The British bank holidays are a great time to spend a few days with your partner and reconnect with one another.
If you’re struggling for ideas to keep yourselves happy and entertained during a holiday with the unpredictable British weather, then Kensington might just be the place for you.
Not only do many London hotels offer romantic packages over the bank holiday weekend, but there’s so much to see and do too. With indoor and outdoor activities galore and plenty of hotels near Earl’s Court to choose from, there are several reasons why Kensington should be top of your list for staycation destinations this bank holiday.
Still not convinced? Here are our top 10 reasons to spend your bank holiday staycation in Kensington.
1. It has great transport links
There are many ways to get around London, with several underground, bus and overground tube routes linking all your favourite destinations and sights. Thankfully, there are several stations in and around the Kensington area, making it easy to get to and from your Kensington hotel between activities.
If you’re flying into London, Kensington is ideal thanks to it’s great links to the major London airports.
2: The National History Museum
The Natural History Museum is well worth visiting. For starters, it’s a beautiful building to look at, but it’s even more incredible once you step inside. With everything from a ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’ exhibit to colossal dinosaur skeletons and even a full size, animatronic T-rex, there’s enough to see and do that you could easily spend a whole day there. One of our highlights is the life-size blue whale suspended from the ceiling in the hall of animals.
It’s a very traditional museum, and there aren’t many cutting-edge or technological exhibits. But, it’s completely free and covers a vast amount of history, making it a great place to spend a day of your bank holiday staycation.
3: Several beautiful parks and gardens
Spending time in a big city can be draining, so if you want to take some time away from the hustle and bustle, a quiet park could be precisely what you need. Kensington Gardens, once the grounds of Kensington Palace, are a short distance from the Park Grand London Kensington and other Kensington hotels. Hyde Park is also really close by as is Holland Park. With so many great outdoor spaces to enjoy, Kensington is fabulous for a staycation during a sunny bank holiday weekend.
4: Plenty of fantastic shopping spots
If you need a bit of retail therapy during your staycation in Kensington, you’re in look. The area is packed full of great shopping experiences. The world-famous Harrods store is in nearby Knightsbridge and has more than one million square feet of shopping space. You can also visit Kensington High Street, Sloane Square and Brompton Road for other great places to shop.
5: There’s loads of fabulous accommodation
Location is essential when you’re organising a staycation, and with the wealth of hotels near Earl’s Court and Kensington hotels, it’s no wonder that Kensington is so popular with tourists. Our Kensington hotel – The Park Grand Kensington is a firm favourite with visitors thanks to it’s proximity to Earl’s Court station, contemporary decor and opulent restaurant. The Park Grand London Kensington breakfast is ideal for setting you up for a day full of bank holiday fun and adventure.
6: The Science Museum
Right next door to the Natural History Museum is the incredible Science Museum. Like the National History Museum, it’s completely free to enter and packed full of exciting and inspiring exhibits. Being a science museum, it’s a little more high-tech than the National History Museum and has a few more interactive displays too. Whatever form of science you’re interested in, there should be something for you here as they explore everything from the Victorian discovery of steam as a power source, to space exploration. The museum has lots of hands-on exhibits for you to enjoy too, making it a thoroughly engaging day out.
7: Afternoon tea
Kensington is a great place to indulge in the British tradition of afternoon tea. Which is just as well, because all the shopping and museums are bound to have you working up a thirst. The Park Grand Kensington hotel offers a range of afternoon tea options ranging from the traditional to the slightly quirkier. We provide the option for an Indian take on the afternoon tea tradition with spicy teas and traditional Indian snacks for those of you with more adventurous tastes. You can even opt for a champagne afternoon tea to add some glamour and sense of occasion to your afternoon.
8: The Serpentine Galleries
If you love museums and art, Kensington is the place for you. The Serpentine Galleries in Kensington Gardens is another of the neighbourhood’s fantastic cultural locations. The Serpentine Gallery is made up of two museums, which are a five-minute walk apart from each other. Both are free to enter and worth a visit if you need to duck or cover during a walk through Kensington Gardens.
9: A chance to visit Kensington Palace
Parts of the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are open for the public to visit including various Royal State apartments and the gardens (which we’ve already mentioned as one of the great draws of Kensington). While it’s unlikely that you’ll bump into any members of the Royal family while looking around, I wouldn’t expect Prince William and Kate Middleton do live there, so there is a slight chance. You’ll need to book a ticket to get inside the palace, but once you do, there’s plenty to explore, see and do.
10: The chance to catch a show at the Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is one of London’s most impressive and well-known performance venues. Its Victorian-era design makes it one of the grandest venues in the city. Over the years, the hall has hosted performances of all kinds, including anniversary performances of The Phantom of the Opera, Ballets, classical music concerts and even movie premiers. Make sure you take a look and see what’s on during your bank holiday staycation and see if you can get tickets.
Even if you can’t get to see a show, it’s worth going to visit the building itself, so that you can admire its stunning design and architecture.
