Z Hotels guide to London city break

With Brits flocking to the coast and countryside on their summer staycations, many of the UK’s top cities are experiencing peace and quiet like never before.

Less tourists visiting, and locals leaving for the weekend, offers a rare occasion to explore London and other major cities without the crowds.

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Walking is one of the best ways to get to know London. Stroll along the South Bank or enjoy one of its many parks, remembering masks are compulsory on buses and tube trains.

Z Hotels has launched a “Personal Space City Break” free experience to help guests best explore cities during their stay with insights and recommendations of socially distance experiences - from the best local coffee shop with outdoor seating, spacious tourist attractions and the best routes to walk to see the main sights. The company has hotels at these locations in London ...

Gloucester PlaceTop tip: The Wallace Collection is now open. Located on Manchester Square the museum houses 25 galleries displaying 18th century French paintings, furniture and porcelain with superb Old Master paintings and a world class armoury. There is also a beautiful restaurant inside which offers great afternoon teas, a real hidden gem.

TrafalgarTop tip: Kew Gardens are now open to members of the public, albeit with social distancing measures, but make sure to book a time slot online and show proof of booking on arrival. Guests will have 45 minutes from their chosen time slot with which to enter the gardens. Once inside, they are welcome to stay as long as they like.Top tip: The National Gallery is now open to members of the public with entry by advance ticket booking only. The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world and is completely free to visit.

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ShoreditchTop tip: Shoreditch Park is a great open space to while away a day in the sunshine. The park houses a football pitch, rugby pitch, beach volleyball court, two ping pong tables, giant boulder for rock climbing, amphitheatre, adventure playground, play area, public art and cycle hire docking station, giving plenty of outdoor and social distancing activities.

SohoTop tip: Head to the Brixton Courtyard for their outdoor DJ sets. The outdoor areas have been renovated with spaced-out booths and picnic benches to create the Brixton Courtyard, an ideal personal space location. Food and drinks are ordered via an app and delivered straight to the table to minimise any contact. Theatre fans should head to Regent’s Park Open Air theatre to see Jesus Christ Superstar which runs from the middle of August until September 27.

VictoriaTop tip: Somerset House is going mushroom mad with an exhibition dedicated to fungi. Mushrooms: The Art, Design and Future of Fungi is free to enter and features work from more than 40 artists.

Here’s what’s currently open and closed in LondonOpen ...Buckingham PalaceTower of LondonThe Cutty SarkLondon DungeonsImperial War MuseumSomerset HouseThe BarbicanKew GardensNatural History MuseumLondon AquariumThe National Gallery

Closed ...British MuseumLondon EyeMuseum of LondonSerpentine Gallery

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