Hot Tickets in London this Summer

May 2nd, 2013

With the weather finally changing for the better, you could be fooled into thinking summer is on the way!  Summer, of course, is the season of outdoor activities from music festivals to sunbathing to sports fixtures and London is no exception, hosting many of the year’s most prestigious events.  Here is a quick rundown of some of the top events in and around the UK’s capital city.

Festivals

London’s Hyde Park and Victoria Park have become havens for many festival planners and promoters offering unrivalled access for the city’s residents.  A few of the festivals coming up over the next few months are:

Field Day Festival at Victoria Park – 25th May

Field Day started its life outside a pub as a low-key local music event but has since snowballed in popularity so much so that it now hosts some of the top names in RnB and dance music, including Disclosure and Eats Everything plus the UK debut performance from Beyonce’s sister Solange.

Lovebox Festival at Victoria Park – 19th-21st July

Lovebox has become another household name as far as London music events are concerned and with a more mainstream RnB and pop feel, there is something for everyone to see over the three days of top quality live performances.  Artists scheduled to perform this year are Goldfrapp, Plan B and Annie Mac.

South West Four at Hyde Park – 24th-25th August

SW4 has become synonymous with London’s dance music scene and is probably the fastest-selling festival this summer so book early to avoid disappointment.  Held in the height of (hopefully) a hot weekend, the biggest names in dance and electronica take to Hyde Park to give London the feeling of an endless summer.


Sports

During the next few months, some of your favourite sportsmen will be embracing the summer weather in a wide variety of competitive events, including:

World Rowing Cup – 21st-23rd June

You will get a chance here to see the second stage of the world’s top rowing competition and the opportunity to see the most experienced and best rowers at their peak leading to the final in Switzerland in July.

Global Champions Tour – 6th-9th June

This top showjumping competition will see the world’s best horse trainers and riders take part, hosted in London for the first time, at the prestigious Olympic Park.  This is a great opportunity for the whole family to witness the most majestic and well-trained horses in nail-biting competition.

Euroleague Final Four – 10th-12th May

This event sees twenty-four top basketball teams from thirteen European countries compete to get to the semi-finals hosted at the O2 on 10th May with the finals taking place on the 12th.  This is a perfect chance to see great sportsmen at the top of their game, great for hardcore fans of the sport or for those looking to get into something new and exciting.

So whether it’s dancing in a field or watching others play on one, there is something in London to get you out of the house and into the sunshine, provided the weather keeps up it’s side of the bargain!  B+B Belgravia can make your festival or event that much easier to plan, with competitive prices and a great central location.

 

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Visiting Belgravia with Pets

April 24th, 2013

Belgravia is one of London’s most prestigious neighbourhoods and an ideal location to have as your base on a trip to London. It’s clean, there are beautiful parks nearby and plenty of dog-care services, so if you’re planning on visiting B+B Belgravia with your dog, you couldn’t have chosen a better location.

Nearby Parks

Belgravia B&B is conveniently located near some of London’s most beautiful parks.

Buckingham Palace Gardens (around 8 minutes walk from B+B Belgravia)

Buckingham Palace Gardens are generally not open to the public, except in August and September when a section of the gardens are open. Dogs, unless for the visually-impaired, are not allowed in the Palace Gardens.

Hyde Park (around 15 minutes walk from B+B Belgravia)

Dogs are welcome in Hyde Park, although there are some parts of the park where dogs are not allowed. These will be clearly sign posted.

St James’ Park (around 14 minutes walk from B+B Belgravia)

Like Hyde Park, dogs are allowed into St James’ Park as both Hyde Park and St James’ Park are part of the Royal Parks group of green spaces. Dogs are not allowed in the Memorial Gardens, located in front of Buckingham Palace or in the areas which are fenced off near the lake.

The Royal Parks website gives information on taking dogs into any of the parks, including Hyde Park. Please be aware that there is a large amount of wildlife, as well as other dogs and people in the park and your dog will need to keep your dog under control.

