Kensington West Blog

February 23, 2010

London Fashion Weekend

Filed under: London — Tags: budget london hotels, London Fashion Weekend — admin @ 4:08 pm

So who is up for shopping……

This one is for the girls, sorry guys.

Essential�Designer Shopping at 75% off RRP wow what a bargain.

Girls I think we all need one of those girly weekends with a sleep over.

Dates: 25th February – 28th February

Venue: Somerset House,Strand, London, WC2

URL: http://www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk/

Why not make a night of it and stay at London Budget Hotel – Kensington West. Please check availability and prices by using our reservation box above.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Kensington West.

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Historical Westminister

Filed under: London, Westminister — Tags: Historical Westminister — admin @ 2:20 pm

Every time we switch the television on to watch the news, we are more often then not looking at the Houses of Parliament in the background.� Westminster is famous for its architecture, and the history that surrounds it.

Take Westminster Abbey, for example.� It stands on the site of an old church and Benedictine foundation of the 7th century.� It was rebuilt under Edward the Confessor, then again by Henry III.� Important additions were made by Edward II, Edward III, Richard II, Richard III and Henry VII.� Henry VII was responsible for erecting the beautiful eastern chapel in the perpendicular style which bears his name.� The western tower and the front was rebuilt by Wren in the 18th century.� The Abbey contains many tombs of sovereigns, the unknown warrior and many other illustrious men are commemorated by monuments.

Written by Carolyn Clayton

Close by, is Westminster Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster.� It was designed by J.F. Bentley, and built between 1895 and 1910.� It is of red brick and built in the early Byzantine style with a domed campanile, 282 feet high.� The interior is highly decorative and very ornate.

Westminster Hall, adjoining the Houses of Parliament, was originally built as a banqueting hall by William Rufus, and many courtly festivals were held there in succeeding centuries.� King John established the Law Courts there.� It now forms a gigantic hallway leading to the Houses of Parliament.� Charles I, Sir Thomas More and Warren Hastings were tried there.

The Houses of Parliament also have a long history.� It is the name given to the supreme legislature of the United Kingdom.� It consists of the Queen, the House of Lords (the upper or second chamber) and the House of Commons.� Over the years the balance of the three parts of the legislature has changed, such that the Queen’s role is now only formal. The architecture and the history of Westminster is of interest world-wide, and for anyone who has only seen it fleetingly on the television, it is well worth visiting.� Not only is it educational, but it can be awe inspiring and extremely enjoyable.� Fortunately, there are many budget hotels not far away, offering good value for money and excellent service. One day is just not enough to take in all the sights and history of Westminster.� Is it any wonder that it is one of the most popular tourist destinations for our overseas visitors.� London has links to most parts of the country,� making it easy for us to spend a couple of days improving our knowledge.

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Budget London Hotels Are Not Impossible To Find If You Know Where To Look

Filed under: Kensington, Kensington hotels, London, London Hotels — Tags: budget london hotels — admin @ 2:18 pm

Travel abroad does not have to be expensive if you know the right places to stay and how to save money. There are numerous budget London hotels that can save you money and still provide quality accommodations. The list of options below should help you locate something that you like.

When traveling anywhere it is always a good idea to get a good feel for the are you intend to visit ahead of time and determine where you intend to spend most of your time. You will also want to consider how close to the attractions you want to be. In the case of traveling to London it is a good idea to decide what neighborhood you want to stay I and then try to find budget London hotels in that area.

Keep in mind that some areas will be more residential than others and that you may be able to save money by staying a little out of the high cost district. One area that is predominantly residential is the neighborhood of Bayswater. This neighborhood is just north of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, which makes it a great location.

Baywatch has numerous inexpensive accommodations well within a reasonable distance to the park and gardens. Not only is this close to the main attractions of the city but it is also a quiet area, which makes it a great destination when travailing with children.

One such place is the Central Park Hotel; this hotel is located on Queensborough terrace, which is a strip just north of Kensington square. While this hotel is not a historic building it does offer reasonable rates on its rooms, which are all en-suite. This place has over 25 rooms and tends to be offering reasonable rates even during the busiest travel times.

