London
Getting To London From Heathrow
London
You can get to London by either:
- Car
- Bus
- Taxi
- Train
- Car
It takes approximately 45-60 minutes to get to central London from Heathrow. When leaving Terminals 1, 2 and 3, follow exit signs to the access/exit tunnel. Follow signs to the M4 motorway, which will eventually bring you into London. Terminal 4 is on the main A30 road. The M4 and M25 orbital are signposted. Again, follow signs to the M4 which will eventually bring you into London.
Bus
The Airbus links Heathrow Terminals with many London hotels and some main line rail stations. It departs every 20 – 30 minutes and takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Airbus A1 – Serves Victoria London voa several London hotels. Airbus A2 – Serves Russell Square via Euston rail station and also drops off at some West End hotels. Airbus Direct – Serves many central London destinations from Terminal 4 with additional services from Terminals 1, 2 and 3. One Way: £6 Round Trip: £10 Tel: +44 (0)181 897 2688 There is also an all night bus service from Heathrow to central London. Taxi Follow the signs in each terminal Arrivals areas for taxi ranks. The journey time to central London is approximately 45-60 minutes and will cost you between £35 and £45. Train Heathrow has two rail services to central London. In addition to the London Underground is the Heathrow Express service to London Paddington station.
Getting Around In London:
The Tube
The Underground or the Subway is known as the ‘Tube’ in London. It is fast and convenient and allows you to shoot across the entire length of London without a clue as to the traffic chaos above. It is relatively inexpensive and there are weekly or monthly passes known as Travelcards. Stations are easy to come by and usually within walking distance of each other. However, because of its convenience the tube is often crowded and can be stifling in summer.
If you are on a commuter’s schedule, realise that so is the rest of London.
The Tube covers Zones 1 and most of Zone 2. It also covers part of Zone 3 in the North and West. In the case of Heathrow airport, the Tube will take you all the way there.
The Tube conveniently links up with London Bus stops and British Rail stations.
Red London Buses
The famous red London buses are very easy to use and a popular means of transport. They are frequent and, because of the lack of doors, you can hop on hop off whenever the bus slows down enough. If a traffic jam strikes, hop off and you’ll be there before your bus catches up. The current mayor of London is trying to phase out the old buses in favour of new double-deckers with doors – let’s hope it doesn’t happen!
Buses link residential areas of London where the Tube tracks don’t go, and also criss-cross Zone 1 as an alternative to the Tube. A ride on the bus in Zone 1 is £1.
Travelcards can be purchased that are also valid for bus travel. Travelcards can be bought at any London Underground station or from News Agents bearing the Travelcard sign. To purchase your first Travel Pass you will need to bring a passport sized photograph.
When the normal services stop, night buses take over. They run less frequently however are very useful services to get you home when the tubes shut down at around 1am.
Night buses usually start around midnight and have the letter ‘N’ before the usual bus number. They seem to congregate around Trafalgar Square and the nearby streets that radiate out from the square, so head that way when the clubs close and you’re desperate to get home for some sleep.
British Rail
British Rail is the above-ground equivalent of the Tube. These trains can be excellent to use if you live out of Zone 1 and just off a Tube line and want a speedier option than the bus. British Rail will take you in to Zone 1, but not far, as the Tube takes over from there for obvious town planning reasons.
Main British Rail stations closest to the centre of London are Paddington and Victoria servicing the West and South West, King’s Cross and Euston servicing the North, and North East, Waterloo servicing the South and London Bridge and Liverpool Street servicing the South East and East.
If you’ll be using this service frequently, you can purchase a British Rail TravelCard.
Black Cabs
These famously shaped taxis, where you can face the other members of your party limousine-style, are a good way of getting around. The drivers know London like their own backyard and you will see would-be drivers zipping around town on mopeds with books open in front of them. They are studying for their Black Cab test. Quick trips in and around Central London aren’t too expensive but this probably wouldn’t be your main mode of transport.
Mini Cabs
Can be useful because they travel into parts of London, i.e. Zone 2 and beyond, where you will be pushed to find a Black Cab. But be wary of them too. These are not registered or licensed or checked-out in any way. These are the normal looking cars parked on the side of the road asking if you need a lift. They are not metered and you will need to agree on a fixed price for the ride before getting into the car.
These are co-ops of drivers who form a cab company. If they don’t find you first, you can call their office number (you should see minicab business cards distributed around) or approach the office in person. Please be careful using minicabs for the obvious reason that they are not licensed cabbies. If you are female and travelling late at night, please try and find another way home. Night buses come in handy when the Tubes close down for the night.