Dog Litter Rules

Anywhere you go walking your dog in London, whether in a park or on the streets, you will need to “pick up” after your dog does his or her business. As part of the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, fines of up to £1,000 are in place to ensure this happens.

Going Out Alone

If you are going somewhere in London that isn’t dog-friendly and don’t want to leave him or her in the B&B for too long, there are plenty of dog-friendly services available nearby from pet sitters to dog walkers who can take care of your dog while you’re away. Alternatively Waggin’ Tails, a pet boutique and spa offer a Doggy Day Care service in their store which is located between Chelsea and Fulham.

B+B Belgravia Rules Concerning Pets

B+B Belgravia welcomes pets. You can get more information about our “house rules” from our pet policy form.

image via Flickr

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London’s Hyde Park – The Ideal Place for Anyone Who Loves the Outdoors

March 25th, 2013

London’s rich history, high diversity and the fact that it is one of the largest metropolises in the world make it an alluring place for every tourist. In fact, London is the kind of city where even the highly meticulous tourist – who has done his homework and created a to-do list based on various travelling guides and personal exchanges – might get overwhelmed very quickly. 

Perhaps one of the most emblematic attractions, besides the Buckingham Palace of course, is the notorious Hyde Park. Granted, everyone knows about Hyde Park and most people are familiar with its unmatched beauty, thanks to postcards and photos. Still, few people have actually taken the time to walk from end to end and discover the mysteries of this lush territory.

In the following guide we will summarize some of the most fun activities to indulge in whilst visiting Hyde Park. However, keep in mind that this is only the tip of the iceberg, as there are many other things to do and see here as well as in the royal neighborhood of Belgravia.

The Serpentine Lake

If you enjoy bird watching but don’t want to travel halfway across the globe to pursue your hobby then the Serpentine Lake is the perfect place to settle into your element. Renowned for numerous geese, swans and other birds pecking around the perimeter, what better way to spend a lazy afternoon than sipping a glass of wine and admiring the sights? And, if you’re in the mood for a little activity you could always go for a dip in the water at the swimming club in its vicinity or rent a small boat for some moderate paddling around the lake.

Rent a folding chair

In case you want to get away from the hectic city life for a few hours and reconnect with Mother Nature, then an affordable way to have your little sanctuary implies renting a folding chair. These chairs can be found all over the Park, can be easily recognized by their green and white stripes and can cost less than 2 pounds.

Kensington Gardens & Palace

In all honesty, you simply can’t say you visited Hyde Park without taking a tour of the famous Kensington Gardens & Palace, the place where the wonderful Princess Diana herself resided. Nowadays, the site includes a memorial in honor of the late Princess of Hearts as well as an impressive art gallery featuring modern and contemporary exhibits.

Speaker’s Corner

Founded approximately 150 years ago, the Speaker’s Corner is one of the most famous open-air public speaking, debate and discussions spots in the world. However, if you want to be swept off your feet and take part in a memorable session of soapbox theatrics then it is best to visit Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner on Sunday mornings.

Hyde Park sports

In the eventuality that you are visiting Hyde Park with a few of your closest friends, then some exciting ways to spend the day entail playing tennis, going head to head in a match of touch football or signing up for a horse riding lesson. Alternatively, if your visit is relatively short and you want to make sure you see most of Hyde Park, then consider renting a bike from one of the numerous stations within.

image via Flickr

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Roald Dahl Comes to the Stage in London

March 7th, 2013

As one of the busiest cities in the world, arguably rivaled in it’s atmosphere and energy only by the iconic New York City in the US, London can absolutely guarantee to play host to an activity that any individual, regardless of taste, ability or preference can partake in and enjoy. Upcoming in the Summer of 2013 therefore, there’s an exciting new theatre production coming to town which tickets will become available for soon – looking for a place to stay while you take the trip? You know where we are!

Roald Dahl is regarded as one of the top children’s authors in the world and has been entertaining adults and children alike for decades. This year marks the 50th anniversary of his much-loved children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and what better way to celebrate the milestone than by seeing the story told to you live on stage!

