London Staycation in Teddington

8th September 2021

Sabina Trojanova is the founder of Girl vs Globe, an online community with 200,000+ members focused on travel and female empowerment. She is also the author of #Wanderlust (HarperCollins, 2020) and has visited more than fifty countries, lived in five and speaks seven languages.

As one of the busiest capitals in the world, London probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when it comes to relaxing staycations.

But a London staycation can be exactly that – a refreshing break from all the clamour and chaos of its crowded city centre. Our answer? The leafy suburb of Teddington!

It’s no coincidence that Teddington was named the best place to live in the city by The Sunday Times in 2021. It’s easy to get to from central London, a long high street full of restaurants from far-flung destinations and the lush Bushy Park to boot.

The Park Hotel in Teddington is the perfect spot for your relaxing getaway. They are currently running a Great British staycation offer, consisting of a two-night stay with breakfast, a welcome Warner’s Gin and Fever-Tree tonic, plus dinner for two people, from just £230 for two adults.

Here’s a little taster of what your staycation in Teddington could look like…

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Bushy Park

A short walk away from The Park Hotel, you will find Bushy Park. Stretching over an impressive one thousand acres, it is the second largest of London’s eight Royal Parks. It has held this status since 1529 and its long history can be seen everywhere, from its neoclassical water gardens to the remnants of World War II military camps.

One of the park’s biggest draws are its free-roaming deer. About 320 red and fallow deer call this area their home, just as they had when Henry VIII used to hunt here with his entourage. Deer aren’t the only animals to keep an eye out for – Bushy Park is also home to many bird species, including colourful kingfishers, woodpeckers and tawny owls.

Don’t miss the beautiful Diana Fountain on your stroll, designed as the park’s centrepiece by Sir Christopher Wren – the architect behind London gems like St Paul’s Cathedral or Greenwich Hospital.

Hampton Pool

While you are exploring Bushy Park, look out for the unassuming entrance to Hampton Pool. This heated outdoor lido is a great spot for a quick dip, come rain or shine. Aside from classic lane swimming and fitness classes, Hampton Pool also offers a series of popular moonlight tickets. If swimming underneath a twinkling canopy of stars (and fairy lights!) sounds like your kind of thing, have a look at their website for more information – tickets sell out fast.

Hampton Court Palace

While you are in the area, you should at the very least walk past Hampton Court Palace – a Grade I listed royal palace whose construction began back in 1514 during the reign of Henry VIII.

At £25.30 the price of admission isn’t cheap, but it allows you to explore the entire court – including the Great Hall, the historic kitchens, an impressive baroque palace and 60 acres of flower gardens.

Landmark Arts Centre

The Landmark Arts Centre is the beating cultural heart of the Teddington community. It came to exist thanks to a local residents’ campaign to save the building it is housed in – the former Church of St Alban the Martyr, which fell into disrepair in 1977. The Grade II listed property now provides an impressive backdrop for the vibrant arts centre, which is operated as an independent charity.

The activities on offer range from jazz and chamber music recitals to annual arts fairs, as well as stand up comedy gigs and a lunchtime book club. Check their website while you’re in the area – the eclectic programme has something for everyone.

Strawberry Hill House

A 20-minute walk away from The Park Hotel you will find the poetically-named Strawberry Hill House, one of Britain’s most impressive Gothic Revival properties. This is all thanks to Horace Walpole – son of Britain’s first Prime Minister Richard Walpole – who doubled the house in size between 1747 and 1792, and transformed it into the fairytale villa you can see today.

With its gilded ceilings, fireplaces and ornate painted glass, Strawberry Hill House has been attracting tourists for more than 250 years. You can visit anytime between Sunday and Thursday, with tickets available for £12.50. If you’re on a budget, you can simply take a stroll through the gardens which are free to visit and make for a relaxing picnic spot.

This is just a brief overview of what your Great British staycation at The Park in Teddington could look like. For all of the area’s wonders, don’t forget to set aside plenty of time to enjoy the hotel itself – the downstairs pub in particular deserves a prolonged visit.

Focusing on the seasonal produce and gleaning inspiration from royal feasts at Hampton Court Palace, Chef Alex has developed a truly outstanding menu that will make you appreciate all things British!

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