On Foot
A bit of a stroll down the Thames Walk or a walk from Buckingham Palace/St James Park over to High Street Kensington will keep the grog and pub food from taking too much of a toll. London is one of the best cities to explore on foot. You see all the little lanes and shops, pubs and theatres that you would otherwise miss Tubing from A to B.
Where To Stay:
Brunel Hotel, Bayswater
Ideal location from which to explore central London. Close to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and within walking distance of Paddington Station. All the bedrooms have en-suite facilities, telephone, hairdryer, television with satellite channels and tea and coffee making facilities.
Where to eat:
Destino, a Latin-inspired restaurant, bar and deli, has opened at 25 Swallow Street, off Regent Street. The ground floor deli serves brunch, lunch and dinner, and has an evening lounge bar, with a range of South American beers, tequilas and cigars.
What To See:
Buckingham Palace. The Queen opened Buckingham Palace to the public for the first time in 1993 to raise money for repairs to Windsor Castle.
The Tower of London. According to Shakespeare, the young princes and heirs of Edward IV were slaughtered here by their wicked uncle, Richard III.
Westminster Abbey. Resting place of the royals, is one of the most visited churches in the Christian world.
British Airways London Eye. Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York the Empire State and now London has the British Airways London Eye – an extraordinary symbol for an extraordinary city. The world’s largest observation wheel offers a spectacular way to take in over 55 of London’s famous landmarks in just 30 minutes!
Where To Shop:
Lulu Guinness, 66 Ledbury Road, London W11 2AJ
Manolo Blahnik, 49 Old Church Street, London SW3 5BS
Louis Vuitton, 198-9 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9QX
Gucci, 32-33 Old Bond Street, London W1X 4HH
Entertainment:
The new Red Rock Café/Bar at 12 Swallow Street, off Regent Street, is the place to go if you’re up for something like an “American-style biker bar meets “Coyote Ugly” experience. Red Rock has an all-female bar staff who dance and parade atop the bar to classic rock anthems.
Live bands perform on stage, and a juke box plays rock and soul tracks from the mid-60s to the late 90s. Red Rock stocks a wide range of bottled beers, spirits and cocktails has a North American-inspired menu; and decor featuring a 1960s Harley Davidson bursting through the brick wall above the bar. Arm wrestling, air guitar and karaoke competitions are among the attractions. It is open 5pm to 3am Monday to Saturday, with a door charge from 11pm.
SEE BRITAIN IN STYLE
Chilled champagne, a bubbling Jacuzzi, a four-poster bed draped in the finest white linen. Or perhaps a sumptuous banquet in a medieval castle, cruising along country lanes in a vintage Rolls-Royce, or gliding across the English Channel on a gleaming yacht. A luxury break can mean many different things in Britain – holed up in a gorgeous hotel room, shopping on Bond Street, or enjoying some retro-glamour on an Agatha Christie-style train journey – anything as long as its wildly indulgent and just that little bit naughty.
Indulgence is big in the UK right now; a clutch of stylish new hotels has opened in 2003 that redefines country-house chic. Whatley Manor in the Cotswolds, Cowley Manor in Gloucestershire and The Grove in Hertfordshire have joined Seaham Hall and Babington House in a new wave of hotel design; fuss and frippery are long gone, replaced with muted colours, clean lines and relaxed attitudes – breakfast at 4pm and dinner at midnight – if you wish – and indulgent treatments at top-notch spas inbetween. Spa-lovers are well served in every corner of the UK; from thalasso treatments at St David’s Hotel in Cardiff to oriental massages at OneSpa in Edinburgh.
In London, hotels increasingly offer bespoke packages for top-end travellers – the Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park can organise helicopter tours over the city, private boat tours along the Thames, or a shopping day at Harvey Nichols (situated just across the road) with a personal shopper. Combine a night at The Royal Opera House (opt for the Grand Tier box, seats 4, at £170pp) with supper at Gordon Ramsay at Claridges, where the approx cost of £150 for two ensures you are hanging out with London’s hippest crowd. A limousine is the only way to cruise London by night (book through Valliant Chauffeur Drive) but by day, take a private tour in a Black Taxi, with an authentic ‘cabby’ as your guide, from £75 for two hours.
