Features

Archive

December 7, 2016 by Chase Vandros

Romantic things to do as a couple in London

While Paris may be considered by many to be the romance capital of the world, the fact is that London is not lagging behind. Testimony of this are the thousands of couples who visit the city every year either to get engaged, married or even to spend their honeymoon in the city. It is a fabulously vibrant city with a tinge of romance to be found in every corner of the city.

If you are planning to propose or even looking for a honeymoon destination London is the ideal city to visit. To make travelling around the city it is recommended to choose a hotel in the centre of the city like the Park Grand Paddington, which is ideally located.

Of course if you are looking for a hotel that offers easy access to and from the airport to the central London another great option would be Park Grand London Heathrow hotel that offer the best in luxury and facilities while being very reasonable in price.

The benefit of staying at a London Heathrow Hotel is its close proximity to the airport and the excellent transport links it offers to all parts of the city. If you visit the city with your wife or partner some of the romantic things to do together in London are…

There are many Romantic things to do as a couple in London

Best place to dine as a couple: If you are looking for a romantic restaurant to spend a pleasurable evening with your loved one then drop in at Andrew Edmunds at Soho. It is one of the finest places to dine in for couples with just the perfect ambience and setting, which makes it all the more romantic. It is set within an 18th century townhouse, and its candlelit surroundings and cosy atmosphere infuses a sense of la amour into the evening. With fine wine and an excellent menu it makes for a great way to spend a romantic evening with someone special. Alternatively If you’re on budget might be worth eating at some popular chains like Prezzoas they often accept vouchers which will help you save money.

Go to a secluded pub in the city: How about spending time together in a warm and cosy place away from prying eyes, engrossed in each other’s company? Just the right place to do this is the Fox & Anchor pub located in Clerkenwell. Its tiny wooden alcoves to be found at the back, give a sense of privacy and are ideal to enjoy a meal and each other’s company in a secluded corner. You could spend a wonderful time soaking in the atmosphere and revelling in each other’s company, while enjoying some cosy pub food.

Visit a ritzy bar in town: If you are staying in the Park Grand London Heathrow hotel you do not have to step out to enjoy a lovely evening together, to enjoy a fine selection of cocktails. Visit the bar at the hotel, and its chic ambience and efficient yet non-invasive hospitality will captivate you. It is a great place to enjoy a rendezvous together, lost in each other’s company while sampling some of the finest spirits and wines from the bar’s superb collection. If nothing else just order a bottle of bubbly, which will be accompanied with delectable appetisers, followed by a grand meal from its fantastic menu.

Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral: There is something so romantic about whispering sweet nothings to your partner and a fun place to do it is at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Its famous Whispering Gallery housed within its magnificent dome is something unique to experience as a couple. And whispering sweet nothings from one end of the gallery to your partner at the other end, across 100 feet is no mean feat. Just remember to keep the words romantic but not titillating, as this is a church you are in.

Enjoy a show at the West End: Perhaps there is nothing quite as romantic as watching a theatre production about a love story together as a couple. And the best place to do it is of course the theatre capital of the world, London’s famous West End. There are a host of romantic productions and you can check online for the performance you would like to see as a couple. Just remember to make your bookings in advance to avoid any disappointment at the last minute. Spend the evening watching the show and you can follow that up with a late night dinner at any of the trendy restaurants to be found in the area.

Visit Kensington’s Gardens’ Lovers’ Arch: While London has many fine palaces and royal gardens Kensington Palace Gardens is one of the best, if not the best one! It is a great place to visit and explore as a couple, with its stately apartments and fine collection of art and historical antiquities. While there do not miss visiting its famous lovers’ arch that is to be found near the flower beds close to the entrance. It is covered with vines which gives it a secluded and private air to it which makes it ideal for a romantic stroll and maybe steal a kiss or two.

