Explore Bayswater – One Of The Most Cosmopolitan Districts In London With Great Pubs And Restaurants

Bayswater is in the City of Westminster and is located about a mile and a half west of Marble Arch. In the 17th century it was known as “Baynard’s Watering”, renowned for its excellent spring water, and it was later shortened to “Bayswater”.

Bayswater is a very cosmopolitan district with a large number of Americans, Arabs, Greeks, Chinese and Brazilians. It has a Greek Orthodox Cathedral at Moscow Road and a Brazilian Catholic Church by Queensway.

It is well known for its Georgian terraces with high ceilings. Properties in Bayswater are expensive and apartments are mainly sold as leasehold properties.

All the main activities are centred on Queenway, with lots of shops, restaurants and pubs along the busy thoroughfare.

Bayswater is perfectly placed for exploring Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens is across the Bayswater Raod. Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Playground  is about two minutes walk across Kensington Gardens, directly opposite Queensway Underground station (Central Line) and Kensington Palace is about three minutes walk further down.

Other attractions in Bayswater include:

* Whiteleys – created by William Whiteley in 1863, Whiteleys was the first department store in London. It was closed down in 1981. The current Whiteleys is an indoor village of shops, restaurants and cafes and a cinema.
* A popular and the only combined ice rink and bowling alley in London.
* It is an exceptionally good place to eat out with lots of Chinese, Italian, Indian, Arabic, Greek, Brazillian, Spanish and Japanese restaurants. The Chinese restaurants in Bayswater serve the best dim sum and roast ducks in London. If you enjoy Great British pub food head for Bayswater Arms at the corner of Queensway and Moscow Road.
* You can start your Diana Memorial Walk from Kensington Gardens by following the 90 plaques set in the ground along the route. This is a great sightseeing circular London Walk covering approximately 7 miles through 4 Royal Parks, 3 Palaces and two mansions.
* Artists and craftsmen display their masterpieces along the pavement on Bayswater Road outside Kensington Gardens on Sundays. Visitors just love to stroll along the pavement and appreciate the unique displays.
* A short distance west of Bayswater are fashionable Notting Hill and Holland Park. Portobello Road market, a well known open air market, is near Notting Hill Gate station (CentralLine)
* There is a casino next to Bayswater Underground station (Circle and District Lines)
* As this district is very popular with foreign visitors, there is a large concentration of bureau de change in the area.
* Bayswater is conveniently located for shopping in Oxford Street and theatres in the West End. The Royal Albert Hall is located on the other side of Kensington Gardens (about 15 minutes walk through the park).
* It has also the largest concentration of hotels in London and hotel prices are relatively cheaper than those located in the West End and Mayfair.

Visitors in London enjoy staying in Bayswater not only because it is close to the Royal Parks and Kensington Palace but also because it has so much to offer in terms of the cosmopolitan environment, a large variety of exotic cuisines and a good selection of affordable hotels in the area.

Chow Siew is the webmaster of http://www.my-london-breaks.com . This site provides event news and activities in London including hotel accommodation , theatre and concert tickets and London Passes.

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