Pip pip and all that! It's possible to indulge your posh side in London on a budget. Whether dining like royalty or treating one's ear to aristocratic opera, there are plenty of ways to do it for less.
Breakfast like a king
Start your day with a slap-up brekkers at Piccadilly favourite, The Wolseley. The Ritz's more affordable neighbour still has more than a whiff of glamour, and while the fry up isn't exactly cheap, you can dine on fried, poached or scrambled eggs for £5.25. Tip top value, when take your time and soak up your plush surroundings.
The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB. Open for breakfast from 7am weekdays, 8am weekends
Get fitted out
With what you've got lined up for the day, you'll want to make sure you're decked out properly. For designer pieces at a discount, try Mary's Living and Giving Shop For Save The Children. With branches in only the most desirable postcodes, the stores (the brainchild of Mary Portas) are Aladdin's Caves of cut price couture and high street bargains.
Auctions
Watch your fellow social elite spend their millions at Sotheby's or Christie's. The world-famous auction houses regularly hold sales of jewels, paintings and other such 'must-haves' — and it's totally free to attend. We found ourselves being offered free flutes of champagne at the latter, although maybe that was just a champagne fluke. You can even put a bid on, just for japes — as long as you're sure you'll be outbid... risky business, you devil, you.
Old school glamour
All this being wealthy makes one famished, so partake of luncheon in The Ivy. At this established West End joint, you never know who you'll rub thoroughbred shoulders with. The Monday-Thursday (and all day Sunday) Set Lunch Menu costs £23.50 for two courses, £27.50 for three, and features asparagus and duck eggs, so ticks our posh/value boxes.
The Ivy, 1-5 West Street, London WC2H 9NQ
Be a sport
Fancy watching some tip top British sporting action? Of course you do. Sip champagne with strawberries and cream while royalty-spotting at Wimbledon. A ground ticket sets you back a mere £8-£25 depending on the day. Or head to Lord's for the sound of leather on willow with the country's best. On the day ground tickets start from £5, with adult tickets to the Royal London One Day Cup costing £20. Under 16s go free to many matches, so pop on their website to take a look.
Buy some art
You don't have to remortgage the country pile to start an art collection. At The Affordable Art Fair (in Battersea and Hampstead), browse pieces by the likes of Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor or Marc Quinn — as well as a selection of emerging artists, from over 1,000 galleries. Prices begin at just £100, so you can pick up a future heirloom without spending the family fortune. See the Affordable Art Fair website for dates and details. You'll be Charles Saatchi in no time.
Oysters and fizz
Time for another posh snack? Oysters are up there with the poshest. Drop into Oyster Happy Hour at Wright Brothers (3pm-6pm or 10pm-11pm) or The Richmond in Hackney (6pm-7pm: Monday-Friday or 5pm-7pm: Saturday), where the slippery little morsels cost just £1 each. If you like your tipple on the sparkling side, there are lots of places selling bargain bubbles in the city. Splendid.
Wright Brothers, 56 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3DY
The Richmond, 316 Queensbridge Road, E8 3NH
Music
Round off your evening with some top notch tunes at one of the ultimate regal duo — the Royal Albert Hall or Royal Opera House. Fancy the BBC Proms? Don your poshest frock and take advantage of the ticket prices — it's between £30.56-£32.60 for a stalls seat at the Royal Albert Hall, or go promming for £5 (there's on the door availability for every single Prom).
Tickets for the Royal Opera House shows start at just £4 and feature ballet, opera and, more. It also has one of the swishest interiors we've ever seen.
Congrats chums, you've fully indulged your posh side!
