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A Visitor's Guide to Exploring London's Colourful Neighbourhoods

One of the things I love about walking around London is the many beautiful areas to explore. The city boasts 32 boroughs, each with something unique to offer. However, discovering London's hidden corners is best done on foot. Luckily, this vibrant capital is pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to find quirky and bright areas, mainly when staying at central properties like these Hotels Near Earls Court London. Here is a visitor's guide to exploring London's colourful neighbourhoods.

Hampstead

Known as one of the prettiest neighbourhoods in the city, Hampstead is renowned for its picturesque streets, cute shops, and sprawling Heath.

In addition, Hampstead is filled with hidden gems like the Holly Bush and Fenton House's tucked-away gardens. 

Kensington

Kensington is one of London's most elegant neighbourhoods due to its abundance of mews streets and royal residences. Kensington Palace Gardens and Kensington Church Street offer a variety of interesting details, such as impressive real estate. In addition to a bustling high street, pubs decorated with flowers, and candy-cane-striped buildings, there's a lot to see and do in this city. Visitors looking to spend most of their time in this area can book a stay at this Park Grand Kensington Accommodation.

Chelsea

One of the prettiest neighbourhoods in London is Chelsea, which is located next to South Kensington. Its side streets are bursting with colour, from pastel houses on Bywater Street to rainbow row homes on Godfrey Street. The King's Road isn't just about colours; it is also a great shopping destination and offers a view of the Thames and historic houses. Nature lovers will enjoy walking around the cosy side streets of Chelsea and exploring the Chelsea Physic Garden.

Knightsbridge

Luxury shopping and over-the-top house prices characterize Knightsbridge. Affluent and beautiful, this is one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in London. While here, make sure to head to the many food halls at Harrods and take in the orange brick architecture on Pont Street. Knightsbridge is the ideal designer shopping spot for luxury Kensington London Hotels guests.

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is one of those neighbourhoods that always makes the list of places to visit in London. Known for its colourful houses and vibrant market, this place is popular with travellers and locals.

However, Portobello Road isn't the only thing to see here. Many shops and restaurants in Notting Hill attract people from all over London. We recommend booking a stay at the Hotels Near Gloucester Road Tube Station for easy access to this part of London.

Holland Park

Located next to Notting Hill, Holland Park often leaves visitors feeling enchanted. Beauty abounds in the park. One of the most spectacular sights in the city is its stunning spring tulips and summer roses. In addition to the Japanese garden, a peacock enclosure adds a magical aspect to the space. Nevertheless, Holland Park goes beyond the green space, especially the picturesque crescents and colours that fill the streets around it.

Other places to check out:

●      Belgravia

●     South Kensington

●     Dulwich

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4 things you need to know about The Making of Harry Potter

People from around the world flock to London for different reasons. While the foodies might come for the restaurants in Kensington, the business-people might spend the majority of their time in a Conference Room in London. A very enticing reason for lovers of the world of Harry Potter is the “Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter” located in Watford and accessible from London. Here are four things you need to know about making the magical trip.

1. Getting there

 Watford is an English town northwest of London which can take as little as 15 minutes to get to Watford Junction from London Euston station on a West Midlands train towards Northampton. Watford Junction is self-aware enough to know why people are visiting the station, so there are regular shuttle buses from the station to the studio, which also takes about 15 minutes. Buses run every 30 minutes from 9.20am, so it is important to factor all of this in to ensure you arrive in time for your allocated starting time. For instance, it will likely take you around an hour and a half to get from the Park Grand London Kensington Hotel to the studio’s doorstep. There is also parking, if you have access to a car.

2. Tickets

 This is not the kind of activity you can wing, even if you are great on a broomstick. Booking is essential, so try to pick your date and time as soon as you have booked a room with Special Offers London Hotels. There are group tickets for bigger groups, as well as deluxe packages and tickets that include everything from a private tour guide to a spot of delicious afternoon tea.

3. The Gift Shop

 The chances of you leaving The Making of Harry Potter without a bag of goodies from the gift shop are about the same as catching a Golden Snitch - possible, but unlikely. Make sure you take some spending money so that you can take your friends and family a chocolate frog or a bag of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans to make them suitably jealous. Make sure you know which house you are in so that you can get the uniform to match!

4. Timing Tips

 Obviously, the time you visit will be dependent on availability at the studios, but a top tip for visitors is to book as early a slot as you can. While you have to enter at your allocated time, there is no cap on how long you can stay, so you can really make a day of it exploring the sets and immersing yourself in the world of Harry Potter.

5. Food and Drink

 Another top tip for visiting London’s Harry Potter Studio is to arrive hungry. Chocolate Frog Café serves a selection of sweets and treats, and it would be a crime against the wizarding world not to buy a butterbeer at The Backlot Café. You won’t want to miss out on the food and drink on offer.

