Saturday: Parks, Palaces, and a Long Dinner

TIFFIN TREE, Indian restaurant at The Wellington Hotel by Blue Orchid Hospitality
Morning: Breakfast and St James's Park
Begin the day with breakfast at The Wellington before stepping out into Westminster. St James's Park is a short walk away - one of the finest urban parks in Europe, with pelicans on the lake, views toward Buckingham Palace at one end and the government buildings of Whitehall at the other. On a clear morning, with the light on the water and the city still relatively quiet, it's one of those London experiences that stays with you.
From the park, it's a short walk to Buckingham Palace - the working residence of the monarch, with the Changing of the Guard on the forecourt if you time it right. Check the schedule in advance as it doesn't run daily, but if you can plan around it, it's worth it. The Mall approaching the Palace is one of London's grandest stretches and a beautiful morning walk in its own right.
Afternoon: The National Gallery and Tate Britain
After a morning in the park, make your way to Trafalgar Square. The National Gallery is free and houses one of the greatest collections of Western European painting anywhere in the world including Van Eyck, Vermeer, Caravaggio, Turner, the Impressionists. If you only have an hour, pick three rooms rather than trying to see everything and leave wanting to come back, which is the right feeling.
Tate Britain is a short walk along the river. This stunning gallery focuses specifically on British art across the centuries. For a couple with any interest in art, an afternoon that moves between the two is one of the best ways to spend time in London.
Evening: The Wellington Lounge Bar and Tiffin Tree
Return to The Wellington for the evening. The Wellington Lounge Bar is the natural place to begin - a relaxed, well-considered space for a drink before dinner, and a good spot to sit and take stock of the day.
TIFFIN TREE, The Wellington's Punjabi restaurant, is the perfect place to end a Saturday. Authentic Indian cooking, a gently lit room, and no reason to rush.



