After the prolonged cold and damp of winter, spring is the season that always gives us that lift we’ve been waiting for. Now that spring is in full swing, it’s time to start enjoying longer days and sunnier skies. If you happen to be around Fitzrovia either for work or leisure, there are plenty of things you can do to make the most of spring in London. Read on for our top recommendations.
1. Spend time in green space
It might not sound like an obvious way to spend spring in London, but surprisingly there is a fair amount of green space in the Capital that is well worth a visit.
Green spaces are well known for their health and well-being boosting qualities. So why not take some time out from the treadmill and give yourself a welcome boost this spring courtesy of a visit to one of the many gardens around Fitzrovia?
Fitzroy Square
Fitzroy Square was created around 1790 for the private use of local residents. Today, you’ll find the space laid out with lawns, shrubs and mature plane trees. The square lies at the heart of the Fitzrovia Conservation Area, and is close to Warren Street and Great Portland Street Tube stations.
Open Sundays 10am to 6pm, the square welcomes picnickers, and you’ll find a selection of homemade cream teas and light refreshments served in the tea tent. The perfect way to pass an hour or two whilst enjoying spring in London!
Bedford Square
Built between 1775 and 1786, Bedford Square is London’s most complete Georgian Square. Iron railings enclose the oval garden, which is surrounded by shrubberies and mature plane trees which provide refreshing shade from the springtime sun. There’s a large central lawn bounded by perennials and shrubs, together with a restored summerhouse which is ideal for ducking out of those surprise spring showers.
Open Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 4.30pm. Picnics are permitted, and the nearest Tube stations are Tottenham Court Road and Goodge Street.
The Phoenix Garden
The Phoenix Garden is an award-winning ornamental wildlife and community garden built and planted by the local community in the early 1980s. The space provides a peaceful retreat, and is a haven for urban wildlife, including the West End’s only frogs.
Visitors can enjoy picnics and tea and cake, as well as browse a selection of plants for sale. The garden is open Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 6pm, and the nearest stations are Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square and Covent Garden.
Rathbone Square
One of the less obvious green spaces in Fitzrovia, Rathbone Square is primarily a commercial zone filled with office buildings, retail outlets, salons and eateries. However, unbeknown to most, it’s also a haven of green space, making it an ideal place to spend spring in London.
Rathbone Square has it all, from juice bars, coffee shops, cafés and restaurants, to shops, salons and spas. It sits within its own lush planted landscape, complete with trees and shrubs and all set to a glorious soundtrack of birdsong. Grab a deckchair, kick back with a good book, and take a breather. Whether it’s a break from work or a sojourn from shopping, Rathbone Square offers the perfect opportunity to rest a while in nature.
2. Indulge in an alternative therapy
Spring is a time of renewal. So why not try something you’ve never done before?
At 7 Sky Spa in Rathbone Square you’ll discover an array of luxury treatments designed to make you feel well and truly invigorated for the new season ahead.
Options include a calming Balinese stone massage, perfect for dissolving tension, combating muscle stiffness and boosting circulation and metabolism.
A Hammam treatment can also help you wind down from the pressures of life. Enjoy the feeling as your skin is deeply cleansed and exfoliated, leaving you refreshed and renewed from the inside out.
Alternatively, over at 7Breaths Meditation, also in Rathbone Square, you have the opportunity to try something truly different. From guided breathwork classes to gong baths, sound healing, tai chi, qigong, yin yoga and meditation and mindfulness sessions, there’s plenty to indulge in as you plan your spring in London itinerary.
3. Grab a healthy treat
Winter doesn’t do us many favours health-wise. Rich, winter-warming meals and months spent indoors more than out aren’t great for our physical or mental health.
So why not call it and make this spring a healthy one?
At Rathbone Square, we have our very own juice bar, Joe and the Juice. Pay a visit and you’ll discover a tempting menu of fresh phytonutrient-rich juices, together with healthy salads and tantalising shakes.
Another option for a healthy spring restaurant in London is White Pine, Rathbone Square’s sustainable, cruelty-free boutique coffee and juice bar. Here you’ll come across an enticing selection of Icelandic style natural protein shakes, as well as cold press juices, speciality teas and organic coffees. Fresh vegetarian and vegan food from local suppliers are also yours to enjoy as you make your spring in London one to remember.
4. Try a new cuisine
Sometimes we just need a change. If you’re done dining at the same old places, why not use spring as an excuse to sample a new cuisine?
Sicilian gastronomy might not be quite as popular as Italian or other Mediterranean fare, but it’s worth treating your taste buds and giving it a try. And what better place to sample it than at the spectacular Circolo Popolare at Rathbone Square?
Circolo Popolare makes the perfect spring restaurant in London thanks to its sunny Mediterranean-style terrace. Although you might not be able to drag yourself away from its stunning interior and mesmerising décor, at least until you’ve finished snapping plenty of shots for your Instagram profile.
Catering well for vegetarians, vegans, celiacs and various other dietary needs, this Sicilian jewel provides the ideal setting for special occasions or personal indulgences.
The chef’s menu is updated every month as the seasons change and fresh produce becomes available.
For an unforgettable spring in London, visit Rathbone Square!
Rathbone Square in Fitzrovia is the ideal location to head for this springtime. From lush green space and unusual cuisine to healthy snacks and alternative therapies, there is little that Rathbone Square can’t offer you.
Why not stop by next time you’re in town? We’re looking forward to welcoming you this spring!
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