Manchester Hotels and Green Spaces in the City

Manchester hotels and green spaces

A stay in any of the wonderful Manchester hotels available in the city is a great opportunity to get to know some of the more surprising aspects of this jewel in the North West’s crown. Manchester is a huge and bustling metropolis today but it is not so long ago that green fields and woods covered this land. Manchester Grew at an extraordinary rate from it’s origins as a small but thriving market town to a huge world city in less than one hundred years. In terms of the average time it takes for a city to grow and develop, this is extremely fast. Manchester was central to the industrial revolution and it was during this period that huge expansion took place; as the mills and factories were built, so more housing was needed in response to this. Where there are people there is a need for shops and hotels; and so the city grew at an alarming rate. Luckily for us, some farsighted individuals cared enough to ensure the preservation of some green spaces within the city. City workers, residents of the Manchester hotels and visitors to the city can still enjoy the pleasure and relaxation of a walk amid trees, greenery and flowers.

Manchester hotels close to Ardwick Green

Ardwick Green is one of Manchester’s oldest public parks and was one of the first pubic recreation spaces in the city, boasting a fishing lake and a promenade during its Victorian heyday. It remained popular until the turn of the century but was by 1890 almost derelict as the public became reluctant to pay the subscription fees which were necessary to enter the park.  Things changed in 1900 when the park was refurbished to a high standard and included two ornamental pools and many well kept flower beds. Later, a memorial to the fallen of Gallipoli was added and today the park remains a popular and very pleasant haven in an otherwise bustling city. Manchester hotels in the area are often of high quality and a stroll through Ardwick Green can only be a good thing when you need a brief rest from all that this exciting city has to offer! Popular with families and young professionals alike, there is a wonderfully calm atmosphere here and it is well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Alexandra Park and Manchester hotels

When Alexandra Park was designed in 1869, it was groundbreaking for the era. Never before had a city park incorporated sports facilities with public gardens; the layout was also thought unusual as it was very much more organically designed with softer edges than the usually strictly and straight edged designs favoured by landscapers of the period. This is still an important park today, Manchester hotels in the area tend to be of good quality and a walk in Alexandra Park is a rare treat in such a busy city and if you are lucky enough to book a good deal at one of the high quality Manchester hotels close to the park, you should certainly take advantage of it; this park is a rare oasis in an otherwise busy and metropolitan place.

Why you should choose central London Hotels

Why you should choose central London Hotels:

Staying in a fabulous location in London is a priority for the many visitors to this great city. For those who are interested going to the theatre during their stay, a West End Location is a must. London’s West End is packed with world famous theatres and award winning shows so it’s a real convenience to enjoy the simplicity of walking from one of the many great London hotels to the theatre or restaurant during your stay. The trouble is that to those unsure of the lie of the land, London can be an intimidating place to navigate. Teeming streets and warren-like inns and courts make this a fascinating but sometimes confusing city to get around. If you are accustomed to less ancient places it can be a real eye opener as you begin to unravel the twisted streets and alleys to enjoy a wander from shop to café; the city draws you in and it’s very easy to lose bearings simply staring upwards at the great buildings and their architecture.

                                                                                  

Getting to know where the best London Hotels are:

Some areas in central London are reserved for business and so typically high quality London hotels are not necessarily a feature; but this does not mean there are none and if you are visiting on business then it stands to reason you may need to stay in or very close to the business districts which include Canary Wharf and also the Square Mile. Whether you are visiting the city on business or pleasure you may be curious about one of the most fascinating areas of the West End and in this case you should indulge in a walk down The Strand towards Fleet Street. This stroll encompasses one of the oldest and most historically interesting areas in the city and getting to know this area will stand you in good stead of understanding where some of the most beautiful and famous London hotels are situated. Start at Charing Cross station and walk down the Strand where you will pass the famous Coutts Bank on your left, a little further on is the Vaudeville Theatre famous during the last century for its comedy revues and which is still a popular venue for modern day shows. Almost opposite the Vaudeville is the entrance to Somerset House which houses many interesting attractions year-round.  The Savoy Hotel and theatre are a little way along the street; the hotel is famous for its fine dining and the theatre for its connections with the d’Oyly Carte theatre company.