Take in a romantic view of London: If you want to spend a romantic evening enjoying quality time together as a couple, London has a lot of romantic spots that offer great views of the city, like Primrose Hill and the summit of Greenwich Park etc. Watching the Sun set in the horizon together is a very romantic experience and the summit of Greenwich Park is the ideal location. It offers spectacular views of the city skyline and is set amidst striking Palladian architecture and lush green landscape. Watching the golden glow of the sunset from the top is a surreal experience and a great way to spend time together.

Archive

December 7, 2016 by Chase Vandros

Interesting Facts about London’s Hyde Park

One of the greatest natural urban attractions in the UK, Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in London and is one of the eight Royal Parks in the capital city. It covers 142 hectares and houses over 4000 trees, a large lake, a meadow and ornamental flower gardens

Hyde Park was created in 1536 by Henry VIII for hunting. Henry VIII confiscated Hyde Park from the monks of Westminster Abbey and closed it to the public so he could use it for this purpose.

In 1637, the park was reopened to the public by King Charles I. The current park layout was planned by the architect Decimus Burton in 1825. It is his design that created Apsley Gate, Hyde Park’s grand entrance.

Hyde Park is home to a number of famous landmarks including the Serpentine Lake, the Serpentine Bridge, Speakers’ Corner, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, the Joy of Life Fountain and the famous statue of Achilles. The centre of Hyde Park is a 17-minute walk from the Shaftesbury Hyde Park International London hotel. Making this walk provides a great opportunity to see these landmarks and the many other sights Hyde park has to offer. The Shaftesbury Hyde Park International also has special London hotels offers available to make a stay in London more economical.

There are many Interesting Facts about London’s Hyde Park

The Serpentine is a 16-hectare recreational lake that curves through Hyde Park. The lake was created in 1730 at the behest of Queen Caroline. The Serpentine is one of the most visited places in Hyde Park during the summer and offers plenty of swimming and boating opportunities. The lake is divided into the Serpentine (east) and the Long Water (west) by the Serpentine Bridge. The bridge was built in the 1820s to carry the West Carriage Drive along the boundary between Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.

Protests and demonstrations have taken place in Hyde Park since the mid-1800s. in 1872, police had to break up a violent demonstration and this is when Speakers’ Corner was created. Speakers’ Corner gave the public a chance to express their views. To this day, every Sunday, speakers’ are often found in Speakers’ Corner standing on a makeshift soapbox. As long as they don’t use obscenity, blasphemy or encourage violence, speakers can continue as long as they need to. Often, the public will challenge speeches, turning them into a debate.

Near Speakers’ Corner, in the North-East of Hyde Park, stands the Marble Arch. It was originally built in 1827 to serve as an entrance to Buckingham Palace but was moved to its current location in 1851. Marble Arch was designed by John Nash and was based upon the design of the Arch of Constantine in Rome. If you look closely you will see a small office located within Marble Arch, this was once used as a Police station.

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain was built with the best materials, talent and technology. It contains 242 pieces of Cornish granite – each shaped by the latest computer-controlled machinery and pieced together using traditional skills. The Fountain was designed to be a tribute to her life and love of children.

The 18-foot-high statue of Achilles, the Greek hero of the Trojan War, commemorates the soldier and politician. 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852). The statue was installed by order of King George III and unveiled on the 18th June 1872.

Archive

December 7, 2016 by Chase Vandros

How to feel like you aren’t in London

London is a fascinating city to explore with a heady mix of ancient history and modern-day living often standing side by side. It is a bustling and busy environment with more than 8 million people calling it their home and millions more visiting every year. And whilst it may be enjoyable to spend some time wandering around the historical landmarks and gazing up at the iconic skyscrapers and architecture, sometimes it is also nice to take a break from all of that and, believe it or not, there are several places you can head in London which feel like they are miles and miles away from the capital city.

Does this sound like the kind of place you would like to add to your itinerary? Then read on for our favourite places to escape from it all in London:

Want to know how to feel like you aren’t in London? Head to a park in an outlying area...