The brand new stage adaptation will premier in London in June at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and promises to be as exciting and memorable as both film versions have been. The story is brought to life through music and lyrics written by the same people who brought us the hit musicals Hairspray and Smash and stars former Young One actor, Nigel Planer, as Grandpa Joe.

Award-winning playwright David Greig is the one responsible for bringing us the stage adaptation of the musical and is well known for bringing classic productions such as The Bacchae and Tintin to the modern stage. The story has been regarded as fantastical, yet it also has strong moral lessons about greed and sinfulness and as it was a cautionary tale for many new parents when they were children, so shall it be for the new generation of golden ticket hopefuls!

London’s West End is world-renowned and the perfect place to start your children’s fascination with theatre. It’s also a wonderful way to reignite your own passion for it as well as being a fantastic opportunity to spend some quality time with both your children and your own inner child.

If you’re planning a weekend away in London to watch one of the many shows in the west end, why not stay at our bed and breakfast in the heart of London’s theatre district.

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B & B Belgravia ready to accommodate for the world’s largest cycling event

February 8th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

London is preparing itself for more Olympic style attention. The world’s largest cycling festival is due to pass through Wandsworth and Merton this summer. The news was announced by Boris Johnson, who has said Bradley Wiggins is also due to appear.

More than half a million spectators are due to visit London so they can cheer on their cycling heroes. The weekend of August 3rd and 4th will be joyfully reminiscent of the London Olympics 2012.

Around 20,000 amateur cyclists, including the London Mayor, will push to complete the 100-mile course. The Ride London-Surrey event begins in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park then passes some of the capitals most iconic landmarks before heading out to Richmond Park.

Speaking from The Mall, Boris said: “It’s going to be a fantastic feast of velocipedes, the equivalent of running the marathon, only better.

“I have been conscripted for the 100-mile ride and I will perform.”

Double Olympic Gold Medalist, Laura Trott said: “It’s exciting to think that in less than six months’ time, Ride London will have started and the streets of London and Surrey will be filled with over 70,000 cyclists taking part in the two-day festival’.

Visitors flock

Cyclists participating and their families will be looking for comfortable accommodation that is central to the start of the main event. The 500,000 people expected to attend Ride London means that bookings are being taken up fast.

Those cycling and their families certainly deserve modern comfort where they can mentally prepare the night before; not to mention a hearty English Breakfast to fuel them through the race.

 B & B Belgravia is able to provide these things and more with service to rival a 3-star Hotel.

 

Image courtesy of Flickr.

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The Olympic Stadium prepares to rock London visitors in 2013

February 8th, 2013

After the successful use of music and performance during the opening and closing ceremonies of the London Olympics 2012, promoters are preparing the Olympic stadium for a host of large-scale music events in July 2013.

The iconic stadium will rival London’s other large venues, such as the O2 and Wembley Arena for being world-class music and performance arenas.

The upcoming July performances will mark the anniversary of the Olympic Games with acts expected to match the talents of last year’s athletes. Dennis Hone, chief executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation, told BBC London: “We have the opportunity to put on some major events in the Olympic Park- some music events and festivals and an anniversary weekend on the 27th and 28th of July”.

Taking on Hyde Park events

The announcement comes after previous complaints surrounding entertainment at Hyde Park. Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen have both experienced the wrath of local residents and council restrictions: their microphones were cut off when their shows overran. Complaints about noise have almost doubled since 2008. The Olympic Stadium is more than equipped to take on these events, providing better seating, vision and sound from its highly sophisticated facilities.

London’s musical reputation grows again

The city has long been internationally regarded as having one of the world’s most vibrant music scenes. Artists of all levels flock to appear at venues around the city for their local and visiting fans.

Enjoy a full weekend of London attractions

With so much see, hear, and do, it comes as no surprise that many visitors choose to make their London stay a weekend break to remember. Enjoy the extra spending money you’ll be left with from a stay at a 3-star bed and breakfast, without any compromise on quality. B+B Belgravia’s modern furnishings, central location, and delicious breakfasts match the best 3-star hotels that London has to offer.

 

 

Image courtesy of flickr.