If the city streets seem too hectic to be truly luxurious, opt for somewhere a little more intimate. Foodies should head to Padstow in Cornwall, where high-profile chef Rick Stein has added to the Seafood Restaurant he opened 28 years ago, with a café, brasserie and deli – or to Ludlow in Shropshire, which has the most Michelin-starred restaurants outside London; try the Merchant House or Overton Grange. For a weekend of culinary indulgence, check into Le Manoir au Quat’ Saisons in Oxfordshire, home to Raymond Blanc and one of the most sumptuous seven-course suppers in the country – a snip at £95pp.
If you want to explore in style, then simply hop on the train. Not just any train; take in the peaks and lochs of Scotland on the Royal Scotsman – all polished mahogany, shining silverware and views to die for. Or discover English towns such as Bath or Brighton on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express British Pullman, which offers day and evening excursions from £250pp, in carriages which date back to the 1920’s, with original brasswork, mosaic floors and the dryest of dry martinis. For the ultimate ride, the Northern Belle can be hired exclusively, and you decide the train’s itinerary, with champagne all the way.
So when is the best time to come for an indulgent few days? If you’re in the market for serious glamour, the months from April to August – traditionally known as the ‘season’ are the glitziest in the social calendar. Kicking off with the Grand National at Aintree, and taking in the Chelsea Flower Show, Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, Henley Regatta and the ‘Proms’ concerts, some serious dressing up is required, so head to Burberry or Stella McCartney’s new flagship store, both on New Bond Street, Harvey Nicks in Leeds, or the brand new Bullring centre in Birmingham for a touch of quintessential British style. All of the events offer top-notch hospitality; opt for a box at Royal Ascot (from £500pp), or book tickets to the Courtyard Enclosure at Henley (£45pp) and a picnic hamper to go with it.
The summer months are also the best time for exploring the seas around Britain, from the Irish Sea in the north to the English Channel in the south. Hebridean Island Cruises offer the chance to visit some of the most far-flung islands, on small boats that offer gorgeous cabins – all tartan fabrics and marble bathrooms, with plenty of local whisky on hand if the wind gets up. If you fancy just a day cruise, the Masterbuilders Hotel in Lymington offers a day sailing on its private yacht, the Master George, over to the Isle of Wight for lunch at its sister hotel, the George in Yarmouth (approx £1,000 for eight hours sailing).
Cooler months are perfect for exploring Britain’s castles and country houses; forget walking boots and windcheaters and dress up for jazz luncheons or wine tasting evenings at Castle Ashby in Northamptonshire, or even a traditional English houseparty weekend, with the chance to try clay-pigeon shooting, falconry and carriage ride (from £295pp). Leeds Castle, in Kent, hosts open-air concerts and firework spectaculars, but you can also hire out a private room for 12 people or more, for a right royal feast. For the ultimate in privacy, hire your own country hideaway – Rural Retreats have a huge selection of chocolate-box cottages throughout the country, including Rectory Cottage in Wiltshire, which boasts an Aga, open fire, beautiful bedrooms with fluffy towels and white linen, gorgeous views and an idyllic courtyard garden (from £251 for a two-night break).
But whatever you do, and wherever you stay, there is one indulgent tradition that shouldn’t be missed. Whether it’s hand-cut sandwiches, fresh pastries and a glass of champagne at the Lanesborough or Landmark hotels in London, a luxury Fortnums hamper opened on a lazy afternoon, or toasted teacakes at Bettys Team Rooms in Harrogate, Yorkshire, open since 1919, make sure that at sometime, somewhere, you remember to stop for tea.
Contacts:
VisitBritain: www.visitbritain.com
Whatley Manor : 0044 1666 822888, www.whatleymanor.co.uk
Cowley Manor : 0044 1242 870900, www.cowleymanor.co.uk
The Grove: 0044 1923 807807, www.thegrove.co.uk
St Davids’ Hotel: 029 2045 4045
Covent Garden Opera: 00 44 7304 4000, www.royaloperahouse.org
Black Taxi Tours: 00 44 207 935 9563, www.blacktaxitours.co.uk
Rick Stein’s restaurants and rooms: www.rickstein.com
Le Manoir au Quat Saisons: 0044 1844 278881, www.manoir.co.uk
Orient Express Trains: www.orient-express.com
The Master Builder’s House Hotel: 0044 1590 616253
Leeds Castle : 0044 1622 765400, www.leedscastle.co.uk
Castle Ashby: 0044 1604 696696
Bettys Tea Rooms: www.bettysandtaylors.co.uk
Rural Retreats: 0044 1386 701177, www.ruralretreats.co.uk
Getting To London From Heathrow
You can get to London by either:
Car
Bus
Taxi
Train
Car
It takes approximately 45-60 minutes to get to central London from Heathrow. When leaving Terminals 1, 2 and 3, follow exit signs to the access/exit tunnel. Follow signs to the M4 motorway, which will eventually bring you into London. Terminal 4 is on the main A30 road. The M4 and M25 orbital are signposted. Again, follow signs to the M4 which will eventually bring you into London.