Lavender Garden, Vauxhall Park

Vauxhall Park is a medium sized Victorian park which has a rich history in the area. It offers facilities such as a children’s playground, a model village, flower beds and sporting facilities which can be used and enjoyed all year round but one particular draw during the summer months has to be the lavender garden. It is truly a hidden gem of the park, tucked away behind the model village and rose pergola but awash with the purple flowers during the warmer months of the year. There are benches dotted around the lavender garden, which is square in shape, inviting you to just sit and soak up the ambience and smell of these beautiful flowers.

St George’s Gardens

For anyone who doesn’t mind a touch of the gothic, you are practically guaranteed to be undisturbed if you choose to explore St George’s Gardens. Less than 2 miles from The Piccadilly Hotel London the gardens were originally the place of burial for two local churches and after being abandoned, the gardens were rescued during 1997 when they were one of several gardens to receive lottery funding under the Urban Parks Programme. The newly restored gardens opened in 2001 and are maintained by the council. They are used by local people looking for a tranquil space to escape and visitors alike and its location truly makes you feel as though you are stepping into another world. Look out for the winding paths, gothic tombs and statues which can be found dotted all over the Gardens.

Camley Street Natural Park

Another park which is just a short distance from the hotels near Piccadilly Circus is the Camley Street Natural Park. This is a unique urban nature reserve which sits in the shadow of King’s Cross station and yet could be a million miles away from the bustling city centre. The reserve was created from wasteland and is now home to a wonderful array of wildlife from birds to amphibians. The park offers lots of ways for families to get involved with nature but it’s also a pretty great place for an adult to head if they want to escape from it all for an hour or two.

Crystal Palace Park

Most people know about Crystal Palace Park because it is home to some interesting dinosaur models but there is more to the park than simply these giant Victorian installations. There are Italian terraces, a children’s play area, a maze, a children’s farm, and the ruins of the old palace which once stood here to admire as well. Although the park is set a little ways from Central London it’s perfect if you want to head to a large open space and find yourself a little corner to get lost in for a while. It’s worth checking out the dinosaurs whilst you are there too, they really are quite something.

Horniman Museum Gardens

The Horniman Museum is a wonder in and of itself with many a quirky artefact and free entry for the public. However if it is a slice of solace that you seek then head to the gardens. These 16 acres consist of formal gardens, a wildlife garden, a meadow field and lots of interesting structures. They also offer some pretty stunning views across London and the South Downs and are the perfect place to go if you want to enjoy some peace and tranquillity as part of your time in London. Make sure you factor in time to explore the highlights of the museum at the same time; there is all kinds of interesting and intriguing things to be discovered from a mummified crocodile to a sand painting from America.

Valentines Park

If you don’t mind travelling a little further afield then Valentines Park is a gem just waiting to be uncovered. It is an award-winning space (voted 6th best park in the UK in 2015) and has a large boating lake, an aviary, a café, sporting facilities and plenty of open space to wander around and enjoy. There is also Valentines Mansion nearby which offers insight into 300 years of history; there are period furnished rooms, a Victorian kitchen and Georgian rooms, all surrounded by stunning parkland. A real treasure to be sure.

St Dunstan in the East

For a real glimpse of history in a central location you can’t go wrong with the gardens at St Dunstan in the East. Just a short distance from the Tower of London, these ruins were once a parish church before they were damaged in the Blitz of the Second World War and a public garden was created in the ruins. The walls which remain standing are now covered in creeping vines and there is a lovely circular paved area with benches where you can sit to soak up the atmosphere. Despite its very central location, the gardens feel as though they are a million miles away from the urban heart of the city and it makes a fantastic option if you crave tranquillity but don’t want to travel too far.

