What better way to explore one of London's largest green spaces than on horseback? Hyde Park Stables (near Lancaster Gate tube) organise group or private lesson-rides along Rotten Row, passing the Serpentine lake. Hats and boots are provided without charge.
Available :
Daily
With its informal, buzzy atmosphere and comfy booths, Steam Bar in the Hilton London Paddington is a stylish place to unwind after a long day. Sip cocktails with locals and guests while DJs spin the tunes on weekend evenings.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
The Frontline Club is for people who care about what's going on in the world and want to talk about it. This media club promotes freedom of expression through open discussions and screenings relating to social and political issues.
Available :
Daily
Voted London's favourite pool by the capital's swimmers in May 2005, the Porchester Baths are an art deco-inspired architectural treasure built back in the day when water was scarce and bathing was trendy.
Available :
Daily
With spectacular views and a glamorous but relaxed vibe, Nippon Tuk on the 23rd floor of the Hilton London Metropole offers an exciting mix of Chinese, Japanese and South-East Asian food and drink, delivered with a sophisticated twist. Expect a quality selection of sushi, sashimi, tempura, noodle dishes and even Japanese fish and chips!
Available :
Daily; not Sun
Built for Queen Anne in 1704, The Orangery in Kensington Gardens provides the quintessential English afternoon tea in opulent and peaceful surroundings. Fruit scones with clotted cream and jam, traditional cakes and neatly-cut sandwiches tempt many a tourist and families on a day out.
Available :
Daily
It's horses galore in Hyde Park on Horseman's Sunday as over 100 horses and riders are led to St John's Church by the vicar for a blessing and rosette prize-giving. See horse-drawn carriages, Shetland ponies and other equine beauties.
Available :
Sep 2013 (annual)
The Hereford Road restaurant serves fresh, nationally-sourced produce and the simple cooking ensures that British meat, fish and vegetables are at the focus of the daily-changing menu.
Available :
Princess Diana would have loved this playground in Kensington Gardens, which was built to commemorate her spirit and important charity work with children. It occupies the site of an earlier playground funded by J M Barrie (author of Peter Pan), who, like Princess Diana was a local who spent many happy times in this part of Hyde Park.
Available :
Daily
Acquired as a hunting ground by Henry VIII in 1536, Hyde Park now covers 350 acres and has become one of London's finest landscapes.
Available :
Daily
Hard Rock Calling in London's Hyde Park is a veritable rock music extravaganza on two huge stages. Top international stars perform every year on the park's east side, near Park Lane. Tickets sell like hot cakes, so book early.
Available :
Jul 2013 (annual)
Complete with a German Christmas Market and a traditional English fair serving up edible goodies, Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland is a festive day out for the family. Glide gracefully on the ice-skating rink or try the Snow Ball Bungee Dome.
Available :
Nov 2013 - Jan 2014 (annual)
The Pride parade has firmly established itself in London and is the biggest event in the UK gay diary. The carnival atmosphere transforms central London with a flamboyant parade of floats representing the full force of Great Britain's GLBT community.
Available :
Jun - Jul 2013 (annual)
The Friday night inline skate in Hyde Park is becoming more popular every week, regularly attracting 400 skaters (less in winter). This is a great way to explore London, get fit and meet like-minded people, and it's free.
Available :
Fri only
The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run sets off from Hyde Park Corner. Spectators line the entire 64 miles of the road from London to Brighton to watch the glorious parade of elegant vehicles.
Available :
Nov 2013 (annual)
The Wireless Festival in London's Hyde Park is another of the capital's addictive outdoor summer festivals with a top line-up of international performers. There is also a market, side shows and chillout zones.
Available :
Jul 2013 (annual)
The Moonwalk London follows a 26.2-mile route that starts and ends in Hyde Park. Women from all over the country walk through the capital wearing decorated bras to raise awareness (and cash) for breast cancer research and holistic cancer care.
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
Get your best groove on for the weekly Yo Yo night at the Notting Hill Arts Club. Resident hip-hop and old school boogie masters Seb Chew and Leo Greenslade spin their stuff every Thursday. You'd be mad to miss it.
Available :
Thu only
If you happen to have thick skin or an excruciating hangover and have got nothing better to do on Christmas morning, make your way to Hyde Park's Serpentine Lido. The Peter Pan Cup Christmas Morning Race is a "refreshing" dip.
Available :
Dec 2013 (annual)
Step downstairs into the cavernous interior of Maroush 1 on Edgware Road and a little slice of Lebanon awaits. Delicious mixed grills, meze dishes and the best freshly-squeezed fruit juices are just the beginning of its delights.
