#hotels near Hyde Park

[bottomoftheriverbed]

Kings cross > paddington

[bayswaterinn]

All you need to know about Ghostly Experiences in London

A city with as much history as London must have a fair few ghosts haunting its streets, right?

Well, it turns out that it’s not just the streets that are supposedly haunted, but also some of London’s stations, buildings, and other locations throughout the city. In this blog, we’re taking a step away from the comfort and warm welcome of the Bayswater Inn Hotel Hyde Park, sharing a few of the most haunted sites in London and how you can get involved in visiting.

Highgate Cemetery

What better place to start a ghost tour of London than at a cemetery, with this particular site located to the north of London, having opened back in 1839. The cemetery, which has been used in a number of television shows and movies, fell into disrepair in the 1960s and so has become an abandoned cemetery with a fair few stories surrounding its graves. One story involves a vampire that rests in Highgate, another concerns the ghost of an old lady who roams around looking for her murdered children.

Just watch out she doesn’t follow you back to your accommodation in Bayswater London…

Tower of London

An attraction with a gory history, the Tower of London is largely recognised as the most haunted site in the whole of London owing to the murders, battles, beheadings, and tortures which took place within its multitude of walls and grounds.

Despite now being a popular tourist attraction, which is surrounded by discount hotels and London’s most memorable visitor experiences, it is said that Anne Boleyn’s ghost remains present around the White Tower, and that the two murdered princes remain trapped in the walls where their skeletons were eventually found after their untimely death.

Ten Bells Pub

This may not have the class and grandeur of the top restaurants near Bayswater, but it certainly has a story to tell – with the Ten Bells Pub not just one of the oldest but also one of the most haunted pubs in London.

The pub is particularly famous for its links with Jack the Ripper, who picked up more than a few of his victims after they stumbled away from an evening of drinking in the pub. Their bodies were never found too far from the pub, leading people to believe that perhaps the killer himself with a regular.

Westminster Abbey

It seems off to throw such an iconic site of celebration into an article about haunting and ghosts; however, we cannot ignore the history that connects the abbey with the dead. Westminster Abbey is the final resting place for a number of royals and other noteworthy people, some of whom visitors claim to have seen moving about the grounds at a glance.

Perhaps not as sinister as some of the aforementioned ghostly experiences and attractions, Westminster Abbey deserves its place on our list if only for the number of well known individuals who call it their forever home.

Have you visited any of these haunted and ghostly sites? If so, did you experience any ‘out of this world’ encounters or visions?

[wellourgerdes]

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel The opulent Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, with its two Michelin-starred restaurants and magnificent spa, overlooks Hyde Park and Knightsbridge. This large luxury hotel overlooks Hyde Park and is just a minute’s walk from Knightsbridge tube station and 0.7 miles from the Victoria & Albert Museum.   Elegant, contemporary dining room in an opulent hotel, for…

[parkavenuejhotel]

A Guide to the Tate Modern

With so many galleries and museums spread throughout the city, visitors will find no shortage of cultural experiences and things to see come rain or shine. One of these galleries is the Tate Modern, located across the river from the hotels in London near Hyde Park, a stone’s throw from the London Eye and other popular attractions along the Southbank.

But while most of the galleries and museums across London deal with traditional, historical, and educational exhibitions which focus on Britain’s past and how London formed part of the industrial growth of the nation, the Tate Modern focuses on something a little different.

With a distinct focus on modern art and what it means to be a contemporary creative, the Tate Modern contains iconic and brand new and unseen work from across the UK and further afield.

Here’s all you need to know about visiting the Tate Modern.

Getting to the Tate Modern

Accessing the Tate Modern is easy on foot and via the underground, with the closest underground station being Southwark on the Jubilee Line. For those travelling from accommodation near Hyde Park, Green Park is the most accessible tube station – or you could wander down to the gallery on foot, by boat, or on one of the local Boris bikes available for hire.

What can you see at the Tate Modern?

The Tate Modern is a celebration of modern art which spans both the UK and international destinations, representing different creative styles and a plethora of installations which span entire hallways and take up small corners depending on the artist and what they hope to achieve.

In comparison with the refined grandeur of the art found in Park Avenue Hyde Park and other central hotels and venues, the Tate Modern features art which is more subjective, and which invites visitors to consider what each piece means to them.

Some of the leading exhibitions and installations to look out for include:

· The Turbine Hall, home to sculptures and unique installations which change throughout the year.

· Henri Matisse’s modern works, which feature plenty of colour and swirling shapes.

·David Hockney’s works which encompass pieces inspired by photographs and by reimagined settings and scenarios which he comes across as part of his everyday life.

What do you need to know about the Tate Modern?

For those who decide to forego breakfast near Hyde Park and head straight to the gallery for opening time, there is an onsite café, kitchen and bar, as well as a shop for all your souvenir hunting and gifts. One of the best things about the onsite kitchen in particular is the way it combines great food and an assortment of beverages with leading views of London’s skyline – featuring the window and the view as just another example of modern and ever-changing art.

Visiting the Tate Modern is a great way to enjoy a different kind of art in London – with this gallery garnering just as much interest among locals and tourists alike, as those which deal with historical works.

[thejhydeparkblogs]

Airports in London – How to find the best connection to your Hotel

London is the central hub around which all of England’s traditions and major activities are built. Home to the Royal Family, to the countries greatest museums and attractions, and to an endless array of hospitality venues which span family rooms in London, couples retreats, and business-centric conference rooms aplenty.

With such a versatile user base comes a need for London to be accessible and easy to get to – and that’s where this article comes in, sharing the top airports in and around London and how to get from the arrivals gate to your hotel near the Natural History Museum in central London.

From London City Airport

The closest hotel to the city in terms of geographical location, London City airport is situated out towards the East of London in the very heart of the financial district. It is a small airport which offers some of the most luxurious amenities of any UK transport hub – with taxis and trains as well as the Canning Town tube station servicing the airport.

From Gatwick Airport

Despite being further out, directly south of London, Gatwick airport boasts excellent connections to the city thanks to the Gatwick express trainline and a plethora of coaches and buses which connect the airport to the city centre on a regular basis.

Whether you’re heading straight to your favourite attraction or have a reservation you don’t want to miss at one of the coveted restaurants near Oxford Street London, the Gatwick express stops at London Victoria – so that travellers can hop on a tube line or walk into central with ease – before continuing on to Brighton on the south coast of England.

From Heathrow Airport

Heathrow airport is another of the major UK airports which is located to the West of London. Like Gatwick, Heathrow is connected to most of the country via the M25 motorway and can also be reached directly from London via the Heathrow express – a journey which takes just over 15 minutes.

Safe to safe, when it comes to accessible airports, both Heathrow and Gatwick are up there as two of the best, creating a convenient and stress-free start to your city break at the J Hyde Park Hotel.

But they’re not the only options.

From Southend Airport

Located in Essex, Southend Airport is one of the furthest out in terms of travel and location – however, it offers smaller flights to some of the most local international destinations and also offers flights to other parts of the UK for those seeking quick travel to Cornwall, Scotland, or Bristol to name just three main destinations.

Regardless of where you are going, London is a city which is built to support tourism and international travel – and so getting from the airport arrivals gate into the centre of the city couldn’t be easier. Best of all, with so many luggage drops available around the city, you don’t even need to see your luggage until it’s time to fly home – leaving you hands free to enjoy the sights.