Archive

December 7, 2016 by Chase Vandros

Common misconceptions about food in London

An ever popular place for tourists to head, there is a lot to recommend London to the savvy traveller. History, culture, cutting edge attractions and plenty more besides and yet, for some reason, there seems to be an increasing number of misconceptions cropping up about the quality of food that you can find in the city. London should be a foodies dream location but don’t believe everything you read; here are some common misconceptions about the food you can find in London:-

It’s all based around potato

It’s certainly true that British people love their comfort food and you won’t find anything better on a chilly winter’s day than a dollop of hearty mash potato served with lashings of gravy. Plenty of traditional British meals are often accompanied by mash potato including pies, sausages (of the bangers and mash variety), cottage pie and shepherd’s pie and probably more besides. However, that doesn’t mean that all locals eat is mash potato. It has been said plenty of times before and will continue to be said that London is a melting pot of cultures and people from all over the world have been making the city their home for centuries and it is this that has influenced the main type of cuisine which is eaten. In short, you can get just about any type of food you want in London and much of it is entirely potato-free. So whilst many traditional British foods do come with a serving of mash potato, it isn’t the only type of vegetable you will find on your plate if you choose to dine out in London.

Common misconceptions about food in London keep people blind about the diverse options available here

They only drink tea

British people certainly do have a particular affinity for a good cup of tea and you will see the idea of ‘afternoon tea’ mentioned a lot if you are looking for things to do when visiting London. Many London hotels have special offers on their afternoon tea packages which are worth keeping an eye out for. However, for those who aren’t fans of tea or who simply enjoy a decent cup of coffee, there are also plenty of options for you to choose from as well. You will find all the major coffee chains in the city including Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Café Nero alongside a whole heap of independent coffee shops too which serve unique and delicious blends of coffee with some wonderful ambience to go alongside. Enjoying a delightful cup of coffee in an independent café whilst reading the morning newspaper is, in fact, the way that many Londoners like to spend their Sundays, with a dose of people watching on the side.

It’s expensive, for what you get

Let’s be realistic here, if you are looking for something traditionally British such as fish and chips then you don’t to be heading to one of the Michelin-starred restaurants in the city. You want your down to earth chippie for that. Likewise, if you are looking for some fine dining then the greasy spoon café on the corner probably won’t cut it. As with any major international city, London offers a variety of eating options for a variety of budgets, and it’s only fair to expect that you will get what you pay for. That doesn’t mean to say, however, that if you find somewhere cheap to eat that the food quality is going to be poor. Some of London’s finest food can be found at the markets such as Borough Market and Greenwich Market and are well worth exploring if you are after some home-cooked delights inspired by cultures the world over. Likewise, unless you are a food connoisseur then you could probably get away with steering well clear of any fancy dining establishment and heading instead for somewhere with fairly decent reviews from local people. There are a wealth of websites online which can give you a heads up on the best places to eat in London; and you might be surprised at what you find.

There’s no variety

This answer falls pretty much in line with what we mentioned above; although we don’t have the climate to grow an exotic array of fruit and vegetables, we are still pretty capable of serving up a delight for the tastebuds whether you are looking for a meal which would be classed as ‘traditionally’ British or you simply want a taste of London. London is awash with cultures from all over the world and you will find that whether you want an authentic Indian curry, a Chinese chow mein or an Italian gelato, that there is all this and more to be discovered in London. From any Montcalm hotel in London you could set out and immediately discover restaurants offering foods from all over the world. If that isn’t variety then what is?

It’s all boiled or steamed

Once upon a time, way back when rationing was still a thing in Britain…people had to make do with what they could. Out of this came some of the dishes which are considered to be classically British; steamed puddings, potato-based dishes, stodgy offerings. These dishes have remained popular to this day and although it isn’t all we eat, they are certainly well liked enough that they remain on menus up and down the country. This is not a misconception that we deny, a lot of British foods are boiled or steamed in order to produce the taste sensation that they offer. But time and again we come back to the point that these are just a fraction of the types of food that you can find in London. Yes, there are steamed puddings, boiled eggs and bacon dripping in grease, but there is much more than this besides. You don’t have to eat British cuisine when in London and there are more than enough options for you to feel as though you are dining out in a different country for each day you are in the city.

