|
In a weekend, there’s time to explore London’s parks. Head west for Hyde Park, the shops and museums of Knightsbridge and South Kensington. A half-hour walk from here through Kensington Gardens arrives at Notting Hill, at its best on a Saturday when Portobello Market is in full swing. If you want to ‘do’ the parks properly, consider the 7-mile Princess Diana Memorial Walk, taking in most of Royal London. Alternatively, Regent’s Park and the Zoo are a short walk from the delights of Primrose Hill and full-on fun of Camden market, at its best on Sundays. If you need a mini-break from the pleasures of central London and the West End then a river trip gives a refreshing perspective on the city. As well as the boat between Tate Britain and Tate Modern (good for a look at the Houses of Parliament from the river), the best longer trips are either downriver to Greenwich or upstream to Kew Gardens or Hampton Court Palace. Downriver passes the Tower of London (a stop-off is usually possible) and beneath Tower Bridge before rounding the gleaming towers of Docklands and arriving at Greenwich. The more lengthy upstream option takes you past Battersea Power Station and Chelsea, through Hammersmith, Fulham and Putney, before reaching the spectacular riverside acres at Kew. Stay on the boat a bit longer to reach Hampton Court.
|
