Attractions

A Far From Ordinary Notting Hill Hotel, Right In The Heart of It All

Enjoy easy access to the wonders of London at The Hempel. Setting the highest of standards for service and luxury among five-star Notting Hill hotels, our expert concierges are committed to providing you with an incomparable visit. We're happy to recommend the best places to marvel at thrilling attractions, browse fabulous shops, or savour world-class restaurants and nightlife. Take a short stroll to admire the lush greenery of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, or

soak up the culture of the world famous Royal Albert Hall, Victoria & Albert Museum, or Natural History Museum - all just moments away. Offering savvy travellers a sleek, sophisticated alternative to the standard collection of London Notting Hill hotels, The Hempel showcases the city at its very finest.

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Attraction Details

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Hyde Park

London's Hyde Park is one of the greatest city parks in the world. Covering 142 hectares (350 acres) and with over 4,00 trees, a large lake, a meadow and ornamental flower gardens, there’s a good chance you’ll forget you are right in the centre of London. Hyde Park in London has something for everyone. You can enjoy swimming, boating, cycling and skating. There are pitches for team games, tennis courts, tracks for horse riding and a spectacular children’s playground. The Park has two lakeside restaurants which are licensed and serve everything from a three-course meal to a quick cup of coffee. Hyde Park is home to a number of fascinating buildings and monuments, such as The Serpentine Bridge, the Joy of Life fountain and the famous Archiles statue. And with the Diana Memorial Fountain and open air events throughout the year, there’s always something to see and do. If you’re out and about on Sunday, head to Speaker’s Corner to hear London’s most vocal orators share their opinions with the world. Ice skating will also be available from November to January (specific dates yet to be confirmed)

Princess Diana Memorial / Serpentine

This memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales was opened by Her Majesty The Queen in 2004. The fountain is made from 545 pieces of Cornish granite - each shaped by computer-controlled machinery and pieced together using traditional skills. The design aims to reflect Diana's life, water flows from the highest point in two directions as it cascades. ‘Avast me hearties!’ Your little landlubbers can be pirates for the day on Captain Hook's huge wooden pirate ship at the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground. Everyone loves this imaginative play area. Nestled between the trees in Kensington Gardens, it's inspired by J M Barrie's novel, Peter Pan. Designed to be accessible and inspiring, kids love playing in the teepees, on the beach, and running between the sculptures. The lido is located in the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park and is open to the public during summer. Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club may swim all year. The Serpentine Gallery, one of London's best-loved contemporary art galleries, with a program of modern and contemporary art exhibitions from Andy Warhol to Piero Manzoni, Cindy Sherman and Chris Ofili. Admission free, architectural pavilion with cafe during the summer and an art bookshop in the gallery.

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace is a perfect Palace for a Princess. Behind the swirly golden gates, you'll find the former home of Princess Diana. Princess Margaret and Queen Victoria also lived at this gorgeous house, which was partly built by Sir Christopher Wren. Kensington Palace is a tribute to fashion and style. You'll usually find a selection of Diana's designer frocks on display, as well as exhibitions inspired by other stylish royals and the palace's history. The feminine influence of generations of royal women has shaped this stylish palace and elegant gardens. The palace first became a royal residence for William III and Mary II in 1689. The magnificent State Apartments showcase some of the most breath taking examples of the architect and painter William Kent’s work. This sumptuous series of rooms include the Cupola Room where Princess Victoria was christened. The Enchanted Palace is taking over the State Apartments while Kensington Palace undergoes a major £12million redevelopment. The palace will be closed 4th January 2012 - 25th March 2012 due to the redevelopment

Portobello Road

Portobello Road has been a market since the 1800s but became particularly famous for its antiques in the 1950s. Now there are numerous stalls offering everything from fruit and bread to posters, clothes, ceramics and music. Easily accessible from Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park tube station and by bus routes servicing Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill Gate. Main market days are Friday and Saturday with a smaller market running Monday to Thursday. An exciting day out for all the family. Portobello Road Market and Golborne Road Market Facilities Opening Times: 8.00am until 6.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Thursday half day : 1.00pm . Sat: 8.00am to 6.30 pm

Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall was built to fulfill the vision of Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's consort) of a 'Central Hall' that would be used to promote understanding and appreciation of the Arts and Sciences and would stand at the heart of the South Kensington estate, surrounded by museums and places of learning. The Hall is a Grade I Listed building; and has been in continuous use since it was opened in March 1871. The Royal Albert Hall is one of the most famous venues in the world, regularly presenting some of the best known performers in a range of genres on its stage. From classical music concerts to rock and pop, from opera and ballet to circus, from community events to tennis, the Hall’s programme is incredibly diverse. Outside the main auditorium, there are free Friday lunchtime concerts and Sunday brunch performances of world music and jazz in the Hall's Café Consort and occasional concerts by cutting edge new talent in the Hall's hush series presented in the Elgar Room.

