Around Hyde Park | This Is London Town | Abbey Court's Tourist Guide

Around Hyde Park

The Abbey Court – This gentle stroll in the park takes in the boating and bathing lake, some historic monuments and a touch of modern art.

Tube: Hyde Park Corner

This walk starts at No 1 London, the former residence of the Duke of Wellington and now a museum packed to the rafters with the spoils of war. Across the busy traffic junction stands Constitution Arch, celebrating the Duke’s decisive victory against Napoleon at Waterloo. Enter Hyde Park and walk along Serpentine Road, where you’ll be flanked on the left by beautiful rose gardens. Bear left past the café and continue your walk along the south bank of the Serpentine. At the Lido join the bathers braving the chilly water or visit the cafeteria before turning left up the steps to Rotten Row.

Originally built for the royals as a shortcut between palaces, the route is still a busy bridle path. Turn right behind the ornate Albert Memorial back into Kensington Gardens. The small building to the right is the Serpentine Gallery, which shows contemporary art. At the front of the gallery turn left onto West Carriage Drive and cross the bridge, then turn right and walk along the north bank of the Serpentine past the in-line skaters to the boat house where hourly rentals are available. Head north across the park to the Reformers Tree Monument; the tree was burned down during reform riots in 1866. The monument points the way to Speaker’s Corner, where amateur orators take to the soap-box and battle the hecklers each Sunday; religions extremists hold sway here these days. At the north end of the park in Marble Arch; once Hyde Park’s grand entrance, it is now marooned in the busy traffic. Cross Oxford Street to reach the tube station.

Edgware Road – Surrounded by hookah bars and exotic restaurants, this walk takes in London’s vibrant Middle Eastern district.

Tube: Edgware Road

Turn right past the striking red-brick mansions on Chapel Street and turn left onto Edgware Road. This lively thoroughfare is the centre of London’s diverse Middle Eastern community. The three golden balls on the sign of Robertson’s Pawn Brokers hint at the road’s history as a centre for money lending but it is the neighbourhoods more recent inhabitants that have really brought the area to life. At 8 Crawford Place, a few feet to the left of Edgware, Patogh serves wonderful Persian kebabs with refreshing sabzi (fennel, mint and feta cheese). Back on Edgware Road you can join the hookah smokers outside Al-Dar for a glass of mint tea. To purchase a souvenir pipe, visit Al-Mustafa. For food on the go, turn left at George Street. Abu Ali serves outstanding shawarma (flat bread sandwiches with garlic sauce) and a good falafel.

As you walk along George Street take a look down Montagu and Gloucester Mews. Both are well-preserved examples of old London streets. At Gloucester Pace turn right and make your way across the top of Portman Square. Turn down Fitzhardinge Street into tranquil Manchester Square. Go through the gardens, walking out via Hinde Street. Turn right on Mandeville Place, then cross busy Wigmore Street and slip down St. Christopher’s Place. This charming pedestrian street opens out at the bottom into an appealing plaza. Carluccio’s Café has plenty of outdoor tables and serves excellent past and reviving espresso. Gees Court brings you out at the Bond Street tube station.

Bond Street to Baker Street – the fictional detective Sherlock Homes solved his cases here, at 221B Baker Street. The surrounding neighbourhood is now London’s busiest area, but some streets retain a touch of mystery.

Tube: Bond Street

Walk north on James Street, passing the cafes. A left on Wigmore Street and a right on Duke Street lead to Manchester Square. On the far side of the square is the Wallace Collection at Hereford House, a fine assortment of porcelain and 18th century French pictures. To the north, Spanish Place leads to George Street, the less populated and more relaxed opposite of Oxford Street. The Providores is a good, dimly lit wine bar. Continue on Marylebone High Street past the small Garden of Rest. On the right side of the street is a plaque commemorating the site of Henry VIII’s hunting lodge. Take a left onto busy Marylebone Road, past the Royal Academy o Music, which houses famous instruments in the York Gate Collection. Those enamoured by wax celebs can stop at Madame Tussaud’s.

Take a right on Allsop Place and a left on Baker Street. 230 Baker Street is a shop full of memorabilia celebrating the famous detective. Nearby at 221B is, naturally, the site of the Sherlock Holmes Museum. The unassuming building at 200 is Transport of London’s Lost Property Office, where thousands of shoes, phones and even a few lost samurai swords have been collected. Those still itching for Holmes can stop for a drink at the Sherlock Holmes Hotel. A right on Portman Square and left on new Quebec Street provide a getaway to the Marble Arch tube station.