London - Travel Blogs & Travel Guides: 2025

REVIEW: The Grove, Hertfordshire – A 5-Star Luxury Break From London

The Grove in Hertfordshire is a stunning 5-star luxury hotel set in 300 acre grounds with a top spa, great dining options and even its very own beach!

Just 20 miles from Central London is the beautiful county of Hertfordshire. With lush countryside, picturesque towns and plenty of things to do, it’s a great area to explore. If you’re craving a luxurious country escape, then head straight to The Grove. And don’t worry – it’s not one of those stuffy country hotels, this one is drop dead gorgeous with bundles of personality… oh and a cheeky sense of humour!

I visited for a 24-hour break, and as I drove up the impressive drive, passing through the prestigious 18-hole golf course, I knew this was going to be stay to remember. From being pampered in the spa and exploring the vast grounds, to sunning myself on the beach and enjoying the varied dining options, sit back and enjoy my review of The Grove.

From super-duper freakshakes and croissant-donut hybrids, to bubblewaffles and ice cream filled macaroons, these are the best London desserts.

Marinated baby octopus at Polpo, Notting Hill

With its menu of Italian small plates, excellent flavour combinations and candle-lit, relaxed ambience, Polpo is one of my favourite options for a casual dinner in London.

I’ll admit I’ve been to Polpo a few times before. The Soho restaurant is in my top five when it comes to tasty food that won’t break the bank.

With several branches in London plus another in Brighton, something is clearly working. Polpo’s creator Russell Norman’s formula is all about stripped-down interiors, flickering candles, exposed brickwork, and weathered furnishings. It’s not stiff or polished, quite the opposite in fact, and that’s what makes the experience so comfortable.

Swallow Coffee Shop, Shepherd's Bush, London

Searching for the best cafes to work from in London? No doubt you’ll need Wi-Fi, power, good coffee and a relaxed but focused atmosphere. So which places would I recommend?

Hurrah for being self-employed! More and more people in London are swapping conventional offices for a digital one. From freelance writers, bloggers and video producers to website whizzes, online marketers and sales gurus, there’s a whole new type of productivity that comes from not being chained to a desk staring into space. The same space you stared into yesterday, and the day before that.

Where to go for the best ramen in London

Time to share where to eat the best ramen in London. From Tonkotsu and Ippudo to Bone Daddies and Kanada-Ya, where will you go for your bowl of noodle soup?

Who doesn’t love ramen? When it comes to ramen joints, it seems Londoners just can’t get enough of them. Once a dish you’d only spot on a Wagamama menu, the humble Japanese noodle soup is really making a name for itself in the capital. It’s cool to slurp… in fact, it’s something we want to do regularly, and in public! And it’s something we’re happy to wait for. Yes you’ll find with all of the options below, you’re likely to pay your dues in queues.