Hugging the northern edge of sprawling Hyde Park, the occasionally-overlooked areas of Bayswater and the Hyde Park Estate are having their moment. Look around and you’ll spot many in-progress development projects that are changing the face of the whole locale. Take the blockbuster regeneration of Whiteleys – formerly London’s first department store, soon to be private residences, a Six Senses spa and exceptional restaurants and boutiques. The main throughfares of Westbourne Grove and Queensway play a starring role in life here, with new shops and eateries popping up among the surrounding Georgian townhouses and garden squares.
Over the years, illustrious philosophers, poets and activists have resided locally, and the stucco-fronted dwellings are graced with many a blue plaque to prove it. Today, the neighbourhood’s residential circle continues to be multicultural and tight knit; the community association SEBRA runs annual events and its own local newspaper. Just west of Marble Arch, Connaught Village has a similar feel, and champions independent businesses.
Your neighbourhood café – elevated. Beam is a London-born, family-run enterprise loved for its middle eastern-inspired menu and excellent coffee. Its Bayswater site nods to mid-century style, courtesy of Ola Jachymiak Studios. The space is cool but cosy with bespoke banquette seating, bubble lamps and chairs inspired by Swiss architect Pierre Jeanneret.
A newcomer to Leinster Terrace, this bijoux wine bar and delicatessen takes its cues from the Iberian Peninsula. Describing Sol’s as one piece of “a now rapidly changing Bayswater”, founder Gabriel Chipperfield set out to create “a resource for the neighbourhood – a place people can go and buy essentials any time, to pick up a picnic for the park, or stay for a meal with delicious wine by night”. He’s succeeded. Swing by for abundant salads by day and mediterranean small plates by night. Don’t miss the ice cream drizzled with De Fermo olive oil.
One for the coffee enthusiasts. Specialists in single-origin beans, Guillam offers a range of blends and regularly updates its menu to showcase global flavours. Come afternoon, move onto artisanal teas that can be enjoy alongside an enticing selection of baked goods.
Dating back to 1852, a recent renovation of this Grade II-listed taproom has ensured its history has been honoured; the horseshoe bar and hand-painted murals were inspired from photographs of the original interiors. A second dining space downstairs has a glamorous European feel, complete with a modern menu that offers an inventive departure from traditional pub grub.
An open-plan bar, conservatory and private dining rooms are all found beyond The Princess Royal’s bottle-green exterior. The menu is a mix of British and Mediterranean flavours, to be enjoyed against the rustic-meets-urban interior backdrop – think country pile fabrics and exposed brickwork bound by an array of lush plants. Outside, there’s a sun-drenched terrace draped in foliage, designed by famed landscaper Jinny Blom.
The clue is in the name at Sunday in Brooklyn, an all-day restaurant that’s serves up brunch dishes straight out of Williamsburg. Think crispy chicken sandwiches and signature hazelnut maple praline and brown butter pancake stacks. It’s also open for dinner.
The restaurateur extraordinaire behind some of London’s most celebrated spots (The Wolsey, The Ivy, Colbert, Fischer’s and Brasserie Zédel, to name but a few) is back with another grand café. This time, Jeremy King has worked his magic at a new site just opposite Hyde Park. Step inside to an all-day dining room that wouldn’t feel out of place along the boulevards of Paris.
Hereford Road isn’t short of under-the-radar restaurants – among them, Frame. A contemporary tapas spot, dishes offer inventive twists on the Spanish classics. The well stocked wine cellar’s offering is just as varied. Hosting a party? There are two atmospheric private dining rooms to choose from.
Bagels, bakery, deli: this sums up family-run 101 West in a nutshell. Mainstays include classic schnitzel rolls, sabich pittas and smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels. The counter is piled high with baked goods throughout the day, from pistachio rugalach to chocolate and halva cookies –all equally hard to resist. At lunch time, pick up a fresh salad box to go, or a challah roll alongside dips from the deli fridge – the labneh and matbucha deserve a particular mention.
'Philosophers, poets and activists have all resided in Bayswater, and its stucco-fronted townhouses are graced with many a blue plaque to prove it.'