If you have time then exploring some of the streets which lead off the Strand and into Covent Garden is a wonderful way to discover some of the quirks of this area as there are some fabulous shops and cafes to be found in the most unlikely spots. Any London hotels fortunate enough to call this area home are in the best position to offer visitors a real experience, during the day this area is teeming with journalists from nearby Fleet Street and with actors and dancers taking a break between matinee and evening performances; evening sees a rush of pleasure seekers on their way to theatre, restaurant and bar and the streets here never seem to sleep.

London Hotels and Shopping:

It stands to reason that a visitor to London will be interested in the shops on offer here. London is after all one of the worlds great fashion capitals and in central London it’s relatively simple to explore the options. Staying in one of the many London hotels near Oxford Street puts you in a great place to begin and offers some of the country’s most famous high street stores; if you love unusual knick-knacks and quirky souvenirs then Covent Garden market cannot be ignored. Once a fruit and vegetable market it underwent a serious transformation during the 1960s and is now well known for jewellery, accessories and fashionable household décor.  Central London offers a melting pot of culture and has a vibrant energy which can’t be compared to any other city.

London Hotels and Heritage

London Hotels and Museums:

London is a city where culture and history are revered and as a result of this, the amount and also the quality of wonderful museums here is far higher than in an average city. From tiny and quirky collections bequeathed to the city by individual collectors, to vast and impressive hoards of art and antiquities amassed over centuries, there is something to fascinate all comers. Even the buildings in which these collections are housed are often awe inspiring and it is a great convenience to stay in one of the many high quality central London hotels and explore the collections that call this city home.

London Hotels and Special Collections:

One of the lesser known but still internationally favoured gems of all London’s museums has to be The Wallace Collection. If you are fortunate enough to be in a position to book one of the wonderfully convenient London hotels near Marylebone, Oxford Street or Baker Street then you will be within walking distance of The Wallace Collection. The Wallace Collection houses some incredible treasures which were gathered by four of the Marquesses of Hertford and also by the son of the 4^th Marquess, Sir Richard Wallace. The vast array of art works and treasures here was left to the people of Britain by Lady Wallace and has since become one of our most valued collections as a nation. The museum houses some beautiful Rembrandt’s and also a stunning collection of miniatures which are exquisite to see. Famous paintings are scattered throughout the building and there is also a large collection of armour.

If you are not staying in a central location then you may be wondering what is on offer outside of the city centre. In terms of London hotels and getting around you can’t really go wrong if you ensure your accommodation is within walking distance of an underground station, then the whole of the city is at your fingertips and you can travel to one of the many smaller museums which abound in the outer reaches of the city. One of the most fascinating is The Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. This is a wonderful museum which holds a huge collection of dolls, games and dolls houses... the largest in the world in fact!  The museum is separated into various galleries each exploring a different aspect of childhood and play. With many different events on at any one time this is a must for the young and the young at heart!

Making the Most of London Hotels:

London hotels are best enjoyed when you have plenty of free time with which to play; as the city is so full of wonderful attractions you will be no doubt keen to cram as much into your time as possible; rushing around the city is often frustrating as some of the best sights and sounds are the unexpected ones witnessed on the way to somewhere else! Take time to plan your days out, ensure that you check which museums and other attractions are en route to your destination so that you can take advantage of the great underground service and hop on and off the tube as you desire. Your most useful guide to choosing from the many London hotels on offer is yourself and your tastes, decide which places you want to visit most within the city and choose a hotel which lies as close to the middle of the areas in question. London has so much on offer and you don’t want to miss any of it!

Staying in London Hotels; a Garden Lovers Dream

http://www.roomguide.co.uk/city/london and Gardens:

London is a weird and wonderful place and so much of what it has on offer is not well known and is easily missed by the newcomer. Because it is such an ancient city, there are a multitude of well-kept secret green spaces which are not featured in most guide books. To get to know a city like London requires literally years of wandering its streets and even then it is an impossible task as the face of London is constantly changing, developing and morphing as old buildings are replaced with new; but the many interesting locations which remain well protected are nurtured by the city and its people. Take some time out of your break in London to discover some of the most wonderful places the city has to offer. You don’t even need to stay in an out of the way hotel to enjoy many of these attractions as a number of them are within the bounds of the city centre or at least very close. London hotels have the advantage of being within a stone’s throw of some of the best parks and gardens in Europe but not all of them are famous...some are very well kept secrets.