[grandroyale]

London’s Top 5 Most Legendary Music Venues

There are many incredible, world beating icons in London. Famous buildings, world class tourist attractions and amazing activities- but people often forget about London’s live music scene.

As one of the world’s greatest centres of culture it should come as no surprise that many of history's greatest musicians have played some pretty legendary gigs in London. The live music scene evolved heavily, but the big hitters always came back, and that is due to London’s many incredible venues.

If you’re visiting London for a legendary gig in the near future then book a room at the Grand Royale Hyde Park; it’s the best Hyde Park accommodation and one of the finest hotels near Bayswater Station. You’ll be perfectly situated to explore the city and check out some of London’s most famous live music venues.

Let’s take a look at the best of the best.

O2 Academy, Brixton

Formerly known as the Brixton Academy, this venue has been at the forefront of live music in the city since 1983.

It has played host to some of the biggest names from around the world like Madonna, The Smiths, Bob Dylan, Dr. Dre- it really has seen pretty much everyone through those iconic doors.

It was originally opened as a cinema, but found its true place in the world of music. 

Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert is not only an icon in the world of music, but also in the world of architecture and design. It holds one of the largest glass domes in the world, and is supposed to have near perfect acoustics.

It has hosted music since 1941 and really does attract musicians and audiences from every genre. The world’s greatest orchestras play in the hall, as well as some of the biggest bands and artists from all over the world- even Paverotti held the stage. 

Ronnie Scott’s

Musician Ronnie Scott opened this bar in 1959 as a place for local jazz musicians to jam and practice; since then it has become one of the most famous jazz clubs in the world.

Some of the biggest names to ever grace the stage have performed there including Ella Fitzegerald, Miles Davies, Nina Simone and Chet Baker- that’s a pretty impressive list.

Ronnies Scott’s is also where Jimi Hendrix tragically played his last gig in 1970, which cemented the club’s place in the musical history books.  

Koko

Originally known as The Music Machine and later as Camden Palace, this stunning venue really found its place in music and is now called Koko.

Madonna actually performed her first ever UK gig here, and it has hosted some incredible names since then. Prince, Coldplay, Lady Gaga and Kanye West to name but a few.  

100 Club

The 100 Club actually started off as a swing joint, but quickly became a mecca for live jazz. In the 70s some incredible names played at the club and cemented its name in history.

David Bowie, Louis Armstrong, The Rolling Stones and Oasis have all played here- and when Jimi Hendrix lived in London it was one of his favourite places to perform.

Music History in London

So there you have it, some of the most famous musical locations in the city, and some of the incredible musicians who have played them.

Enjoy a weekend of culture in the city, and maybe snag the finest afternoon tea near Hyde Park at the Grand Royal in the morning- you probably won’t want to travel too far after a night in one of these incredible joints!

[brienneoftarth1989]

I want to be your wife

Larissa Weems x fem reader

Summary: you plan on making Larissa your wife

Warnings: None

Requests open

———————————

You've been planning for this day for a whole year! How has this year gone by this quickly? You and Larissa were currently on a plane to London. Larissa has been wanting to head back to London for a little while and you wanted to surprise her with a trip back to her home country.

You had managed to get her into a taxi, to the airport, through the airport and onto the plane without her realising that you both were going to London. You did have to blindfold her and put headphones on her which was an interesting sight around the airport.

But you knew that you both would be laughing about this later on. Larissa also didn’t have to worry about her bags either as you had packed both of your bags making sure that you both had everything you needed for your break to London.

Once the two of you were on the plane you finally took off Larissa's blindfold and headphones. By this point though you were already halfway to London. “So where are we going?” Larissa asked as she held your hand and cuddled up close to you.

“It is a surprise, you will have to wait until we land” you laughed as you gently squeezed her hand. “You're so mean” she laughed as she nudged your shoulder ever so slightly. “Yeah but you love me. Trust me baby. You are going to love it where we are going” you smiled as you leaned your head on her shoulder.

“I’m sure I will as I am with you” she smiled as you cuddled up with each other the best you could. After a while you found Larissa just staring out the window trying her best to get an idea of where you were. That’s when you heard a sudden gasp from Larissa before she turned to look at you.

“We are going to London?” She asked excitedly. “SURPRISE” you smiled back at her. “I love you so much babe. I’ve been wanting to come back to London for a long time” she smiled at you happily. “I know, baby. Trust me this little break is going to be a trip to remember” you smiled with a little secret hidden away.

The rest of the plane journey went smoothly and before the two of you knew it the plane had hit the tarmac at Heathrow airport. The two of you went through airport security and customs before heading out to the taxi rank to grab a taxi to the hotel.

The two of you were going to be spending your holiday at the Mandarin Oriental hotel near Hyde park. You knew that you had to spoil Larissa this trip so you made sure to get the fanciest hotel in central London. When the two of you finally arrived Larissa immediately fell in love with the place.

“This hotel is beautiful y/n! I can’t wait to see our room” she smiled at you as you hugged her tightly. You checked in quite quickly before being shown to your room. When Larissa saw the penthouse suite you were staying in she immediately spun around and gave you the tightest hug.

“This place is fucking amazing” she screamed as she wandered around the suite. The suite featured a large central salon with a bespoke chandelier, silk wall coverings and a full-height library showcasing a handpicked selection of objet d’art and books, leading on to a balcony.

The bedroom enjoys a walk-in wardrobe, a private seating area and access to a large terrace. There is also a shower room, ADA compliant powder room and the option of connecting to the Mandarin Penthouse Suit. The place is beautiful and the two of you couldn’t wait to spend your time in London together.

The two of you were quick to settle in making yourself comfortable. That evening the two of you decided to have a chill evening filled with room service and movies before starting your fun filled week that you had planned out down to the tea.

Over the next couple of days you had done about a quarter of the things that you had planned on your to do list. The first day together the two of you decided to head to a number of different museums around London. You really wanted to visit the natural history museum as well as the science museum and Larissa wanted to see the national gallery museum.

So you got up pretty early having breakfast at the hotel before heading straight over to the national history museum. You found it all really fascinating and the two of you loved looking at all the bones and fossils around the museum. Once the two of you had spent a few hours at that museum you headed around the corner to the science museum.

You loved looking at all the rocket parts, the rock from the moon and you loved learning interesting facts about the body. You spent a couple hours at the science museum before heading to a local cafe for lunch.

The two of you had a sandwich and a cake as you drank your hot chocolates. Once the two of you had full stomachs again you then headed over to the national gallery so Larissa could admire the art work.

You knew deep down that art wasn’t something you were that interested in but the same could be said for Larissa with the science museum. You both became interested in it all due to the fact the other really enjoyed admiring that stuff in the museum and this all happened in just the first day.

You also managed to go to the Tower of London, London Zoo and had a walk around Hyde park in those couple of days but then the day you have been planning for came around. It started off like the last few days have with the two of you waking up together, getting ready and heading down for breakfast.

The two of you happily ate your English breakfasts as you drank your coffees. “So what is the plan today then?” Larissa asked before taking a sip of her drink. “We are going to go on the London Eye. It’s going to be amazing and maybe after we could go to the aquarium next it” you smiled at Larissa.

