London is among the most romantic cities in Europe. It’s not just because it has some of the best museums and galleries, but also because its history makes for an interesting backdrop. The city was once home to Roman soldiers who built their barracks on what would become Trafalgar Square; it was here that William Shakespeare wrote his plays and where Charles Dickens lived out many of his stories. Today, you can still see remnants from this past and enjoy modern attractions like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. London offers so much more than just sightseeing, though. You can spend your time exploring the city by foot or bike, taking in all the sights along the way. This area is full of beautiful parks, gardens, fountains, statues, and other places worth visiting. This article will explain How to Spend a Romantic Getaway to London options available to help you plan your trip.
Romantic Getaway to London:
There are plenty of things to do when planning a Romantic Getaway to England.
Visit Westminster Abbey
One of the oldest churches in Britain, Westminster Abbey, contains the tomb of King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth of York. Inside, you can visit the Poets’ Corner, which honors famous poets such as Chaucer, Keats, Shelley, Byron, Wordsworth, Tennyson, Browning, Milton, Pope, Swift, Johnson, Coleridge, Gray, Burns, Blake, Cowper, Goldsmith, and others. There’s even a memorial dedicated to Winston Churchill! You’ll find yourself surrounded by magnificent architecture, including the great Gothic nave with soaring arches and stained glass windows. Outside, you can walk around St Margaret’s Churchyard, which dates back to 1240.
Take a Tour of Kensington Gardens
This is a Romantic Getaway to London’s green space located between Notting Hill and Holland Park. Being a popular tourist attraction, Kensington Gardens is part of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. Its main feature is the Serpentine Lake, which runs through the park. During the summer months, swans swim across the lake. Other features include the Diana Memorial Fountain, Princess Gate, Albert Bridge, Victoria Embankment Garden, and the Round Pond. For example, during July and August, you may be able to catch performances by the BBC Concert Orchestra. This free concert series takes place in various locations within the park. Some highlights include jazz bands playing live music, street performers performing circus acts, and children’s activities.
Explore Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is another Romantic Getaway to London green space located northwest of central London. Like Kensington Gardens, it belongs to the Royal Borough of Camden. Unlike Kensington Gardens, however, it doesn’t have any lakes or ponds. Instead, it consists mostly of open grassland dotted with trees and shrubs. One of the largest areas is Highgate Wood, which covers over 1 square mile. Another large section is known as Primrose Hill. Both these sections contain numerous walking paths perfect for strolling. They connect up with each other via the North End Greenway Trail.
Alongside them, you’ll find several small streams called “ponds”. These were originally used to collect rainwater before it became polluted. However, today they provide a habitat for wildlife. The most common species are frogs, newts, dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies, moths, beetles, spiders, and snails. If you want to see more animals, then head towards the South End, where there are also plenty of birds. There are many places to stay near Hampstead Heath, but one of our favorites is the Old Rectory Hotel. It has been serving guests since 1820 and offers rooms that come complete with period furniture and original fireplaces.
Visit Greenwich Observatory
Greenwich Observatory is situated on the southern bank of the River Thames, this is an excellent Romantic Getaway to London because it allows visitors to explore some of the city’s best views from above. As well as offering stunning panoramic vistas, it houses two historic observatories: the Prime Meridian Telescope and the Transit Circle. Visitors can climb inside both buildings using special guided tours. You will learn how astronomers use telescopes to study stars, planets, galaxies, and even black holes. At the same time, you get to enjoy incredible 360-degree views of the capital.
Have Tea with Dickensian Characters at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Madame Tussauds wax museum has been entertaining guests since 1835, where they can see lifelike figures of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe or Queen Elizabeth II that look exactly like them. It also includes characters from different historical periods like dinosaurs, kings, queens, pop icons, movie characters, villains, animals, and fascinating creatures. Over 150 exhibits feature well-known faces like Abraham Lincoln, Cleopatra, George Washington, Napoleon Bonaparte, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Jack Nicholson, Julia Roberts, among many others.
Enjoy Live Music at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
In case you love live music, make sure you don’t miss out on seeing your favorite artists play live at Ronnie Scot’s Jazz club. Founded in 1959, it was named after saxophonist Ronnie Scott who owned the building. He hired musicians like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan. His legacy lives on through current performers, including Jamie Cullum, Mark Ronson, and Paloma Faith.
Take a Picnic Lunch at Regents Park
In case you are looking for a place to take a picnic lunch during your trip to London, then Regent’s Park should be your first stop. Covering around 200 acres, it contains beautiful gardens, sports fields, museums, galleries, monuments, fountains, boating lake, zoo, and so much more. This huge park is ideal for picnics, walks, jogging, cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, horse riding, dog walking, and bird watching. And if you arrive between April and October, you could catch free outdoor performances by local choirs, orchestras, bands, and dance troupes.
See a Film at BFI IMAX Cinema
Londoners have long had access to amazing films thanks to the British Film Institute. Nowadays, the organization runs six cinemas across the country. One of these is located right in Covent Garden, close to Trafalgar Square. With seven screens and a total capacity of 1,200 seats, it boasts Britain’s largest cinema auditorium. The venue shows new releases alongside classic movies, documentaries, foreign language films, animated features, independent productions, and alternative fare.
Conclusion
London has plenty of things to see and do with all kinds of interests. From culture and history to food and nightlife, there are many ways to spend a day or weekend exploring what makes this vibrant city unique when you take a flight into London. If you want to experience the very heart of England, then we recommend that you book yourself into one of our top romantic hotels in London. These places are perfect for couples seeking romance and relaxation. Don’t forget to share which ones were your favorites!