If you are looking to stay in Victorian era hotel and still save money then you should consider the Queen’s park Hotel. This facility is housed in a large Victorian era structure and is also located in Queensburough terrace. This place will provide you a Victorian experience at a budget, but it is not going to provide you luxury or grandeur. However if you are more interested in a good night’s sleep than if there is a fancy chandelier in the lobby then you should feel right at home here.

Kensington is perhaps one of the most popular areas of the city it is also one of the most affluent areas. Although this is the home to Kensington palace the former home of Princess Diana it is not impossible to find an affordable hotel nearby.

Written by Carolyn Clayton

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Lookin at the Past – Today!

Filed under: London — Tags: budget london hotels, Hotels near Olympia London — admin @ 12:32 pm

What is it about man that thrives on nostalgia? We are all driven by the past – remembering how things were, hoping that we can all make changes for the better. History is what made us all as we are today, and maybe that is why we cannot let go of it.

We are all fascinated with our roots, and even more fascinated with how generations before us coped with life. Luckily there are many reminders carefully preserved in our museums. There are museums on practically every aspect of life, and the vast majority can be found in London.

The British Museum holds a massive collection of world art and artefacts, while the Tate Museum Art Gallery has the largest collection of British art dating back to 1500, and a collection of international modern art. Modern artists can learn a lot by visiting them.

There are still many people who survived the Second World War, and we never tire listening to their experiences. To feed our appetite, The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms will bring to life all the experiences that have been related to us. If we want to go back even further, then the Imperial War Museum is a national museum of war and wartime life since the First World War.

For those interested in science, the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum are a must. Those interested in art and design, would be delighted with London`s Museum of International and Contemporary Design. For more historical art and design, then the Victoria and Albert Museum would be more to your taste.
People interested in transport would love London`s Transport Museum, and there is even a Museum of Garden History for avid gardeners. Nurses would be amazed at the Florence Nightingale Museum, and Arsenal supporters could visit Arsenal Football Club Museum. There is even a Bank of England Museum.
The list of museums in London is endless, but they provide much education and understanding and are well worth visiting. When visiting London, it would be wise to make a list of your interests and visit them all, making your visit truly memorable.

It may be impossible to get round them all in one day, but fortunately there are many budget hotels close at hand. These offer good service and excellent value for money. After spending a comfortable night, you will be fresh and revived and ready to continue wallowing in nostalgia.

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On a budget? Feel like you need a day out?

Filed under: Kensington, London — Tags: budget London accommodation, budget london hotels, on a Budget — admin @ 9:28 am

I have some great ideas for you�.

Why not treat yourself to a weekend away.� Go on you deserve it after all the stresses of last year, with Christmas and New years all over.

How about a one night break away with the kids or a loved one or both.� You don�t have to spend vast amounts of money.

Here are 2 free places to go to in London.

Kensington Gardens (No entrance Fee)

This one is an adventure for the kids, at Princess Diana�s Memorial Playground the kids can let their imaginations soar in the huge wooden pirate ship.� There are numerous toys and trails where your kids can play and explore.

There are numerous free events in the park throughout the year. �For more information please visit http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington_gardens/events.cfm

Science Museum (No entrance Fee)

Why not take the kids to the science museum. They can explore all the science of the world. �You can also view a 3D film at the IMAX theatre however there is a small price for the ticket.�For more information go to�http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/

We all like those free offers, why not take advantage of the stay for 3 nights and pay for only 2 nights special offer.� (Stay Friday and Saturday night and get Sunday night completely free, based on 1/2 kids sharing with 2 adults in a triple or family room.) For this special offer you can call us on 020 7602 9954 and quote SKB342. (Prices for Friday, Saturday night are from our online prices on kensingtonwest.org)

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February 22, 2010

Ideal Home Show

Filed under: Kensington, London — admin @ 1:40 pm

The new-look Ideal Home Show explores the world of home interiors and style with a fresh, new inspiring and entertaining show format that combines EIGHT shows in one, offering; Ideal Interiors, Ideal Home Improvements, Ideal Food, Ideal Gardens , Ideal Home Gadgets, Ideal Shopping, Ideal Woman �and Ideal Village, as well as expert advice on everything from DIY and design to fine dining, gadgets and beauty.

