Discover the city one spa at a time
It’s impossible to pin down one or two things to do in London on a spa break because one of the reasons it’s such a popular tourist destination for visitors from all over the world, is its diversity of things to see and do. From art galleries to sports events, historic sites to outdoor spaces, you can wander from one street to the next and feel as though you’re in a completely different city in the blink of an eye. It’s all the more reason to come time and again. Nonetheless, here we have categorised a few of the activities that we recommend including on a London spa break.
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Explore London’s parks and outdoor spaces
London has earned a reputation for being one of the greenest cities in the world - literally - thanks to its variety of parks and gardens. From the grand and famous such as Regent’s park, complete with its plethora of statues and outdoor artworks, to hiring pedalos in Hyde Park, splashing in Diana’s Fountain in the height of the summer or picnicking in Kensington Palace gardens, taking a walk through London’s parklands is soul restoring entertainment in its own right. Who knows, you might even hear a nightingale sing in Berkeley Square.
London’s art and culture scene
Head to the theatre at Haymarket, explore street art on the South Bank, see musicals in the West End or roam London’s myriad of free art exhibitions from the National Gallery to the Tate Modern. One of the best things about visiting London is the wide variety of cultural experiences available. Even if you don’t head to historic monuments, galleries and museums, the different quarters of the city itself represent its cultural diversity, whether you head down Carnaby Street - the birthplace of swinging sixties, visit the King’s Road to see Vivienne Westwood’s famous World's End, or go to the flower market on Columbia Road.
Shopping in London
You can’t really come to this city and not indulge in a little retail therapy. Many of the shopping destinations in London are tantamount to museums in their own right - think Harrods, Liberty of London and Harvey Nichols for example. Even if you’re just window shopping, they’re worth a visit.
In the winter months it’s hard to beat hot chocolate in the Ladurée Cafe at Harrods, while nothing is as classic as a Liberty print on luxury writing paper or a handkerchief.
Oxford Street is one of the best known shopping destinations in the world for its buzzy atmosphere and vast range of high street stores. For something a little more luxurious, you want to head to Old Bond Street where the top designers have their stores.
The aforementioned King’s Road offers a touch of gentility. For tailoring you can’t beat Savile Row, and in between them all make sure you wander down the little side streets for bijoux shops and hidden boutiques just waiting to be discovered.