Bus
The Airbus links Heathrow Terminals with many London hotels and some main line rail stations. It departs every 20 – 30 minutes and takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Airbus A1 – Serves Victoria London voa several London hotels. Airbus A2 – Serves Russell Square via Euston rail station and also drops off at some West End hotels. Airbus Direct – Serves many central London destinations from Terminal 4 with additional services from Terminals 1, 2 and 3. One Way: £6 Round Trip: £10 Tel: +44 (0)181 897 2688 There is also an all night bus service from Heathrow to central London. Taxi Follow the signs in each terminal Arrivals areas for taxi ranks. The journey time to central London is approximately 45-60 minutes and will cost you between £35 and £45. Train Heathrow has two rail services to central London. In addition to the London Underground is the Heathrow Express service to London Paddington station.
Getting Around In London:
The Tube
The Underground or the Subway is known as the ‘Tube’ in London. It is fast and convenient and allows you to shoot across the entire length of London without a clue as to the traffic chaos above. It is relatively inexpensive and there are weekly or monthly passes known as Travelcards. Stations are easy to come by and usually within walking distance of each other. However, because of its convenience the tube is often crowded and can be stifling in summer.
If you are on a commuter’s schedule, realise that so is the rest of London.
The Tube covers Zones 1 and most of Zone 2. It also covers part of Zone 3 in the North and West. In the case of Heathrow airport, the Tube will take you all the way there.
The Tube conveniently links up with London Bus stops and British Rail stations.
Red London Buses
The famous red London buses are very easy to use and a popular means of transport. They are frequent and, because of the lack of doors, you can hop on hop off whenever the bus slows down enough. If a traffic jam strikes, hop off and you’ll be there before your bus catches up. The current mayor of London is trying to phase out the old buses in favour of new double-deckers with doors – let’s hope it doesn’t happen!
Buses link residential areas of London where the Tube tracks don’t go, and also criss-cross Zone 1 as an alternative to the Tube. A ride on the bus in Zone 1 is £1.
Travelcards can be purchased that are also valid for bus travel. Travelcards can be bought at any London Underground station or from News Agents bearing the Travelcard sign. To purchase your first Travel Pass you will need to bring a passport sized photograph.
When the normal services stop, night buses take over. They run less frequently however are very useful services to get you home when the tubes shut down at around 1am.
Night buses usually start around midnight and have the letter ‘N’ before the usual bus number. They seem to congregate around Trafalgar Square and the nearby streets that radiate out from the square, so head that way when the clubs close and you’re desperate to get home for some sleep.
British Rail
British Rail is the above-ground equivalent of the Tube. These trains can be excellent to use if you live out of Zone 1 and just off a Tube line and want a speedier option than the bus. British Rail will take you in to Zone 1, but not far, as the Tube takes over from there for obvious town planning reasons.
Main British Rail stations closest to the center of London are Paddington and Victoria servicing the West and South West, King’s Cross and Euston servicing the North, and North East, Waterloo servicing the South and London Bridge and Liverpool Street servicing the South East and East.
If you’ll be using this service frequently, you can purchase a British Rail TravelCard.
Black Cabs
These famously shaped taxis, where you can face the other members of your party limousine-style, are a good way of getting around. The drivers know London like their own backyard and you will see would-be drivers zipping around town on mopeds with books open in front of them. They are studying for their Black Cab test. Quick trips in and around Central London aren’t too expensive but this probably wouldn’t be your main mode of transport.
Mini Cabs
Can be useful because they travel into parts of London, i.e. Zone 2 and beyond, where you will be pushed to find a Black Cab. But be wary of them too. These are not registered or licensed or checked-out in any way. These are the normal looking cars parked on the side of the road asking if you need a lift. They are not metered and you will need to agree on a fixed price for the ride before getting into the car.
These are co-ops of drivers who form a cab company. If they don’t find you first, you can call their office number (you should see minicab business cards distributed around) or approach the office in person. Please be careful using minicabs for the obvious reason that they are not licensed cabbies. If you are female and travelling late at night, please try and find another way home. Night buses come in handy when the Tubes close down for the night.