Archive

December 7, 2016 by Chase Vandros

Best Attractions in Greater London

London is a huge city which is home to more than eight million people and covers a vast space. With hundreds of attractions, historical landmarks and points of culture, it is no wonder than 15 million people come to visit the city each year. Yet a large number of these people tend to focus their explorations on the heart of the city, where attractions such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye can be found. However, if you were to venture a little further afield from the centre of London you would discover some truly wonderful places which are also very worthwhile; and with London’s excellent public transport network, they are all fairly easy to get to as well. So if you’d like to take a step away from the City of London and the large majority of tourists then here are some alternative places you could head to in Greater London:

Hampton Court Palace is one of the Best Attractions in Greater London

Hampton Court Palace

Catch the overground train from Central London and you could explore Hampton Court Palace, which lies southwest of the city along the banks of the River Thames. Hampton Court Palace is best known for being the favourite place of the infamous King Henry VIII and it is still possible to see parts of the Palace which stood during the Tudor era, including the Great Hall. There are a number of highlights worth seeing such as the State Apartments, the Clock Court, the Privy Garden and the Maze which is the largest Maze in Europe. The gardens themselves are absolutely stunning, particularly if you visit during the summer months and consist of 750 acres. If you happen to visit over winter then you will get to experience the outdoor ice skating rink and a number of special festive events as well.

Wimbledon

South of the Central London hotels you will find Wimbledon; perhaps best known as being the venue of the most famous tennis tournament in the world and certainly the place many thousands of visitors flock to during the early months of summer. However, there is plenty to see here all year round from the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum which features exhibits, a 3D cinema and the chance to get up close with some of the Wimbledon trophies to the Polka Theatre which is dedicated to creating performances for young children. Wimbledon Village is also worth exploring and is home to a number of independent boutique stores, quirky cafes and trendy restaurants.

Richmond Park

Richmond Park is well known, being one of the eight Royal Parks of London and yet it is often overlooked in favour of more centrally located parks such as Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. For those who have booked to stay somewhere central such as in one of The Montcalm London Hotels this does make sense and yet a trip to Richmond Park can be a truly spectacular one. Covering an area of over 2,000 acres, Richmond Park is the largest city park in the country and is home to a rich variety of wildlife including Red and Fallow Deer. There are over 5,000 trees, a number of old buildings such as White Lodge and the Isabella Plantation, a woodland garden which was created in 1831 and offers a tranquil retreat which almost feels separate to the rest of the park. It’s the perfect place to take a picnic and let children burn off energy, or to find a quiet spot in which to enjoy a romantic picnic as you take in your picturesque surroundings.

The Royal Air Force Museum

London is home to a number of world-class museums and these are often the places which tourists tend to make a beeline for; and yet there are a number located on the outskirts of the city which would make for a diverse and fascinating day out instead. The Royal Air Force Museum certainly offers the opportunity for that. Located on the former factory site and aerodrome of pilot Claude Grahame-White, the museum is home to more than 70 military planes, an outstanding collection of official records, decorations and memorabilia as well as a number of interactive exhibitions such as the flight simulator. Some of the military planes housed here date back to World War Two.

Syon House and Park

One of the last ‘great’ houses of London, Syon House was once a 15th century monastery and has been in the same family for the last 400 years. It is made up of imposing columns, impressive statues, historical paintings as well as being surrounded by over 50 acres of garden and parkland. Although the house closes over the winter, an Enchanted Woodland is created in the gardens with colourful illuminations and lights taking over. Well worth the journey out to the House to spend an evening wandering the gardens before enjoying a cup of mulled wine and heading back to the centre of the city.

Kew Gardens

As a very well known attraction in London, people are often surprised to find that the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew are actually situated in southwest London and not closer to the centre. There are more than 100 attractions to be found in Kew from the 300 acre gardens to the glasshouses, the historical buildings and all kinds in between. For those who want to inject a little adrenaline into their visit there is the Treetop Walkway; an 18-metre high, 200-metre long walkway which allows visitors to walk amongst the tops of trees such as lime, sweet chestnut and oak. It offers a unique perspective on the trees and the gardens below. There is plenty here for children too, with indoor and outdoor areas so you can keep little people engaged no matter what the weather. Kew is well known for the seasonal events and activities it offers as well so no matter what time of year you visit, there is something to see and do.

← Older posts
Newer posts →