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A Perfect Long Weekend in South Kensington: Your Ultimate City Break Guide

South Kensington is the ideal destination for a long weekend getaway in London and autumn is the perfect season to book your break. Autumn months benefit from less crowds, pleasant temperatures and beautiful orange/gold scenery. South Kensington is an area of London bursting with culture, things to do and luxurious dining options. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to planning your city break. To get you off to a head start we’ve put together a guide for a great long weekend in this iconic area.

Where to Stay: South Kensington

For a true taste of luxury, why not stay at The Bentley Hotel? Located in the heart of South Kensington, this five-star hotel offers elegant rooms, delicious dining, and a tranquil spa—everything you need for a relaxing weekend in London. Plus, book our website special to include a full English breakfast with your stay.

Friday: Day 1 – Arrival & Exploring

Your adventure begins as soon as you arrive in South Kensington. Whether you’re coming by train, bus, or car, getting to this part of London is a breeze. The area is well-connected to the rest of the city by public transport, with South Kensington tube station serving as your gateway.

Check-In
Check-in with ease after 3pm. Drop all your bags off and indulge in the luxury surroundings. Feel free to speak to our friendly concierge about any questions or directions you may need for your break.

A Stroll Through Hyde Park
Just a short walk from your hotel is Hyde Park, one of London’s most iconic green spaces. Which makes it perfect to explore and stretch your legs after travelling. Take a leisurely stroll through the park as the sun sets taking in the beautiful autumn atmosphere and work up an appetite for dinner!

Dinner at The Bentley
Start your evening the right way relaxing with a drink or two in Malachite bar before heading over to Le Peridot, The Bentley’s in-house restaurant. Indulge in a decadent meal, It’s the perfect spot to kick off your weekend in style, plus get 15% off if you booked your break through our ‘Website Special’.

Saturday: Day 2 – The Museums

The Museum Tour
Start your first full day with a visit to South Kensington’s museum quarter. There’s so much to see and do here that it can keep you occupied all day!

First on the agenda is the Science Museum, where you’ll find interactive exhibits and fascinating displays about everything from space exploration to future technology. Next, head over to the Natural History Museum, one of London’s most beautiful buildings and explore the wonders of the natural world, from dinosaur fossils to gems and minerals. Finally visit the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), dedicated to art and design. From fashion to sculpture, the V&A’s collections are sure to inspire and amaze.

Lunch & Dinner in South Kensington
With so many fabulous restaurants in South Kensington, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whether you’re in the mood for Italian, French, or classic British cuisine, there’s something for everyone. For lunch, try one of the eateries along Exhibition Road just along from the museums, or a restaurant like Honest Burgers on Thurloe Street

For dinner, why not book a table at Claude Bosi’s Bibendum for a Michelin-starred French haute cuisine experience?

Sunday: Day 3 – Shopping & Relaxation

After a day of museum-hopping, Sunday is all about shopping and pampering yourself.

A Morning of Retail Therapy
Start your day with some retail therapy at Fortnum & Mason and Harrods—two of London’s most iconic department stores. Explore their luxury food halls, browse designer fashion, and pick up some souvenirs from your trip. Continue your shopping experience down Kensington High Street, where you’ll find a range of high-end and boutique stores and plenty of places to have lunch.

Afternoon Spa Treatment
After a morning of shopping, head back to Le Kalon Spa at The Bentley Hotel for a relaxing treatment. From soothing massages to rejuvenating facials, you’ll leave feeling completely refreshed and ready for your evening. Take a look at our latest treatment packages.

Cap off your weekend with a fabulous dinner at Launceston Place for European fine dining, Da Mario Kensington for a simple Italian Trattoria or Ognisko for up-scale Polish and Baltic dining. Before seeing a performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Monday: Day 4 – A Royal Finish

Make the most of a relaxing breakfast and leisurely check out before 11am at The Bentley. Before you head home, take the time to explore a little more of London’s regal side.

Visit Buckingham Palace & Green Park
No London weekend is complete without a visit to Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch. Time it right, and you might catch the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony. Head through to Green Park, and back to Hyde Park where you can enjoy the gardens and take a final walk before making your way home.

