London's Treasures: The Best Souvenirs and Gifts to Bring Home

When on holiday, people always want to take back something that reminds them of the happiest, carefree days of their lives. To fulfil this touristy desire, this blog will help you pick your very own souvenir from London, that is not only unique but will be a sweet reminder of your best time here!

Just like other tourist-popular spots in the world, London’s décor stalls and shops have a ton of miniatures of the Union Jack, Buckingham Palace, the iconic red phone booth, the London Eye, black cabs, and printed mugs and t-shirts. These items are readily available in the markets and can be picked up even at the last moment, before you board your flight back home. 

Looking for places to stay in Kensington? Consider booking a stay at The Park City Grand Plaza Kensington Hotel in London for a memorable experience in this charming part of the city.

Below is a list that the locals actually buy and recommend the tourists to buy too.

Gifts from Stanford

Located in the Covent Gardens, Stanfords is popular for being the world’s biggest map and travel bookshop. The shop has a vintage vibe to it and has attracted explorers, and history-fond people for over two centuries now. Moreover, it has a vast variety of gift items, maps, books, and other interesting stuff that intrigues curious minds.

A special mention for their cushion covers and travel bags that are printed with London maps – typical but cute!

You can also read: A Taste of London: Top Cafes That Deserve a Spot on Your List

Fortnum and Mason’s Tea & Biscuits

Your trip to London is incomplete if you miss out on their tea and biscuits. Perfect to visit for an afternoon tea, Fortnum and Mason’s classic English breakfast menu will keep you wanting more! Their edibles are light enough to store in your bag and take it back home. Their scones and freshly blended coffee flavors will take you back to your days in London and make you wanna come back!

The Harry Potter Shop

Every adult’s childhood favorite, Harry Potter – has a prominent influence on London’s lifestyle. Since this movie is an English production, the UK owns it proudly and makes good use of its huge fanbase. Situated at the King’s Cross 9/2/3, the place is in the middle of Harry’s world and has almost everything from the movies. From mugs to pens, papers, and sweatshirts, they have the brand name – Harry Potter printed on the apparel.

British Chocolates

Well, don’t we all always bring bunches and heaps of chocolate while returning from holidays? Here in London, we recommend buying your chocolates from Charbonnel et Walker. Opened back in 1857, the shop was the first of its kind to make high-end luxury chocolates. The best part, it even has a Royal Warrant as chocolatier to His Majesty the King!

Located in the Royal Arcade in Mayfair, the shop’s best-seller is the Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles. So don’t forget to get your hands on this silky-smooth chocolate that even the royalties eat from!

With that being said, we hope our recommendations are something new for you and will make you buy not-so-traditional London souvenirs. And while exploring London for these treasures, consider a stay at a Kensington Hotel in London for a comfortable and convenient experience. Discover more about great places to stay in Kensington during your London adventure.

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The Ultimate Hyde Park Guide

Hyde Park in London

One of London’s most renowned park, the Hyde Park, is almost on every traveler’s itinerary. As deserving as it is, many do not know about its history and how it formed. Let’s begin with a little background story

You can also read: Find Your Zen at Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden

About Hyde Park  

Initially, Hyde Park was a hunting ground owned by King Henry VIII. It was made open to the public in 1637 by King Charles I. After his reign, the park was completely renovated by Queen Caroline in the 1730s, some of its ground works still stand still today. The Queen also constructed The Serpentine, that marks the boundaries of the Kensington gardens and Hyde Park today.

The park is also a favorite spot for picnics as it has vast lush green lands and blooming flora that refreshes the mind, body, and spirit. In-fact Londoners often visit Hyde Park and stay in budget hotels in Kensington for affordable long stays in London. Hyde Park is full of adventure and a nice outing spot for your all-day.

Highlights of the Park

Hyde Park is a place for all. Whether a group of friends, a whole family or a solo soul, everyone can find their sweet spot here.It is also a great picnic place if bring a good company with refreshing snacks!With that being said, the park is packed full of events and activities all year around. Some of them are mentioned below:

Speaker’s Corner

This area catches the attention of almost every single person passing by. This is a traditional spot for speeches and debates since the 1800s. As this is a public park, this spot is open to anyone who may wish to express their thoughts out aloud. Many notable personalities such as George Orwell, Vladimir Lenin, and Karl Marx have shared this space.

The Queen Elizabeth Gate

Taken as the pride of the Hyde Park, the Queen Elizabeth Gate was installed to commemorate the Queen’s 90^th birthday. The gate was designed by Giuseppe Lund who laid out the design of the forged steel in manner that reflected Queen Mother’s admiration for flowers. These gates were officially opened in 1993 by Queen Elizabeth II. If you feel like visiting the royal palace after admiring this beautiful structure, head towards the Westminster end of the park and visit the Buckingham Palace.