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4 pearls of wisdom for visiting London

No matter who you are or where you are going, some local guidance goes a long way. This is especially important if you have a corporate stay planned, which tends to mean you have limited time to spend putting together a curated itinerary in your spare time, or even just for those who often find themselves in a tourist trap for lack of more reliable information. Here are four top tips for visiting London which will enhance your experience.

1. Find central accommodation 

London is enormous, and so you are likely to find some deals that seem too good to be true price-wise if you just generally type “London” into your accommodation search-bar. By rule of thumb, always remember that if it seems to good to be true, it probably is in London. There is no point finding bargain accommodation if it is so far out of the city center that you spend your time and money traveling back and forth rather than enjoying what the city has to offer. This is why Park Grand accommodation is so popular. Park Grand Kensington accommodation means you are located in the heart of the city and not only have access to a number of tube, overground and bus routes for exploring, but are also able to walk around.

2. Don’t underestimate hotel facilities

 It can be tempting, when visiting a hotel, to dump your bags in your room and head off exploring the moment you get there. This is only natural when you consider that London is jam-packed with restaurants, attractions, theaters and parks - be sure to make time for these. However, don’t underestimate your hotel facilities that you have access to, as there is plenty to be savored in the Park Grand restaurant!

3. Make bookings

 Playing things by ear and taking time to smell the roses (an easy task at Park Grand London Kensington due to the proximity to Hyde Park Rose Garden) is a top priority for many when traveling, but it is so disappointing when you set your heart on an activity or meal and then are turned away for lack of space. Booking in advance ensures you don’t waste time in a city that always has something going on and also helps restaurants keep on top of things. Chat to your hotel concierge and they may be able to help you make some bookings!

4. Don’t buy individual tube tickets

 A classic trap to fall into as someone unfamiliar with London and its underground network is to buy tickets for specific journeys. This is a waste of money and entirely avoidable. If you have a card with contactless capabilities - use this, unless you are charged extra to do so. If you do not, buy an Oyster card and upload money via the app. This means the London capping system is used, where you don’t pay over a certain daily or weekly amount. If you feel a little uncertain, start this process at a big station such as Paddington or Kings Cross, as there are plenty of staff around who can advise you. Remember: the Oyster cards cannot refund you, so don’t upload more than you need!

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Lockdown is over: Make the most of it in London

The Covid-19 pandemic changed the world as everyone knew it. Plunged into lockdowns across the world, people learned to reevaluate their lives, whether in terms of the work they do or the time they spend with their family. One thing that doesn’t seem to have gone away as we start easing our way back towards a sense of normality is travel. Now that the planes are flying again and the hotels near Earls Court have opened up their doors to visitors from around the world, it is time to enjoy all the activities that were not possible during lockdown. 

Public transport

Though public transport never stopped entirely in London owing to the dependence of essential workers on these services, it was recommended that nobody used public transport for recreation or unless 100% necessary. This meant that hotels near Earls Court tube station couldn’t really show off their full potential. That is no longer a problem and if anything, public transport just got better and London just got a lot more accessible with the addition of the Elizabeth Line. So, next time you find yourself exploring the city, make the most of the public transport to celebrate the fact that it is back in action after the global lockdowns.

Go to the theater 

The London theaters were all closed during the lockdowns, which was not just an issue for theater-enthusiasts but more dramatically, the theaters and talented performers who make a night out on the West End possible. Now that the lockdown is over, the theaters are open and they need as much support as they can get to recover from the losses they have made over the past two years.Thankfully, going to the theater as much as possible is hardly a big ask when you see all the fantastic shows that are on at the moment. So, pick your genre, and go fill those theaters!

Eat out

During the lockdowns, restaurants and cafes did their best to keep busy and afloat, from takeaway meals to make-it-at-home food delivery. So much so that when things started to ease up initially, there was an Eat Out To Help Out government initiative to encourage people to get back to restaurants. One of the best parts of London is the food. In fact, it is estimated that there are 18,110 restaurants in London, according to the Office for National Statistics. So, get out there and play your part in helping the industry recover from the dry spell they have managed to endure. For guests staying in hotels near Earls Court tube, your options seem never ending. Especially for guests of Park Grand Kensington accommodation, who won’t want to go much further than the hotel’s The Turmeric Restaurant. 

Pubs and bars 

Like the restaurants and cafes, establishments serving drinks took a real knock during the pandemic. Now that the lockdown is over, it is time to show these places that we care about their struggle and support their future. Park Grand guests always have to hotel bar to depend on, but there are plenty of other options in the Kensington area, with an ambience to match any preference.  

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Your guide to London’s Camden

London's Camden Town offers a unique and dynamic mix of markets, cultures, cuisines and live music. Today, visitors and locals gather to explore Camden's famous markets, walk along Regent's Canal, sample food from around the world and listen to live music. Camden has been home to many famous people, including Dylan Thomas and Amy Winehouse, and to this day it remains popular with the alternative and bohemian crowd.