That completes your South Kensington city break but there’s plenty more to see like… Kensington Gardens and Palace, the Design Museum, Saatchi Gallery and Holland Park plus not even mentioning the rest of London! So why not book our Stay Longer, Save More offer and save up to 20% off our best available flexible rate for your entire break when you book 4 nights or more, it pays to stay longer!

Embrace the Changing Seasons in the Heart of the City

Most of us dread the end of warmer weather, but as August draws to a close, it’s time to look forward to the new seasons ahead. Autumn brings a blend of lingering warmth, beautiful backdrops as the leaves start to change colour, and quieter days across London. In fact, it might just be one of the best times of the year to book your London break!

Explore the Beauty of The Royal Parks

One of the top locations to experience the very best of autumn in London is The Royal Parks.

These iconic green spaces come alive with the colours of the season, offering the perfect setting for an autumnal stroll. Hyde Park, with its over 3,000 trees including beech, chestnut, and lime, transforms into a sea of vibrant reds, fiery oranges, and golden yellows.

It’s a photographer’s paradise, with countless opportunities to capture Instagram-worthy shots of you, your family and friends amongst the stunning landscapes.

The Royal Parks Half Marathon, held on October 13th, 2024, is a fantastic way to combine fitness with the beauty of the season. The route takes you through four of London’s Royal Parks, providing a unique opportunity to experience these historic spaces in a new and exciting way.

Cosy Up in London’s Historic Pubs

As the weather cools, London’s historic pubs become even more inviting. Autumn is the perfect time to indulge in hearty British cuisine, with menus featuring classic dishes like roast dinners, fish and chips, and savoury pies. South Kensington has some great traditional English pubs, like The Hereford Arms, or the Anglesea Arms on Selwood Terrace where Charles Dickens once resided.

Imagine settling into a cosy corner, enjoying the warmth of a crackling fire while savouring a comforting meal and soaking up the history. It’s an experience that perfectly captures the essence of autumn in the city.

Experience London After Dark

As the nights draw in, London offers a range of unique experiences that come to life after dark. Many of the city’s museums and galleries host special evening events during the autumn months, allowing visitors to explore their exhibits in a whole new light.

From after-hours tours to themed nights, these events offer a different perspective on some of London’s most famous cultural institutions.

Autumn Is a Celebration of Culture

Autumn in London is also a time of vibrant cultural events and festivals. The Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington is a great place to spend an Autumn evening. With events lined up such as, Avatar Live in Concert, Dua Lipa, Aurora, and an Evening with Stephen Fry to the continuation of the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Plus, there is still an opportunity to get ‘on-the-day tickets’ to the Proms all the way up to the grand finale on the 14^th of September.

The EFG London Jazz Festival, running from November 15th to 24th, is another must-see event, featuring over 300 performances across 70 venues.

If you are looking for a hotel nearby to the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Parks and the museums then check out our rooms and suites at The Bentley Hotel. Conveniently placed to provide you with the luxury London stay you deserve. Plus, our spa offers the perfect way to round off any autumn London break.

Warm up on your return to the hotel with a heated stone massage or a cleansing, steamy Hammam session. We’d love to see you this Autumn! Why not book your stay today?

Luxury Family Holidays at The Bentley

How are you planning to entertain the kids this summer? Why not book a trip they’ll remember that’s both fun and educational? There’s no better place to visit than the capital! London is a city brimming with culture, history and endless activities for children and adults alike. In this blog we’ll talk about why London should be your summer holiday destination, how to make the most of it with the kids and why The Bentley Hotel makes the perfect base in the best location.

Free Events in London for Families

You don’t get a lot for free these days, but London offers plenty of fun activities to do that won’t cost you a penny! Perfect when you have several kids to please.

Top of this list has to be the museums! Begin your journey with a trip to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, just a short walk from the Bentley Hotel. All will be amazed by the mesmerising displays, dinosaur exhibits, and the hands-on activities designed to inspire your little ones. There is also the brand-new garden experience which opens this month and offers a special insight into nature featuring a living laboratory.

Handily, close to Natural History Museum is the Science Museum, which contains interactive exhibits, and an iMAX cinema where you can delve into the wonders of the universe. Plus, other events like the Wonderlab, a spectacular interactive gallery, ‘Power Up’ a hands on gaming experience featuring the best video games from the past 50 years, or maybe your kids have always wanted to have a sleepover in a museum? Which is possible with Astronights!