The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden was opened to the public in 1994, and was designed by architects Moggridge and Colvin. This charming spot of Hyde Park not only has blooming roses but also a variety of other floral species. Visit this spot in the mid-summer to witness the true beauty of the roses. Bring along a picnic basket and enjoy your peaceful time amidst these beautiful creations.

How to Get to Hyde Park

Due to its location, Hyde Park is high accessible by all public transports. You can either travel by train, bus or tubes, getting here is extremely easy. You can get an easy access to Hyde Park from Park City Grand Plaza Kensington via London Tube

By train: London Paddington (10 minutes’ walk-away)

By bus: Almost all buses have a stop here and would cost you a flat rate of £15.5

By tube: One of the fastest ways to get here is the tube. If you’re near the Piccadilly, then hop on to the (blue) line that will drop you off at Knightsbridge or the Hyde Park Corner. Another tube that goes around here is the red line that moves from Central London to Marble Arch Station or Lancaster Gate.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve listed ways to get here, and also pointed out some of the park’s best spots; this place is perfect to visit with your friends and family for a quick getaway.  

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7 World-Famous Landmarks that Symbolize London’s Tradition

 

Hyde Park In London

London is home to some of the most beautiful landmarks. Such is the city of London.

London maybe has more renowned structures than some other city in Europe and conceivably on the planet, as it was the point of convergence of a colossal realm that once spanned across landmasses and went on for quite a long time.

You can also read: Find Your Zen at Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden

Here is a rundown of the most famous landmarks of London that must not be missed by a tourist visiting the city.

1.       Hyde Park

The historical backdrop of this park returned to the sixteenth century when Henry VIII made it his confidential hunting grounds.

 It was subsequently switched over to public space and underwent a few phases of changes throughout the long term. Because of its area, visitors of the Hyde Park Lodging can undoubtedly visit a couple of other eminent locales, like Kensington Royal residence and Kensington Nurseries. Hyde Park is the place to visit in November due to Winter Wonderland which is the most fascinating festival to watch when you are in London. Infact Londoners waited long for this festival and often stay in budget hotels in Kensington for affordable long stays in London during this festive season.

·        Tickets & age restriction, if any: Children under 16 have to accompany by a parent. Otherwise, there will be no entry. Kids of 2 years old have a ticket to be free. Hyde Park is free for public in all seasons.

·         Opening time: 05:00am-12:00am.

·         Nearby attractions: London Eye, Royal Albert Hall, The West End, Oxford Street

 

2.       The Big Ben

Big Ben is a giant clock housed in a pinnacle over 300 ft. tall and includes enormous 23 ft. clock dials that are obviously apparent from a remote place. Underlying 1859 by the famous draftsman Augustus Pugin, Big Ben is a nuanced portrayal of the neo-gothic style that began in England.

Tickets & age restriction, if any: There is no age restriction. However, tickets are free of charge, but now, different packages, such as adventure tours, guided tours, etc., range between $20 to $60.

·         Opening time: Although Big Ben used to be open 24/7, now it is temporarily closed due to covid-19.

·         Nearby attractions: Westminster Abbey, Westminster Bridge, Churchill War Rooms, Household Cavalry Museum.

 

3.        Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is available to vehicular and person on foot traffic, yet it likewise fills in as a Victorian-period exhibition hall under the open skies.

·         Tickets & age restriction, if any: There is no ticket price to visit the tower bridge. However, considering age restrictions, children under 15 must be accompanied by their parents.

·         Opening time: 07:00am-07:00pm, Monday to Friday

·         Nearby attractions: Tower Gateway DLR Station, The London Bridge Station

 

4.       St. Paul’s Cathedral

Situated on the Ludgate Slope, ignoring focal London, St Paul’s Church building is another famous milestone that most UK-based and, surprisingly, unfamiliar travelers experience no difficulty perceiving.

The site has been involved persistently by strict designs since the mid-seventh hundred years, while the extravagant structure that presently bears this name was underlying the seventeenth 100 years.

·         Tickets & age restriction, if any: Free tickets for children under 6. Tickets price differ from package to package.

·         Opening time: Travelers can visit the church from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, the house of prayer is just open for administration. Visitors can see St Paul’s from 12 PM to 4:30 PM from Monday to Saturday.

·         Nearby attractions: Churchill War Rooms, National Gallery

 

5.       The Buckingham Palace

Among the numerous castles generally utilized as illustrious residencies, this is the one that fills in as the home of the Sovereign and her loved ones.

