I’VE spent a fair bit of time in central London over the years.
Whether working, socialising, shopping or sightseeing, I’ve certainly done the rounds.
More recently I find myself doing those circuits again, with fresh eyes and a new perspective as I introduce my children to the delights of the capital.
I am taking as many opportunities as possible to venture into the city as a family to enjoy the cultural, historic and social offerings that it has to offer.
When travelling as a pack, mostly we visit the iconic landmarks that are the stuff of school projects, and the city’s many glorious parks, which are the stuff of lazy afternoons spent enjoying some of the best people-watching I’ve ever encountered.
At times we catch a show or indulge in some shopping that can’t be found closer to home - think the monumental M&Ms store in Leicester Square, which is in fact the largest sweet store in the world, or Piccadilly’s shiny new shop dedicated entirely to football card collecting, and you are on the right track here.
The Welbeck Hotel has recently opened in London's MaryleboneMore recently we opted for a short break in the city to round off the summer in style.
Now our children are always impressed when they visit London. Even as they get older, having been into town on multiple occasions, they still love everything about it.
From the train and tube journeys into the city, to the glimpse of London landmarks they spy as we traverse the streets - whether it be a slither of the Shard spotted from a distance or to turn a corner and be faced with the mighty Big Ben - they are always delighted with their proximity to things they read about in books or see on television.
That said there is nothing like finding something or somewhere new to explore while in the city.
Finding a novel tale to take home or experience to share with their classmates is always high on their list of holiday desires.
Mine too, really, and we were lucky enough to find a bit of both on this trip.
Having decided to put down roots for a few days to better explore the capital, we stayed in central London’s newly opened and effortlessly elegant Welbeck Hotel.
With its highly sought after postcode and impressive Edwardian architecture, this is a hotel that oozes sophistication. At the same time, it is hugely welcoming.
It prides itself on being a luxury London bolthole that can accommodate all - from families to tourists and work trippers to staycationers there is a hearty welcome for everyone behind the plush revolving doors that greeted us when we arrived.
Inside the décor is chic, yet comfortable and just beyond the reception desk is an inviting lounge that boasts The Welbecker.
Now this is a bar that truly serves all purposes.
Enjoy a drink - and a photo opportunity - at the welcoming Welbecker barWhether you are after a coffee to kickstart your day, or a well-earned cocktail after you’ve been out exploring the city, this is your spot.
There are stylish sofas and chairs dotted around that simply beg to be lounged in, a chess board which is always ready to be played and even a free photobooth, where you can capture all your memory making with a take-home reminder from your stay.
The bar offers a light menu of snacks too, for those who may be a bit peckish, but the hotel's main focus when it comes to food is your morning meal.
Tucked away on the basement level is a bustling dining room which only serves breakfast - but with opening hours that stretch from 7am to 11am this can easily cover brunch too, depending on what time you get yourself down there.
From a delicious continental breakfast bar, which bulged with fresh pastries, yoghurts, fruit and cereals, to a lengthy menu of cooked breakfast options, you are seriously spoilt for choice here.
Each morning we spent ample time sampling the goods and found the full English breakfast, smashed avocado with poached eggs and the American pancakes to be among the winners of the many morsels we enjoyed.
And our dedication to culinary consumption set us up perfectly for our busy days ahead.
Admittedly, we settled into The Welbeck so quickly and easily (its spacious rooms offer huge beds, fluffy robes and all the usual modern comforts too) that we did have had to remind ourselves to venture outside.
Breakfast at the Welbeck Hotel provides the perfect start to the dayOnce we did, we found we were perfectly placed to get stuck into the capital.
We were within easy walking distance of Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street and the many stores, galleries and experiences they had to offer.
Stroll a little further and you are in Leicester Square and Picadilly, or Soho or London’s fabulous theatre district.
Or if you are after some outdoor activity, Regent’s Park, Hyde Park and Green Park are all within a walkable distance too.
