1