Initially worked for the Duke of Buckingham in the mid-eighteenth 100 years, it was bought by George III and, in this manner, extended. The East Front of the royal residence was one of the recently constructed wings. Today, it addresses the most famous face of the structure since it contains the well-known overhang that rulers use to manage individuals.

 

·         Nearby attractions: St. James’s Palace

 

6. Trafalgar Square

Named for the famous English maritime triumph over Napoleon’s armada, this public square in Westminster is embellished with a significant landmark called Nelson’s Section. The segment is almost 170 ft. furthermore, it is topped by the sculpture of the adored chief of naval operations whose name it conveys and encompasses four lions. All the famous squares is easily reachable from Park City Grand Plaza Kensington which is relished amongst the Londoners for affordable stays in central London.

The landmark was worked during the 1840s. However, it was revamped in 2006 to reestablish its full brilliance.

·         Tickets & age restriction and opening time: Since Trafalgar Square is a public space, you can go there whenever of the day or night to partake in its sculptures and wellsprings. That likewise implies visiting won’t cost you a penny! It is also free, consistently open from 10:00 to 18:00 and until 21:00 on Fridays.

·         Nearby attractions: Nelson’s Column

 

7. The British Museum

One more of the central images of London, the English Historical center is effectively accessible to visitors remaining at Park Stupendous Paddington Court and another nearby inn.

This establishment is certainly too huge to even consider visiting on a solitary day. However, it’s coordinated into various offices committed to a particular locale or subject, permitting visitors to investigate just those assortments they are keen on.

·         Tickets & age restriction, if any: Tickets and permanent collection are free.

·         Opening time: Daily: 10.00–17.00 (Fridays: 20.30)
Last entry: 16.00 (Fridays: 19.30)

·         Nearby attractions: Tower Bridge, Tower of London, and the Steam Dreams Rail Co.

 

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A List of Must-Visit London Squares in Queen's Realm

Trafalgar Square, London

Known for its rich royal history and architectural grandeur, London is truly an eye candy for tourists around the world. This metropolis presents an interesting mix of preserved and modern culture through its buildings, streets, monuments, and squares.

You can also read: Find Your Zen at Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden

Being the royal city, London proudly boasts its majestic squares that have roots and history within the royal family of England. These charming London squares were created by the city planners as open spaces for the public to socialize and relax. Rightfully serving its purposes, these public squares have become a must-visit tourist and meeting spot for commoners and visitors.

Listed below are the top 7 London Squares that you shouldn’t miss out on while in the Queen’s realm;

1.    Leicester Square

Situated at the heart of London’s cinema scene, Leicester Square is always lit up with the hustle and bustle of cinema-goers. This is a popular hangout place for Londoners and tourists alike, as you get to see a lot of London’s stranger folk. Do not miss out on the William Shakespeare statue, which is the center of attraction in this square. You can enjoy visiting London’s famous square by booking a budget stay in one of the hotels in Kensington known for budget accommodation in Central London.  

2.    Trafalgar Square

Easily one of the most famous and widely recognized spots in London, Trafalgar Square is a beauty. This is a focal spot to mark all significant London affairs and events. For example, this square hosted the awarding ceremony of the 2012 Olympics and is a prime spot for grand Christmas and New Year celebrations. You must stop by the four bronze lions and Nelson's Columns for memorable photos. Trafalgar Square is the nearest square from Buckingham Palace.All the famous squares is easily reachable from Park City Grand Plaza Kensington which is relished amongst the Londoners for affordable stays in central London.

3.    Parliament Square

Parliament Square is a favorite for protesters and news reporters as this lush green lawn is right outside the Houses of Parliament. You can ride your bike to this place and unwind with a few sandwiches and a cooler.Catch a glimpse of the day-to-day political activities and politicians trying to pose for the cameras. 

4.    Grosvenor Square

An American touch in the very-British city, the Grosvenor Square is dominated by the US Embassy and its security. Nevertheless, the relaxing park holds fascinating American memorials of former US presidents along with a graciously designed unfortunate 9/11's remembrance garden.

5.    Berkeley Square

Located amidst London's Mayfair Street, Berkeley Square is a green oasis surrounded by luxury retailers and foreign embassies. Filled with many roadside cafes and well-known restaurants, the area serves as a prime lunchtime spot for Bond Street shoppers.

6.    Sloane Square

The Sloane Square, more accurately labeled as the 'posh' square, is oval-shaped and has paved slabs. Located in the high-class part of London, this spot is excellent to stop by and grab a quick bite and watch models pose for shoots in their designer outfits (quite a norm).

7.    Soho Square

Known for its nightlife and popular pubs, Soho Square is lively and perfect for you to absorb London’s true beauty in a glimpse. This square also houses the Football Association and the British Board of Film. If you're lucky, you might spot some celebrities and known faces lurking around the square.

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