There is of course the tube, for those who want to save their legs or travel further afield, with multiple stations close by ready to take you as far across the city as you would like to go.
But there are delights to be enjoyed right on the doorstep of The Welbeck too.
The hotel is located in Marylebone which is a chic little village that sits unassumingly behind the hustle and bustle of the West End.
Now this is a part of London that I had yet to spend any real time in.
Charming Marylebone is just a stone's throw from the West End's busy shopping districtIn my defence, it is situated so closely to many of the usual haunts enjoyed by visitors to the city that it can easily be overlooked.
But with its boutique stores, galleries, restaurants and bars, and its laid-back tempo too, it turns out that Marylebone is something of a hidden gem.
The village itself has Medieval origins. Originally known as Tyburn, the story goes that in the 1400s a church was built there on the banks of a small stream.
That church was dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, which led to the area becoming known as St Mary-la-Bourne, which translated as St Mary by-the-stream.
Over time the name became shortened to its present form, Marylebone, and the area developed into the highly sought-after residential district that it is today.
From its humble, historic beginnings, the village transformed into a tranquil haven in the heart of the city which offers an enticing mix of old and new.
And, while our trip saw us traverse much of the city via tube and foot by day, we were always more than happy to get back to our temporary Marylebone home, where rest, relaxation and a warm Welbeck welcome awaited.
Our top five family activities in Marylebone:
Explore the outdoors
Marylebone is well placed for exploring most of London’s parks, but Regent’s Park is the closest. One of London’s eight Royal Parks, it covers an area of 395 acres. With serene lakes, postcard-worthy gardens, playgrounds a-plenty and some of the best nature walks in the city, this is not to be missed. It’s also the home of London Zoo, which houses some 755 species of animals and is the world’s oldest scientific zoo.
Admire some art
London is brimming with national museums, and Marylebone has one all to itself. Free to enter, The Wallace Collection is home to masterpieces of painting, sculpture, furniture, arms and armour, and porcelain. Built over the 18th and 19th centuries by the Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, it was donated to the people of Britain in 1897 by Lady Wallace in what was deemed one of the greatest gifts of artworks ever to be transferred into public ownership. It is located within a beautiful townhouse and is well worth a visit.
There is currently an exhibition of works by Sir Grayson Perry at The Wallace Collection (Pic: Richard Ansett/The Wallace Collection)Enjoy a good book
This charming village goes at a slower pace than the rest of London’s West End. As such Marylebone is the perfect place for bookworms of all ages to relax and read a book. If you’re in the market for a new read there is no better place to head than independent book chain Daunt Book’s stunning store in Marylebone High Street. First opened in 1912, with long oak galleries and unconventional skylights, this branch is widely deemed one of the most beautiful bookshops in London.
Catch a concert
Known for its outstanding acoustics, Wigmore Hall is one of the world’s top venues for chamber music and solo recitals. Hosting performances by internationally acclaimed musicians, it’s a must-visit for classical music enthusiasts and a central part of Marylebone’s cultural identity.
Limerick man John Gilhooly is the director of Wigmore Hall (Pic: Wigmore Hall)Visit the museums
Marylebone is home to two of London’s most iconic museums. The first, founded in 1835, is the wax museum Madame Tussauds, which has captivated visitors for nearly two centuries with its lifelike statues of famous figures. The second, which is located at the fictional address of 221B Baker Street, is the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Dedicated to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective, visitors get to enjoy a Victorian-style recreation of Holmes’s study and living quarters, along with memorabilia from various adaptations of the classic tales.
Royals the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate are among the star attractions at Marylebone's ever-popular Madame Tussauds museum (Pic: Madame Tussauds)The Welbeck Hotel is located in Welbeck Street, Marylebone. For bookings visit www.thewelbeckhotel.com
See More: Family, London, Marylebone, The Welbeck Hotel, Travel, West End