Oxford Street & Selfridges

Oxford Street the UK's favourite High Street has over 300 retailers from designer outlets to department stores and is the most visited shopping street in Europe. With its heady mix of unrivalled shopping, fascinating history, captivating architecture, mouth-watering cuisine and unbeatable deals there’s nowhere better than London’s Oxford Street. After a long day shopping you can step away from the hustle and bustle and head to St Christopher’s Place where you will find it difficult to find a more diverse offer of restaurants, cafés and bars all within a stepping stone from an exciting mix of boutique shopping which is irrevocably unique. Selfridges’ original flagship store on Oxford Street is where shopping is about entertainment, inspiration and, above all, fun with innovative windows setting the tone for what’s in store. Topshop’s flagship is THE fashion destination on the British high street and the world’s largest fashion store attracts 200,000 shoppers a week from their teens to their 40s searching for a retail fix. Oxford Street has an array of high street, boutique and luxury brands – a place where you will find anything you’re looking for.

Westfield

If you love looking great, you'll love shopping at Westfield London! Westfield is a great place for celebrity style. Check out Sienna Miller and her sister Savannah's clothing label, Twenty8Twelve. Designer boutique Choice brings you a selection of the best designers – Juicy Couture, Vivienne Westwood, Ralph Lauren, DSquared and more. You'll also love popping into Tiffany & Co and Versace, DKNY and Miss Sixty's first ever Denim Boutique. Westfield London also has all your high street favourites, including All Saints, Bench, Coast, Reiss, Dune, TopShop, Whistles and H&M. Plus there are four huge anchor stores; M&S, Next, Debenhams and House of Fraser. You'll also find loads of top international brands at Westfield London. Leona Edmiston's elegant designer dresses will bring some Australian sunshine into your life, while Sydney-based lingerie brand Gilly Hicks has sexy undies, relaxed PJs and beauty products. Other shops include Desigual from Spain and the first European UGG store. With 275 shops showcasing more than 700 brands, Westfield London is a great place to buy everything from fashion staples and jewellery to cosmetics, sportswear, menswear and children's clothing. The real secret to gorgeousness is a sexy mind and you'll find plenty to stimulate your brain at Westfield. As well as a library and bookshops like Foyles, there's live entertainment and a 14-screen Vue cinema, which includes five 3D-enabled screens. · Harrods One of the world's most famous department stores, established in 1849 as a humble grocery store employing two assistants. Today, it offers everything from food to fashion, furniture to sportswear plus 20 in-store restaurants serving every kind of cuisine imaginable from pizza to sushi. Services range from piano tuning to fitting saddles. Must-see sights include the Food Halls, the Egyptian Hall and the Pet Department. At night the store is illuminated by 11,500 light bulbs.

Harrods

One of the world's most famous department stores, established in 1849 as a humble grocery store employing two assistants. Today, it offers everything from food to fashion, furniture to sportswear plus 20 in-store restaurants serving every kind of cuisine imaginable from pizza to sushi. Services range from piano tuning to fitting saddles. Must-see sights include the Food Halls, the Egyptian Hall and the Pet Department. At night the store is illuminated by 11,500 light bulbs.

Victoria & Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's greatest museum of art and design, representing over three thousand years of human creativity, with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity. Situated in South Kensington, in recent years the VA has undergone a dramatic programme of renewal and restoration. Highlights include the Medieval Renaissance galleries containing some of the greatest surviving treasures from the period, the breathtaking William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery and the stunning British Galleries, illustrating the history of Britain through the nation’s art and design. In addition to its outstanding free permanent collection, the VA offers an internationally –acclaimed programme of temporary exhibitions and an extensive events programme.

