Chuck’s trip to London Duration 6 days London 2 TravellersChuck, get ready for a trip to one of the most interesting and exciting cities on the planet. London has the sightseeing and local culture you are after in spades. And while it can be tricky to avoid the crowds, this modern city also boasts beautiful parks and relatively quiet neighbourhoods - if you know where to look. The trip we have designed for you will take you to some of the British capital's most important attractions in Westminster, hidden gems in historic Hampstead, on a bike tour across town to appreciate London's diverse architectural styles, fashionable and iconic Notting Hill, and buzzing Soho. We hope you have a fantastic time! LondonLondon is one of those extra special cities that thrives when the going gets tough. Despite an unsteady political climate, shared with many of the world’s global cities, England’s capital is at her best. She adapts quickly and she caters for locals and guests in equal measure. London is forever launching new spaces for the city’s best minds to congregate. 300 nationalities speak 270 languages: London is more tolerant and diverse than ever. Home of the Queen and countless other queens; it is the birthplace of Dickens, Woolf, Bowie and Beckham. From the Gothic revival of the Palace of Westminster to the macho ultra modernism of The Shard, London is famed for its architecture, alongside being a centre for art, finance, culture, and music, of course. But in a city where the world and his wife know about the old, how do you connect with the new? Some smaller European cities struggle to offer the same experience as a single London suburb. London feels like four different cities: North, South, East and West, all battling against each other. But, scratch beneath her familiar surface and there is much to enjoy in the UK’s capital, from an unrivalled world cuisine scene to a wealth of pansexual artists busily shaping the city’s newest, hippest neighbourhoods. A visitor who celebrates the old and embraces the new will be the most rewarded.Accommodation Hotels - London Lansbury Heritage Hotel Within a short walk from Canary Wharf and the DLR network offering direct links to Bank, Lansbury Heritage Hotel features boutique accommodation with complimentary access to a spa centre, as well as a fitness room. Book direct Book on Booking.com Hotels - London The Chilworth London Paddington Less than a 5-minute walk from London Paddington Station and Hyde Park, this boutique hotel offers elegant rooms with free internet and satellite TV. Book direct Book on Booking.com Hotels - London K West Hotel & Spa With a chic restaurant and chic spa area, this 4-star boutique hotel is situated in Shepherd’s Bush, just a 5-minute walk from Shepherd's Bush Underground and overground stations. Book direct Book on Booking.com Nightlife Cocktail Bar - London Punch Room at the London Edition Despite having an old-school oak-panelled style and more than a touch of the Don Drapers about it, this bar to the rear of the London Edition hotel is a contemporary stunner. A reservations-only policy makes the place feel all the more exclusive. Visit website Cocktail Bar - London Fitz’s Bar Age plumage fluffs up from behind chairs while a giant glitter ball hangs from above; the back bar’s arches hint at art deco elegance while bright modern art punctuates the walls; and music drifts from up-tempo funk to mellow jazz. Visit website Cocktail Bar - London The Connaught Bar The Connaught, that most discreetly low-key of London’s mega-expensive hotels, has not one but two great bars. The Coburg, at the front, is a bit like a gentlemen’s club in feel. The Connaught, designed by the renowned David Collins, is all about style and glamour. Visit website Cocktail Bar - London Bloomsbury Club Bar Wood-panelled and dressed to the nines, The Bloomsbury Club oozes plush appeal: English gent’s club meets library, the cabinets filled with booze rather than books. The analogy is apt, as the bar takes its inspiration from the group of writers and artists who hung out together in this area in the early twentieth century. Visit website Wine Bar - London Noble Rot Unrelated to the swanky Mayfair restaurant and DJ bar of the noughties, this 2015 Noble Rot comes from the pair behind the wine mag of the same name, with a menu from Stephen Harris. On historic Lamb’s Conduit Street, with iconic eatery Cigala opposite, the site was once home to Vats, one of London’s last genuinely old-school wine bars. Visit website Wine Bar - London The Remedy Around a dozen wines by the glass are chalked on a blackboard, and there are small nibbles to go with the food. But the real