London’s largest Royal Park is filled with historic monuments, landscaped gardens and family-focused activities. The Serpentine Lido is Britain’s oldest swimming club, while equestrians will appreciate the riding arenas and sandy bridleway named Rotten Row. You can hire pedalos and rowing boats year-round to admire the scenery from the water, followed by refreshments at one of the park’s many cafés.
Set in a dark studio with neon lights complete with invigorating music and uplifting instructors, Psycle feels akin to a dance workout. It’s a spin class that encourages you to push boundaries, using weights, cardio and core movements while peddling. The Bayswater site also features barre and yoga classes for more meditative sessions.
Since opening in 1970, the Serpentine Gallery has championed pioneering contemporary art by emerging and long-standing creatives. The gallery has two sites; the Grade II listed North and South buildings are just five minutes from each other, linked by the Serpentine bridge. Every summer, a different international architect is commissioned to construct a pavilion for the public to explore.
A royal residence set in the heart of picturesque Kensington Gardens, explore the birthplace of Queen Victoria at Kensington Palace. Home to young royals for more than three centuries, walk in their footsteps in the magnificent King’s and Queen’s state apartments then stop for afternoon tea at The Orangery.
Develop your mind-body connection at this boutique workout studio, open to newbies and long-time practitioners alike. Reformer Pilates is a specialism here, using an approach that blends personal training with self-guided discovery. The Bayswater branch also offers pregnancy-focused sessions.
A pocket of peace close to Oxford Street and Marble Arch, quaint Connaught Village is a hub of independent businesses. Explore artisan food shops, designer boutiques and art galleries all bound by a welcoming sense of community spirit.
As the city’s first luxury department store, Whiteleys has played an important part in London’s cultural history. Headed by famed architect Norman Foster, the Grade II listed site is now being reimagined for the modern day. Among the line-up of new businesses, the regeneration of the Queensway site will include London’s first Six Senses hotel, a public art programme and pedestrianised courtyard filled with al fresco coffee and dining spots.
'For many years, hotels and tourist-focused businesses were the lion’s share of its makeup but recent development projects are changing the face of the area.'
This local greengrocer is a firm favourite in the Bayswater community, offering a broad range of fruits, vegetables, organic produce and cupboard essentials. Committed to the environment, Ben’s only uses compostable packaging and offers same-day delivery using electric vehicles.
This independent wine merchant is built on a long-standing family relationship with French shopkeepers. Since the 1950s, owner Maxence’s family have worked with traditional suppliers to bring France’s best wine to Bayswater. The stock is ever-changing, and you can find new favourite bottles by taking part in a guided tasting session.
Piled high with decoratively packaged foods, this delicatessen makes an enticing first impression. Inside, the shop is brimful with everything you’d expect to find in an Italian grocery store: fresh pasta, meats and cheeses, gelato and aperitivo. The take-away focaccias and salads are hugely popular at lunchtime – not to mention the excellent coffee.
These independent tailors create bespoke shirts using high-end Italian materials. Headed by Ana Rodriguez, daughter of famous Spanish tailor Ramon Santamaria, the design process is thorough and inventive. You’ll be guided through collar shapes, buttons, patterns and monograms, before the brief is sent to the Madrid studio to be crafted.
La Maritxu does one thing and one thing (extremely) well: Basque burnt cheesecake. Made according to a cherished family recipe, owner Maria brings an authentic taste of the Basque Country to Connaught Street. The caramelised, crustless cakes come in two sizes – to serve eight or 12 respectively – or pop in for a slice to takeaway.
One for the serious cheese lovers, Buchanans counter changes daily depending on which wheels are deemed ripe in the onsite maturing rooms. Carefully sourced from the finest British and European producers, there are 100 varieties to choose from, plus everything you need to craft the perfect cheese board, from chutneys to crackers.
Part of a bean to bar revolution, London Chocolate specialises in small batch creations, all made in the capital. Using only cacao and cane sugar, the undiluted flavours of the natural ingredients shine through in the delectable selection of handmade truffles and bonbons.
Fashionable, multicultural and charismatic. Throughout the years, Notting Hill has earned a reputation for its dynamism and creativity.
At the northern side of The Westway, things take a spirited turn thanks to North Kensington’s wealth of independent traders and community-minded residents.