Science Museum

Where else can you find life-changing objects from Stephenson's Rocket to the Apollo 10 command module, catch an immersive 3D movie, enjoy the thrill of flying with the RAF Red Arrows in a special effects simulator, introduce children to science with fun, hands-on interactives and encounter the past, present and future of technology in seven floors of galleries? At the Science Museum you can find all this and more! Entry to the Science Museum is FREE but charges apply to the IMAX 3D Cinema, simulators and some exhibitions

Natural History Museum

Hundreds of exciting, interactive exhibits. Highlights include 'Dinosaurs', the ultimate dinosaur exhibition; 'Creepy-Crawlies', guaranteed to have you scratching in minutes; 'Human Biology', the must-see exhibition about ourselves; 'Ecology' and 'Mammals', with its unforgettable blue whale. Don't miss 'The Power Within', offering an 'earthquake experience' and, if you are visiting with children, 'Investigate' - an exciting new hands-on science centre. Phase One of the new Darwin Centre offers a chance to see the science behind the scenes. Ice skating will also be available from 5 November to 9 January.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and London residence of Her Majesty The Queen. It is one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today. During the summer, visitors can tour the nineteen State Rooms, which form the heart of the Palace. These magnificent rooms are decorated with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto and sculpture by Canova.

London Eye

Already offering unrivalled views of London, the bespoke cinematic addition to the EDF Energy London Eye will now provide yet another magical and entertaining way to experience our capital city, further enhancing the value and the experience of a trip to the UK’s top paid for visitor attraction. All included in the ticket price, you will see the first ever 3D aerial footage of London as well as witness the world famous London New Year’s Eve fireworks in a breathtaking journey across the city. Boasting more 4D sensory effects than any other attraction in the UK, you will feel like you are really there; with wind in your hair, snow falling at your feet, the floor shaking and even a sense of smell, your new perspective on London will be truly memorable.

Madame Tussauds

Filled with 14 exciting, interactive zones and a brand new Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie experience, Madame Tussauds London combines glitz and glamour with incredible history with over 300 wax figures. Walk down the red carpet and strike a pose with the Beckhams, before stepping into our interactive movie and sports zones. Start your royal experience with a once-in-a-lifetime audience with Her Majesty The Queen, then brave the serial killers in SCREAM! Relax in our taxis and relive London’s rich history before entering the spectacular and exclusive Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie experience. So, who do you want to meet?

London Zoo

Probably the world’s most famous zoo, ZSL London Zoo has been entertaining and delighting visitors since it opened to the public in1847. With over 720 animal species, exciting and innovative new exhibits and heritage-listed building almost as famous as their inhabitants it’s a great day out. This year, hit the Beach and join London’s biggest penguin colony. Penguin Beach recreates a South American beach landscape in the heart of London, with stunning colonies of over 100 Macaroni and Humboldt penguins. The exhibit features a larger pool with underwater viewing areas so you can see how our flippered friends fly under the waves.

Houses of Parliament / Big Ben

The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, are home to the House of Commons and the House of Lords and the famous clock tower Big Ben. Technically, Big Ben is the massive bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons (13,760 kg). The Palace of Westminster was destroyed by fire in 1834. In 1844, it was decided the new buildings for the Houses of Parliament should include a tower and a clock. The bell was refashioned in Whitechapel in 1858 and the clock first rang across Westminster on 31 May 1859. Just two months later, Big Ben cracked. A lighter hammer was fitted and the bell rotated to present an undamaged section to the hammer. This is the bell as we hear it today.

Theatre Land

Perhaps the most famous thing about London's West End is its theatre scene. Alongside Broadway, West End theatre represents the highest quality commercial theatre in the world. There are around 40 theatres in London's "Theatreland." Theatre performances in the West End tend to be musicals, classic plays and comedies. At the moment, you can choose from a wide range of West End shows: from musicals like Wicked, Billy Elliot, Les Miserables and Mamma Mia, to plays like War Horse, The Children's Hour, The Woman in Black and The Mousetrap.

St. Pauls Cathedral

Enter St Paul’s and enjoy the cathedral's awe-inspiring interior. Take advantage of a new touch-screen multimedia guide or join a guided tour to explore this iconic building, both now included with the sightseeing admission charge. Venture down to the crypt and discover the tombs and memorials of some of the nation’s greatest heroes such as Admiral Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. Also visit Oculus, an award winning 270° immersive film experience. Visitors can try out the acoustic quirks of the Whispering Gallery and continue the climb to the Golden Gallery to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views across London.

National Gallery

London's National Gallery displays Western European painting from about 1250-1900. You'll love seeing work by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, Renoir, Cezanne and Van Gogh. There are special exhibitions, lectures, video and audio-visual programmes, guided tours and holiday events for children and adults.