“That sounds like an amazing day. I can’t wait to get this day started” she smiled at you. The two of you finished off your breakfast before you went back to your room to grab what you needed for the day. Including the ring.

You sneakily snuck the ring into your back pocket as you grabbed your bag which just had the essentials in. Larissa finished getting herself sorted before you took her hand and led her downstairs and out of the hotel.

The two of you headed to the nearest tube station which was Hyde Park Corner to County Hall which shouldn’t take too long on the underground. When you did finally get on the tube it was heaving. Larissa managed to get a seat so you let her sit down while you stood near her making sure she was alright.

Eventually you heard them announce your stop so you grabbed Larissa’s hand as you patted your back pocket to make sure your ring was still there which it was thankfully. You then had the battle of getting out of the underground without losing each other.

After about 5 minutes you finally could see the daylight again and then all you had to do was walk 5 minutes around the corner to get to the London eye. When it finally came into view you and Larissa were stunned by its beauty. It was also a lot bigger than you thought.

The two of you happily walked up to the queue of the London Eye as you waited for your turn. While you waited the two of you just chatted about everything you had done so far and everything that you were looking forward to. The queue slowly moved forward and eventually you found the two of you at the front.

“Hello, I’ve got a booking for y/n s/n” you said as you smiled at the person who was operating the wheel today. “Ah yes I can see your request as well on your booking so just bare with while I find you a spare pod on the wheel” they smiled at you and then at Larissa.

“What are you up to y/n” Larissa asked you as she squeezed your hand. “Nothing. I just wanted things to be a little bit more romantic” you smiled at her trying your best not to give things away. “Alright then” Larissa smirked at you.

Eventually the worker came back and let you get into your pod. “Enjoy the ride” he smiled as the doors closed behind the two of you. Larissa looked around the pod before looking at you. “No one else is getting in?” Larissa asked as if she knew you had something to do with this.

“I don’t think so. Lucky us, we have a whole pod to ourselves” you smiled as you grabbed Larissa’s hand as you pulled her to one end of the pod so you could enjoy the view. The wheel slowly spun around as you got higher and higher as the view of London got bigger and bigger.

Your nerves grew ever so slightly as you got closer and closer to the top. “Rissa?” You said to Larissa. “Yeah y/n” she said as she turned to smile at you. “So I’ve had this little secret I’ve had for about a year now and I’ve kind of known about this trip for a little while now” you smiled at Larissa. “Really? What is this little secret then?” Larissa asked as she raised her eyebrow wondering what this secret is.

“Larissa, 2 years ago you captured my heart by being exactly who you are. The sweetest, most loving, compassionate, and sensitive person I have ever known. You have been my very best friend through the good and the bad. You have been the reason that I smile and you have given comfort beyond measure when I have cried. You have believed in me when no one else would, and you have shown me how to love with passion, purity, and unconditional acceptance. I'm not sure a lifetime is long enough to return all you have given to me, but I promise the rest of my days I'll spend by your side. To laugh with you and cry with you, to believe in you and support you. In poverty I promise to do everything to make our love rich, and in wealth to never let our love grow poor.

Together we are better than we could ever hope to be alone, and today I give you my love, my trust, and my fidelity forever. You will ALWAYS be the best part of my day. So my question to you is, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” You asked as you got down on one knee.

By this point Larissa was crying and you had no idea what she was going to say. “Yes, yes, a million times yes” she said as she put her hands to her mouth. You stood up as you grabbed the ring and placed it on her ring finger. It was a perfect fit. You then pulled her in for a long loving kiss.

The two of you enjoyed the rest of your ride on the London Eye before it came to a stop letting you get off. “She said yes!” You screamed as you held up her hand with the ring on. Everyone around cheered for you and the two of you couldn’t be happy.

Now the two of you were going to enjoy the rest of your time in London together as fiancés!

[aimeedaisies]

The Princess Royal’s Official Engagements in April 2024

06/04 As President of the Working Clumber Spaniel Society, held a Training Day to mark their 40th Anniversary at Gatcombe Park. 🐶

09/04 On behalf of The King, held an Investiture at Windsor Castle.🎖️

With Sir Tim Opened Tideway’s Chelsea Quay, on Chelsea Embankment in London. 🌊

With Sir Tim, As Master of the Corporation of Trinity House, attended the 70th anniversary of Re-Hallowing Service at St Olave’s Church, followed by a Reception at Trinity House. ⛪️🍾

10/04 Visited Helmshore Mills Textile Museum in Rossendale, Lancashire. 🧵👕

Visited Trawden Village Community Projects in Trawden near Colne, Lancashire. 🏡

Visited HMS VENTURER in build at Venturer Hall in Fife. ⛴️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

11/04 In Northern Ireland Princess Anne; 🇮🇪

Visited Fleming Agri Products Limited in Derry. 🚜

Visited Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners, to commemorate its 170th Anniversary. 🚢

Visited the South West College Erne Campus building in Enniskillen. 🏫

Visited the renovated Enniskillen Workhouse in Enniskillen. 💼

As Patron of Maritime UK, attended the Northern Ireland Maritime and Offshore Cluster launch Reception at Belfast Harbour Office. ⚓️🥂

12/04 As Royal Patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, attended the Northern Ireland Conference at Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim. 🇮🇪👨‍🦽

As Patron of Tenovus Cancer Care, visited a Mobile Support Unit at Bronglais General Hospital in Aberystwyth. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏥

15/04 With Sir Tim As the Former President of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, presented The Princess Royal Award and Royal Dairy Innovation Award at Gatcombe Park. 🐄🥛🏆

16/04 As Royal Patron of the National Coastwatch Institution, this visited Fleetwood Station in Fleetwood, followed by a Reception at Marine Hall. 🔎🌊

As Patron of the Pony Club, visited Wrea Green Equitation Centre in Preston, to mark the 25th of the Pony Club Centre Membership Scheme. 🐴

As President of the Carers Trust, visited Sefton Carers Centre in Liverpool, to mark its 30th anniversary. 🧑‍🦯🩺

17/04 On behalf of The King, held two Investitures at Windsor Castle. 🎖️

18/04 Attended the Lord Mayor's Big Curry Lunch at Guildhall. 🍛

As President of The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conferences, held a Dinner at Buckingham Palace for the President's Council and the Caribbean-Canada Leaders' Dialogue. 🗺️🍽️

19/04 On behalf of The King, held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace. 🎖️

21/04 Unofficial As President of the Working Clumber Spaniel Society, hosted a test day at Gatcombe Park. 🐶

22/04 As trustee of the council of St George’s House Princess Anne;

Attended a council meeting at St George’s House. 💼

Attended a Lecture in St. George's Chapel. 🎓

Attended a Dinner at the Vicars' Hall. 🍽️

23/04 On behalf of The King, held two Investitures at Windsor Castle. 🎖️

As Royal Patron of the Special Boat Service Association, held a Dinner at Windsor Castle. 🚤🍽️

24/04 As President of the Riding for the Disabled Association, visited the Cavalier Centre, and presented The King’s Awards for Voluntary Service in Farley, Much Wenlock. 🐎🏆

As Patron of Save the Children UK, visited the Lyth, Ellesmere, the birthplace of Eglantyne Jebb. 🏠

Visited the Jebb Memorial Garden at Cremorne Gardens in Ellesmere. ⛲️

25/04 Attended "DNA Day" at Illumina Centre in Great Abington. 🧬

Opened the National House Building Council's Apprenticeship Training Hub at Histon Football Club. 👷

