We country mice escaped for an interlude in the big bad city last week. It might seem an odd holiday venue, given that we don't live too far away. But somehow, staying in London, trumps any number of day trips and boy did we luck out with a place to stay this time.
This is the Town Hall Hotel and Aprtments where we stayed - it's in Bethnal Green (a hop step from the Museum of Childhood) and is, hands down, the best hotel I have stayed in. An architecturally interesting building, renovated impeccably, filled with quirky modern art and equipped in a way which shows incredible thought and attention to detail (we're talking proper milk in the fridge, ipod docks and a rubber ducky for the bath). With four of us (one of whom is increasingly adult sized) we often struggle with the classic 'double bed plus sofa bed' hotel room offering, but not here, where we had a two room apartment with living room and kitchen too - bliss. Really, if you're needing a place to rest your head in London anytime soon, I recommed you check it out.
It was something of a miracle we managed to drag ourselves away from the pool and gym (the treadmill proving to be a surprising hit with Johnny), but we squeezed in some tourism too. Dodging the showers, we wnt for a nose around the Olympic Park. There's a path called the Greenway which gives really great views of the main Stadium, Aquatic Centre and the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture thingummy.
In fact, sport was a bit of a theme of our break, as it co-incided with the London Marathon. Though I'm not sure watching with our feet up from the window of Pret a Manger is exactly total immersion.
Don't tut - we spent a fair chunk of time roadside too. Those runners are hard core. Really - I am in awe, and not at all tempted to join in. My legs were tired enough with all the walking we did. The Bank of England, where you can lift a 2 stone gold bar and crack a safe, the Cutty Sark, Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory (and a great sausage shop pit stop lunch).
And the obligatory (in the children's eyes) visit to the Harrods toy department.
I love these unstructured breaks. A perfect change of pace, free from the distractions of being at home. Time to explore, see different things. And when there is so much to enjoy practically on your doorstep, there doesn't really seem to be a good reason for having to go further. Here's to holidays on your own doorstep.
Now that is a gem of a find.
My sister and I were only saying at the weekend how nice it would be to actually stay in London (despite us both living here!) for the night. We are seriously considering it!
Was that rainbow chair display still in the museum foyer?
Posted by: Dragonfly | 23 April 2012 at 14:46
How lovely! (particularly watching the marathon from an eating establishment, now that I could achieve!)
Posted by: Amanda | 23 April 2012 at 14:59
Gawd, those sausages look good.
Posted by: Sue | 23 April 2012 at 16:07
I think it can be too easy to overlook what is on our doorstep and so a trip to stay in London sounds like a wonderful idea... especially with such a stylish sounding hotel.
Posted by: Gina | 23 April 2012 at 17:17
I'll keep that in mind, thank you for the tip. When you have 3 children it's hard to find places to stay...
I think it's time we head for the big smoke again.
Posted by: Monica | 23 April 2012 at 21:05
What a great place to stay. I'll have to bear it in mind as I'm well overdue a London trip. Think I might skip the toy shops but I love the Museum of Childhood.
Posted by: Annie | 23 April 2012 at 22:32
How lovely.
And I can see now where the blue sky has moved ... as it's been missing here for the past 15 days of non-stop RAIN.
Yeah ...
I've taken good note of that Hotel!!!
Posted by: Paola | 24 April 2012 at 09:14
What Sue said.
We may well take a leaf out of your book and have a full day out in Cambridge. It makes so much sense.
Posted by: Emma | 24 April 2012 at 09:25
I think that sitting down whilst other people run about just balances the universe.
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 24 April 2012 at 15:11
Oh nostalgia. I lived about 9/10th's of my life about 15mins walk from Greenwich Park. Thank you for the photos. Feel a bit choked now! Better plan a visit.
Posted by: atouchofdomesticity | 24 April 2012 at 20:55
Sounds like a fantastic stay. Thanks for sharing all that information. Can't wait to try those sausages out!
Posted by: Lynne Kovan | 24 April 2012 at 23:13
Sounds like you had a lovely weekend in London. I was there this weekend too to watch the London Marathon pop over to my blog if you have the time to read all about it.
Hope you have a great week.
Fleur xx
Posted by: Fleur Cotton | 25 April 2012 at 13:02
Like a touch of domesticity, I felt a little pang too - when we lived in Peckham, Greenwich park was a regular haunt. Glad you had such a lovely time, I do miss London.
Posted by: charlotte | 25 April 2012 at 13:37
That looks like a perfect family break. It's all to easy to overlook the treasures on your own doorstep. We're only 20 miles from the centre of London but now that I don't work there anymore I've not ventured there for about 7 years. Maybe it's time to get reacquainted!
Posted by: Julie | 26 April 2012 at 20:01
I'll have to take some notes - we might be having a brief stay in London this summer (probably dependant on Olympics crowds...). It's been a decade or so since I was last there - I haven't even seen the Ferris Wheel thing (is it the London Eye? I don't trust my memory 'til after 8am...)
Posted by: UK lass in US | 28 April 2012 at 15:14
Right, I'm squirrelling that hotel away for the future. We love going to London too but end up so shattered after day trips. It would be a lovely treat to stay one day.
Posted by: dottycookie | 30 April 2012 at 11:51
Yup, the hotel looks good and the scenery isn't that bad either. It seems like it would be a great place to go for a vacation where you can relax and just forget about everything back home. Thanks for the share!
Posted by: Sofa Bed Brisbane | 19 January 2013 at 05:33