reason to visit this little bar at the wrong end of Cleveland Street is to savour the wines less chosen, to escape the tyranny of just another merlot or pinot grigio. Visit websiteDay 1Experiences Major Attractions - London Westminster Palace The Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Visit website Major Attractions - London Westminster Abbey An absolutely essential part of any visit to London, Westminster Abbey is one of the city’s most iconic buildings. With your ticket, explore a thousand years of history and marvel at the exquisite Gothic architecture and beautiful stained glass. Visit website Major Attractions - London Tate Britain Tate Britain holds the largest collection of British art in the world. See masterpieces by JMW Turner, John Constable, John Everett Millais, as well as outstanding modern and contemporary art from Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Barbara Hepworth, David Hockney and Bridget Riley. Visit website Major Attractions - London Coca-Cola London Eye A trip on the Coca-Cola London Eye is truly captivating. The attraction is one of the world's tallest observation wheels and has been London’s number one visitor experience for over a decade. Visit website Food & Drink Lunch & Brunch - London Cambridge Street Kitchen Tucked away down a Pimlico side street, Cambridge Street Kitchen is a café during the day, popular with the brunch crowd, and a restaurant in the evening. It’s part of a hotel from the ever-cool Artist Residence group and, as you might expect, its design is immaculate. Visit website Local Cuisine - London Kerridge’s Bar & Grill For his first London restaurant, renowned Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge along with Head Chef Nick Beardshaw has created a menu which harks back to classic dishes and traditional techniques, and plays on Tom's reputation for serving his take on the UK’s most celebrated dishes. Book on OpenTable Local Cuisine - London Siren at The Goring Siren showcases the best of Cornish produce, with simple seafood dishes of understated brilliance, under the direction of the renowned British chef, Nathan Outlaw. Overlooking The Goring Garden, the restaurant sits in an ornate pavilion, ensuring that the outdoor and indoor spaces are intrinsically linked throughout the seasons. Book on OpenTable Day 2Experiences Nature - London Walk on Hampstead Heath One of London’s most popular green spaces, famous for its spectacular views of the capital’s skyline, Hampstead Heath is an expanse of beautiful countryside just a short tube ride from the city centre. The Heath’s mosaic of habitats makes it a haven for all kinds of wildlife, acting as home to a number of priority species identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Visit website Local Culture - London Kenwood House Sitting prettily on the edge of Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House is one of North London’s hidden gems. First built around the 17th century, Kenwood was transformed into a neoclassical villa by the late 1700s, and is now open to the public for free. Its world-class art collection features works from Rembrandt to Vermeer. Visit website Local Culture - London Flask Walk Discreetly hidden off the Hampstead High Street is Flask Walk, a pedestrian alleyway full of quirky character. Along this small strip of shops, you can find a second-hand bookshop and designer store and a charming Victorian pub. Enjoy a stroll past the village’s prettiest houses, home to some of the rich and famous, including national treasure Jonathan Ross. More information Local Culture - London Keats House Keats House is the newly redisplayed home of the English Romantic poet, John Keats. The London-born poet has one of the most exceptional careers of any English poet. The Keats House Collection is comprised of original material including letters written by Keats, books in which Keats wrote some of his poetry, and the engagement ring given by Keats to his fiancée, Fanny Brawne. Visit website Local Culture - London Freud Museum The Freud Museum was the home of Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, and his family when they escaped Austria following the Nazi annexation in 1938. Without a doubt, the most impressive feature of the house is Freud’s study, preserved as it was during his lifetime, its centrepiece the infamous psychoanalytic couch used by his patients. Visit website Food & Drink Lunch & Brunch - London The Alice House The stunning décor presenting a mix of vintage glamour and urban street art, makes The Alice House a unique spot to visit for lunch. With a strong focus on the sustainability, seasonality and quality of