Sophie’s guidebook
Supermarkets
Located within walking distance and offering everything you may possibly need during your stay
Whole Foods Kensington is a huge supermarket which caters to all needs and diets. They offer a large range of pre-cooked options to take away for those not inclined to cook, yet don't want to eat out.
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Whole Foods Market
63-97 Kensington High StWhole Foods Kensington is a huge supermarket which caters to all needs and diets. They offer a large range of pre-cooked options to take away for those not inclined to cook, yet don't want to eat out.
Waitrose & Partners
38 Porchester RdTESCO Express
275-277 Battersea Park RdPerfect for those 'forgotten' items on your way home
Great little organic shop which although the location is more convenient than Wholefoods, is vastly more expensive
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Planet Organic
42 Westbourne GroveGreat little organic shop which although the location is more convenient than Wholefoods, is vastly more expensive
Food scene
There are so many restaurants in the Notting Hill and Bayswater area, so here are just a few that I go to and recommend. Affordable quick bites include Cote Brasserie and Cocotte on your door step. Those with a fetish for pizza should try Luna rossa - they serve pizza by the meter!. If you're looking for fine dining, the Ledbury is right around the corner and holds two Michelin stars - and featured in S.Pelligrino World's 50 best restaurants
Cocotte Notting Hill
95 Westbourne GrovePharmacy
74-76 Westbourne GroveGranger and Co.
175 Westbourne GroveOttolenghi
Arancina
19 Pembridge Rd
Chucs Westbourne Grove
226 Westbourne GroveLuna Rossa
190 Kensington Park Rde&o Pan Asian Restaurant Notting Hill
14 Blenheim CrescentAssaggi Restaurant
39 Chepstow PlFeng Sushi
218 Fulham Rd.Farm Girl Notting Hill
59A Portobello RdLe Pain Quotidien
70 Parsons Green LnCôte Brasserie - Westbourne Grove
Westbourne GroveThe Ledbury
127 Ledbury RdPorchester Centre: GYM, POOL & SPA
A gym with over 140 stations. You do not need to be a member to go, though you will need to fill out an online induction form found on their website everyoneactive.com
A fantastic 30m pool which, being a dedicated swimmer, I use all the time. Three double lanes enabling those of all abilities to swim laps unimpeded. There is a separate smaller (and warmer) pool ideal for those with small kids.
Spa : Is londons oldest spa, offering access to: 2 steam rooms, Turkish Baths (Tepidarium, Caldarium and Laconium) a plunge pool and relaxation lounge. Entry for non members is £28.90
A gym offering over 140 stations, and 30m pool right around the cornder
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Porchester Centre
Porchester RoadA gym offering over 140 stations, and 30m pool right around the cornder
Sightseeing
General sight seeing, and ideas for Christmas!
Portobello Road - about 10min walk away. A vibrant area which boasts the infamous Portobello market. It is easily in walking distance (and best to avoid Notting Hill Gate Tube station on a weekend!). Turn left out of Monmouth road onto Westbourne Grove. At the traffic lights veer very slightly right to stay on Westbourne Grove and keep heading straight - you can't miss it, there will be hundreds of people!. There is a market every day.
Monday- Thursday: The market serve mostly local residents with fresh fruit and veg and close at 1pm
Friday - Is the busiest weekday, with a greater variety of stalls.
Saturday - is the busiest day by FAR, with stalls of all sorts, offering a variety of things you never knew existed and never knew you needed!
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Portobello Road
Portobello RoadPortobello Road - about 10min walk away. A vibrant area which boasts the infamous Portobello market. It is easily in walking distance (and best to avoid Notting Hill Gate Tube station on a weekend!). Turn left out of Monmouth road onto Westbourne Grove. At the traffic lights veer very slightly right to stay on Westbourne Grove and keep heading straight - you can't miss it, there will be hundreds of people!. There is a market every day.
Monday- Thursday: The market serve mostly local residents with fresh fruit and veg and close at 1pm
Friday - Is the busiest weekday, with a greater variety of stalls.