As Patron of the Royal College of Midwives, visited Hinchingbrooke Hospital Maternity Unit. 👶🏥

As Colonel of The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), visited The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment at Hyde Park Barracks. 🐴💂

As Chancellor of the University of London, attended an Institute of Commonwealth Studies Reception at the Senate House, to mark its 75th anniversary. 🎓

27/04 As Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, attended the National Drill and Piping Competition at HMS Raleigh. 🫡⚓️

30/04 As Guardian of the Chaffinch Trust, attended a Reception at the Reform Club. 🥂

As Chancellor of the University of London, attended a Graduation Ceremony at the Barbican Centre. 🎓

As Commandant-in-Chief of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princess Royal’s Volunteer Corps), presented Coronation Medals at Wellington Barracks in London. 🫡🎖️

Total official engagements for Anne in April: 39

2024 total so far: 171

Total official engagements accompanied by Tim in April: 3

2024 total so far: 32

FYI - due to certain royal family members being off ill/in recovery I won't be posting everyone's engagement counts out of respect, I am continuing to count them and release the totals at the end of the year.

[zeydaan-isabella]

An American Were-Isabella

Commission for and story by GreyHawk89 - based on the 'American Werewolf in London' poster- with Isabella instead.

It was getting close to ten o'clock as I left Harrod's, so I quickened my pace as I made my way back to the hotel. Fortunately it was on Cromwell Road along with all the other places I'd visited today, so at least I wasn't likely to get lost. The legendary department store had certainly had it's impressive aspects and of course history, but it was still ultimately a store. Maybe I'd have found it 'cooler' if I'd lived and visited way back when you could go buy literally anything there. Or maybe I'd have liked it better if I'd been rich enough to actually afford any of their cooler merchandise? Well, the couple of snacks I'd bought in the food court had still been nice. The Natural History Museum was alright , but in the end not really different from any of the big nature museums I'd visited in any other big city, like the one in New York. On the other Hand, I'd really liked the V&A, with it's massive collection of items, err, 'acquired' back in the glory days of the Empire. I'd passed the V&A and had mostly passed the NHM when I stopped to pull out and examine my map. Let's see, tomorrow morning was going to be a long tour of... Hyde Park. Okay. Though, why the English would name a large public park after a creep like Mister Hyde, that I didn't know. I was attempting to re-fold my map when I became aware of an odd whistling noise, then there was the cracking on many tree branches followed by a thud of impact somewhere in the garden area surrounding the museum. Once I'd stopped freaking out, I finished refolding the map and carefully started walking towards the impact site. I'd just barely entered beneath the canopy of trees when someone rushed out at me! It was a middle-aged man in ratty clothes. He stunk of alcohol and groaning something made hard to understand due to his thick rural English accent. He looked around wildly, shoving me back towards the lights and traffic of Cromwell. "Stick to the road! Beware, the maid!" he slurred, then stumbled past fearfully. "...The hell does THAT mean?" I muttered to myself, then pressed on with a shrug. Like I'd listen to ramblings of some drunk! Slowly and carefully I crept towards whatever it was had landed in the garden. I became aware of a faint pink-and-golden glow coming from the area. What could that be? The glow got brighter and brighter as I approached it's source. I was at the edge of the small impact crater, I pushed a large leafy branch aside and beheld!- I very strange sight indeed. A tall woman(?) dressed as a maid lay at the bottom of the small pit. She was the source of the glow. Well, if I was in a drunken stupor and a maid had fallen out of the sky and nearly landed on top of me, I guess I'd want to 'beware the maid' as well. There was something very odd about her but the bright glow obscured her features. There was something off about her face and she was laying on a couple of rolled-up blankets of dresses or something? Suddenly, she shifted and groaned a very unpleasant groan. The glow began diminishing, sinking back into her body, giving me a better look at her. I'll be damned. What the heck was she? All her exposed skin as yellow, her hair was pink, her face stuck out into a reptilian snout, and the things I'd mistaken for blankets laying under her were a tail and pair of wings. Did a DRAGON just fall out of the sky right near me? Maybe not a full dragon, since she was human-shaped and about my own height. That or she'd shape-changed to look more human in public? It didn't really matter which. I was no dashing prince here to save a fair maiden, but I saw a person in trouble, and felt the need to help her. But, was she injured? Was moving her even a safe idea though?...Hmm, the impact itself hadn't killed her, so... Standing next to her, I leaned down and carefully helped her to her feet. "Are you alright Miss? That was quite a landing you had here. What happened?" "I just wanted to become bees." she said weakly. Again, the hell did THAT mean? "Still not bees," she half-sobbed as I helped her walk up the slight slope out of the pit. "Never gonna be bees..." Despite making no goddamn sense, at least her voice was getting stronger and steadier. A woman's voice, but very deep and husky, deeper than that actress who played Brienne on GoT. Couldn't place her accent either, but then, I WAS just an American tourist after all. "What's your name?" I asked. "Are you hurt? What do bees have to do with how you got here?"  She blinked big pink eyes and looked around, looked at me. "I'm!-uh, who're you? Where am I? Where's Mum?"  For whatever reason, I answered the second question first. "London." I tried to remember the neighborhood. "Um, Kensington? South Kensington? The grounds of the Natural History Museum on Cromwell Road." Her eyes widened and she gulped, wings flaring out. "London!? I was with Mum at Stonehenge! How'd I get all the way, all the waaUURGH!" She clutched her stomach and doubled over. With a wet retch, she burped up a burst of the glowing energy that'd been illuminating her body just a minute ago. "Out, it wants out, I need to!-" She snapped back up straight so violently it was a wonder she didn't break her spine doing so. Her pink eyes glowed red. Her mouth opened and closed rapidly. Words were coming out of it, in an unfamiliar language, and far too rapidly to be understood even if I had recognized it. Was it even HER that was trying to talk right now? Or something else inside her? She stepped forward unsteadily, like a zombie, glowing eyes suddenly fixed on me intently. I guessed what was going to happen a split second before it did. I stepped back and raised my arm in front of my face. Mouth opened wide, she lunged, her jaws clamped down on that arm like a vice, teeth punching through my jacket sleeve and puncturing my skin. I screamed in shock, but she didn't let go, instead shaking her head back and forth, worrying at my arm like a rabid dog. She made weird, warbling noises as she did so. I could feel the teeth in my flesh, but not yet any pain. Not yet. I yelled and smacked her hard on her snout with my free arm, as hard as I could. Despite her jaws being fixed closed on my arm I could still hear the weird language coming from her mouth. I sounded vaguely like Irish or Scottish, something Gaelic, spoken by someone on helium at triple speed. The creepiest aspect of her attack was her eyes. They remained glowing red, wide open, and fixed on my face- no matter how much her head shook back and forth, those eyes shifted so as to always be locked in a stare with mine. There was nothing intelligent in those eyes. Maybe not even emotion. Just... energy. There was a loud POP, and an explosion of light in the air just above us. "MY SWEET FLEDGLING!!" shrieked a voice that sounded much like hers had. Something big (bigger than either of us anyway) and yellow dropped down next to us and stuck it's arms in-between us, pulling us apart. The maid finally let go, and me and her fell back and away.  