Spending a weekend in London is always a treat, being a Yorkshire girl and living in a fairly rural location, a couple of days basking in the bright lights of the capital offers an exciting glimpse into city life and an opportunity to visit the places I only ever see on telly.
Of course, I have visited many times before, and I have had the obligatory photo taken outside Buckingham Palace, but my visits are few and far between so whenever I head into the smoke I become ‘that tourist’ and love to do the landmark attractions.
My friend and I hit the road and landed in London early doors on a September Saturday to ensure we had plenty of time to squeeze in as much as possible. Our home for the weekend, Native (Apartments) King’s Wardrobe is tucked behind St. Paul’s Cathedral and offers a stylish base from which to explore the city.
Not quite ready for us to check in (it was 10 am), we were greeted by a friendly reception team who offered us refreshments in the bustling onsite eatery, this place is clearly a hit with the locals as it was packed with an eclectic mix of people tucking into breakfast. As tempting as the offer of a slice of sourdough smothered in avocado and topped with crispy bacon was, we opted to leave our luggage with the helpful concierge and head straight out to get the most from our day.
As I said, the apartments are very close to St Paul’s Cathedral so of course we headed straight there to take in one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1710, this magnificent structure epitomizes the Baroque style with its impressive dome, which dominates the London skyline. As you approach the cathedral, the intricate details of its façade and the sculptural embellishments invite you to step inside and explore its awe-inspiring interior.
The vast nave, lined with towering Corinthian columns, leads you towards the Quire, where intricate woodwork and ornate mosaics create an atmosphere of reverence and solemnity. The Whispering Gallery, situated 257 steps above the floor, offers not only an acoustic marvel where whispers travel across the dome but also provides a panoramic view of the nave below. Climb further to the Stone Gallery and the Golden Gallery for breathtaking vistas of London, where the city’s historic and modern architecture converge in a captivating display.
Feeling rather inspired by our first landmark of the day, we decided on a walking tour of the city, my Fitbit has never been so busy. London is gargantuan and the famous sights are fairly spread out, from incredible monuments to palaces, structures and cultural treasures, so if you are fit and able you will certainly get a few miles in just seeing the sights. If a more relaxed tour is your thing, then I would recommend one of London’s famous open-top bus trips, for not a huge amount of money you can plug in some earphones, sit back and watch the city go by with an insightful audio tour guide.
We had an incredible day out, we had lunch at the famous Fortnum and Mason store, had our fill of looking things we will never afford in Harrods, encountered the hoards of international tourists vying for a peek of the King at Buckingham Palace, dodged the pigeons at Trafalgar Square, took in the bright lights of Leicester Square, enjoyed a drink in a typical London pub, trawled the souvenir shops for the best fridge magnet and visited the famous Savoy Hotel for a cocktail before heading back to our luxurious apartment to put our (blistered) feet up and enjoy a relaxing evening in – we are not night owls but for those of you who are, first of all, I salute you, I vaguely remember those days, secondly, head to the West End.
Native Apartments have various locations across the UK and all are ideally situated to explore the city you are visiting.
Native King’s Wardrobe Apartments in London offer a unique blend of modern comfort and historical charm, situated in the heart of the vibrant city. Nestled near St. Paul’s Cathedral, these serviced apartments provide a perfect base for both leisure and business travellers seeking convenience and elegance. The building derives its intriguing name from its historical role as the storage site for the ceremonial robes of English monarchs.
Each apartment is designed with contemporary aesthetics and functionality, featuring fully-equipped kitchens, spacious living areas, and elegant furnishings that promise a home-like ambience. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities, including high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and personalised concierge services.
Our apartment boasted two huge bedrooms, one with an ensuite, a house bathroom, an enormous living/dining room with ultra plush furnishings, beautiful decor and all the bells and whistles one could possibly desire including luxurious fluffy robes and slippers which we immediately donned before ensconcing ourselves on the sofa and settling in with a glass of wine and a spot of dinner. We opted for Japanese food, and that is one of the benefits of staying in a self-catered apartment, you can cook up a storm or call in the goods which is exactly what we did! The apartment offers a very well-appointed kitchen equipped with everything one could possibly need to rustle up something fabulous, but with all of the walking we had done, it was a box set and a bao bun before hitting the sack for a very restful night’s sleep.
I cannot recommend Native highly enough, whichever city you visit you will find an immaculate apartment offering amenities superseding that of many upscale hotels and offering much more flexibility. Fill your fridge with snacks and drinks, wander into the kitchen naked for a gulp of juice or rustle up a gourmet dinner whenever the mood takes you – however you do your weekend away, these stylish, opulent and convenient apartments offer the perfect base to explore your favourite city. My advice? Book your Native adventure today, tell them I sent you.
Words by Joanne Brook-Smith
Native King’s Wardrobe: 53, 55 Carter Ln, London EC4V 5AF
Call: 020 3089 3488
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