Already thinking ahead to the summer vacation? Not only are the days getting longer, brighter and warmer in the capital city, but there are dozens of reasons to pack a bag and travel to London. Here’s why we think London is holiday goals…
The history and the sites
London is without a doubt the home of some of the most iconic landmarks in the world. Big Ben, the London Eye and the Shard are just a few among the fascinating sites scattered around the city. It can be as simple as walking through the busy streets to soak up the historic essence and almost all the famous attractions are open to visitors, so you can get up close and experience heritage and innovation at its absolute finest. Many of the capitals landmarks can transport you back in time to when their purpose was more than just a tourist attraction. The Tower of London stands as the oldest famous structure in the capital and still to this day is home to the sparkling Crown Jewels. Take your trip to new heights and board the London Eye for a view of London like no other, or if altitude’s not your thing, see it all from a Thames perspective and take a well-worth voyage along the river. Just a short walk from our very own front door is the glamorous and simply glorious Buckingham Palace, so be sure to pay a visit should you come and stay with us!
The shopping
Spend your way through one of the shopping capitals of the globe! From designer labels, to high-street brands, to markets, London has it all for you to unleash your inner shopaholic. Don’t forget to allocate some time (at least an hour), to explore the retail wonder that is Harrods department store and take advantage of our exclusive City Shopping offer, with a tempting £20 voucher to treat yourself with a little something (see link at the end of this blog!) Our personal favourite reason to walk through Harrods’ doors is to take a sneaky peek into Godiva Café, where you’ll find some amazingly luxurious chocolates to indulge on. Or, take a break from all the tiring shopping and have some tea on the cosy Harrods Terrace, the surprises never end in the famous store! Have a nose around Camden market, Borough market, East Street market among several others to get your fresh fruit and veg, some unique antiques or cool clothing, you can always rely on a good market to have what you need.
The nightlife
Every night is buzzing in London and there’s always somewhere to chill, eat, drink or party the night away. Shoreditch is particularly popular in the social scene, with a large and diverse range of bars and clubs to choose from and special music events happening every week to mix it up. Time Out names the Connaught Bar as one of the coolest cocktail bars to go to, with a selection of tasty martinis made right in front of you! Or for something a little (or a lot) quirkier, spend an evening in the White Lyan, where the wacky and wonderful cocktails will blow your mind! With Summer on its way, make the most of the late evenings and watch the sun go down from the Radio Rooftop bar, Vista or Sky Garden where the views are breath-taking.
The family fun
It’s not all about the night owls, there’s also plenty for families with youngsters of all ages to do and its guaranteed to be bags of fun for everyone! The question is where do we start? Dive down to the depths and swim with the ocean creatures at Sea Life,or shuffle along the dark and spooky corridors of the London Dungeon. The West End is home to some of the most magical theatre shows you could ever experience, with such famous musicals as Mamma Mia, The Jersey Boys, Matilda, Wicked and the list goes on! Of course, all of the historic attractions in the city are child-friendly, with many of them including some fun activities for the little ones to enjoy and learn.
The fine cuisine
Last but certainly not least, London does not disappoint when it comes to delicious food and the choice is simply unbelievable. Whether you’re looking for ultra-fine dining, street food or pub grub, you will find it within minutes, guaranteed! We love getting to know our local area and we’ve got some great places that should go on your ‘to go to’ list. Grumbles is a British/ French restaurant just around the corner in Pimlico, serving classic dishes with a twist (we’ll say no more) in a rustic bistro environment showcasing Parisian history. Kazanin Victoria is a real cultural experience, bringing Turkish history back to life through its scrumptious cuisine by recreating dishes from the 13th Century! Or, for a good old English pub meal, grab a table at St. George’s Tavern, founded in 1840 and still serving award-winning ale to this day with some hearty dishes that will definitely fill a hole!
So there you have it, just some of the hundreds of reasons to visit London with loved ones this year! For more info on our City Shopping deal and to see what other tempting offers we have for guests, click here and start planning your holidays. Otherwise, browse our classic, comfortable and stylish rooms that just ooze Georgian heritage!