I clutched my hurt arm and stared. It was another dragon, about the size of a pony. Less anthropomorphic. Yellow scales, black hair, wearing a blue witch's hat, pink belt, and blue.. loincloth-thing. In spite of the differences, there were enough similarities that I could clearly tell that this was 'Mum'. "What'd you do to my daughter? Why'd she attack you?" She demanded, wings flared to make her look bigger. Behind her, her daughter groaned and stumbled around on her high-heeled feet. "What'd I do to HER?" I almost laughed, but was too angry. "She landed in the trees, I helped her up, she said something about bees, tried to puke, then went crazy and bit me!" I pulled the torn sleeve of jacket back tp examine the wounds. Seven or eight small circular punctures on my forearm leaked red. The pain was starting to hit now, the adrenaline wearing off. I staggered and tried to put the sudden fire I felt in my arm out by waving it around and swearing. "That doesn't sound very much like something my Izzy would do." the dragon said doubtfully as she glared at me- but it was a worried doubt, not an angry doubt of denial. "Hmph." She turned around and looked at 'Izzy'. The dragon-maid was still wobbly, but the glow had left her eyes, which were blinking in confusion and exhaustion. "Where da FERK am I right now? Why am not bees?" She peered at the bigger dragon. "Muuummm?" she whined, then flopped forward. She would have hit the ground face-first if her mother hadn't been faster, grabbing her and holding her in her arms (forelegs? she was still humanoid enough that I guessed I could call them arms). "I never should've tried it. My poor sweet fledging. Wanted to bees, of all things, so badly. All the extra fey energy I summoned up, only for it to reject her and punt her halfway across the country!" The mother dragon gave a sob and cradled her unconscious child against her. Despite my pain, I was a little bit moved by the sight. "She went crazy and chomped down on my arm like it was her favorite food. Weird gibberish words coming out of her mouth." I winced and rubbed my wounded arm, but couldn't make it feel less bad. Izzy's mother turned back to me. "Oh dear, oh dear." She narrowed her eyes at the blood. Her eyes were red, unlike the pink Izzy's eyes had started out as, but like the red they had been when she freaked out. "Overloaded with magic, body and mind. I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. Let me heal you, please?" I paused, then held out my arm hopefully. "Uh, alright?" She said something under her breath-was it my imagination or did it sound similar to the weird language that had come out of her daughter when she was ...possessed, for lack of a better word? There was light, and the pain ended. My torn jacket sleeve even repaired itself. "Huh, better than expected!" The dragon chirped happily. "Oh! I'm Cynthia, by the way. This is Isabella." She kissed the top of her daughter's head, between the horns. "Oh, well, I'm-" I was interrupted by Isabella giving a loud moan and writhing in her mother's grasp. Cynthia made a face that, in spite of being stretched out over a reptilian snout, was the picture of maternal concern. "Oh, she's still a little bit messed up. I think she expelled all the excess fey-dragon energy she absorbed though. Sometimes, you just have to accept that you're never going to become bees, and that's that." Dumbfounded, I merely nodded my head in agreement. I'd heard that dragons could be strange, but had chalked it up to lingering bigoted attitudes towards them. If I knew the full story, then maybe it would all make sense. "Well, thank you for healing my arm. And I hope that your daughter makes a full recovery from... whatever that was." I was as sincere as I could. I was still mad at Izzy for biting me, but if she literally hadn't been in her right mind, well, I was still angry right now, but could probably forgive her once I had time to cool down.  "Yes, yes, better take her home, right now!" Cynthia hugged Isabella to herself tighter, then everything... swirled. The dragons, the air, the area. It swirled until it swirled away into itself, and everything was back to normal. Except the dragons; they had vanished. I was still in a bit of shock, and remained standing there for a few minutes. "Hell of a night." I still needed to go back to the hotel, and arguably needed to get some sleep even more than before. "Geez." I pulled back my sleeve to re-examine my formerly bloody arm in the pale moonlight. Instead of red holes, there were yellow spots in my skin, but at least the skin itself was whole and un-punctured. Hope it faded away with time. "Huh." I shook my head and walked as fast as I could back to the hotel. Going inside, I went to my room, brushed my teeth, took off my clothes and practically threw myself into my bed. Hopefully, this American's second night in London would not be as wild and crazy as my first night had ended... A FEW DAYS LATER... Isabella stared at her exact double, who had a terribly woebegone expression on his... her... their... face. Cynthia sat at the nearby table, sipping some tea and watching her new 'daughter' with nervous eyes. "So you can't change back?" Not-Isabella shrugged. "I dunno. If I can, I don't know how. Don't know what 'muscle' to flex or something at the very least." Her words were slow, deliberate, and slightly slurred due to being unaccustomed to speaking with an an elongated reptilian snout filled with fangs and a long tongue to fit. "Probably lack of experience and understanding of the core magics involved with transfiguration." Cynthia suggested in a chirpy tone. "Yes, quite possibly." Not-Isabella replied dryly with a roll of their eyes. "Tried becoming a human male again, nothing. Tried just becoming a human but staying a girl, nothing. Tried just becoming male again but staying a pink-yellow dragon, nothing. The one time I did manage to change into something else, it was just this weird result that made me want to change back into a yellow dragon girl immediately." Isabella grinned and perked up. "Oh, you DID manage at least one transformation? Well, that's a start! Show me and Mum what you can do, and it'll give us something to start working with." Not-Isabella raised an eyebrow. "I REALLY don't know, it was... ugh. Just bizarre! But okay, I'll try." She closed her eyes and concentrated.  There was a hot, pink, POOF! and where Not-Isabella had once stood was now a buzzing mass of thousands of tiny bees, all with itty-bitty little yellow, pink-haired horned Isabella faces on them. Isabella blinked, absorbed this sight, then reacted with the proper amount of poise, grace, and British Stiff-Upper-Lipness that the situation called for. "Fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you!" she screamed, while wildly waving around a rolled-up newspaper, swatting as many bees out of the air as she could. Cynthia spat out her tea. "DEAR!"

[coffeedrgn87]

December 17th Drarry Drabble: "Christmas Sweater"

Read the first part here (it won't make much sense otherwise).

Tags: Is Malfoy up to something?, Harry is quite possibly having a meltdown over Malfoy, the annoying mistletoe is still there, but Malfoy is full of surprises, and Harry has no words, no angst, and some UST; this is also apparently the part of this December drabble journey where this whole idea of writing unrelated standalone drabbles does right out of the window...

Knightsbridge was the epitome of luxury. It didn’t surprise Harry that Malfoy lived in nearby Belgravia with its terraced stucco townhouses, private garden squares, international embassies, upmarket hotels, antique shops, chic furniture stores, trendy art galleries, and designer fashion and jewellery boutiques. It was home to fine-dining restaurants, posh delis, and sophisticated cafes — a place for the rich and famous to unload their cash. The area was predominantly Muggle, which surprised Harry but not enough to think much of it. After all, London did not have an exclusive wizarding district for the well-to-do.

Number 22 Wilton Place was a six-storey Regency townhouse within walking distance of several tube stations (not that Malfoy seemed to be the type of person who got on the tube), and Hyde Park was only a stone’s throw away. Serpentine’s Stephen Waterfall was the closest public apparition point, and it was heavily glamoured with a potent Repelling Charm that deterred Muggles from going near it.