One of the most fascinating places for lovers of gardens and history is the little known Garden Museum which is situated on Lambeth Road adjacent to Lambeth Palace. The museum is a quirky homage to all things horticultural; housed in a church in whose graveyard lies the body of Captain Bligh of the Bounty. The museum offers a multitude of historical plants to see and has a small but beautiful replica of a 17^th century Knot Garden. The garden is a welcome respite from the hubbub of city life and offers a sanctuary to those in need of some natural beauty. If you are staying in one of the central London hotels near to Westminster then you won’t be far from The Garden Museum and could in fact walk there along the Thames from Waterloo which is an excellent chance to see the river at close quarters.

                            

Another little known pleasure for lovers of the great outdoors is the Roof Gardens; a beautiful rooftop garden set 100 feet above ground level on Kensington High Street which is in an area well known to be home to some of the best London hotels. Once a famous department store known as Derry and Tom’s, the building on which the gardens are situated, is now owned and managed by Virgin who have re-vamped the three full sized gardens which boast a running stream, ducks, fish and flamingos! Seventy fully grown trees only add to the wonder of this unusual experience. The Rooftop Gardens are open to the public on special dates and are well worth a visit. Staying in London hotels gives the visitor an opportunity to see many unusual and unique attractions

London Hotels and Parks:

London was built upon parkland and some of the parks which are so popular today were once the playgrounds of Kings and Queens. Kensington Gardens is one such place and if you are lucky enough to stay in the vicinity you will be amazed by the plethora of fabulous London hotels with views of the beautiful green landscape. With stunning banks of flowers during summer and many mature trees, the gardens also boast sunken gardens and are famous for their connection with Peter Pan who’s statue is situated in the park as a memorial to the much loved author J M Barrie and as a tribute to the character himself. Other famous parks in London are not to be missed and Hyde Park is a must-see attraction; lying adjacent to Kensington Gardens and separated by the Serpentine River, Hyde Park is the larger of the two and is famous for Speakers Corner and also for is stunning rose garden. These parks are enormous and by dedicating a day or two to seeing the highlights any visitor will be certain to fall in love with the calm and beauty of them, an antidote to the rush and excitement of city living they remain an oasis of calm within a busy world city.

London Hotels - Choosing a Location for your Break

Historical London Hotels:

Your experience of London and equally of London hotels during a city break will to a large degree depend on the location of your accommodation; although the quality of London hotels varies to such an extreme that it is almost impossible to compare one trip with another. Staying in the West End can often be a great idea with regards to accessing London’s famous landmarks but it won’t always guarantee great facilities. Hotels which are situated in smaller buildings can often be more quirky in nature and if historical buildings are a passion then you may find it preferable to choose one of these in favour of a more reliable but less interesting chain hotel. London is studded with beautiful little Georgian squares where elegant three storey buildings overlook small, well laid out gardens; these once housed the rich merchants and business people of the city though many are now converted into hotels and afford the casual visitor a chance to see and to experience first hand the wonderful architecture of the city.

London Hotels in Outlying Boroughs:

If your stay is to be longer than a weekend then it’s worth considering choosing an outlying borough for your accommodation. The London transport system is excellent and so visitors will find that they are easily able to access points of interest such as Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden Market and West End theatres. Staying in one of the London hotels in a fascinating area like Hampstead, Camden or Greenwich will give the tourist a completely different experience to those who choose accommodation in the more obvious locations such as Covent Garden or Trafalgar Square.  Greenwich is particularly interesting, the home of some wonderful independent shops and market stalls, an entire weekend could easily be whiled away here and since London Hotels tend to be placed in convenient locations for those who are not familiar with the city, there will be no problems should you choose to venture further afield.