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Ice skate your way around London’s best attractions

December 6th, 2012

Ice Skating at Somerset House, London

London has taken cues from New York with a growing number of exciting ice-skating rinks appearing around the City. Swirling your partner around the ice locked in a romantic stance, or sliding with style whilst admiring the London scenery are both exciting ways to spend a glamorous London break.

B+B Belgravia’s central location takes time out of the equation when deciding on where to skate first.

 

The Natural History Museum

Taking a sidestep from its usual activities, visitors can skate on a 950 square metre ice rink half the size of a football pitch from 2nd November to the 6th January. It is open 10am until 10pm most days. Ticket prices start at £9.

Book online with Ticketmaster or book in person at the ice rink box office in the museum gardens.

 

Tower of London

Skating is available outside one of London’s most iconic landmarks until the 6th of January 2013. Beefeaters and crows look on as visitors take to the dry moat and show off their skills. Ice guides are available for supervised group skating (£32 per session). Sessions last for one hour, and wheelchairs are welcome except during the last session of the day.

Peak time tickets are £13, off peak tickets cost £11.

 

Somerset House

The grand square outside this cultural landmark is hosting the most glamorous outdoor ice rink this year. Their unique offering comes in the form of ice skating club nights, which are not to be missed. Top DJ’s and artists play whilst crowds dance on the light covered arena. Upcoming performances include the Ministry of sound radio, Joey Negro, DJ Mag, and Lovesick.

Prices increase the later the sessions start with a 1hour 15-minute session at 16:15 costing £12.50. Individual prices are set for each club night.

 

B+B Belgravia has the modern comforts and hearty breakfasts to prepare you for the ice. We also have the comfortable beds and furnishings and to rest your weary legs. It is handy that some of the best shopping districts in the world, such as Harrods, are nearby should you be tired from all the skating.

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Hyde Park Winter Wonderland hits London

October 24th, 2012

With the festive season approaching, London is preparing to host some of the best winter events in England’s tourist calendar. The Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Festival has an excellent reputation for entertaining groups of friends and families searching for that festive boost in their spirits. Once again, B+B Belgravia is perfectly located to warm your toes after a fantastic evening.

Winter Wonderland Highlights

The festival transforms a large section of Hyde Park near Hyde Park station from the 23rd of November through to the 5th of January, giving you ample chance to experience its myriad of events.

  • Feel the rush of ice-skating in the open air; the ice rink is illuminated by 108,000 Victorian tea-lights for that extra spark of magic.
  • Find unique gifts at the Christmas market.
  • Marvel at the variety of skilled performers at Zippo’s Circus: A highly popular attraction, not just for being heated, which features breath-taking aerobics and illusions.
  • Fill the young ones with anticipation and excitement on a trip to Santa’s Grotto.
  • Refresh and warm up everyone in your group with the tasty Bavarian food and drinks on offer.
  • The Magical Ice Kingdom is a walk-through world of ice and snow where you will encounter woodland creatures and a unicorn-pulled carriage.

Unique festive B+B Belgravia experience 

The morning after such an evening deserves to be complimented with a fine English breakfast in your choice of modern rooms or studio apartments. You are also situated in central London with all of its winter attractions never too far away. Book now at B+B Belgravia and embrace London at this special time of year.

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Taking In The Sights Of London On Bike

September 28th, 2012

As London continues to become more accommodating to cyclists, here at B&B Belgravia we find ourselves in a great location for those looking to discover the many landmarks that the capital has to offer.

Despite public transport being comprehensive in London, taking the tube can mean you miss out on many sights, and on a warm day / rush hour it can be hot and uncomfortable; whilst London’s bus network leaves you at the mercy of traffic jams.

Here at B+B Belgravia we are lucky enough to have 3 London Cycle Hire docking stations within a 5-minute walk of our front door, however we would recommend turning right from our front door and walking to the end of Ebury Street. Here you should find many blue Boris bikes available for you to hire for the day. The pricing scheme is unique in that it promotes short travel, and after paying £1 for a 24 hour access fee and removing the bike from the docking station, you are then charged on the time it takes you to return the bike to any docking station across the capital. For every journey under 30 minutes not charged any extra, and those under an hour only charged £1 and so on. For more information on the charges for the scheme click here.