On Foot
A bit of a stroll down the Thames Walk or a walk from Buckingham Palace/St James Park over to High Street Kensington will keep the grog and pub food from taking too much of a toll. London is one of the best cities to explore on foot. You see all the little lanes and shops, pubs and theatres that you would otherwise miss Tubing from A to B.
Where To Stay:
Brunel Hotel, Bayswater
Ideal location from which to explore central London. Close to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and within walking distance of Paddington Station. All the bedrooms have en-suite facilities, telephone, hairdryer, television with satellite channels and tea and coffee making facilities.
Where to eat:
Destino, a Latin-inspired restaurant, bar and deli, has opened at 25 Swallow Street, off Regent Street. The ground floor deli serves brunch, lunch and dinner, and has an evening lounge bar, with a range of South American beers, tequilas and cigars.
What To See:
Buckingham Palace. The Queen opened Buckingham Palace to the public for the first time in 1993 to raise money for repairs to Windsor Castle.
The Tower of London. According to Shakespeare, the young princes and heirs of Edward IV were slaughtered here by their wicked uncle, Richard III.
Westminster Abbey. Resting place of the royals, is one of the most visited churches in the Christian world.
British Airways London Eye. Paris london_eye has the Eiffel Tower, New York the Empire State and now London has the British Airways London Eye – an extraordinary symbol for an extraordinary city. The world’s largest observation wheel offers a spectacular way to take in over 55 of London’s famous landmarks in just 30 minutes!
Where To Shop:
Lulu Guinness, 66 Ledbury Road, London W11 2AJ
Manolo Blahnik, 49 Old Church Street, London SW3 5BS
Louis Vuitton, 198-9 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9QX
Gucci, 32-33 Old Bond Street, London W1X 4HH
Entertainment:
The new Red Rock Café/Bar at 12 Swallow Street, off Regent Street, is the place to go if you’re up for something like an “American-style biker bar meets “Coyote Ugly” experience. Red Rock has an all-female bar staff who dance and parade atop the bar to classic rock anthems.
Live bands perform on stage, and a juke box plays rock and soul tracks from the mid-60s to the late 90s. Red Rock stocks a wide range of bottled beers, spirits and cocktails has a North American-inspired menu; and decor featuring a 1960s Harley Davidson bursting through the brick wall above the bar. Arm wrestling, air guitar and karaoke competitions are among the attractions. It is open 5pm to 3am Monday to Saturday, with a door charge from 11pm.
SEE BRITAIN IN STYLE
Chilled champagne, a bubbling Jacuzzi, a four-poster bed draped in the finest white linen. Or perhaps a sumptuous banquet in a medieval castle, cruising along country lanes in a vintage Rolls-Royce, or gliding across the English Channel on a gleaming yacht. A luxury break can mean many different things in Britain – holed up in a gorgeous hotel room, shopping on Bond Street, or enjoying some retro-glamour on an Agatha Christie-style train journey – anything as long as its wildly indulgent and just that little bit naughty.
Indulgence is big in the UK right now; a clutch of stylish new hotels has opened in 2003 that redefines country-house chic. Whatley Manor in the Cotswolds, Cowley Manor in Gloucestershire and The Grove in Hertfordshire have joined Seaham Hall and Babington House in a new wave of hotel design; fuss and frippery are long gone, replaced with muted colours, clean lines and relaxed attitudes – breakfast at 4pm and dinner at midnight – if you wish – and indulgent treatments at top-notch spas inbetween. Spa-lovers are well served in every corner of the UK; from thalasso treatments at St David’s Hotel in Cardiff to oriental massages at OneSpa in Edinburgh.
In London, hotels increasingly offer bespoke packages for top-end travellers – the Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park can organise helicopter tours over the city, private boat tours along the Thames, or a shopping day at Harvey Nichols (situated just across the road) with a personal shopper. Combine a night at The Royal Opera House (opt for the Grand Tier box, seats 4, at £170pp) with supper at Gordon Ramsay at Claridges, where the approx cost of £150 for two ensures you are hanging out with London’s hippest crowd. A limousine is the only way to cruise London by night (book through Valliant Chauffeur Drive) but by day, take a private tour in a Black Taxi, with an authentic ‘cabby’ as your guide, from £75 for two hours.