London Hotels in the City Centre:

If you do decide to choose accommodation which is right in the thick of things, then you will find that there are almost too many places of interest within the few square miles that is central London with which to fill your time. Museums, galleries, historical houses, wonderful shopping and fashionable nightlife are all part of what makes the city such a special place and there are more than enough London hotels situated within a stone’s throw of some of the country’s best loved landmarks to ensure that your stay is a memorable one. If you’re staying in London for a week or more as many visitors do, it’s often difficult to fit in even half of what London has to offer in terms of entertainment and days out; be sure to plan your must-see locations and your most longed for experiences but leave one day free for a long meandering walk; some of the best kept secrets of the city are those which are happened upon by accident; if there is one great thing about utilizing  the many fabulous London hotels it’s that getting lost is difficult as you’re never far from a tube station!

London Hotels and Markets

Famous Markets and London Hotels:

London is renowned for its fabulous markets and many of them are close to some of the best London hotels and shopping districts. If you’re someone who enjoys a more quirky shopping experience than the larger high street stores offer, then you will enjoy exploring London’s numerous and often historical markets. The city is studded with interesting markets of all sizes and there is something to suit all tastes from unusual vintage and designer clothing to specialist antique markets. Wherever you decide to stay your choices will be vast if you’re a fan of markets as they are spread pretty evenly throughout the city.

Up West: London Hotels and Portobello Market:

Portobello Market is situated in Notting Hill in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Many wonderful London hotels are easily found in the area as it is a mostly well heeled and stylish district. If you are an antiques buff then a visit to the Portobello Road on a Saturday will thrill you, many shops and stalls here are piled high with everything from jewellery to pottery and even furniture. The streets are picturesque and it takes little effort to spot the famous faces in the throng as this area is popular with celebrities. If vintage clothing and home-wares are your thing then you won’t be disappointed as there are many other corners in this area which are home to numerous shops and stalls specialising in vintage collectables. Even if you’re not big on shopping it’s will worth spending a morning along this street as the atmosphere is wonderful, add this to a great selection of coffee shops and cosy pubs and you have the recipe for a great time!

London Hotels and the East End Markets:

It’s not just the West end which has some great markets; London Hotels in the East End have become more popular as this once typically working area has been gentrified and made fashionable by the artists and cultural movements which were initially attracted by cheap rental opportunities. East End markets which are popular include Spitalfields Market and Columbia Road flower market; both of these are wonderful places which typify the East End in some way. Staying in any of the trendy London hotels in the vicinity of Spitalfields will put you in a great position to walk along to the market and enjoy the wonderful goods on offer there, from one-off handmade jewellery and accessories to freshly brewed coffee and pastries the market has the makings of a perfect Saturday morning. If you’re a fan of all things green and leafy and don’t mind rising early, a visit to Columbia Road flower market is a must. This narrow street of terraced houses is an ordinary residential street during the week, but every Sunday a change takes place and the road is stuffed to the brim with high quality fresh flowers and plants. Cheap to buy and gorgeous to behold, this is a must-see event which all flower lovers should experience. Arrive early to bag the best bargains!

North London Markets:

North London has many markets but perhaps the most famous would be Camden Market which is actually at more than one location. The Stables contain many unusual and ethnic home-wares plus jewellery and clothing. Contained within old stables and arches, this is a great option if the weather is bad. There are many food outlets within and something to suit all tastes from falafels to fry-ups there is a huge array of food and snacks on offer. Further along Camden High Street lies another market area, this one is not under cover but sells wonderful, unusual clothing; many young designers sell their hand made garments here for far less than they re worth and you can often pick up a great one-off outfit at knock down prices.

South London and Greenwich:

Staying in London hotels south of the river is a unique London experience. It is in South London that you can find Greenwich, home of Greenwich market which is as picturesque as the rest of the area. Greenwich has a fascinating maritime history which is reflected in the shops and pubs locally, a visit to Greenwich and its quirky shopping centre gives a newcomer the impression that they’re miles away from London when in fact, Trafalgar Square is less than 30 minutes away by bus! Greenwich market is great for unusual gifts and home-wares. Finish off your trip with a walk through Greenwich Park with its stunning views of London and a visit to the Cutty Sark which is moored in the dry dock.