The Best Staycation Ideas In London

As the capital begins to open its doors to visitors once more, now is the perfect time to rediscover the gems that London has to offer and treat yourself and your family to some freedom time whilst making the most of the new, quieter streets that are currently the new norm.

Staying in the safe environment of The Cavendish London - perfectly situated in the heart of the city – take time to visit some of those attractions that you’ve promised yourself you would see or re-visit. From museums to the great parks, from art galleries to royal palaces, now has never been a better time to take a break in London.

If wearing a face mask makes you hot under the collar, there are numerous stunning outdoor spaces to explore within the capital, many just a short walk away from The Cavendish London. 

A short six-minute walk brings you to St James’ Park, with Green Park also a stone’s throw away. Both offer wonderful spaces in which to walk or simply watch the world go by, so relax, enjoy the fresh air and why not take a picnic or feed the ducks? Just ask at reception about pre-booking some delicious morsels to nibble on for your outdoor expedition or pop into our neighbour, Fortnum and Mason, to pick up some divine delicacies from its legendary food hall. 

Now is an ideal time to take advantage of London’s quieter streets to see a side of the city you’ve not experienced. Immerse yourself in the capital’s inspiring architecture with visits to famous nearby landmarks including Big Ben and Trafalgar Square. Since 1st August many attractions re-opened their doors with social distancing measures in place. This year sees the 75th anniversary of both VE Day and VJ Day taking place so why not visit Churchill’s war rooms and the Imperial War Museum? The IWM is free to enter but currently requires pre-booking (due to numbers being limited for social distancing to take place) which our concierge service will be happy to help with.

If you are an art aficionado, or just simply love beautiful things, then a stay with us at the Cavendish will have you on the doorstep of the Royal Academy of Art. The RA has re-opened Wednesday to Sunday but with limited numbers of visitors allowed entry at any one time. Similarly, The National Gallery and Tate Modern are also within a short commute but do require pre-booking. The National Portrait Gallery is currently offering virtual tours of a selection of its rooms whilst it is closed for essential building work, so another option is to view from the comfort of your room or the hotel lounge via your phone or tablet.

During summer, Buckingham Palace normally opens its doors to visitors whilst Her Majesty enjoys her summer retreat to Balmoral. With this summer being somewhat different to the norm however, the palace staterooms are currently not opening until winter 2020. Pre-booked visits to the Royal Mews, on the other hand, are still available where you will see the dazzling display of coaches and carriages used by the royal family on state occasions. 

If you’ve been enjoying episodes of ‘The Crown’ during the lockdown, Kensington Palace, is now open to visitors once more. Previously home to Queen Victoria and the young royals for over 300 years and now the official residence of TRH the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, you can follow in the footsteps of the young Queen Victoria as well as being able to see the ‘Travolta Dress’ worn in 1985 by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, which is on display along with the original sketches of the dress done for Diana by the designer Victor Edelstein. Pre-booking again is a necessity, but the palace is open every Wednesday to Sunday between 10.30am until 5pm. 

Kensington Palace gardens also offer a wonderful mixture of wildflower meadows and formal layouts, so take time to explore the outside too and enjoy the fresh air mask-free.

Whilst we’ve all been in lockdown, the animals at London’s famous ZSL zoo in Regent’s Park have been busy with many young additions to the collection including adorable young otters and the welcome arrival of the ugliest pigs on earth!

Follow the pink, orange and blue routes safely around the zoo to see the furry menagerie that makes up this must-see attraction. Social distancing measures are in place and pre-booked tickets are necessary to manage numbers. Still, this has to be one of the most enjoyable days out in the capital no matter how old you are. Most of the zoo is outdoors but be aware that masks must be worn in some areas in line with government guidance.

So, after an exhausting staycation day spent sightseeing and strolling around the capital, return to the safe haven of The Cavendish. Indulge in a sumptuous afternoon tea of delicious sandwiches and cake or enjoy a glass of something chilled and refreshing in the bar before returning to the sanctuary of your room.

After a relaxing bath or shower, a mouth-watering meal in our Petrichor restaurant is the perfect way to end a busy day and refresh yourself to begin it all again tomorrow with new sights, new experiences and new memories.

This year’s most sort after location is the staycation, so why not stay safe with us in London and make the most of what’s currently the new normal.