Darlington Hyde Park

The Darlington Hyde Park is situated in and around some of London’s most popular attractions.

Hyde Park is a London Royal Park that Henry VIII acquired in 1536 (it had been owned by the monks of Westminster Abbey before that). A large area of open space in the city centre is on 630 acres and a perimeter of 4 miles. It has the memorials at Marble Arch at the east side and Kensington palace at the west. Also within its environs is the Albert Memorial, Queen Victoria's monument to her husband.

During the summer in London, concerts are held in Hyde Park, some seated and somewhere you can bring a picnic and enjoy wonderful music.

This summer Bon Jovi, Simply Red, Jools Holland to name a few are holding concerts in the Park and of course there is the Last Night of the Proms in the Park on September 13th.

The Serpentine Lake central Hyde Park is popular for boating, sailing and even bathing. To the south of the Serpentine runs Rotten Row, the fashionable riding track through the park.

On the opposite side of Hyde Park to us is Harrods, the most famous boutique department store in London and the Royal Albert Hall where you may catch a musical.

While up by Speaker's Corner at Marble Arch you can hear Briton's exercise their right to free speech. There may be a dozen or more at any one time, each standing on a soap box, and spouting (usually) controversial views, strongly held on any topic you can think of - religion, politics, fox hunting, trade unions, Europe, tourists.

As one of the busiest streets in the world, Oxford Street is the perfect place to shop until you drop. The mixture of chain stores and cut-price shops run for two miles between Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch.

Selfridges is the largest and best-stocked department store on the street, which also boasts John Lewis, Debenhams, DH Evans and Marks & Spencer.

Another side street that is enjoying a revival (thanks to the designers' current obsession with the sixties) is Carnaby Street.

Until the 1950s Carnaby Street was dominated by sweatshop tailors, who made the suits for Saville Row. But in the mid-1950s Bill Green opened a shop called Vince selling outrageous clothes for the growing gay population. A string of trendy boutiques followed and by the 1960s Carnaby Street became the heart of funky street fashion.

Today, it is largely populated by tourists and its tacky souvenir shops are not exactly at the cutting edge of style. But Newburgh Street, which cuts across Carnaby Street, has become home to a number of innovative designers such as John Richmond, Pam Hogg and Jean Paul Gaultier.

So whether you want wild style or conservative chic Oxford Street and its many cooler back streets are sure to have something to suit.

It's difficult to visit London and not be tempted to catch a show whether it's a blockbusting musical or groundbreaking drama that London is famous for.

The main theatres are scattered around the Soho and Leicester Square area. If you are looking for a particular theatre or show please ask one of the reception staff who will be happy to assist you in your quest.

A tip from the locals is the half price ticket booth in Leicester Square where great deals can be found every day. We also have half price ticket vouchers for some musicals or theatre productions; please ask at reception for details.

Be warned however, some of the most popular shows are booked out long in advance. Please do not buy tickets from touts outside the theatres however, not only will you be paying over the odds but they may not be genuine tickets. Contact the box office directly and if they are sold out they can direct you to a reputable agent who may have tickets left.

British Airways London Eye is the world's highest observation wheel and offers passengers amazing views of Britain's capital city. The Eye takes guests on a 30-minute flight, rising to 450 feet above the river Thames, in 32 high tech fully enclosed capsules.

Less than 5 minutes by taxi from The Darlington Hyde Park Hotel - Portobello Road is the world's largest antiques market, with over 1500 dealers selling every kind of antique and collectable. The market is open every Saturday, while the shops are open six days a week.

Market days start gradually from around 5.30am with trading between dealers from the UK and overseas. Most stallholders have arrived by 8.00am and the market is in full swing for the rest of the day, with collectors and visitors from all over the world.

The shops and stalls of Portobello Road offer an extraordinary variety of goods ranging in price from a few pounds to several thousands. Visitors come from all over the world because they know that in Portobello Road they will find the most extensive selection of antiques in Britain.

A short taxi or tube ride away is the bustling Camden Market which has been fascinating tourists and locals since the early seventies. Camden "Market" is actually a collection of five markets as well as a vast range of shops and stalls along the main Camden High Street.

There is something for everyone there from vintage and alternative fashions, to exotic furnishings, jewellery and 20th century antiques.

The main action is centred around the weekend, though there is still much to see on a mid-week visit. The shops and stalls start at a leisurely pace around 10am and carry on till around 6pm, though some may stay open longer.

And when you are weary of shopping there are plenty of bars and restaurants to watch the world go by…

Gym & Swimming Pool
The Darlington has a working agreement with Cannons Gym at Sheldon Square for corporate guests to get a reduced daily entry fee of just £7.50 instead of £15.00. Cannons offers a fully equipped gym with weight machines and cardiovascular equipment as well as a wide range of complimentary classes including yoga and cycle. Cannons also has a 20m heated, salted swimming pool.

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