When the sun goes down: London by night

As the sun goes down and the city lights begin to sparkle, London transforms into a totally different place to visit than it is during the day. So, swap the afternoon tea at Park Grand London Hyde Park for the bars near Hyde Park, trade the afternoon stroll around Kensington Gardens with a strobe-lit dance floor and embrace all the excitement the night has to offer. 

Clubbing 

While London is not exactly “tame” when you consider how festive bottomless brunches get every weekend at the likes of Bar Elba and Darcie & May Green, the party animals out there may feel slightly limited during the day. No worries - they can embrace their inner beat at night in London’s clubs after hours. Guests staying in accommodation in Hyde Park London have an advantage, as the nearby Ma Dame London is on their doorstep. But some of the more serious parties take place in London’s East End and include XOYO, fabric, and Printworks, to name a few. Alternatively, head to Soho and just pick a dance floor from the many blasting tunes throughout the energetic streets.

Shopping 

Perhaps the beat dropping on a smoke-machine-misted dance floor doesn’t excite you in quite the same way that dropping some pounds on the latest and most fashionable brands does? Well, night shopping in London is an institution. The majority of shops on the world-famous Oxford Street are open until 9pm from Monday to Saturday, while nearby Liberty London stays open until 8pm from Monday to Saturday. This gets all the more exciting during the Winter months or when Black Friday deals start popping up, as the Christmas lights go up and the flash sales make the whole experience borderline thrill-inducing. 

The Ghost Bus Tours

You can experience The Ghost Bus Tours in Edinburgh, York and London, meaning Park Grand London Hyde Park guests with a penchant for a good fright will be hot footing to 8 Northumberland Avenue near the Sherlock Holmes Pub to board the bus and go spooky sightseeing. For an hour and fifteen minutes, you will explore a loop of the classic sights like the House of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Westminster, London Bridge, Downing Street, St Paul’s Cathedral and more… But maybe you will find out a little more about their dark, haunted histories that often get left off the daytime tours. 

Night food markets 

If you are looking for a hybrid of a day spent exploring the London markets and an evening spent dining in restaurants in Hyde Park, then eating and exploring the London night food markets is the perfect activity for you. Seven Dials Market is a no-brainer for people making the most of the hotel deals and accommodation in Hyde Park London, because it can be found a few stops along the Picadilly Line from Hyde Park corner. This quirky, multi-level food court is bustling with street-food style restaurants, bars, a bookshop and an event space… Look out for the cheese conveyer belt! Alternatively, you could visit Pergola Paddington, Vinegar Yards, Mercato (both in Mayfair and Elephant and Castle), as well as Market Hall (both in Victoria and on Oxford Street). 

Musical theater 

A night on the town after dark in London is not complete without a trip to the West End, where you can enjoy some of the best musicals in the English-speaking world. Musical theater has been an institution in London since the first cast of Les Misérables, produced by Cameron Mackintosh, took the stage in October 1985. Now, there are over forty musicals showing on any given evening on the West End, from Disney’s The Lion King, Matilda, Frozen the Musical, and Mary Poppins, to modern classics like Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Wicked and The Book of Mormon. Here’s a top tip: Head to the Box Office on Leicester Square to get amazing ticket deals at competitive prices. Alternatively, download the TodayTix app to get similar deals from the comfort of your Park Grand London hotel room. Just make sure you give yourself enough time before the show to head to the one and only Chinatown…

Chinatown 

The Chinatown area in London’s West End is a joy at all times of the day, whether you are after a Sweet Dough friller from Far East restaurant for breakfast or craving a steaming dim sum from Plum Valley restaurant for lunch. However, many would argue that the area’s charm is most energetic and bustling at night. That is when the lanterns are lit, the fairy lights flickering, the cocktails are flowing and the gourmet dinners await. You can call and book ahead if there is somewhere you are particularly keen to visit, but the best way to experience the fare of Chinatown’s Gerrard Street is to let your nose and eyes lead the way. Not to mention - peak your head in and see how busy they are! 

Late night museums

Ever seen the film Night at The Museum? Well, you have nothing to worry about - as far as we know, the exhibits do not come to life when the sun goes down. If they did, we probably would not have quite the same range of night time museum exhibitions to choose from! Look out for Museum After Dark at the Natural History Museum, Saatchi Lates at the Saatchi Gallery, as well as Science Museum Lates at the Science Museum. Make sure you check the timings for everything. For instance, it is only on Tuesdays that you can stay at the Barbican Art Gallery until 11pm. 

Sundowners 

Okay, so technically sundowners are only night time around halfway through the experience if you have planned it properly. But watching the sun setting over some of London’s most picturesque panoramics is definitely a part of the night-time terrority in the city. Head to the Oxo Tower for views of the city, or to the Aqua Shard for a different angle. Alternatively, sundowners on any of the rooftop terraces near St Paul’s Cathedral are almost guaranteed to get you that grammable selfie!