DK Travel : London

A city of infinite colour and variety, London is both richly historic, tracing its roots back over 2000 years, and unceasingly modern, at the forefront of fashion, music and the arts. There is a fantastic amount to interest and entertain the visitor here: a selection of the best of the best is explored here.

John Lewis

This store has a large and loyal clientele, with departments ranging from kitchenware and haberdashery through furniture, fashion and fabrics to electrical goods. Staff are informed, prices are excellent and the quality is guaranteed.
John Lewis

This sophisticated department store prides itself on being “never knowingly undersold”. If you can prove another shop sells the same item for less, you pay the lower price. It has a thoughtful gifts department on the ground floor, and the staff are both helpful and knowledgeable.
Jubilee Market

Adjacent to the Piazza, this market sells antiques on Monday and crafts at the weekend. It also sells clothes and tacky souvenirs the rest of the week.
Jurys

This beautiful Neo-Georgian building was designed by Edwin Lutyens for the YWCA in 1929. The Queen Mary Hall is now a conference centre and the former chapel provides a quiet, discreet meeting room. The suites and rooms have been designed for a mainly business clientele, with modems, voice-mail and work desks.
Just the Bridge

A modern brasserie just by the Millennium Bridge.
Keats House

Keats Grove, off Downshire Hill, is one of the loveliest areas of Hampstead. The house where the poet John Keats wrote much of his work is a pretty white villa, containing facsimiles of his fragile manuscripts and letters, as well as some personal possessions. Poetry readings and talks are given on Wednesday evenings.
Kensington on Foot

Morning

Start at South Kensington Underground station, and follow the signs to the Victoria & Albert Museum . Spend a delightful hour in the new British Galleries and see the recreated period rooms. Follow Old Brompton Road to the Brompton Oratory , where you should take a look at its sumptuous Italianate interior, with 12 marble Apostles. Cross the road for a coffee and a pastry at Patisserie Valerie.

Turn right into Beauchamp Place, where window shopping takes in creations by such English designers as Bruce Oldfield and Caroline Charles. Continue down into Pont Street, and turn left up Sloane Street. Check out Hermés, Chanel and Dolce e Gabbana before turning left along Knightsbridge to Harrods.

Harrods has a choice of 21 bars and restaurants. The food hall’s Deli and the Oyster Bar are best. Save dessert for the 4th-floor ice-cream parlour.

Afternoon

Just five minutes north of Harrods, Hyde Park , offers a peaceful walk along the south bank of the Serpentine. Heading for Kensington Palace you pass the famous statue of JM Barry’sPeter Pan and the Round Pond, where model-makers sail their boats. West of here, the palace’s costume exhibit includes many of Princess Diana’s dresses. Next door, The Orangery Tea Rooms provide a restorative cup of tea.
Kensington Palace

This is a delightful royal residence on a domestic scale, still in use by members of the royal family: Diana, Princess of Wales lived here as did Princess Margaret, the Queen’s sister. The first-floor state apartments, built by Sir Christopher Wren for King William III and Queen Mary, are open to the public, and the audio guide (free; pick one up as there is no literature or labelling in the rooms) evokes 17th–18th-century court life. Rooms on the ground floor have a collection of royal costumes, including those belonging to Queen Elizabeth II and Diana.
Kensington Palace

An intimate royal palace in Kensington Gardens, famous as the home of Princess Diana, the first sovereign residents here were William and Mary in 1689. Queen Victoria was born here in 1837 and opened parts of the palace to the public, including some of the State Apartments. These are still open today, along with a beautiful Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. The Orangery is delightful for coffee.
Kensington Place

Renowned chef Rowley Leigh presides over this trendy eaterie dominated by its huge windows.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes, and extra charges.
- under £15
- £15–£25
- £25–£35
- £35–£50
- over £50
Hotel price categories

Prices are for a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under £70
- £70–£100
- £100–£150
- £150–£200
- over £200