London & the English Countryside

England is a destination I find myself returning to again and again, but what I love most is discovering how easily a familiar place can feel completely new. On this journey, London was less about checking off landmarks and more about walking, wandering and experiencing the neighbourhoods that give the city its character. From there, the journey unfolded into something entirely different: the glamour of the Belmond British Pullman, the Georgian beauty of Bath and a privately driven exploration through the Cotswolds.

Throughout, we stayed in beautiful boutique hotels and special landmark properties—places chosen as much for their sense of place as for their location.

London, Best Discovered on Foot

London is one of those cities where I believe some of the best experiences happen between the places you've planned to visit.

Walking allows you to notice the details: a beautiful mews tucked behind a busy street, an independent gallery, a neighbourhood pub, a tiny garden square or a wonderful restaurant you hadn't intended to find.

Rather than trying to see everything, I loved exploring London neighbourhood by neighbourhood and wandering through elegant streets, markets and historic districts, stopping for lunch or a drink and allowing time for discoveries along the way.

Of course, London's great landmarks are part of its appeal, but combining them with smaller museums, local neighbourhoods and places slightly removed from the usual tourist trail creates a much richer experience.

And at the end of the day, returning to a smaller, beautifully considered hotel rather than a large international property made London feel a little more personal.

The Romance of the British Pullman

One of the highlights was stepping aboard the Belmond British Pullman.

This isn't simply a way of getting somewhere but it is an experience in itself.

Beautifully restored vintage carriages, polished wood, Art Deco details, crisp table settings and wonderfully attentive service recreate the romance of another era of travel. Settling into your seat as the English countryside passes outside the window makes the journey feel wonderfully indulgent.

There is something rather special about slowing travel down again and making the journey every bit as important as the destination.

Bath: History You Can Walk Through

From London, the contrast of Bath is wonderful.

Elegant Georgian architecture, honey-coloured stone and centuries of history make this one of England's most beautiful small cities. Yet Bath is compact enough that you can simply set out on foot and explore.

The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Royal Crescent and sweeping Georgian terraces are certainly worth seeing, but I also loved the quieter streets, independent shops and cafés that make the city feel lived-in rather than preserved solely for visitors.

Staying somewhere with character completes the experience. In a destination like Bath, the hotel should feel connected to the history and atmosphere of the city rather than simply providing a place to sleep.

Into the Cotswolds

Then came an entirely different England.

Travelling through the Cotswolds with a private driver was one of the best decisions of the trip. Instead of worrying about narrow country roads, parking or navigation, we could simply enjoy the landscape and stop whenever somewhere caught our attention.

And there is plenty to catch your attention.

Honey-coloured villages, ancient churches, rolling farmland, stone cottages covered in climbing roses, beautiful manor houses and quintessential English pubs appear seemingly around every corner.

The pleasure isn't necessarily in racing between famous villages. It's choosing a handful of special places and giving yourself time to experience them properly, to walk, have lunch in a country pub, browse a local shop or simply enjoy the countryside.

The iconic villages are beautiful, but some of my favourite moments were the quieter ones in between.

The Luxury of Travelling Slowly

What struck me most about this trip was how well the pieces complemented one another.

London brought energy, culture and endless opportunities for discovery. The British Pullman introduced a wonderful sense of occasion. Bath offered history and architectural beauty. And the Cotswolds provided space to slow down completely.

There was luxury throughout, but not necessarily in the traditional sense.

Sometimes luxury was a beautiful boutique hotel. Sometimes it was travelling aboard an extraordinary historic train. And sometimes it was simply having a knowledgeable private driver, the freedom to stop in a tiny village and nowhere you needed to be for the next few hours.

A Different Way to Experience England

For me, this is the secret to creating a memorable England itinerary: don't try to see too much.

Walk London rather than simply driving past it. Choose hotels that tell a story. Make the journey itself part of the experience. And once you reach the countryside, slow everything down.

London, Bath and the Cotswolds may be well-known destinations, but experienced this way they feel wonderfully personal.

And perhaps that's what I loved most about this journey. It wasn't about discovering an England no one has heard of. It was about discovering a different side of places we think we already know.

That, for me, is often where the very best travel begins.