Tips
Sightseeing
Kensington Gardens and adjoining Hyde Park present a massive and beautifully curated green space all year round. There are cafes and a few bars scattered within the parks, a boating lake, the Serpentine Art Gallery (now split across 2 locations - one with a restaurant attached) and, in summertime, the Serpentine Pavilion, an annually changing, modern architectural installation.
Depending on refurbishment completion, the Orangery at Kensington Palace is a wonderful location for coffee and cakes, as well as main meals. Often overlooked and underused.
You might choose to rent bicycles and ride around the many cycle paths to take it all in.
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Kensington garðar
Kensington Gardens and adjoining Hyde Park present a massive and beautifully curated green space all year round. There are cafes and a few bars scattered within the parks, a boating lake, the Serpentine Art Gallery (now split across 2 locations - one with a restaurant attached) and, in summertime, the Serpentine Pavilion, an annually changing, modern architectural installation.
Depending on refurbishment completion, the Orangery at Kensington Palace is a wonderful location for coffee and cakes, as well as main meals. Often overlooked and underused.
You might choose to rent bicycles and ride around the many cycle paths to take it all in.
The World famous Tate Modern is spectacular - recently expanded to include the cavernous 'Tanks', amazing dark spaces for live performance art, sculpture and installations. If you enjoy perfectly curated modern art I think it's a must for any trip that includes the best of London.
Take the Central line from Queensway to St Paul's and head south to cross the Thames by the pedestrian Millenium Bridge for the best approach to the gallery.
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Tate Modern
BanksideThe World famous Tate Modern is spectacular - recently expanded to include the cavernous 'Tanks', amazing dark spaces for live performance art, sculpture and installations. If you enjoy perfectly curated modern art I think it's a must for any trip that includes the best of London.
Take the Central line from Queensway to St Paul's and head south to cross the Thames by the pedestrian Millenium Bridge for the best approach to the gallery.
OK, it doesn't look like this anymore but Ken High St, as it is known, is a great shopping alternative to Oxford Street at the opposite corner of the park. Add the massive Whole Foods store, numerous restaurants and the exquisite Japan House - as much a cultural museum as a shop - and it's a day out in itself. Walk down Kensington Place Gardens from Bayswater Road.
Kensington High St, London, UK
OK, it doesn't look like this anymore but Ken High St, as it is known, is a great shopping alternative to Oxford Street at the opposite corner of the park. Add the massive Whole Foods store, numerous restaurants and the exquisite Japan House - as much a cultural museum as a shop - and it's a day out in itself. Walk down Kensington Place Gardens from Bayswater Road.
Neighbourhoods
Full of great bars and restaurants you can easily spend all day just wandering around.
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Notting Hill
Full of great bars and restaurants you can easily spend all day just wandering around.
If you head east on Ken High St you will come to the southern end of Holland Park. There is a fantastic design museum here and the park itself and its gorgeous Kyoto Garden. You could walk a loop down Kensington Palace Gardens, West along Ken High St, through Holland Park to Holland Park Avenue where you will find the excellent Daunt Books and Lidgate's butcher.
Holland park
If you head east on Ken High St you will come to the southern end of Holland Park. There is a fantastic design museum here and the park itself and its gorgeous Kyoto Garden. You could walk a loop down Kensington Palace Gardens, West along Ken High St, through Holland Park to Holland Park Avenue where you will find the excellent Daunt Books and Lidgate's butcher.
Walk across the park and down Exhibition Road and you are amongst the museums. The vast Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the stylish V&A where you should enjoy a coffee in the Italianate courtyard.
South Kensington
Walk across the park and down Exhibition Road and you are amongst the museums. The vast Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the stylish V&A where you should enjoy a coffee in the Italianate courtyard.
Food scene
The Westbourne is a favourite of mine. A little hidden from the main streets of Bayswater and Notting Hill (but only a 5 minute walk from the apartment) with great food and a popular outdoor terrace.
The food is better than usual for a pub, the beer and wine offerings varied and tables on the terrace in high demand whenever the weather allows.
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The Westbourne
101 Westbourne Park VillasThe Westbourne is a favourite of mine. A little hidden from the main streets of Bayswater and Notting Hill (but only a 5 minute walk from the apartment) with great food and a popular outdoor terrace.
The food is better than usual for a pub, the beer and wine offerings varied and tables on the terrace in high demand whenever the weather allows.
Despite changing management in the past five years or so, this classic pub has maintained its character. Situated just off Westbourne Grove it is a great place for a pint and, just like the Westbourne and most venues in the area, the outside tables don't stay empty for long.
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Cock & Bottle
17 Needham RdDespite changing management in the past five years or so, this classic pub has maintained its character. Situated just off Westbourne Grove it is a great place for a pint and, just like the Westbourne and most venues in the area, the outside tables don't stay empty for long.
This is a great restaurant at any time but their Friday and Saturday set menu lunches are the best value fine dining I can think of in London. Sit in a booth at the back if you can. The domed skylight is beautiful.
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Hereford Road Restaurant
3 Hereford RdThis is a great restaurant at any time but their Friday and Saturday set menu lunches are the best value fine dining I can think of in London. Sit in a booth at the back if you can. The domed skylight is beautiful.
Beam
Brunch.
Also brunch - dinner too. It's a bit pricey with a clientelle to match but it's not popular for nothing. Good food and a lovely room.
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Granger and Co.
175 Westbourne GroveAlso brunch - dinner too. It's a bit pricey with a clientelle to match but it's not popular for nothing. Good food and a lovely room.
Pharmacy
74-76 Westbourne GroveVegetarian and vegan joint with a beautifully airy dining room.
On the other side of the street from the Westbourne, The Cow is a cosy, busy, worn-in favourite that knows exactly what it's about. Come here for oysters and Guinness. Don't make further plans.
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The Cow
89 Westbourne Park RdOn the other side of the street from the Westbourne, The Cow is a cosy, busy, worn-in favourite that knows exactly what it's about. Come here for oysters and Guinness. Don't make further plans.
Can't be beaten for location and surprisingly decent value. The temporary pavilion is good but hopefully by the time you read this the original, newly refurbished Orangery building may be back open. Tea and cakes or more if you feel like it.
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The Orangery Restaurant
Kensington Palace GardensCan't be beaten for location and surprisingly decent value. The temporary pavilion is good but hopefully by the time you read this the original, newly refurbished Orangery building may be back open. Tea and cakes or more if you feel like it.
Entertainment
After the summer concerts comes the massive Winter Wonderland Christmas market and fair. If you happen to fly into London on a clear winter's night you can see this neon riot from the window.
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Hyde Park
After the summer concerts comes the massive Winter Wonderland Christmas market and fair. If you happen to fly into London on a clear winter's night you can see this neon riot from the window.