The hidden gardens, rooftop bars and therapeutic spas designed to help you live life in the slow lane
Top 10 spots for a quiet moment in Knightsbridge
With studies showing that British workers are often on the brink of burnout, it’s never been more important to take a breather, lower those cortisol levels and prioritise your mental health. And luckily, Knightsbridge offers 10 appealing ways to do just this.
1. Walk to Oratory Gardens
Wedged behind the Holy Trinity Brompton church – whose crypt coffee shop might be mined en route – is a green gem only locals know about. Replete with benches, the Oratory Gardens are ready-made for book-reading; leave via a circuit of the pastel-coloured mews streets behind for maximum spiritual uplift.
2. Sip The HVN’s tea
Start with a cup of Jaal Tea, The HVN’s signature blend of peppermint, jasmine, butterfly pea flower, chamomile and liquorice, designed to soothe the nervous system and support detoxification. Served in the clinic’s forest-bathing-inspired lounge, it’s a moment of calm before targeted treatments begin. Whether you’re here for a Hydrobed Massage – on the UK’s only Hydrobed – or to address your health from the inside out through Functional Medicine, advanced testing and supplement protocols, The HVN offers more than a quick fix. It’s a reset for body and mind.
3. Zeds at the Zedwell
Knightsbridge’s old Burberry store is now London’s fourth Zedwell hotel. How about spending a sensory night here, trialling the brand’s signature windowless concept? Pledging to eliminate outside-world distractions, its clutter-free cocoon rooms come with soundproofed walls, purified air and ambient lighting.
4. Lounge in the Library Bar
Few places are as peaceful as a library – especially The Lanesborough’s piano-soundtracked Library Bar. And despite the presence of a house dry gin, it’s the wide selection of cognacs dating to the 1770s that most tempts us to make for this intimate dark-wood den.
5. Peruse some art
Specialising in modern British works, the bijou Crane Kalman Gallery has always promoted artists it feels are underrated – hence a recent exhibition of Mary Newcomb’s tender wildlife paintings. Spend some time idly browsing and you might just happen upon a new favourite.
6. Visit the Hyde Park Garden
Synonymous with summer, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London’s serene garden-terrace restaurant is, this year, focusing on Heston Blumenthal’s high-tech take on fish and (triple-cooked) chips – alongside wines by rosé specialist Château d’Esclans. While the summer weather can’t be guaranteed, blankets and outdoor heaters are provided.
7. Go to The Georgian
While Harrods is anything but quiet, the rebooted fourth-floor restaurant The Georgian is an area of calm. Entering via a half-hidden, discreet corridor or the baby-gift section helps, even if all those lovely new chandeliers do rather give the game away. Whether you’re there for afternoon tea or one of Calum Franklin’s acclaimed pies, book the secluded terrace to achieve peak repose.
8. Café escapism
At Co. London, the coffee is good and strong and the brunch options – not least that sensational, seasonal French toast – are delicious. There’s plush furniture and frequent sunlight but the best bit about the concept coffee shop is its Park Close location – it means most tourists miss it and a heavenly hush predominates.
9. Gasp at the Emory’s Rooftop Bar
Breathtaking skyline views compete with the copper-tinged decor for attention at this teeny 10th-floor eyrie, which is now open to all for cocktails by the legendary Argentinian mixologist Tato Giovannoni, accompanied by high-end sharing platters. Given there are no reservations, arrive at 5pm sharp to snag a seat.
10. Do a lap or two
For an equally dreamy lookout, The Berkeley’s heated swimming pool, plant-flanked sun terrace and adjacent bar are perfect for ordering a cura
Richard Mellor is a travel journalist and regular contributor to The Times, the Guardian and The Daily Telegraph
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