Location: Earls Court, Warwick Road, London, SW5 9T

Starts: 20th march

Ends: 5^th April 2010

Timing:

Opening Day/Saturday 20 March: 10am to 6pm
Weekdays: 10am to 6pm*
Weekends: 10am to 6pm
Late Night Thursdays: 10am to 9pm

Tickets: �Weekday Adults: �15.00�� Children (under 16): Free*
Weekend Adults: �17.00�� Children (under 16): Free*�� Evening Tickets – After 5pm
Visit the show after 5pm and pay just �5.

For more information please visit www.idealhomeshow.co.uk/ or
www.eco.co.uk/

We are offering Visitors and Exhibitors a special discounted rate from the 18th of March till the 31st of March. For this special rate on our reservation box click on registered users. Then input the username IdealHome �and password IdealHome. You will then be instructed to enter your arrival and departure dates in order to check availability and book now. You must present your visitor or exhibitor badge upon check in else our normal rate will apply. �Please note we are approximately 15 minutes walk away or one stop on the underground.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Kensington West.

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February 16, 2010

London Magnetism

Filed under: London — Tags: budget London accommodation, hotels near Olympia — admin @ 2:54 pm

What is it about London that attracts people like a magnet from all over the world?� All visitors to our Island always make London top of their visiting agenda.� The answer is simple, it may not be the oldest city in the world or the largest, but it is seeping in history, and has something to offer everyone, no matter what their tastes or passions are.

Normally, top of the “must do” lists are Madame Tussauds, The Royal Observatory, The National Gallery and the Natural History Museum.

For art lovers, there are many galleries not to be missed, including the Serpentine Gallery, and the Portland Gallery.� Keen photographers will be delighted with the Photographers Gallery.

The British Museum, the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum are all worth a visit, but for those with more varied interests, apart from the Imperial War Museum, there are museums covering everything from the London Docklands, Charles Dickens, Florence Nightingale to the History of Tea.� Whatever your interest subject is, there is something to cover it in London.

The Royal Parks are also very popular, as are the first class shows in London’s famous theatres, followed by a meal in some of the best eating houses in the country.

No visit to London is complete without a trip down the Thames to the Tower of London, and seeing the breathtaking Crown Jewels.� Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament, Picadilly Circus and lots of other well-known landmarks will bound to thrill someone in your family.

It is a paradise for shoppers.� The big brand shops round� Canary Wharf, and, of course, the famous Oxford Street, will keep you happy for hours.� A visit to the unique Boutiques and Markets in Greenwich, and a tour round “Little India” in East London, will give you something to talk about for a long time.

These are just the tip of the iceberg for London’s attractions, and it is obvious that to do and see everything you want to, you will need to stay for a few days.� Fortunately, London offers some first class Hotels, and the budget priced Hotels are� becoming more and more popular.� You will find them extremely helpful, and excellent value for money.

After your first visit to London, you will find, like a magnet, it will draw you back, because there will be so much more you will want to see and do.

For London Budget Accomodation or Hotels near Olympia London check out Kensington West which is in a great Kensington location.

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Where to Shop in London?

Filed under: London — Tags: budget london hotels, Kensington hotels — admin @ 2:38 pm

If you�re looking for the best shopping experience in the UK then you should be heading for London.� Like Paris and New York, London is a great place to shop and has the best variety of shops and markets.

Most of the major international British Brands can be found in the popular shopping areas of Oxford Street, Regent Street and Knightsbridge. Those who have got some serious money to spend should head to New Bond Street and Sloane Street which is home to some of Britain�s most exclusive designer shops.

If you prefer independent smaller fashion shops and boutiques then Convent Garden is the place to head.� You can always enjoy a bit of street entertainment here which makes a nice shopping break.�� Carnaby Street is another area to gravitate towards and offers a nice pedestrianised area with lots of unusual brightly painted shops.

If you�re a music fan and like to find rare vinyl records then you should head to Soho where you will find a number of shops covering all types of music.� Book lovers will not have to go far as Waterstone�s and Borders are found all over London .� For electrical goods you should head towards Tottenham Court Road and for jewellery Hatton Garden is a must.

