London is home
to the rich and famous from across the world. When it comes to posh localities
they do not get any ritzier than the areas around Kensington and Chelsea with
street names like Fulham, King’s, Kensington and Pimlico being out of the
classiest places in the city.
These areas are
also well known for the best accommodation to stay at with top class luxury
hotels like the Park Grand London Hyde Park, which is close vicinity and offers
relatively easy access to the top shopping and entertainment venues in the
city.
When you plan a
holiday in the city and are looking for London Luxury hotels to stay in, choose an accommodation that is located in the
centre of the city. And contrary to popular belief all of them do not cost a
fortune to stay at! Some of the top luxury hotels like the Park
Grand London Hyde Park offer some great package
deals and special discounts especially in the tourist off-season. Some of the
top attractions you can visit while staying here include:
Hyde Park: One of the most
visited and popular of London’s Royal parks Hyde Park is spread over 350 acres of lush forested area. It is also
out of the city’s largest open green spaces. It originally served as a deer
hunting ground during the reign of King Henry VIII. It was in 1635 that the
general public were granted access. Here you will find the Serpentine, a large lake
popular with boating and swimming enthusiasts that was created in 1730. You
will come across a host of monuments and attractions within the park including
the famous Diana Memorial Fountain built in memory of Princess Diana, besides
Speaker’s Corner and many other interesting attractions. It is also home to the
Hyde Park Riding Stables, which is the country’s most renowned equestrian
centre.
Apsley House: Apsley House
formerly served as the residence of the Duke of Wellington and now is a Museum.
He purchased the stately mansion after his magnificent victory in the Battle of
Waterloo. He had the place redesigned and introduced many changes to its
architecture, including the addition of the famous Waterloo Gallery, where he
hosted his celebrated banquets. It was only in 1952 that the place opened as
the Wellington Museum and today visitors can view the stunning personal art
collection of the Duke. This includes the Spanish Master Velasquez’s famous
masterpiece, the Waterseller of Seville among other priceless artworks and
gifts presented to him by emperors and kings of Europe.
The Wellington Arch: It is
built to celebrate the stunning victory of the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo.
It has a bronze chariot that features a figure of Peace and is just a short
distance from his former residence at Apsley House. There also is an imposing bronze
statue of the Duke mounted on a horse with the corners featuring statues of a
Welsh fusilier, a Grenadier Guard, an Inniskilling Dragoon and a Scottish
Highlander. There is an exhibition which exhibits its history and there is a
gallery that houses rotating exhibits about the heritage and history of
England.