#Park Avenue Inn Craven Hotel

[craveninn]

10 Things to do in Notting Hill, London

Notting Hill is a lively area located within the elegant borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Popularised by the 1999 rom-com of the same name, this district stands out from the rest in west London due to its vibrant and carefree spirit. There’s a lot going on in Notting Hill, so whether you’re staying in the area or further afield at one of the hotels near Paddington, make sure you reserve time on your London trip to see the top sights of Notting Hill.

Visit Portobello Road Market 

Portobello Road Market is perhaps the most famous attraction in Notting Hill, and for good reason. It’s the world’s biggest antique market, with more than 1,000 stallholders and dealers selling unique collectables for a fair price.

Go to the Notting Hill Museum of Brands 

Travel back in time and unlock forgotten memories at the Notting Hill Museum of Brands. This is the perfect rainy day activity as there is more than 200 years’ worth of consumer history to scour through. What’s more, it’s only a short distance from the Park Avenue Inn Craven Hotel, so you don’t need to worry about travelling too far if the weather turns.

Stroll down St. Lukes Mews 

If you’ve seen the film Love Actually, you’ll be familiar with St. Lukes Mews. It’s a residential street in Notting Hill that was used during the film, and it’s now a tourist hotspot. For any Love Actually fans, make sure you take the chance to get a selfie (but be respectful of residents).

Party at the Notting Hill Carnival 

Notting Hill Carnival is one of the greatest celebrations in all of London. It’s a cultural fusion of music, dance, and street floats. If you’re in town across the August bank holiday, make sure you get your sequins on and head to the carnival.

Get something to eat at Acklam Village 

Acklam Village is just off Portobello Road and is the place to go for delicious and affordable street food, perfect if the last thing you ate was breakfast near Paddington London.

Buy a book from The Notting Hill Bookshop 

Made famous by the film Notting Hill, The Notting Hill Bookshop is still open for business. If you’re a literary fiend, consider buying from this independent retailer.

Get some vinyl from Rough Trade 

Speaking of independent retailers, make sure you check out Rough Trade, one of the only surviving independent record shops in the city.

Grab a bargain from Portobello Green Market 

Portobello Green Market is bustling with vintage items like prints and clothes, and it’s less busy than its sister Portobello Road Market. There are lots of great bargains to be had here, so why not spend what you’ve saved from the hotel deals in Paddington London on a unique market souvenir?

Attend a gin tasting class at The Ginstitute   

Fancy a tipple? If so, head to The Ginstitute to attend a gin tasting class or a gin-making workshop and sip a tonic next to one of the big windows overlooking the main market below.

Enjoy a drink at The Churchill Arms 

For something slightly more relaxed, head to The Churchill Arms, a pub adorned with flowers and foliage and home to a far more relaxed, slower atmosphere than other pubs in the area.

[parkavenuehotels]

7 Interesting Things To Do In Paddington

Paddington is an area within West London that sits between Notting Hill and the West End. This suburb contains plenty to see and do and this blog will cover the seven most interesting.

For reliable comfort and distinguished service, as well as affordable luxury,  look no further than Park Avenue Hotels & Suites when planning your London trip.

1. Find Paddington Bear

No trip to Paddington would feel complete without seeing Paddington Bear. Luckily, inside Paddington train station, on Platform 1, Paddington Bear (at least a bronze sculpture of him) is available for photos. 

Just a few minutes walk from Paddington Station is a cosy hotel right in the heart of London, providing easy access to all of Paddington’s attractions, Craven Hotel London.

2. Alexander Fleming’s Laboratory

The laboratory lies at St Mary’s Hospital, famous itself for being the place where Will and Kate’s royal offspring were born. It was here that Alexander Fleming (Nobel prize winner) discovered penicillin in his laboratory, which has now been restored to how it looked in the early 1900s and forms part of the Alexander Fleming Museum. 

3. Merchant Square

On Tuesdays and Thursdays this square hosts street food vendors, and you can often find live music and other events happening here. Located along a canal, it’s a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon. 

4. The Bridge House Pub

This traditional British pub is the place to relax and have a pint after a day of exploring the city. You can also find a wide range of pub food available and it’s famous for its Sunday Roasts. The pub sits right alongside the canal in Little Venice…

5. Little Venice…

As beautiful and picturesque as it sounds, whether you want to hire a canal boat or just admire the scene from the canalside, Little Venice has something for everyone. A popular location for movie filming, this is a wonderful place for a lazy stroll. 

Placed neatly between the idyllic Bayswater area and the rich heritage of Hyde Park is the Park Avenue J Hotel Hyde Park, a 4 star hotel making luxury affordable. Or if a beautifully restored 19th-century townhouse overlooking Hyde Park is more your style, try the Signature Town House Hyde Park, which is just a stone’s throw away from all of West London’s attractions.

6. Bayswater

This is the best place to go shopping in the Paddington area. With a wide range of independent boutiques, restaurants and cafes, there’s sure to be something for all tastes.  

If you’re planning a shopping trip while in Paddington, look no further than the Bayswater Inn Hotel Hyde Park for your comfortable and convenient accommodation. 

7. Sheldon Square Amphitheatre

This is a space used by locals for picnics and to watch sporting events that are hosted on big screens. Nearby are some famous floating restaurants such as the Cheese Barge, a fully restored, double-decker restaurant that is one of London’s most unique dining experiences.