If you�re after a bargain you should head to one of the many markets in the city. In north London you will find Archway Market which is open every Saturday and offers a huge variety of organic and speciality food.� As well as food you will find many market traders selling antiques and lovely items for your home and kitchen.� You will also find jewellery, books, music and pottery at Archway Market.� Camden Market is another market in North London which is open 7 days a week and draws in a mixture of people attracted by its reputation for ethnic arts, crafts, jewellery and second hand clothing.� Once of the biggest markets in North London is Wembley market which is only open on a Sunday � here you will find over 500 stalls selling everything from sportswear to lingerie and all electrical items.� This market is also popular for those looking for car parts and accessories.

The South London offers a mixture of markets.� Bermondsey Market is only open on Fridays 5am to 12pm but is the place for antiques and there you will find many dealers and collectors. Brixton Market is one of Europe�s largest Caribbean food markets and is open Monday to Saturday.� Greenwich market which is open from Monday to Saturday offers hand-crafted items including paintings and ornaments.� For quirky clothes and to see some of the up and coming fashion you should head for Gabriel�s wharf which is only Tuesdays to Sundays.

Portobello Road market is a vibrant interesting market which sells a large variety of items.� It may not be quite as large or lively as Camden but it is definitely worth a look.� Saturdays are the best days to go as all the stall holders are out compared to the week when its mainly fruit and veg.� On a Saturday you will find a large selection of clothing stalls from the usual clothing to more alternative clothing.� There are also a number of antique and second hand stalls selling a variety of stuff.

Wherever you choose to shop in London make sure you are wearing a comfy pair of shoes because there will be lots of walking involved.� You will be able to use the tube to get around of course but from my experience, once you have chosen your area you can spend all day walking around.� Just when you think you�re done another shop or stall catches your eyes, so be prepared and leave the stilettos at home!

Kensington Hotels

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Kensington London

Filed under: Kensington, London — Tags: budget london hotels, Kensington hotels — admin @ 2:36 pm

Kensington London is located in the postcode of W8 and is home to some the London�s most famous attractions such as the Natural History museum, the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and not forgetting the world famous Royal Albert Hall.� Earls Court and Olympia Exhibition Centre are within walking distance and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area is Kensington Palace.

Kensington high street is one of London�s most popular shopping areas and attracts thousands of tourists and visitors each year. Mostly top brands can be found in Kensington as well as the more affordable high street brands. �There is an excellent range of supermarkets, cafes, bars in the area and plenty of green spaces such as Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Holland Park.� South Kensington has a variety of smaller shops and restaurants which are just as popular and attract many visitors.

Kensington is heaped with history.� The last Queen Victoria was born at Kensington Palace and continued to live there until her accession to the throne in 1837.� More recently Kensington has been known as the home of the late Princess Diana.� Originally a country house, but since the death of Diana the Palace has now been opened up to the public. You can now take a tour of the Palace and admire the family portraits and original furnishings.� You get a real feel of history in the palace and a trip to Kensington is only complete if you have visited the Palace.� You can also take a Princess Diana walk which takes you to many of the places she used to visit.

You won�t be bored in the evening as Kensington is a major centre of London�s nightlife.� There are many nightclubs and bars to choose from. Among them are Amika, 20 and Dunes which are just 3 of the many clubs to choose from in the area.� Bars are plentiful; you have The Hansom Cab which has recently had a refit which has given it a cosy feel. The Scarsdale is a typical English pub offering good pub grub and is frequented by many of the locals. The Devonshire Arms is another one I want to mention as the selection of beer and wine is by far the best of the lot.� It gets very busy with locals as its known to be quiet special and has very tasty food.

Renovated a couple of years back, a former rather boring old man’s pub has now has typical trendy-bar type decor. The selection of beer and wine is top notch, though. Front garden for seating (open all year round if you are brave enough!), the hold barbeques occasionally. Despite numerous other pubs in the Kensington, locals must think something special about this place, as I’ve never seen it anything less than packed. Tasty food, too.

There are plenty of hotels in the area for all budgets.� The Derby Hotel is located minutes to Earls court and Gloucester Road tube stations as is Kensington West which is a newly refurbished hotel with all mod cons including flat screen tvs and free wireless internet. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding somewhere to stay and I am sure with a bit of research you will really enjoy your trip to Kensington.

