London is one of the most attractive areas of the city for tourists. There are many reasons for this and all of them have to do with the vast variety of attractions that have made their home in this part of the city. With history, entertainment and many areas of scenic beauty, the West London boroughs are a must-visit, especially if you’re staying at the Park Grand Paddington Court Hotel.
So, when we talk about West London, what boroughs do we actually mean? It’s generally acknowledged that West London comprises of Chelsea and Kensington, Hammersmith and Fulham, Richmond, Ealing, Hillingdon, Brent, Hounslow and Harrow. This gives you eight entire boroughs to explore and promises a broad variety of attractions that could really make your weekend. After all, if you’ve already got an overview of London during a previous visit, it might be nice to dig a little deeper. Below is a guide to the districts, events and attractions that might sway you to spend your London weekend in the west.
Friday evening
Friday evenings should be reserved for getting used to your luxurious accommodation in Paddington, your surrounding area and for relaxing. You’ve no doubt had a long day of travelling, but if you’re feeling up to it, then here are some ways to get a taste of a Friday night in West London.
Book a Play at the Royal Court Theatre
Known for being one of the most revolutionary theatres in the UK, the Royal Court is a bastion for new writing, and has launched the careers of countless theatre-makers. Based on the iconic Sloane Square in Chelsea, there’s a touch of glamour to this exciting 1870 opened theatre, making it a real crown jewel in the cultural crown of West London.
And enjoy the nightlife of Chelsea
If you’re still feeling energised, then there are plenty of clubs and bars in the Chelsea area that can help you get a real feel for the nightlife available to you. From the high-end luxury and innovative design of the Embargo Republica, a Cuban themed club on Kings Road to the famous 80s’ themed Maggies on Fulham Road, Chelsea offers a truly high-end night out
Saturday
This is the day that you’ll be getting most of your West London sightseeing done, so if you did go out the night before, then make sure to get a hearty breakfast in as part of the Park Grand Paddington hotel’s all-inclusive English breakfast and buffet.
Explore Hyde Park in the morning
First on your agenda for the morning should be the iconic Hyde Park. Setting off mid-morning will provide a fresh start to your day and if you’re lucky, mean you’ll to beat the crowds. With plenty of monuments and the Serpentine River providing rowboats and pedloes, make sure to get a head start on the boating queues, especially in the summer months.
Serpentine Gallery
The Serpentine Gallery is definitely worth a stop-off during your Hyde Park trip. Even if art’s not your thing, this gallery is free to visit and is a bastion of contemporary art in London, the gallery promises a dazzling variety of exhibitions year-round. This month sees Danish artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen bring his cutting-edge Catharsis exhibition, which is being shown globally in five different cities at the same time.
Lunch options near Hyde Park
There is an abundance of restaurants and cafes in the Hyde Park area. From the wide array of Paddington cafes and chain eateries where you can find a quick and satisfying bite to eat to the more upscale restaurants near the Park Grand Kensington, you’ll never be short of beautiful places to spend your lunchtime.
Museum Row
After lunch, walk across the park into South Kensington where you’ll find Museum Row. With its three historic and incredibly popular institutions, you certainly won’t have time to cover even one in just an afternoon, so take a pick of the three and spend the rest of your day exploring that one. Whilst it might be tempting to speed through an entire museum, each one deserves as much of your time as possible.
Science Museum
The Science Museum was originally opened on Exhibition Row in 1857 and was found by the Royal Society of Arts. Today holding over 300,000 objects, the Science Museum promises 9 free to visit exhibition spaces that explore everything from space travel to the internet. With hands-on and interactive exhibits and experiments to play with, the Science Museum is the perfect museum to visit with kids.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of the most famous of its kind in the world. This is in part due to its initial collection of Charles Darwin collated works exploring the theory of evolution. The dinosaur exhibits are sure to enthrall younger visitors, whilst the four zones filled with at least 8 galleries each explore the natural history of the planet, spanning geology, archaeology, biology and even art.
Victoria and Albert Museum
The third museum in the Museum Row collection is the Victoria and Albert Museum. Another Victorian relic, this free to visit art and design museum explores sculpture, decorative art and fashion from throughout the centuries. With over 230,000 objects alongside temporary exhibits.
Sunday
After your long Saturday, make sure to take it easy on Sunday. Have a lie-in and enjoy the breakfasts and indulgence sin your hotel before spending an afternoon exploring the deeper boroughs of West London.
Richmond Park
This is obviously weather dependent, but a trip to Richmond Park will no doubt reap rewards for those willing to travel a little further out. Comprising of more than 3 and a half square miles, Richmond Park is a historic and incredibly beautiful deer park that dates back to the 17th century. With its gorgeous woodland and vast fields, this is the perfect spot for a Sunday walk outside of the city centre.
Make a day of it and continue your Richmond visit with a stop off at one of the many riverside pubs. Whether for a Sunday roast or just a quick pint, you’re bound to feel refreshed after a taste of these traditional London public houses.
