Best Spas in Horsenden Hill

"Reopened after extensive (and expensive) renovation in 2019, the Mandarin Oriental is nothing less than stunning. The hotel’s Edwardian footprint interplays with tranquil, quirkily contemporary interiors and bright colors; the suites and rooms finished in sparkling Art Deco style are by innovative designer Joyce Wang; and there’s an exceptional basement spa with an added Philip Kingsley hair and scalp bar, and a mani-pedi studio by celebrity French podiatrist Bastien Gonzalez. The exterior is all iconic red brick and cream and the building feels quintessentially English, while the interior is restrained yet innovative, color-popping yet elegant, with added floral displays, bronze and silver embossed leaf-themed wallpaper, and fun 1920s-style pendant lights created from equine hair culled from the Horse Guards’ stable."

"Steps from Knightsbridge, one of the most affluent districts in London, the Mandarin Oriental is a top-tier grande dame. Winston Churchill was once a regular, and the Edwardian building has remained intact, despite undergoing a renovation worth millions in 2018. Rooms are contemporary and light, maintaining a classic English elegance with neutral decor and furniture adding pops of emerald, teal and dusky pink."

"The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has risen gloriously from the ashes following a devastating fire in 2018. The luxury hotel was nearing the end of a two-year restoration project when an electrical fire tore through the stunning Edwardian building. It took another year to repair the damage, but it is now back and better than ever."

"Located in fashionable Knightsbridge, The Berkeley is a London institution. Elegant, airy and exclusive, it is one of the best places to experience your stay in complete luxury. Among The Berkeley’s many attractions are its famed ‘Blue Bar’, a cocktail paradise frequented by the likes of Madonna and Leonardo di Caprio, and its two-starred Michelin restaurant Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley."

"This year, Knightsbridge favourite The Berkeley is saying sayonara to lockdown with an alfresco dining space inspired by the country's iconic foodie seafronts. Transporting you to the sandy shores of Whistable, the hotel menu includes oysters, lobster and retro cocktails. Don't miss the frothy Sailor Sour which blends Grey Goose Vodka with Nardini Mandorla, lemon and egg white."

"Part of the Maybourne Group, which also manages Claridge's and The Connaught, The Berkeley is a bit like both but not much like either. A child of the early 1970s, there are no heritage trappings; instead, the look is cool, low-key, non-specifically modern. Marcus Wareing supplies Michelin-starred gravitas."

"Awarded the No. 1 Hotel in London by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, the Lanesborough is part of the Oetker Collection. Found in the centre of Knightsbridge the hotel is comprised of 93 suites and bedrooms, an opulent spa, dynamic bars, a ‘Withdrawing’ room and its Michelin-starred restaurant, Céleste. Here you receive dedicated butler service 24/7 – no matter what grade of the room you choose."

"This space is hidden below ground through the many weaving, opulent hallways of The Lanesborough hotel – luckily there’s no chance of getting lost as a doorman in a tophat will escort you. The covered terrace bar is decked out with plush leather chairs and low candle-lit wooden tables, walls are shrouded in a foliage of bromeliads and ferns. Bag a spot by the fireplace for the warmest seat in the house."

"Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa, Thames Street, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1PX. The prices at this upmarket hotel reflect the historical backdrop (the ramparts of Windsor Castle) and location (overlooking the Thames), but for dishes such as venison and truffle pie or chicken wrapped in pancetta and served in a port wine jus, we think they’re probably justified. The ‘bubbles and jazz’ Sunday lunch is popular with locals."

"This romantic riverside hotel and spa boasts a 4-star rating thanks to its sleek 98 rooms and apartments. Tucked away on a historic cobbled street by Eton Bridge, it's the ideal spot for a bit of R&R thanks to the amenities including a gym, spa treatments, outdoor jacuzzi and sauna. Meanwhile the rooms are bright and spacious yet still cosy, for a homely feel."

"Pros: The location is good, it is great to have breakfast on the Thames and Eaton Bridge early in the morning. The same English breakfast. The parking lot needs to be parked outside."

"Motivated by a love of bao and a desire for something productive to do during lockdown, locals Julie Lynch and Li Lin Chung launched the city’s first bao bun delivery service in March 2021. Each pillowy bun is handmade by chefs to order, with no MSG or artificial flavours in sight – instead, vibrant ingredients such as beetroot and matcha are relied on for colour and only local, free-range meat is used. Even the packaging trays are 100% curb-side recyclable."

"If you’re planning to be the ultimate “London tourist”, then this my friend is going to get you excited. Look out of your window and you’ll be greeted with Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and a whole lot more."

"The famous London Zoo offers daily events including a free nature trail for children to tick off animals on their way around. There is daily feeding of birds, meercats, penguins at the beach, magnificent tigers, lemurs and even a giraffe high tea!. Animals show off their skills in live demonstrations; there are bug encounters and much more!"

"Located in Regent’s Park is ZSL London Zoo, the world’s oldest scientific zoo. It opened in 1828, the brainchild of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who was also the founder of Singapore. It’s one of the most popular things to do with kids in London, home to plenty of cool creatures."

"The ZSL London Zoo is in Regent’s Park and is a super fun attraction to check out. The zoo is the oldest in England and is also a conservation zoo. This means that all sales proceeds go towards protecting the creatures of our planet."

"Ham House is located in an idyllic spot on the River Thames in Ham (in South West London). The house was built in 1610 and is owned by the National Trust. The beautiful gardens have recently been restored to their former plan from the 1600s."

"It was built in 1610 and is lavishly decorated with many unique treasures hiding inside its walls. It epitomises the absolute height of luxury in this era. There are also formal gardens and an on-site café."

"In the East end of London is the V&A satellite, the Museum of Childhood. The museum has been collecting childhood related objects since 1872 and is home to one of the world’s finest collections of children’s toys, doll’s houses, games and costumes dating back to the 1600s. There’s plenty to keep kids busy with free daily activities including arts and crafts, tours, storytelling and treasure hunts."

"Located in a beautiful redbrick building in Bethnal Green, this museum is the largest of its kind in the world. It’s not just for kids, though – it provides a delightful, nostalgic trip back to more innocent times, with a fascinating collection of toys and games from yesteryear. The current temporary exhibition is dedicated to board games and it’s an absolute treat."

"Technically a part of the V&A, the Museum of Childhood has gained an excellent reputation as one of the best free things to do in London. With a collection of toys spanning centuries, the museum is the perfect day out for kids, while adults will also surely find something to wake their nostalgia. Museum of Childhood © Flickr Andrea Vail"

"Violet Cakes is a bakery in East London that’s fast become famous for its American-style cupcakes with seasonal buttercreams as well as its whoopie pies, birthday cakes, and quiches. Owner and head baker Claire Ptak used to work as a pastry chef for Alice Waters at Chez Panisse in California and has brought all her years of experience with her to… Dalston, of all places. Boy, am I glad that Claire made the move, though."

"A post shared by Violet By Claire Ptak (@violetcakeslondon) on Jun 13, 2020 at 4:26am PDT. Famous for making Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's lemon and elderflower wedding cake, Claire Ptak's Hackney-based bakery Violet Cakes has a full menu of delights worth arriving hungry for, including artfully presented cakes, whoopie pies, blondies, cupcakes and biscuits – all made using organic and seasonal ingredients."

"You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Violet Cakes By Claire Ptak (@violetcakeslondon)"