Available :
Daily
Tucked behind one of London's more famous restaurants, Kensington Place, Notting Hill's Life Centre gets on with the more serious business of yoga, yoga and yoga, (with plenty of pampering to make you feel extra good).
Available :
Daily
Kensington Palace offers a permanent display of dresses worn by Diana, Princess of Wales. The collection of 14 evening dresses has been established within the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection following a series of temporary exhibitions.
Available :
Daily
Kensington Place was the first modern brasserie to open in London back in the 1980s. Nowadays the Notting Hill establishment is led by head chef Henry Vigar and offers French-inspired set menus for lunch and dinner. Next door is The Fish Shop, where you can buy some of the restaurant's well-known seafood dishes ready prepared.
Available :
Daily
Wigmore Hall is one of the finest classical music venues in London and incontrovertibly the home of chamber music in the capital. Consistently attracting top soloists and ensembles on the classical music scene, you're unlikely to be disappointed.
Available :
Daily
The International Art Fair held at the Royal College of Art showcases a wide selection of modern and contemporary art from across the globe, alongside Modern British and contemporary work. Artists include Matisse, Miró, Picasso, Henry Moore and David Hockney.
Available :
Feb 2013 (annual)
From Bacon and Freud to Emin and Grayson Perry, the annual 20/21 British Art Fair at the Royal College of Art offers some 60 of the UK's leading dealers and first-time buyers an excellent selection of 20th- and 21st-century art.
Available :
Sep 2013 (annual)
Amateur and professional dancers dramatically splay their legs, strut and swirl in streamline suits and sexy sequinned dresses at the annual International Ballroom Dancing Championships. After preliminary rounds at Brentwood International Centre, the best dance talent compete at the Royal Albert Hall.
Available :
Sep 2013 (annual)
With polished cornets and buffed brass bells, scores of British brass players descend on London's Royal Albert Hall to compete in the National Brass Band Championship finals. Tense but enthralling, it's an absolute must on the brass band calendar.
Available :
Oct 2013 (annual)
Founded in 1895 by Sir Henry Wood, the Proms concerts at the Royal Albert Hall take over London's classical musical calendar every summer and, with some justification, can claim to be the greatest classical music festival in the world.
Available :
Jul - Sep 2013 (various dates)
Incredible lights, lasers and special effects make the Classical Spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall a unique experience. Over 250 performers ensure the hall resounds to the world's best classical music, with brand new pieces as well as time-honoured favourites.
Available :
Mar 2013 (annual)
The Royal Choral Society presents its annual Good Friday performance of Handel's masterpiece, Messiah, at the Royal Albert Hall. The Easter tradition is performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and has been going yearly since 1878.
Available :
Apr 2013 (annual)
The Royal Albert Hall's annual Festival of Remembrance and two-minute silence organised by the Royal British Legion honours those who gave their lives in the service of their country. Thousands of poppy petals fall from the ceiling at the end.
Available :
Nov 2013 (annual)
Top male tennis stars compete in the Statoil Masters Tennis event at the Royal Albert Hall, the premier tournament - and last in the year - on the Seniors tour. Expect big names competing in three round robin groups of four.
Available :
Dec 2013 (annual)
The Night of 1000 Voices has thrilled capacity audiences at The Royal Albert Hall since 1999. Introduced to mark the centenary for The National Opera, it now celebrates musical theatre while simultaneously raising money for worthy causes.
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
A New York staple, and loved by Hilary Clinton, Cobella now offers Londoners a salon and day spa that is affordable and easy to get to, and copes with every inch of the (male and female) body.
Available :
Daily
The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising opened in December 2005 to showcase the extensive Robert Opie collection - the world's largest collection of advertising imagery - along with a range of brand and packaging material.
Available :
Daily; not Mon
All curious nooks and crannies, the charming 19th-century Windsor Castle pub in Notting Hill scores top points for olde-worlde character, with its polished wood panelling, red brick and low ceilings. It's the perfect spot for a quiet drink by the fire in winter, or with friends in the leafy beer garden in summer.
Available :
Daily
Originally a simple track leading to a farm called Porto Bello, today Portobello Road in Notting Hill hosts one of London's hippest street markets. With lots of antiques stalls, jewellery and vintage frocks, it's something of a must-see.
Available :
Sat only
The Friends Life T20 begins with a group format in June, before quarter finals in July and Finals Day at Southampton's Rose Bowl in August. Middlesex Panthers play their home games at Lord's, Richmond and Uxbridge.
Available :
Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
Apparently all good things come in small packages at the yearly Kensington Dollshouse Festival in Kensington Town Hall. Browse and buy quality dollshouses and their tiny contents, from rocking horses with accurate saddlery to French café tables and wrought-iron lamps.
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
08457 76 76 76