Providing the weather is nice, we would recommend taking an 8-mile route that takes in most of London’s major landmarks including Harrods, Piccadilly Circus, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

  • After leaving our bed and breakfast, start cycling towards Knightsbridge, where you will pass through Sloane Square before reaching Knightsbridge tube station. We would recommend parking up your bike at one of the docking stations here so that you can take in the world famous Harrods department store.
  • Hopping back on your bike, ride through the grounds of Hyde Park up to Marble Arch and then along Oxford Street.
  • After continuing along the world famous shopping street either on foot or by bike, stop at the Oxford Circus intersection, turn right and head Regents Street to pass Liberty London and Hamley’s Toy Shop before reaching Piccadilly Circus. It is worth parking your bike up here and then walking across to Covent Garden, via Leicester Square – don’t worry it’s not a long walk, only 15 minutes or so.
  • After seeing the sights around this part of London, jump back onto a bike and head onto the Embankment, where you will find yourself opposite the London Eye until you reach Westminster where you will come across Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
  • Round Parliament Square to go down past Whitehall and Downing Street before reaching Trafalgar Square. Here you will need to pass through Admiralty Arch to go onto the Mall, heading towards Buckingham Palace.
  • Once at the palace your 8 or so mile round trip of London would be near complete and you would have taken in the vast majority of London’s major landmarks. If you’re feeling a bit tired by now, don’t worry – you’re almost back at the Bed and Breakfast, as we’re less than a mile from the front gates of palace.

If you are considering using this form of transport, you will find that It’s a great way to get fit and to also explore the capital providing the weather holds up. Here are a few tips from Transport For London on how to stay safe when cycling around London.

Image via flickr

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London Raises The Bar…

August 15th, 2012

The 2012 Olympic games swept us all of our feet. Going into the games we had the ticketing fiasco and issues with security personnel, mixed with our very British pessimism, which meant many were indifferent to the games. But throughout those 16 days, the nation was glued to their TV screens willing Team GB on, as they brought home 65 medals.

Discounting the football, the show kicked off with Danny Boyle’s celebration of our past and present, with the British countryside, Industrial Revolution, British literature and our National Health Service playing big roles, before we were then greeted by the site of our neighbour – the Queen and James Bond skydiving into the stadium.

Being in London’s Belgravia district we were never too far from the action, with the Triathlon, Marathon and Cycling Road Races all finishing a mile down the road from us at the Mall. However after the disappointment of the mens road race, it took several days for Team GB to register their first gold with Helen Glover and Heather Stanning beginning the rush. But from then on, no one could’ve predicted the gold glut that saw Team GB finish in 3rd place, only behind superpowers China and the USA, in their largest haul since 1908.

Arguably the finest day was ‘Super Saturday‘, which saw Team GB pick up 6 golds. Britain started the day by picking up 2 gold’s at Eton Dorney, which also saw a new record set for most medals by a country in the Olympic Regatta, before 1 more was added at the Velodrome in the Olympic Park for the women’s team pursuit. And then we were treated to the finest night of Athletics this country has ever seen. Within the space of an hour, ‘face of the games’ Jessica Ennis won her Heptathlon in style, by winning the 800-metre race in front of an electric and partisan 80,000 crowd. Greg Rutherford then picked up gold in the long jump, before Mo Farah powered through to win the 10,0000-metre race.

Throughout the remainder of the games, the heroes of Team GB helped bring in a regular stream of medals, as the remarkable 29 gold medals ensured the achievements in Beijing were bettered, alongside the largest medals tally set in over a century. One notable achievement was Sir Chris Hoy smashing the record for most Olympic gold medals won by a member of Team GB.

And then it was onto the Spice Girls, The Who and many other globally recognised British acts to wrap up the show in a showcase closing ceremony that marked the end of a remarkable 2 weeks for our small country. In what has been a magnificent year for Britain with the Diamond jubilee and Olympics, we can only hope that this continues with the Paralympics!

Go Team GB!

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