Saturday - is the busiest day by FAR, with stalls of all sorts, offering a variety of things you never knew existed and never knew you needed!
Beautiful views of the city. Did you know this was only built as a temporary attraction to celebrate the millennium? It proved to be such a hit.....it’s here 19 years later 👍 Best to take the Circle&District line and alight at embankment or Westminster tube stations
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lastminute.com London Eye
Beautiful views of the city. Did you know this was only built as a temporary attraction to celebrate the millennium? It proved to be such a hit.....it’s here 19 years later 👍 Best to take the Circle&District line and alight at embankment or Westminster tube stations
Winter wonderland is a temporary attraction set up each year for the Christmas & New year period. It attracts millions of guests each year. Theme park attractions, bars and eateries. Particularly spectacular if seen at night. About 30min walking distance from my flat, but you can also take the central line and alight at Marble Arch
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Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Ice Rink
Serpentine RoadWinter wonderland is a temporary attraction set up each year for the Christmas & New year period. It attracts millions of guests each year. Theme park attractions, bars and eateries. Particularly spectacular if seen at night. About 30min walking distance from my flat, but you can also take the central line and alight at Marble Arch
London's Green Spaces: Scenic Running or Walking routes
With Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens on your door step, and with Green and St James park in close proximity, my flat is the perfect location for those wanting to get a morning run (or walk!) in the beautiful parks that London has to offer, along with a bit of site seeing.
Hyde park is generally safe and I have never felt threatened, but the entrances are gated and are closed from sunset and reopen around 5.30am. I have often run throughout the park during the dark winter mornings, but saying that please remember London is a city and always be vigilant. If like me you are a very early bird, I would suggest foregoing the earphones if you are pounding the pavements on your own so that you can hear whats going on around you!
The easiest way to get to Kensington gardens is to turn Right out of Monmouth road, and then take the first right onto Garway road - keep straight until you cross Moscow road continuing straight until you hit Bayswater road, where you then turn left and cross Bayswater road at the pedestrian crossing.
4.5 Mile loop, also known as Two Parks- runs the circumference of Hyde park and Kensington Gardens. Just stick to the large path which will eventually take you back to your starting point. You will enjoy running through Speakers corner, view Wellingtons arch, past Hyde Park Barracks, The Royal Albert Hall, The Albert Memorial, Kensington Palace and the Diana memorial playground!
7.2 Mile loop (Also known as Three parks) - includes all that of the two park loop, but at hyde park corner you come out of the park, cross over the large round about (running through Wellington Arch!) - and run the circumference of St James park and Green Park - where the London Marathon finishes. On this loop you will get to see the majestic Buckingham palace
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Kensington Gardens
With Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens on your door step, and with Green and St James park in close proximity, my flat is the perfect location for those wanting to get a morning run (or walk!) in the beautiful parks that London has to offer, along with a bit of site seeing.
Hyde park is generally safe and I have never felt threatened, but the entrances are gated and are closed from sunset and reopen around 5.30am. I have often run throughout the park during the dark winter mornings, but saying that please remember London is a city and always be vigilant. If like me you are a very early bird, I would suggest foregoing the earphones if you are pounding the pavements on your own so that you can hear whats going on around you!
The easiest way to get to Kensington gardens is to turn Right out of Monmouth road, and then take the first right onto Garway road - keep straight until you cross Moscow road continuing straight until you hit Bayswater road, where you then turn left and cross Bayswater road at the pedestrian crossing.
4.5 Mile loop, also known as Two Parks- runs the circumference of Hyde park and Kensington Gardens. Just stick to the large path which will eventually take you back to your starting point. You will enjoy running through Speakers corner, view Wellingtons arch, past Hyde Park Barracks, The Royal Albert Hall, The Albert Memorial, Kensington Palace and the Diana memorial playground!
