Escape From City Life Amidst the Greenery of Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of the largest open green spaces in London, offering 350 acres of wide open space in the form of several differing habitats, as well as a host of other attractions, some seasonal, some available all year round. The fact that the park is situated right in the centre of the city and can be accessed via several different Tube stations – Queensway, Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge – makes it the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and the millions it attracts each year still aren’t enough to make it feel overcrowded.

If you stay in one of the hotels near HydePark London, such as those listed at www.theshaftsbury.co.uk, then you’ll be in the perfect place to explore everything which the park has to offer, as well as being able to travel easily throughout the rest of the city. Hyde Park itself offers much more than simply an open green space. It boasts a large lake, a meadow area and over 4,000 trees, whilst also offering both leisure and cultural attractions. If you’re feeling energetic then you can play tennis, ride a horse, swim in the open air lido, go boating or take advantage of an open air gym in the form of the Senior Playground. Should that help you to work up an appetite then you can pick up snacks and a drink at any of the refreshment points scattered around the park, or sit down for a bigger meal at the Serpentine Bar and Kitchen. Fans of culture are also well catered for in the park, in the shape of the two Serpentine Galleries which offer exhibitions of design, architecture and art throughout the year and neither of which charge for admission. 

The park is also home to a stunning Royal residence in the form of Kensington Palace, the former home of Diana, Princess of Wales. Explore sumptuous state rooms, admire the display of dresses as worn by the likes of Diana and the Queen and enjoy the tranquillity of the secluded palace gardens, to name just three of the attractions of this iconic building.

The wider area around the park, most of it within easy walking distance, also contains several attractions which visitors will want to add to their ‘must see’ list. Amongst these is the Royal Albert Hall, a Grade One Listed Building which has been hosting events and concerts of all kinds since it was opened in 1871. Even if you haven’t been lucky enough to get hold of tickets for a concert or event, you can still book a place on a behind the scenes tour of the hall, looking at all parts of the building whilst discovering some of its’ secrets.

Many people, of course, are drawn to London by the shopping opportunities on offer, from vast out of town malls to world famous department stores and small scale independent boutique retailers. Hyde Park is just around the corner from Oxford Street, London’s main shopping thoroughfare and home to the flagship stores of many famous high street names, including Selfridges, House of Fraser and John Lewis.

Find Out What’s Happening in Notting Hill for the Rest of the Year

The Notting Hill area of London is famous, above all else, for the annual Notting Hill Carnival. This takes place every August Bank holiday weekend and is the largest street festival in Europe. Millions of people come to enjoy a weekend of partying, delicious food and drink, traditional Calypso and reggae music and a parade with colourful floats made by local people. The truth, however, is that if you book into a hotel such as the London Premier Notting Hill, as detailed at theshaftsbury.co.uk, you’ll find lots to see and do at any time of the year.

The area is well served by transport links, with the Holland Park Tube and the Notting Hill Gate Tube allowing access to the London Underground and with it the chance to explore the rest of London, whilst the nearest mainline station is London Paddington. Even if you don’t actually feel like travelling far and wide, however, there is plenty to do within easy walking distance and the picturesque architecture of the area means that getting around on foot is an interesting and pleasant experience.  Bargain hunters should make it a priority to head to Portobello Road, particularly on a Saturday when the many boutique and independent shops in the area are augmented by a huge antique market. With stalls on the pavement and road stretching out for almost a kilometre, this is the perfect place to pick up a bargain and find a gift or souvenir which is genuinely unique. For shopping of a more traditional kind, head for the Westfield Shopping Centre. 

This architecturally stunning shopping mall contains over 300 stores selling every kind of product imaginable, from high street fashion to electrical goods. For shoppers with more expensive and exclusive tastes the area of the mall known as The Village is where you’ll find upmarket designer brands such as Burberry, Prada and Jimmy Choo. It’s not all about shopping, either, since the centre is also home to 65 eateries selling food from all over the world, and a state of the art 14 screen cinema.

A little bit of perspective on the world of shopping and commerce can be gained from a trip to the Museum of Brands and Packaging, a unique museum containing over 12,000 items chronicling the history of consumer design.  For visitors from around the world this represents a fascinating overview of the way in which tastes and image have changed, whereas, for British people, it presents an irresistible trip down memory lane. 

Notting Hill is renowned as being a vibrant hub for the world of art and culture. Galleries such as Beverley Knowles Fine Art and Salon Contemporary, showcase the best in contemporary art, giving visitors the chance to take a look at the work of artists who might go on to be the superstars of tomorrow.

For a truly unusual night out in Notting Hill, try going along to Supperclub, a unique restaurant cum nightclub at which the guests recline on large white beds whilst eating delicious food and watching cabaret performances.