the ingredients in their dishes, this modern and rustic lair proudly works with local farmers, butchers and fishermen to provide the finest locally sourced food. Visit website Thai - London Patara Right in the heart of Hampstead High Street. Split between two floors, this 110-cover restaurant is open throughout the day, offering lunch including lighter options, Thai-style afternoon tea and dinner. Our customers can look forward to traditional Thai classics as well as some our of seasonally changing dishes. Book on OpenTable Mediterranean - London 28 Church Row This Spanish-influenced spot is much more on trend with contemporary London dining than many of its neighbours. The bread comes from Hedone, and the menu features small plates like courgette flowers, goat’s cheese and honey and Iberico pig’s cheeks with parsnip puree; diners tend to leave this place very happy. Visit website Day 3Experiences Major Attractions - London Kensington Palace Kensington Palace, a palace of secret stories and public lives, has been influenced by generations of royal women. Kensington Palace’s newest exhibition traces the evolution of Diana’s style; from the demure, romantic outfits of her first public appearances to the glamour, elegance and confidence of her later life. Visit website Local Culture - London Victoria & Albert Museum The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.3 million objects that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. In addition to this, the museum has dedicated staff working to explore issues of gender sexuality and identity through its vast collections. Visit website Architecture - London London architecture by bike 3.5 hours This tour will lead you through little known backstreets, backwaters and cycle lanes. You'll get a unique perspective on London's architectural heritage and learn about the amazing characters that built this extraordinary city. Book on Airbnb Food & Drink Lunch & Brunch - London Maggie Jones's When you first walk into Maggie Jones’s you’re not sure if you’ve stumbled on to the set of Poldark, or into the stash house of The Great Rocking Horse Robbery of 1922. But it’s the menu of British classics - dishes like the apple sauce smeared roast belly of pork, guinea fowl in white wine sauce, and a grilled rack of English lamb - that keeps locals coming back. Visit website Fine Dining - London Launceston Place Launceston Place is a hidden gem despite it being right in the heart of Kensington. Head Chef Ben Murphy is so passionate about using the best produce that his constantly-changing menus offer as much local produce as the restaurant can cram in. Book on OpenTable Seafood - London Wright Brothers There are a few Wright Brothers restaurants dotted all over town, but the South Kensington location is the one that your mum would probably like the best. It is, for lack of a better adjective, ‘cute’, and is perfect for a late-afternoon session of knocking back some £1 oysters or a cosy evening meal with some friends. Book on OpenTable Day 4Experiences Walking Tours - London The real Notting Hill immersive experience 2.5 hours To most people, Notting Hill is just Portobello Road, its market and some pretty coloured houses. To us, Notting Hill is a magic blend of local markets, incredible history, and renowned film locations. This tour will dive you deep into what makes Notting Hill such a vibrant area for 2 and a half hours of music, active discovery and cultural wellbeing. Book with Unexpected London Local Culture - London Museum of brands The main part of the display is the ‘time tunnel’, a maze of dark cabinets that are stuffed with colourful curios arranged in date order. With the arrival of each new decade an information panel helps to put the changing designs and new fashions into context. Visit website Classes - London Make amazing chocolate in Notting Hill 1.5 hours Creating an amazing chocolate bar from a cocoa bean is a wonderful, wonderful process. Melt's team of top chefs will guide you through this magical transformation, every step of the way, all in the heart of Notting Hill. Book with Melt London Food & Drink Other - London MAM London This chummy Vietnamese hangout is a sleek Hanoi-meets-London mash-up specialising in huge portions of Vietnamese barbecue with all the trimmings. Items such as velvety beef short-rib over squidgy rice are the big hitters, but veggies also do well here – think tofu-filled ‘banh xeo’ crêpes and meat-free, rice-based ‘com’ bowls. Book on OpenTable Local Cuisine - London The Shed The Sussex-born Gladwin Brothers have employed the farm-to-fork principle at their seasonal modern restaurant, the first of three West