In these times, many of us seek the reassurance of outside recreation. More of us are walking, running and cycling. This means that accessibility has become ever more desirable when it comes to accommodation. One of the most enviable features of the range of 5* serviced apartments that you will find amongst these pages is their location. Centrally situated within key areas of London, you’re fantastically placed to explore history and discover hidden gems by foot.
Kensington
Let’s take the newly refurbished luxury Prince of Wales serviced apartments as our starting point. From here, your views across Hyde Park make the perfect base to tour the royal parks and palaces of this part of London.
Enter Hyde Park directly opposite Victoria Road and head straight on through the park. You’ll pass Kensington Palace on the left, and the right hand path will take you to circumvent Round Pond. Carry straight on to stroll along the Serpentine. Head right and follow the length of the water to take you towards Hyde park corner. From here you can cross the main road to access Green Park, and by continuing straight, to the adjoining St James’ Park.
To take you around St James’s Palace and Clarence House then back to The Mall to return home, turn left a short way up The Mall onto Marlborough Road and keep taking lefts. Three royal parks in one walk, starting right outside your apartment!
River Thames
Simply walk along the river Thames and you’ll never get lost. You’re also guaranteed sights on the way! Staying at Dolphin House Apartments places you ideally for riverside walks. From the apartments, head towards the river through Pimlico Gardens and follow the river East towards Westminster.
The Thames Path will lead you past the Tate Britain to continue your walk along Millbank. Riverside Walk Gardens provide a convenient rest stop. Depending how long you want to walk, you can cross the river either at Lambeth or Westminster Bridges. The advantage of going further is that you will take in Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and the surrounding gardens and grounds.
The route back along the south side of the river offers riverside views of the north bank until crossing at Vauxhall bridge to put your feet up back at the apartment!
City
The architecture of the City is astounding and steeped in history. What’s more, it’s a quiet spot for walking of a weekend. The Fenchurch Street Apartments on Creechurch Lane are a great starting point to explore this distinguished area. Head west along nearby Leadenhall Street and you’ll soon be able to take a left onto Lime Street, home to Lloyds of London.
From here, a right turn onto Leadenhall Place leads you to Leadenhall Market, dating way back to the 1300’s. From here, wind through Corbet Court and St Peter’s Alley to take you to Cornhill. Turn left along here until you reach the right turning onto the Royal Exchange. Now a luxury shopping centre, the building itself dates from the 16th Century when it was the centre of European commerce.
Taking a left along Threadneadle Street will bring you past the Bank of England. A left at the Bank junction onto Lombard street then becomes King William Street. Look out for the right turn onto St Swithins Lane. Another right at the end of the lane will quickly reveal the London Stone. Set into the wall of St Swithins Church, this was the place from which the Roman civilisation measured all distances in Britain.
Return down Cannon Street, follow it as it becomes Gracechurch Street and then left onto Fenchurch Street to promptly lead you back towards your apartment.
West End
You can meander around Theatreland to your heart’s content, exploring little side roads and never straying too far from your apartment. As a base, you can’t get much more central than Charing Cross Road and The Leicester Square Apartments.
Head up Charing Cross Road towards Leicester Square, cutting through Bear Street and left into the square itself. There’s plenty going on here to stroll around, but take a right turn onto Wardour Street to head up towards Shaftesbury Avenue and the swathe of theatres that await you.
Left along Shaftesbury Avenue will take you to Piccadilly Circus, past the Gielgud, Apollo and Lyric. A right will take you towards the Palace Theatre, back across Charing Cross Road, and with a right turn onto West Street, you’ll pass The Ambassadors and St Martins Theatres.
Another right will bring you onto Upper St Martin’s Lane. Follow the road past the Noel Coward Theatre, but before you reach the Duke of Yorks, turn right through Cecil Court to soak up the atmosphere of this historic alley of vintage books. The alley takes you back onto Charing Cross Road, just a few steps from your apartment.
When you take to London by foot, you will realise just how accessible the city is. As a benefit of centrally located luxury accommodation, this cannot be beaten!