However, the standard apparition wasn’t an option, given Harry’s current mistletoe predicament. He suspected Malfoy’s London home had private apparition coordinates, but Harry hadn’t bothered to ask. After all, there was such a thing as ‘too intimate’, and in Harry’s book, knowing Malfoy’s private apparition coordinates fell into that category.

He didn’t know whether Malfoy agreed with him on that point, but he’d quietly accepted Malfoy’s floo address which Malfoy had kindly noted for him. And, of course, Malfoy’s penmanship was impeccable because why would it not be? The git appeared to excel at everything Harry didn’t. He wrote swiftly and with an exquisite flourish that nettled Harry terribly.

So, on top of sitting on his hands during Kingsley’s two-hour reprimand (Harry was still surprised he’d managed not to fall asleep), he also ground his teeth together to avoid accidentally making a snarky remark. Everything about Malfoy screamed elegance and perfection and starkly contrasted with Kingsley’s elaborate and overly detailed rebuke.

Apparently, Harry had been well within his rights (Malfoy had boredly confirmed that with a lot of avant-garde legalese) to levitate Cormac into the Fountain of Magical Brethren and defend himself during the duel that had followed. (Naturally, Harry already knew that though he’d resisted telling Kingsley that.) Even the Auror team’s arrest had been by the book.

The only problem was that Cormac was no longer a British citizen, and his parents (with MACUSA’s help) were trying to create an international incident a week before Christmas…blah, blah, blah. By the time Kingsley finally stopped talking about MACUSA’s ridiculous complaint (as though American citizens were suddenly exempt from prosecution under British Wizarding Law when they attempted to commit crimes on British soil) and started to focus on Harry’s ‘inconvenience’ (the mistletoe), Harry’s jaw was positively aching from clenching it so much. Restraining himself had never been Harry’s strong suit, but ten years in the public eye had allowed him to get intimately acquainted with the useless political move of ‘keeping one’s gob shut’.

Still, the worst part of the entire experience was when Malfoy insisted on a home visit to help Harry fix his annoying mistletoe problem. After half an hour of unsuccessfully trying to weasel his way out of visiting Malfoy’s private residence for a curse removal consult, Harry eventually gave up. Partly because he was tired but also because Kingsley looked like he was about to suggest that Harry’s other option was a stint in Azkaban so he could come to his senses.

In Harry’s opinion, the Janus Thickey Ward at St. Mungo’s seemed a far more reasonable option, but Harry wisely refrained from making that observation. He had no desire to spend Christmas in the hospital (lest Kingsley, in his infinite wisdom as Minister for Magic, decided to teach him a lesson). Over the years, there’d been too many instances where Harry’s impulsivity in the field had led to several highly uncomfortable overnight stays at Mungo’s, and he had no interest in baiting Kingsley into adding another one to the list.

But now Harry was here, in Malfoy’s home. It differed vastly from what Harry remembered about Malfoy Manor. There was nothing gloomy about the place. It was bright, open, spacious, and exceptionally welcoming, with no lack of plants (magical and non-magical alike), hand-picked furniture, and a wealth of art.

Upon stepping out of the gigantic fireplace in the reception room, a wisecrack of a house elf (dressed in what appeared to be a tailored butler’s uniform) greeted him with a bow so deep that the elf’s nose touched the carpeted ground. It made Harry terribly uncomfortable, though he forced himself to keep his opinions to himself. The last thing he was interested in was having it out with an elf, a Malfoy elf no less, while a pertinent mistletoe bobbed above his head.

However, since his arrival, things had become exponentially worse for Harry. Malfoy’s elf had led him into what appeared to be Malfoy’s private living room, and Harry felt perfectly out of place. He didn’t think he was supposed to be here, in Malfoy’s inner sanctum (so to speak), but Malfoy’s elf had vanished, and Harry wasn’t about to explore Malfoy’s townhouse in search of a place that made him feel less unpleasant. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder whether Malfoy made a habit of welcoming his guests in his private living room.

Didn’t he have a proper drawing room? A study even, or an office? Recency townhouses had libraries; surely Malfoy’s elf could have accommodated him there? Perhaps it was yet another attempt at trying to make him uncomfortable? After all, Malfoy was a grade-A git. Sure, he’d paid his reparations, uttered his apologies, and worked hard to become an upstanding member of Britain’s Wizarding Society, and while Harry didn’t hold a grudge (he’d testified at Malfoy’s trial), there was something about Malfoy that perpetually rubbed Harry up the wrong way.

He supposed it was only natural. Malfoy and he had spent most of their time at Hogwarts despising each other. The handful of times they’d bumped into each other at functions hadn’t been enough to establish any meaningful connection. And so, they lived in each other’s orbit, Harry acutely aware of Malfoy’s presence, however fleeting (and Malfoy likely scowling at his very existence and cursing him to the centre of hell) without ever trying to create a relationship.

Piqued by his intrusive thoughts and unable to properly distract himself, Harry moved closer to the grand fireplace, where large flames crackled and danced, licking at the thick stone walling. The parquet flooring creaked a little under Harry’s heavy Auror-issues Dragonhide boots. The edge of the broad mantlepiece was beautifully decorated with a real fir garland. Its scent (damp moss, rain, wet tree trunks and needle-covered paths) reminded Harry of a green forest, serenity, peace and quiet. Small twigs of holly and snowberry adorned the many coniferous branches. Harry caught his reflection in one of the tiny silver baubles but groaned when he also noted his companion, the mistletoe.

Turning his attention to several silver photo frames on display on top of the mantlepiece, Harry looked at them curiously. He recognised Blaise Zabini, who shared a photograph with Malfoy. The two were laughing, hugging and toasting the photographer with champagne flutes. Harry was at once interested, though what intrigued him most wasn’t the intimacy of the moment captured but Malfoy’s laugh.

It looked bright and genuine, and the way his silvery-grey eyes sparkled made Harry feel a little dizzy. He glanced at the next photo. It showed Malfoy sprawled all over an armchair with Pansy Parkinson in his lap. She appeared to laugh at something while Malfoy looked at her with an expression akin to admiration. Harry’s stomach flipped unexpectedly, and he moved his gaze to the following photograph and the next.

Many of the captured moments showed Malfoy with his friends. One showed him with Astoria Greengrass, and another was a candid image of Malfoy’s mother surrounded by well-tended rose bushes. Another showed Malfoy with a man Harry didn’t know, but the formal robes indicated that the picture had been taken at a black-tie function or a wedding. A strange sort of sensation, akin to jealousy, took residence in Harry’s chest, and he felt his stomach harden.

Thankfully, Malfoy clearing his throat at precisely that moment gave Harry the perfect excuse to turn his back on the personal photographs. Except, the second he turned around, he did a double take. He blinked several times, just about stopped his jaw from dropping, and with his arms loosely hanging at his sides, Harry furrowed his brows and wondered whether he’d mixed up his dates or arrived at the wrong time. A sense of panic enveloped him, and it took every effort for Harry to stop himself from hyperventilating. His quick and shallow breathing made him feel dizzy, and he briefly squeezed his eyes shut.

