The Bond lifestyle

Although visitors to the UK might not jump out of a helicopter after The Queen of England, as the 007 agent did during the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, tourists’ chiefs say they can still ‘live like Bond’ and try out the sort of fashionable restaurants that the spy would frequent by going on a Bond-style adventure.

“Bond represents the finest in British luxury and fine living,” said Carol Maddison, a Gulf-based manager of VisitBritain. “We invite travel connoisseurs to experience the ‘Bond lifestyle’ as they visit iconic sights and enjoy sumptuous eats throughout Britain.”

Bond is known for his glamorous lifestyle and where better to get the look than at London’s bespoke tailors, shirt-makers and hat-makers.
 
Bahraini visitors are being urged to sample classic Savile Row tailors such as Henry Poole, who invented the tuxedo, Gieves and Hawkes, or the more contemporary style of Ozwald Boateng, who was the youngest and first black tailor to open a store on the Row. Or, for star quality, visit Timothy Everest’s atelier in a Georgian house in Spitalfields in East London – Everest has designed for Tom Cruise and David Beckham.

Turnbull and Asser on Jermyn Street, in London’s West End, have fitted shirts for every single Bond actor and made the pyjamas for Judi Dench’s M.

“Men from the Gulf region are known for their refined taste in luxury,” said Mrs Maddison. “A relaxing visit to an atelier or custom tailor in Britain is an unmatched experience.”

Parts of the latest hit Bond movie Skyfall were filmed in Scotland, home of the first movie Bond, Sean Connery. Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, offers stylish shops for stylish spies, such as 21st Century kilts, which gives a contemporary look to tartan. Designer Howie Nicholsby, who aims to ‘give men throughout the world a realistic alternative to trousers’ has used materials such as leather and purple denim for his kilts, which have a celebrity following.

Scotland also boasts an abundant and tranquil countryside, with majestic castles and country houses nestled into the UK landscape, such as One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow, which is set against a backdrop of outstanding Victorian architecture and boasts world famous art collections and outstanding shopping. Visitors to this British gem can enjoy a stay in Hotel du Vin Glasgow, a lavish boutique hotel that has an enviable reputation for service and style, with guest offerings that include 49 timelessly stunning bedrooms and suites, a bistro and cigar bar.

North of Glasgow is the beautiful Glencoe, a location in Skyfall, and a site that offers a dramatic backdrop for some of the finest climbing and walking in the country. Red deer, wildcat, golden eagle and rare arctic alpine plants can be found among the breathtaking peaks and spectacular waterfalls in the glen.

Another 30 minutes north of Glencoe is Fort William, home to Inverlochy Castle Hotel where visitors can bask in one of the finest hotels that is ‘Bond-worthy’. Uniquely situated amongst the glens, lochs and mountains of the West Highlands of Scotland, Inverlochy Castle Hotel is renowned as being the finest country house hotel in Scotland and has welcomed many distinguished guests such as King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan.
Located in Lochaber, the Outdoor Capital of the UK, guests can take advantage of the stunning location and experience a multitude of exciting activities which can be arranged through the hotel, such as sporting and country pursuits on Achnacarry Estate or a round of golf at Fort William Golf Course. Families can also enjoy whitewater rafting, mountain biking, clay pigeon shooting and off-road driving.

Scotland’s capital Edinburgh, offers refined accommodations and dining outlets that even the most discerning of travellers, like Bond, will appreciate. World class cuisine can be savoured at ten-time Michelin star restaurant, Number One, which has a reputation for outstanding and creative dishes served up by Executive Chef Jeff Bland, using only the finest Scottish produce.

Those wanting to live like Bond will want to try some action – and where better than a high speed boat ride down the River Thames, followed by a climb Up At The 02– almost recreating a scene from The World is Not Enough, which featured a race down the river, followed by a fight scene on top of the arena; there are great views from the top for those brave enough to make the climb.

Anyone gripped by the high speed car chases in the films will certainly want to take a trip to the National Motor Museum in the New Forest, Hampshire, to see the exhibition Bond in Motion. It features 50 vehicles, the largest official collection of original Bond vehicles, with famous vehicles like the Aston Martin DB5 and Goldfinger’s 1937 Rolls Royce Phantom III, as well as bikes, trikes, sleds and boats.