If the city streets seem too hectic to be truly luxurious, opt for somewhere a little more intimate. Foodies should head to Padstow in Cornwall, where high-profile chef Rick Stein has added to the Seafood Restaurant he opened 28 years ago, with a café, brasserie and deli – or to Ludlow in Shropshire, which has the most Michelin-starred restaurants outside London; try the Merchant House or Overton Grange. For a weekend of culinary indulgence, check into Le Manoir au Quat’ Saisons in Oxfordshire, home to Raymond Blanc and one of the most sumptuous seven-course suppers in the country – a snip at £95pp.
If you want to explore in style, then simply hop on the train. Not just any train; take in the peaks and lochs of Scotland on the Royal Scotsman – all polished mahogany, shining silverware and views to die for. Or discover English towns such as Bath or Brighton on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express British Pullman, which offers day and evening excursions from £250pp, in carriages which date back to the 1920’s, with original brasswork, mosaic floors and the dryest of dry martinis. For the ultimate ride, the Northern Belle can be hired exclusively, and you decide the train’s itinerary, with champagne all the way.
So when is the best time to come for an indulgent few days? If you’re in the market for serious glamour, the months from April to August – traditionally known as the ‘season’ are the glitziest in the social calendar. Kicking off with the Grand National at Aintree, and taking in the Chelsea Flower Show, Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, Henley Regatta and the ‘Proms’ concerts, some serious dressing up is required, so head to Burberry or Stella McCartney’s new flagship store, both on New Bond Street, Harvey Nicks in Leeds, or the brand new Bullring centre in Birmingham for a touch of quintessential British style. All of the events offer top-notch hospitality; opt for a box at Royal Ascot (from £500pp), or book tickets to the Courtyard Enclosure at Henley (£45pp) and a picnic hamper to go with it.
The summer months are also the best time for exploring the seas around Britain, from the Irish Sea in the north to the English Channel in the south. Hebridean Island Cruises offer the chance to visit some of the most far-flung islands, on small boats that offer gorgeous cabins – all tartan fabrics and marble bathrooms, with plenty of local whisky on hand if the wind gets up. If you fancy just a day cruise, the Masterbuilders Hotel in Lymington offers a day sailing on its private yacht, the Master George, over to the Isle of Wight for lunch at its sister hotel, the George in Yarmouth (approx £1,000 for eight hours sailing).
Cooler months are perfect for exploring Britain’s castles and country houses; forget walking boots and windcheaters and dress up for jazz luncheons or wine tasting evenings at Castle Ashby in Northamptonshire, or even a traditional English houseparty weekend, with the chance to try clay-pigeon shooting, falconry and carriage ride (from £295pp). Leeds Castle, in Kent, hosts open-air concerts and firework spectaculars, but you can also hire out a private room for 12 people or more, for a right royal feast. For the ultimate in privacy, hire your own country hideaway – Rural Retreats have a huge selection of chocolate-box cottages throughout the country, including Rectory Cottage in Wiltshire, which boasts an Aga, open fire, beautiful bedrooms with fluffy towels and white linen, gorgeous views and an idyllic courtyard garden (from £251 for a two-night break).
But whatever you do, and wherever you stay, there is one indulgent tradition that shouldn’t be missed. Whether it’s hand-cut sandwiches, fresh pastries and a glass of champagne at the Lanesborough or Landmark hotels in London, a luxury Fortnums hamper opened on a lazy afternoon, or toasted teacakes at Bettys Team Rooms in Harrogate, Yorkshire, open since 1919, make sure that at sometime, somewhere, you remember to stop for tea.
Contacts:
VisitBritain: www.visitbritain.com
Whatley Manor : 0044 1666 822888, www.whatleymanor.co.uk
Cowley Manor : 0044 1242 870900, www.cowleymanor.co.uk
The Grove: 0044 1923 807807, www.thegrove.co.uk
St Davids’ Hotel: 029 2045 4045
Covent Garden Opera: 00 44 7304 4000, www.royaloperahouse.org
Black Taxi Tours: 00 44 207 935 9563, www.blacktaxitours.co.uk Rick Stein’s restaurants and rooms: www.rickstein.com
Le Manoir au Quat Saisons: 0044 1844 278881, www.manoir.co.uk Orient Express Trains: www.orient-express.com
The Master Builder’s House Hotel: 0044 1590 616253
Leeds Castle : 0044 1622 765400, www.leedscastle.co.uk
Castle Ashby: 0044 1604 696696
Bettys Tea Rooms: www.bettysandtaylors.co.uk
Rural Retreats: 0044 1386 701177, www.ruralretreats.co.uk