Insider guide: How to enjoy a socially distant London staycation

The great outdoors…

Just a short stroll from The Athenaeum, you’ll find yourself in Hyde Park. Home to London’s oldest boating lake, The Serpentine, set sail in one of their popular rowing or pedal boats. Once you’ve figured out how to stop going round in circles, enjoy soaking up the scenery and admire the wide variety of waterfowl who call it home.

After working up an appetite on the water, take advantage of the park’s acres of green space and tuck into a quintessential picnic in the sunshine (the Rose garden boasts a spectacular mix of seasonal blooms). We recommend hitting Fortnum & Mason’s food hall to pick up some pieces for an alfresco feast – their legendary scotch eggs are hard to beat!

Art lovers can breathe a sigh of relief…

With the likes of The National Gallery and Royal Academy already open and more set to follow in the coming days, there’s plenty of masterpieces to feast your eyes on. Here are some of our favourites:

• Annely Juda Fine Art Gallery – David Hockney Exhibition: Video Brings It’s Time to You, You Bring Your Time to Paintings and Drawings – Though small, this exhibition won’t disappoint. Open until 31 July, it includes portraits of Hockney’s friends and associates, including well-known musicians such as Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars.
• The National Gallery – Housing masterpieces from the likes of Van Gogh, Turner, Rembrandt and Da Vinci, you’re sure to find a number of pieces that are easy on the eye. And until January 2021, you can catch Titian: Love, Desire, Death, which reunites all six paintings from his classical myths series, commissioned by Prince Philip of Spain in 1551, for the first time in over four centuries.
• Hauser & Wirthost – Celebrating the very best of contemporary art, catch Isa Genzken’s Window exhibition, which encompasses a series of immersive installations surrounding the theme of travel.

Indulge in a guilty pleasure…

Hitting London’s streets can take it out of you. Rest and recuperate after a day of exploring back at the hotel, by taking the weight off your feet and settle into a cosy corner.

We’re sure you’ve had your fair share of banana bread during lockdown, so treat yourself to something a little more special. Enjoy a brew of the good stuff and tuck into our quintessential afternoon tea, filled with a delectable selection of mouthwatering cakes, pastries and classic finger sandwiches – you’ll have certainly earnt it!

Or, if you’re like us, you’ve spent the last three months daydreaming about perusing a cocktail menu – we’ve got just the ticket. With innovative, tipples, you can be sure to find something delicious to whet your whistle. Or if you fancy your drink with a view, head up to our exclusive residents’ lounge on the top floor. Boasting exceptional views of London’s iconic skyline, it’s the perfect spot to unwind as the sun goes down.