A West Countryman’s Guide to a Luxury London Escape: From Paddington to Belgravia

Martin Hesp
11 hours ago
3 min read

Beyond the Platform: A Refreshing Walk Through Hyde Park

A Suite at the Royal Lancaster — Suite at the Royal Lancaster

There are places we all visit on a regular basis—so regular, indeed, that we no longer bother to think about them. Paddington Station is one such place for a great many Westcountry folk. Most of us have passed through it many times, and usually, our sole intention is to get out of the place as soon as possible.

I was thinking this the other day when I alighted from a train on Paddington’s Platform 1. Yes, there was the statue of Paddington Bear, but there wasn’t much else that grabbed my attention. With two hours to spare before check-in, a quick look at Google Maps showed a 40-minute stroll through the middle of Hyde Park.

What struck me as we marched out was that, in all the years I’ve been visiting London, I have never walked straight out of Paddington. It was marvellous to discover that the area to the south is all rather grand. Walking down Westbourne Terrace past Sussex Gardens, you soon find yourself at Lancaster Gate—the gateway to one of the capital's largest and most impressive green lungs.

Luxury Living at 15 Basil Street, Knightsbridge

The destination for our walk was 15 Basil Street, one of the new-style “apartment hotels” located directly opposite the back-end of Harrods. These places are for those who prefer the independence of a self-catering stay without sacrificing luxury.

15 Basil Street, London, exterior — 15 Basil StreetA Sanctuary in the City

Ranging from one to three bedrooms, these eight apartments offer a blend of contemporary design and "timeless elegance." I wanted a sanctuary while attending the annual general meeting of the British Guild of Travel Writers, and 15 Basil Street provided exactly that.

Owned by the same family behind the Royal Lancaster Hotel, the quality is impeccable. There is no flimsy flat-pack furniture here; it’s all solid, tactile, and built to last. It provides the privacy of a private residence with the atmosphere of a five-star hotel.

Luxury at 15 Basil Street, London — Luxury at 15 Basil Street

Exploring Belgravia and Secret Pub Finds

This is Belgravia, and as such, it’s about as posh as London gets. After a walk through the famous Harrods Food Halls, I found a wonderful old-fashioned gem: The Star Tavern in Belgrave Mews.

I highly recommend it if you’re in need of a quiet drink in a warm setting.

For dinner, we discovered The Anbar at the corner of Pavilion Road. Styled as a Mediterranean restaurant, the food was cheap and delicious. A feast of mezze dishes for two came to just £70—not bad for one of London's most prestigious neighbourhoods.

mezze dishes at The Anbar — Mezze dishes at The Anbar

The Royal Lancaster: A Room with a View

For the second night of our stay, we moved to the Royal Lancaster London. This independently owned grand hotel is a well-known institution, boasting some of the most spectacular views of the London skyline.

The Royal Lancaster, right next to Hyde Park, London

A Home Away From Home

Our vast suite on the 12th floor overlooking the park was the size of my cottage. With 411 rooms, the hotel manages to maintain a sense of character and personal service often lost in larger chains. Its location is exceptionally convenient for West Country travellers—just a five-minute walk back to Paddington Station.

We woke up to this view at The Royal Lancaster in London

Dining at Tortello: Handmade Pasta with a View

The hotel’s new Tortello restaurant is a triumph. Running for just a month, it offers a sophisticated interpretation of a traditional Italian trattoria.

The Food: Hearty choices like eight-hour slow-cooked beef shin ragù or calamarata pasta with langoustine and Dorset mussels.
The Vibe: The dining room is elegant (complete with a 1960s Fiat 500 at the entrance), and there is a heated terrace overlooking the Italian Gardens of Hyde Park.
The Value: With a three-course lunch menu for £35, it is remarkably fair value for this level of cooking in such a grand setting.

Returning Home

Our trip ended with a stroll back to Paddington for the rapid GWR service back to Taunton. It was an effortless, classy, and hugely comfortable trip. Now, all I need to do is get that shortly-to-be-announced novel onto the best-seller lists so I can make the Royal Lancaster my permanent London base!