Reopening them did not reset the scene. Malfoy was dressed in a pair of black Muggle jeans that hugged his legs perfectly that Harry had to rub at his throat just to remind himself how to swallow. Malfoy wasn’t wearing shoes, only socks, and while those blasted jeans made it hard for Harry to stop his gaze from exploring, the absolute icing on the cake was the sweater Malfoy wore. Dark green in colour and with exquisite silver snowflakes stitched into the wool, it was quite possibly the most elegant Christmas sweater Harry had ever seen in his lifetime. Inexplicably, his fingers itched with the nearly unquenchable desire to touch, and in a desperate attempt to dull the feeling, Harry shoved his hands deep into his chino pockets.

“Er, hi,” he croaked.

Malfoy’s grin was a wild thing that made Harry breathe faster. He felt his skin flush and heat. Opening his mouth, Harry was about to lick his lips, then decided against it and swallowed hard instead. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

“Hello, Potter. Apologies for the wait, unexpected firecall from my mother.”

Harry nodded in silent acknowledgement, and when Malfoy motioned at the sofa, offering him a seat, he shuffled forward, then stopped. Malfoy gave him a dramatic eye roll (it screamed ‘you insufferable, mannerless brat’, but Harry ignored it), shrugged, then sat down and elegantly folded one leg over the other. He clasped his hands together and placed them in his lap.

“So, Potter, before we take care of your shrubby little problem, would you like some tea?”

[bayswaterinn]

A Guide to Experiencing All of London in One Week

When planning a city break, a week can feel like a long time – that is, until you start listing all the attractions that you want to visit and the things you want to see and do. Combining history with experience, and boasting immersive family attractions within walking distance of some of the best accommodation in Bayswater, London is a city where a week can pass in a flash.

That’s why creating an itinerary and coming up with a plan to schedule your time is crucial – with this blog introducing not only the best things to do but also where to eat, sleep, and enjoy morning and evening walks.

Days 1 & 2

Having just arrived at your hotel in London, the first couple of days are about acclimatising yourself to your surroundings – identifying the best cafes and coffee shops, exploring the city on foot, and indulging in some local delicacies from Borough Market and the many street food vans and boutique eateries.

Your first evening in London is one we recommend spending high in the sky, with a booking at the Sky Garden or tickets to the London Eye.

Days 3 & 4

Following a couple of days in the city of London, experiencing all the attractions within walking distance of your discount hotel in London, Days 3 & 4 are largely focussed on the attractions outside of the city. Windsor Castle is one such attraction which is highly worth a visit, not least because it was the favoured residence of the Queen but because as an attraction and town to visit, Windsor offers a lovely blend of culture and outside and natural spaces.

The other thing to add to your list for experiences outside of the city centre is the Harry Potter Studios tour in Watford – perfect for families, and worthy of a full day out which can be accessed via car, train, or coach.

Days 5 & 6

Back to central London for days 5 & 6, and this is when we recommend booking tables at some of the best restaurants near Bayswater and ensuring that you get tickets to at least one West End show.

The Tower of London is located close enough to the West End that you can head straight to your chosen show from an afternoon tour at the tower, or why not keep it light-hearted with a self-guided tour of your choice of museum or gallery.

Day 7

The final day of your London experience is all about soaking up those last few traditional and classic British experiences and viewpoints – with our advice being to find a high end afternoon tea to really send you home with a full belly and great memories of your time in the city.

The Bayswater Inn Hotel Hyde Park is located close to a number of hotels and restaurants which serve aesthetically pleasing and delicious afternoon teas to diners, making this a great way to soften the blow of checkout and leave you with one final treat to enjoy.

[parkavenuejhotel]

How to get to Stonehenge from London

If you’re staying in London for an extended period of time, whether you got a great deal at your hotel in Hyde Park or are in the city for business, then it can be a good idea to explore day trips and adventures outside of the city.

Stonehenge remains one of the most interesting historical sites in the south of England and can be enjoyed as a solo expedition or as part of a guided tour.

But for those staying in the heart of the city, finding their way from the Park Avenue Hotel Hyde Park to the outskirts of Stonehenge can be difficult – which is where this blog comes in. To help you plan your day trip or southern adventure, we’ve compiled a handful of the easiest ways to get to Stonehenge from London, so you can make the most of your visit and be back in time for dinner.

Travel by Bus

If you want to get to Stonehenge directly while benefitting from an opportunity to enjoy the British countryside on your travels, then getting the bus can be an excellent way of immersing yourself in the landscape. Departing from London Victoria Station, a stone’s throw from the popular hotels and accommodation near Hyde Park, there are two different bus options you can follow, one which is a shuttle taking groups of visitors to Stonehenge directly, while the other is a broader sightseeing bus which will take you as far as Salisbury.

Once you’re at Salisbury, you can either hop on a Stonehenge shuttle which is geared towards tourist arrivals, or alternatively book yourself a taxi to the historic site.

Travel by Train

The other way of getting to Stonehenge via public transport is by train, with the more direct line running from London Waterloo station which is just over the river from the hotels in London near Hyde Park and the city centre. Again, you need to be looking for a direct route to Salisbury and then using a taxi or local shuttle bus to get you directly to the site.

Join a Tour

The final and most immersive option available to those visiting London is to join some form of tour, which starts and ends in the city centre, and which includes everything from travel to some information and insight into the history of Stonehenge through the presence of a dedicated tour guide. If you want to enjoy a day out without worrying about logistics, timings, and travel, then we recommend this as the option for you; not to mention when you become part of a tour you get to enjoy the camaraderie of likeminded tourists.

Stonehenge is a major part of the British landscape and local history, and offers visitors from all over the world a chance to understand a little more about how this site – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – is regarded as one of the most mysterious and magical attractions in the UK.

[thejhydeparkblogs]

The best Christmas markets in London: 2022 edition

Every year brings a new influx of festive events, attractions, and things to do in and around the city of London. And while some features return year after year, including the garlands of lights and decorations which adorn the businesses and hotels near Bayswater tube station and across London, others are temporary fixtures which change year after year.

In this article, we’re focussing exclusively on the best Christmas markets from 2022 – starting with the most famous of all.

Winter Wonderland

Located just minutes from the J Hyde Park London, Winter Wonderland takes over a large portion of Hyde Park during the festive period – uniting fairground rides with food stands, market stalls, and all manner of attractions for visitors of all ages.

A vibrant and exceptionally popular staple in London during the winter and Christmas season, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland can be accessed by ticket only and offers a busy but exciting day or night out.

Southbank Centre

Heading south and leaving behind the hotels in Bayswater London in favour of the sparkling river Thames, you will find the Southbank Centre – and more importantly, its festive Christmas market. With little wooden chalet buildings full of food and stocking fillers, this is a great spot to head as part of your Christmas shopping or for a little treat night with friends or loved ones.

One of the best things about this particular Christmas market is its proximity and access to the river, lined with the Christmas lights and festive decorations from surrounding office blocks, businesses, and London attractions.

Covent Garden

A great place to visit all year round, owing to its authentic and traditional architecture, the street performers, and the plethora of food and independent businesses, Covent Garden is a vibrant and popular place for tourists and locals alike. But come the festive season, Covent Garden comes into its own – often hosting a pop—up or two from major businesses or corporations, giving out tasters and freebies to the crowds of visitors, and hosting an exciting winter warmer festival complete with photo opportunities and bars.