For somewhere cheap to stay in London try one of the Budget London Hotels or Kensington Hotels.

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February 8, 2010

4 Things to Do at Half Term With Your Kids

Filed under: London — shamina @ 7:03 pm

Mums, now is the time to be thinking of places to take your kids for half term. In this hectic environment of the stresses of work, dropping your kids and picking up from school, the weekends always hectic you may not have time to look into adventurous ideas of where to take the little ones over half term. Let me take the stress of this task and give you 4 ideas.

Parklife Oxford Street, 28 Jan 10 – 30 Apr 10

Address

455-497 Oxford St, W1K 6DE

Transport Marble Arch

Tue-Sun 10am-6pm (closed Apr 4, Easter Sunday)

�15.50, concs �13, children (4-14) �11, family �44

Telephone

0844 847 1745

Oh the kids will love this one, Oxford street has used a temporary public space to create a life size like Jurassic forest with 24 animatronics dinosaurs including kids favorite T-Rex, triceratops and Stegosaurus.

2. London Wetland Centre details

Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, London, SW13 9WT

Transport Hammersmith, then duck bus (283)

Telephone

020 8409 4400

Adult: �9.95�EUR�Concession: �7.40 (over 65 years, disabled, full-time students, unemployed) �EUR�Child: �5.50 (4- 16 years) �EUR�Family: �27.75 (2 adults & 2 children, 4-16 years)�EUR�Children (under 4 years): Free

Date: 13 – 21 February Venue:London Wetland Centre

A packed programme of events all week including ‘The carbon dioxide show’, interactive events about climate change featuring alka-seltzer rockets, a soda volcano, a sand castle destroying contest and a cola geyser! Plus pond dipping, arts & crafts and ’sustainable’ games. (Taken from the London Wetland Centre)

3. National History Museum

Cromwell Rd, London, SW7 5BD

Transport South Kensington

Telephone

020 7942 5000

10am-5.50pm daily (last adm 5.30pm)

�9, children & seniors �4.50, under-fours free, family (up to 2 + 3) �24

The beauty, drama and infinite variety of the natural world is celebrated in this annual photography competition and exhibition, a joint enterprise between the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine. This year the exhibition is housed in a larger venue to accommodate the crowds which invariably flock to it, and the images are displayed in a larger format. A key component of the show are the stories which accompany the photos, describing the often remarkable conditions under which each photographer captured their winning shot. (Taken from the Time Out Website)

While you are there make a day of it and spend the time at the History Museum, entrance is FREE.

4. Diana Princess of Wales memorial garden

Nr Black Lion Gate, Broad Walk, Kensington Gardens, London, W2 2UH

Transport Bayswater

Telephone

020 7298 2117/ 2141 (recorded info)

May-Aug 10am-7.45pm daily, Apr & Sep 10am-6.45pm, Mar & early 10am-5.45pm, Feb & late Oct 10am-4.45pm, Nov-Jan 10am-3.45pm

This popular playground is for kids aged 12 and under, it has recently been renovated and now includes play tunnels. Improvements have been made to the vast wooden pirate ship sailing a sea of sand, this is the playgrounds main attraction since it opened in 2000 where children compete for the control of the ships wheel.

For further information about: – London Wetland Visit http://www.wwt.org.uk – National History Museum http://www.nhm.ac.uk

Why not make a night of it, stay at the Kensington West. We are the new breed of budget hotels that offer that little bit more. Our guests have stated on trip advisor that our beds ‘The hotel staff was excellent with the children’.

We are offering our family rooms at the double room prices, yes that right 2 kids stay free. Please contact our friendly reservations desk on 020 76029954 and quote SKBHTERM. (Double room rates are based on the rates on http://www.kensingtonwest.org )

Offer is subject to availability valid from 16th Feb – 22nd Feb 2010.

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February 23, 2010

February 22, 2010

For more information please visit www.idealhomeshow.co.uk/ or www.eco.co.uk/

February 16, 2010

February 8, 2010

For more information please visit www.idealhomeshow.co.uk/ or
www.eco.co.uk/