7.2 Mile loop (Also known as Three parks) - includes all that of the two park loop, but at hyde park corner you come out of the park, cross over the large round about (running through Wellington Arch!) - and run the circumference of St James park and Green Park - where the London Marathon finishes. On this loop you will get to see the majestic Buckingham palace
Regents park is on of London's eight Royal Parks. It combines large open spaces with tree-lined pathways perfect for a gentle stroll, and the perimeter is a Mecca for cyclists on weekends or early mornings. Queen Mary's beautiful rose gardens are must see even if you are not green fingered, with over 12,000 roses on display.
The park boasts London's largest outdoor sports area - with a number of sports pitches (rugby, softball, football, cricket, lacrosse) available for hire.
There is also an Open Air Theatre, Londons Zoo and four children playgrounds.
I strongly suggest taking a hike up primrose hill, for one of the best views of London's skyline!
Getting there:
By tube: Camden Town (20min walk) Baker Street (15min walk) Regents park (20min walk) - You can also get the 27 bus (on Westbourne Grove, take the bus stop near Planet Organic) which will drop you off on the Marlebone road
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The Regent's Park
Regents park is on of London's eight Royal Parks. It combines large open spaces with tree-lined pathways perfect for a gentle stroll, and the perimeter is a Mecca for cyclists on weekends or early mornings. Queen Mary's beautiful rose gardens are must see even if you are not green fingered, with over 12,000 roses on display.
The park boasts London's largest outdoor sports area - with a number of sports pitches (rugby, softball, football, cricket, lacrosse) available for hire.
There is also an Open Air Theatre, Londons Zoo and four children playgrounds.
I strongly suggest taking a hike up primrose hill, for one of the best views of London's skyline!
Getting there:
By tube: Camden Town (20min walk) Baker Street (15min walk) Regents park (20min walk) - You can also get the 27 bus (on Westbourne Grove, take the bus stop near Planet Organic) which will drop you off on the Marlebone road
Yoga and Wellbeing
Wonderful way to relax and unwind.... and to continue your practice
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The Life Centre
15 Edge StWonderful way to relax and unwind.... and to continue your practice
This is possibly the best centre that I have come across if you are looking for a very dynamic practice. It now goes by the name Sangyé Yoga. Expect to see lots of tattoo's, piercings.... and a lot of sweat!
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Sangye Yoga - Jivamukti Affiliate London
300 Kensal RdThis is possibly the best centre that I have come across if you are looking for a very dynamic practice. It now goes by the name Sangyé Yoga. Expect to see lots of tattoo's, piercings.... and a lot of sweat!
Shopping
Accessed via the Piccadilly line, you get off at Knightsbridge. Harrods, Harvey Nichols, as well as the super posh streets of Sloane Street (Think Versace, Gucci etc) are all within walking distance.
A must see if looking for one of London's iconic department stores. Oxford Street is easily accessed via the Central (Red) line, which you can get from either Queensway or Notting Hill Gate Tube stations. For Selfridges, you are best getting off at Bond Street Tube station. If you fancy spending the day shopping, I would recommend you get off at Marble Arch station and then walk along Oxford Street. I would strongly advise you avoid Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus stations during peak times as they get VERY congested.
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Selfridges
400 Oxford StA must see if looking for one of London's iconic department stores. Oxford Street is easily accessed via the Central (Red) line, which you can get from either Queensway or Notting Hill Gate Tube stations. For Selfridges, you are best getting off at Bond Street Tube station. If you fancy spending the day shopping, I would recommend you get off at Marble Arch station and then walk along Oxford Street. I would strongly advise you avoid Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus stations during peak times as they get VERY congested.
Harrods
87-135 Brompton RdSuper sized shopping centre is easily within walking distance (walk West along Holland Park road) otherwise a short tube ride away. Transport options include the Hammersmith and City line (from Royal Oak or Westbourne Park) getting off at Wood Lane or alternatively getting the Central Line (from either Notting Hill or Queensway) and getting off at White City
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Westfield Shopping Centre
Super sized shopping centre is easily within walking distance (walk West along Holland Park road) otherwise a short tube ride away. Transport options include the Hammersmith and City line (from Royal Oak or Westbourne Park) getting off at Wood Lane or alternatively getting the Central Line (from either Notting Hill or Queensway) and getting off at White City