London comes into its own in the glorious summer months. This year, all of a sudden, the capital has sprung back to life under the new season’s glow and an easing of restrictions, and a revived calendar of events and alfresco experiences make for a wonderful family visit.
Fashionable neighbourhood Mayfair is perfectly poised for easy access to the city’s family-friendly entertainment. Begin your adventures here at Brown’s Hotel, with the gratification of a delicious breakfast cooked for you, by our team at Charlie's by Adam Byatt, which was recently described as ‘confident, classic, seasonal cooking, with dishes to please every whim' by esteemed restaurant critic, Tom Parker-Bowles.
While you feast, our concierge will prepare a bag of goodies for you to take on an outing to nearby St James Park, a 10-minute cycle from the hotel where you can feed the famous pelicans which were gifted to the park in 1664 by the Russian Ambassador. Simply hop on a couple of Brown’s Hotel’s Pashley Bikes which are made by England's longest established bicycle manufacturer and are complimentary with your stay. Cruise through the park’s verdant surroundings and stop for a mandatory photo at Horse Guards Parade. Fans of ‘The Crown’ must also pay homage to Buckingham Palace to take in the splendour of the British monarchy and see the changing of the guards, if you catch them at the right time. Before your visit, be sure to check the ceremony schedule on the Household Division's website for confirmed timings. At The Royal Mews, you can also try out a Royal Carriage for yourself and practice tacking up a wooden pony.
To explore more of the leafy spaces during your stay, Hyde Park is also a five-minute cycle ride away where you can take a paddle boat out along the Serpentine or burn off any energy the little ones may have left at Princess Diana's Memorial playground. For the animal lovers, a special Horse Riding lesson at the famed Hyde Park stables is a must, established in 1835.
Come lunchtime, enjoy a neighbourhood pizza at Mayfair family favourite, Delfino's, or visit the Mayfair Chippy for traditional fish and chips. For a longer lunch, ask your concierge to make a reservation at the Punchbowl, where parents can enjoy a refreshing Pimms or pint. For any car enthusiasts in the family, take a stroll through Berkeley Square to admire the car showrooms of Bentley, Ferrari and more luxury brands.
It wouldn’t be a visit to London without a stop at Hamleys, the oldest and largest toy store in the world. If you’re visiting for several days you may also wish to visit the toy section at Selfridges, allowing the adults a chance to treat themselves too.
For a dose of culture, or simply to rest weary legs, ask your concierge to look up timings for the Everyman cinema, a warm, luxurious cinema offering a host of mainstream, independent and classic films, special events and a regular calendar of live satellite broadcasts. Better still, embrace the capital’s alfresco spirit and head to the open Air theatre at Regents Park for a matinee. Be sure to ask your concierge to arrange your advanced booking, as this is a ticketed event which requires advanced reservations.
Back at Brown's Hotel, book in for our Jungle Book themed afternoon tea or indulge at The Spa, where the little ones can enjoy just as much pampering as parents, thanks to our specially created treatments for children such as ‘funky fingers’ manicure or a ‘twinkle toes’ pedicure.
London’s creative, quirky and curious exhibitions and museums are all on your doorstep at Brown’s Hotel. Get in touch with us at reservations.browns@roccofortehotels.com or call +44 20 7493 6020.
With Mother’s Day fast approaching, there’s no better time to plan a getaway for some of that much-needed girl time. Whether you fancy a touch of culture, a weekend of shopping or a serene spa break, we’ve found the best cities for a mother-daughter getaway, however old your girl is.
While air travel becomes ever more functional, the pleasures of the train are undeniable. you can lose yourself in a book, chat with your favourite people or watch from the window as scrolling landscapes unfold. A rediscovered love for rail journeys and a move towards more sustainable travel has fuelled a European-wide rail revolution over the last few years – but Italy has been running its brilliant services for decades.
For Marc Ducobu, chocolate isn’t just an ingredient; it's an art form. And, as an award-winning Belgian chocolatier and ‘pastry maverick’, he knows a thing or two about it.