London establishments. All of the dishes are created using fresh British produce, much of which comes from the farm belonging to one of the brothers. The menu changes daily and is divided into slow and fast cooking. Visit website Fine Dining - London Core By Clare Smyth Core is fine dining for people who couldn’t care less about the see-and-by-seen scene. Everyone who comes here comes because they like proper food served in a pleasant setting. Yes, it’s pricey, but if big bold flavours from one of London’s top chefs are what turns you on, this should be top of your list. Book on OpenTable Day 5Experiences Walking Tours - London LGBTQ Soho history private tour 3 hours Explore the LGBTQ scene in vibrant Soho with a local guide. Visit the best bars, pubs and cocktail bars in the area. Discover the area's unique history as the home of London's LGBTQ community. Book on GetYourGuide Local Culture - London Royal Academy of Arts The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London. It has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Visit website Local Culture - London Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum and Mason, the department store of choice for the Queen and Prince of Wales, offers perhaps the most rarefied of London afternoon teas. You’ll find a staggering 50 teas to opt for, from classic Earl Grey to Chocolate Violet and a staunchly traditional range of sandwich fillings. Visit website Food & Drink Coffee - London Department of Coffee and Social Affairs Once you manage to find Department of Coffee and Social Affairs, you’ll be glad you did. Hidden down a small alley way off Carnaby Street, it’s a great quiet spot to refuel. More of a traditional coffee house, they have plenty of coffee and tea options, including some good cold brews. Visit website Local Cuisine - London Poppies Fish & Chips, Soho For good ol’ fish and chips, Poppies does it best. Its ambition was to recreate the Wartime restaurants of the 1940s and 50s, and it succeeds with aplomb, through the staff uniform, miss-mash interiors and methods of serving, with meals served in paper and sauces spilling over jars. Visit website Fine Dining - London Bob Bob Ricard Many have succumbed to Bob Bob Ricard’s infamous ‘press for champagne’ button as they gorge on the restaurant’s exemplary fare. This dimly-lit Soho icon with its all-booth interior serves more champagne than any other bar in the United Kingdom, apparently. Wash down its meaty, mouth-watering menu with one of its 20 varieties. Visit website Day 6Experiences Day Trip - London Full-day tour to Oxford and Cambridge 1 day Explore 2 of the world's oldest university cities on a day trip from London. Visit the cities of Oxford and Cambridge on the same day and stroll amongst the dreaming spires. Discover film location sites from the Harry Potter movies. Book on GetYourGuide Day Trip - London Full-day private tour to Oxford and Windsor 1 day Visit Windsor Castle, the oldest inhabited Castle in western Europe, followed by a scenic drive through Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. In Oxford, take a walking tour of the famous colleges of Oxford, and visit Christ Church College, and the college of Lewis Caroll, the Maths professor and famous author of Alice in Wonderland. Book with London Private Tours Food & Drink Fine Dining - London Lima Michelin-starred Lima, from chef Virgilio Martinez, opened when Peruvian restaurants became fashionable in London and has remained popular ever since. The menu is all about showing off modern Peruvian food using a mix of quality British produce and native ingredients like Amazonian ponzu, fermented Andean chillies and Inchicapi corn. Visit website Vegetarian - London Rovi Patron of the preserved lemon, Ottolenghi could turn a shoe box into London’s restaurant of the moment. Homely and inviting, the restaurant in Fitzrovia is similar in set up to the Ivy, with a revolving bar by the entrance alongside a few of Ottolenghi’s signature communal tables set up in the corner. Book on OpenTable Mediterranean - London Portland Portland is one of the best new London restaurants in recent years. It’s the ideal place for anyone who’s curious about The Chef’s Table experience they’ve seen on Netflix, but doesn’t necessarily want to commit a huge chunk of their salary to dinner. You can order from the brilliant regular menu of small plates, or from a tasting menu. Visit website London Map Your trip was designed by Yasmina Rodríguez We hope you have an amazing trip! Please do let us know about your experience, and how we might do better in the futureGet in touch Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6