At the V&A Museum South Kensington, this museum hosts a selection of family friendly events. Well-worth a visit is Young V&A, which is a tube ride away from the Kensington museum, but a space where families can imagine, play and design, designed especially for young people.

The Southbank Centre has a range of free family events scheduled this Summer, from choirs and young jazz musicians to carnival fun and art workshops. Stroll along the Thames soaking up the atmosphere and maybe even pop by the Tate Modern to enjoy the free art installations and exhibitions guaranteed to inspire visitors of all ages.

Another place that the kids will love are the Royal Parks, perfect for using up some energy with acres of space to run and play and all completely free. Follow planned walking routes or just explore the grounds and gardens of Hyde Park, Green Park, St-James Park and many more.

Concerts and Shows for the Whole Family

There’s no better feeling than experiencing a show live on stage! At The Royal Albert Hall there are lots of performances and shows scheduled over the next few months. The main event being The BBC Proms. Your kids may love The CBeebies Prom 11 & 12 – Wildlife Jamboree on Saturday 27^th July 2024 or the Doctor Who Prom 47 & 48 on Monday 26^th August. No tickets available? Don’t worry you can always go ‘Promming’! Promming tickets allow you to book on the day for just £8.

Complete Your Holiday

After a busy day with the children, retreat to the luxury of the Bentley Hotel. This five-star gem is the perfect blend of elegance and comfort so you can enjoy some me-time whilst still holidaying with the family. Families especially appreciate the spacious rooms and suites and the hotels proximity to London’s top attractions, making it an ideal base for your family trip to London.

Holidaying with the kids you need a little time to unwind, so why not book yourself a spa session at Le Kalon Spa? A range of treatments are available depending on how much time you have. Take a look at the selection of latest packages available here.

Need more info? The concierge is always on hand to help you plan your days and make the most out of your stay at The Bentley Hotel.

Book Your London Stay

Don’t wait—book your stay at The Bentley Hotel and embark on a London adventure filled with discovery, excitement, and cherished family memories. Your perfect family holiday awaits in the heart of London!

What to do in London in July?

July in London is a vibrant time, brimming with diverse activities and events that cater to a wide range of interests. As the weather improves and thoughts turn to holidays, there are more and more reasons to visit London this July.

The city’s warm weather provides the perfect backdrop for exploring London’s outdoor attractions.

At the height of summer, London is generally around 23C (70F) with peak temperatures around 30C (90F), making London outdoor events the choice for many.

Hampton Court Palace is amazing all year round, but RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is the finest way to immerse yourself in vibrant summer blooms.

The largest annual flower show in the world, RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival runs from 2^nd – 7^th July 2024 and is a plethora of gardens to admire, talks to inspire, food to enjoy and of course, lots of plants.

Outdoor theatres, such as Regents Park Open Air Theatre as well as Pop up outdoor cinemas throughout city are a great way to enjoy the weather with this unique watching experience.

As we move into summer, details are also being finalised and tickets are available for most of the festivals and concerts throughout the month, for example:

With the aim of bringing artists, audiences and communities together, Spitalfields Music Festival 2024 runs from 27^th June – 10^th July with events around the borough so that everyone can find, explore and share extraordinary music in one of the most vibrant areas of London.

Starting Friday 28^th June, BST Hyde Park confirm that 2024 line-up includes:

– Kings Of Leon (Sunday 30^th June),

– Robbie Williams (Saturday 6^th July),

– Shania Twain (Sunday 7^th July)

– and Kylie (Saturday 13^th July)
will join to make a fantastic few weeks of live music in the capital!

As well as ticketed events, there are plenty of free things to do in London in July.

The wonderful Royal Parks, loved by young and old alike and suitable for picnics and staying calm amid the hustle and bustle of the city.

And never forget our many fascinating museums and galleries, such The British Museum, The V&A, Science Museum (brilliant for enquiring minds during the school holidays!) and National Portrait Gallery – all of which are perfect if the weather isn’t on your side after all!

The Bentley Hotel is ideally placed to enjoy all that London has to offer this July. Our lavish rooms with marble ensuite bathrooms are the perfect place to rest your head after a day exploring the city, while our traditional hammam (unique in London) and luxury spa packages are exactly what you need to refresh your senses.

See our Special Offers page for our latest deals, and as always, book direct for the best prices.

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