Leicester Square

Just minutes from the discount hotels of Bayswater and central London, Leicester Square is so much more than just a through-route or passing place on your way to Westminster or the Strand. Leicester Square’s Christmas market is held from November through to January and again plays host to a number of ornate wooden chalets which transform the square into something from a festive movie.

Best of all, Leicester Square is not only ideally located for visitors from all across London, but it is also home to a number of family friendly enterprises and displays – including the vast Lego store, M&M World, the famous Odeon cinema which hosts premieres, and a number of statues of famous movie characters and figures.

All of these Christmas markets run over the festive season in London, and transform the city into a winter wonderland for both adults and children to enjoy.

[briamichellewrites]

97

2005. Don’t fall in love with Angelina Jolie. Brad remembered Mike’s premonition regarding Angelina. She would abuse him. He maintained a friendship with her but he made it clear that he was in a relationship with the mother of his daughter and was not interested in engaging in an affair. She pretended to understand, though she still acted sexually toward him when they were alone. He asked her to stop but she didn’t.

She tried to kiss him but he pushed her away. He thought about hiring a bodyguard to protect him from being sexually harassed. Anna encouraged him to do it, especially since she was not afraid to touch him. Sexual harassment was the same. It didn’t matter that he was a guy. After interviewing a former marine, he hired him to protect him.

Barry also maintained a level of loyalty and confidentiality with his clients. His contract prevented him from talking to the media. He thanked him for that, as he and his girlfriend were private people. Having Barry made things a lot easier, as Angelina could not get anywhere near him unless they were shooting together.

She had a screaming tantrum after entering his hotel room. How dare he not want to be with her! It was at that moment, he realized that Mike’s premonition had been right. She would become abusive towards him. Barry got her to leave while he locked himself in the bathroom with his phone. He was about to call the police, but instead, he texted Mike.

Mike, everything you said about Angelina is one hundred percent true! Thank you for warning me! I’ll explain later. – Brad

And he did. After the filming was over, he met with him at the studio and told him everything that happened. He didn’t know that she would sexually harass him, though he knew from his time loop experiences, she was very sexual. Thank you for telling me about her. He was welcome and he apologized for him having to go through that. The band was shocked that his premonition had come true. They heard everything Brad had said.

What did he see? He saw Angelina physically and mentally abusing him, while also threatening to kill herself if he ever left her. As a result of the abuse, he also saw himself becoming an alcoholic. He also saw her manipulating him into having sex. Brad was saved from that because he remembered his warning. He was going to go home and focus on his kids and Anna.

He thanked him again before he left. You’re welcome. That was two years ago. Brad had nothing to do with Angelina after he was done promoting their movie, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Currently, he was in London because he had been invited to present at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park. He invited Elliot to join him, but he was told that she would be in Philadelphia with her boyfriend, Rob, and Linkin Park. She apologized but he told her to have fun!

She did ask him to say hello to Elton John for her. He promised to do that.

The event was going to be broadcast live all over the world with events taking place in London, Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; Rome, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Barrie, Ontario, Canada; Chiba, Tokyo, Japan; Johannesburg, South Africa; Moscow, Russia; Cornwall, England; and Edinburgh, Scotland with different performances and presenters. It was going to be extremely fun and they were all very excited to go!

At eighteen years old and two years of dating, Elliot and Rob were talking about moving in together with her animals. They were going to look through their finances when they got back to LA to see what they could afford. On her eighteenth birthday, she received the money she had made as a child actress of five hundred thousand dollars. It wasn’t a lot but it would help them buy a house.

Neither of them wanted anything big, just something with a backyard for Bruce to run around in. Even though he wasn’t initially a cat guy, Mama and her babies had grown on him. It took a month for them to get used to the humans. Mama gradually learned that she and her babies were finally safe. She started acting more affectionately towards the humans. At two and three years old, they were no longer kittens but junior cats.

They all had the energy to spare, though they did like to have their quiet time. All three of them loved Rob! He was a very tall human! Simba and Nala loved crawling up his legs whenever he was standing still. He always bent down and picked them up. Hello. Meow. Meow. They also crawled over each other and Bruce, who allowed it.

Bon Jovi. Joe noticed that they had lost track of Elliot, so he asked Chester where she was. He had no clue, so they asked Phoenix. He didn’t know, either. Eventually, they came to find out she had heard that Bon Jovi was there, so she was going to try to track them down. Rob thought it was amusing how his girlfriend had chosen them over him. He would have to ask her about it later. Just as they were walking into their dressing room, she came running in.

“Oh my god!”

“What? Did you meet them”, Rob asked.

“No. I saw them and I was going to walk up to them but they were too far away. I didn’t want to make an idiot of myself, so I ran back.”

“A very cute idiot”, Rob joked.

“Thanks. I don’t know whether I should kiss you or kick your ass!”

Mike burst into laughter. She and Rob put their arms around each other. After several weekly sessions with his therapist, he started working through why he had woken up. They talked about time loops and what they were. He had a mission to save Chester but he had to work on himself, too. His mission couldn’t be accomplished without proper mental health. He finally understood that.

The band apologized for how they treated him the first day they came back together. They should have acknowledged what he was going through, instead of making him feel alone. He thanked them for their apology. It meant a lot to him. With that, they went back to treating him like a brother. His relationship with Chester had also changed. They were both committed to helping each other because they wanted to be in love. And they were. They were as in love as Rob and Elliot.

Finally, she ran into Richie Sambora backstage. After learning she was eighteen years old, he invited her to meet the band. At forty-six years old, he was kind of hoping for a hookup because he thought she was beautiful. He introduced her to Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Tico Torres, and Hugh MacDonald. What was her name? Elliot Pitt. Pitt? As in Brad Pitt? Yes, he was her father.

For over an hour, they got to talk to her. They found out she had three cats: Mama Blu, Simba, and Nala, along with a dog, Bruce Springsteen. Her cats were rescued. Did they get along well with her dog? Oh, yeah. He thought of them as his puppies and he let them crawl over him. That’s adorable. They laughed.

@zoeykaytesmom @feelingsofaithless @alina-dixon @thewriternia

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The Beaumont Hotel- Art Deco Gem in the Heart of Mayfair, London

Located in the upscale Mayfair district of London, The Beaumont is a five-star hotel near Hyde Park. The original building built in 1926 has been transformed in 2014 by famed London restaurateurs Corbin & King into a towering art deco grand masterpiece with an iconic sculpture created by Antony Gormley. There are plenty of options with 73 rooms, including 23 suites ,gym, barbershop, and salon for haircuts, private dining room, art-deco spa with hammam.

The building was erected as a garage in 1925–1926 by the architects Wimperis and Simpson on behalf of Macy's Ltd. Historic England note that "the façade is remarkably ambitious for a car park of this date", as well as "its importance in the evolution of the multi-storey car park as a distinctive C20 building type". The building was Grade II listed by Historic England in 2009. In 2014, Antony Gormley designed a room as a public sculpture

December 9 2022. Merry Xmas

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The Biltmore Mayfair LXR Hotels & Resorts - VIP Private Transfer

The Biltmore Mayfair LXR Hotel The Biltmore Mayfair, LXR Hotels & Resorts is a luxurious five-star hotel in the heart of London’s Mayfair district. Positioned on Grosvenor Square, The Biltmore offers a prime location in Mayfair, within walking distance of Hyde Park, Bond Street, and Oxford Street. The hotel is also near high-end boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, and iconic London…