Park Grand Kensington Hotel London is one of the best hotels near Earls Court London, offering a range of comfortable and well-appointed accommodation to suit business and leisure travellers alike. 

Camden High Street is the main road through Camden. Here you will find quite a few of your usual high street shops, but once you keep heading down the high street you will be met with an array of boutiques, from London memorabilia shops to vintage and punk clothing stores, there’s also some excellent tattoo parlours if you’re feeling adventurous. From here, you’ll begin to see the grungier and more eclectic side of Camden. 

Camden Lock will be your next place to visit in this quirky town. Have fun by trying to spot the Camden Lock sign on the bridge, and if you are lucky enough you may get to see the lock open to let a boat through. 

Camden Market has more than 1,000 places to shop, eat, drink and dance. It is a place where you can browse for bespoke vintage fashion pieces and handmade jewellery, as well as unusual gifts and eye-catching accessories. Camden Market is open seven days a week 10am to 6pm and is hugely popular with tourists. It’s a must see attraction for any visitor to London. Just across the road from Camden Market is Hawley Wharf Camden, which are two buildings bursting with delicious food stores and boutique shops. Explore the food halls next to the canal where you’ll find tasty street food from all around the globe. 

Camden is the perfect place for a Night On The Town. As the cradle of counterculture and the home of live music, Camden is the perfect place for a lively evening, from bars and pubs to nightclubs and live music venues Camden has something for everyone to enjoy. Electric Ballroom has been at the heart of Camden’s music scene since the 1930s. It’s located on Camden High Street, just one minute’s walk from Camden Town tube station. You can catch both up-and-coming and big name artists here, this is the place to visit if you want to fully understand and appreciate Camden’s culture.

The Camden Arts Centre is a beautiful and sensitively designed building that combines its original Victorian gothic roots with a contemporary urban design. Enhancing space and light and maximising the natural qualities of space. Talented artists are attracted to the galleries here and exhibit a range of work across different mediums, including installation, film and video. There’s always something here that will challenge and inspire you, it’s well worth a visit if you’re in town. 

The Park Grand Kensington accommodation is an exclusive hotel based in Kensington decorated in contemporary design and embellished with modern amenities providing guests with the ultimate in comfort and convenience.

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National Gallery: Must-Visit Attractions in London

The National Gallery is one of London’s premier visitor attractions, and for good reason. It houses some of the world’s finest art pieces by some of the most famous artists, including Van Gogh and Monet. If you’re staying in one of the hotels near Gloucester Road Tube Station, or any of the hotels in London for that matter, make sure you carve out time in your schedule to visit the National Gallery. 

There’s so much to take in here, and its prime location in Trafalgar Square makes it easily accessible to everyone, whether you’re visiting London for the day or if you’re enjoying an extended break at the Park Grand Kensington Hotel. With so much to see, though, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. To help you, we’ve put together a quick guide to some of the best paintings to see at the National Gallery. 

Sunflowers by Van Gogh 

Van Gogh is regarded as one of the best artists of all time, with Sunflowers being one of his most famous paintings. He completed it in 1888 in the sleepy French summertime in the south of the country. The piece was added to the National Gallery in 1924 and has gone on to become one of the most revered paintings in its collection. 

Mars and Venus by Botticelli 

In the mid-1800s the National Gallery acquired a number of Botticelli’s paintings, including the infamous Mars and Venus work. The goddess of love and the god of war are depicted in this painting in a bid by Botticelli to show that love overcomes war. The striking message has gone on to cement this painting as one of the finest pieces of art from the Italian Renaissance period. 

The Water-Lily Pond by Monet 

Seeing one of the best Monet pieces is something you’ll find yourself talking about wherever you go thereafter, be it to work in one of the meeting rooms in Kensington or whilst enjoying a drink at one of the city’s many pubs. For this reason, make sure you observe this masterpiece if you find yourself at the National Gallery. 

The Virgin of the Rocks by Da Vinci 

Think of a famous artist and Leonardo da Vinci likely springs to mind. His works can be found in the most refined art galleries around the world, including the National Gallery. Here, in room 66, you’ll find the second version of The Virgin of the Rocks. The first version can be found in the Louvre in Paris. 

The Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio 

Caravaggio’s Christian-themed Supper at Emmaus is a striking piece of art dating back to 1601. He is one of the most controversial yet influential artists of his time. If you see any of his work in person, you’ll no doubt find yourself talking about it a long time later during dinner at the Park Grand restaurant! The smooth strokes and daring subjects make him an icon well worth admiring if you’re at the National Gallery. 

There are more than 2,000 paintings within the National Gallery, but these five are among the ones most worthy of scoping out.