Connaught Village - why this delightful pocket of London is a must-visit for food, shopping and art-lovers

The surrounding areas of Hyde Park, Lancaster Gate and Marylebone, I knew all about. Yet this small leafy community submerged in the Hyde Park Estate's luxury retail quarter had so far eluded me.

Wherever you are in London tourist attractions are never far away with the Marble Arch, Princess Diana Memorial, Kensington Gardens and the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street all close by.

But if you're looking for a more sedate experience featuring a mix of independent retail, culture and fantastic dining options, look no further than Connaught Village itself.

It's what I love about our capital city - there's always somewhere new to explore - and I was excited to discover why this area, with its rich blend of architectural heritage and exclusive green squares, was being talked about as the perfect weekend getaway.

WHERE TO STAY

Overlooking the sprawling greenery of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, there's no better base for a mosey round Connaught Village than the renowned Royal Lancaster Hotel.

Hailed as one of London's leading luxury hotels, it has spent the past two years undergoing a mammoth £85 million revamp.With 411 rooms across 18 floors, space is never an issue, and you get a sense of its sheer size as soon as you enter the plush lobby, where the friendly staff immediately hand out the five-star treatment.

What makes this hotel truly unique is its breathtaking views of the famous London skyline and if you book a suite, you can see iconic buildings like The Shard, Royal Albert Hall and the London Eye.

All rooms have flat screen TV's and free wifi and there are additional sitting areas, desks and park views if you upgrade. Suites provide extra perks such as iPod docks and Nespresso coffee machines.

Other amenities include a restaurant offering European cuisine, a smart Thai-themed option which also serves afternoon tea, a swanky lobby bar and 24-hour exercise room for the more energetic among us.

For a relaxing pre-dinner drink I recommend cocktails in the spacious Park Lounge Bar, where we slumped into one of the giant settees to sip on some of the barman's delightful mixed creations, including The Little White Bird and The Huntress.

The hotel also offers an excellent breakfast, where you can choose from a range of hot and cold buffet options or go 'a la carte' for something more special.

WHAT TO DO

First up for my wife and I was an activity of a more cultural nature as we spent the afternoon browsing around two of the village's art galleries. We started with a tour of the intriguing displays at RNat5a, named after resident artists Rob and Nicky who were showcasing their mesmerising 'Dark Factory Portraits' exhibition featuring portraits entirely painted by robots.

Over the road at Dellasposa, we observed an interesting mix of pieces displaying the talents of both contemporary and modern artists from around the world.

Moving on we then looked around a few shops, including the beautiful fashion boutiques of Lucy Choi, Kokoro, Kindare and Eliza Jane Howell. But it wasn't long before food jumped to the forefront of our minds as our noses led us to Buchanan's cheesemongers, where they have their own onsite maturing rooms and fantastic menu of British and European cheeses. It would have been rude not to try a few, which was enough to bring out the wallet for a purchase.

Afterwards, it seemed fitting to pop to the wine merchants opposite. Connaught Cellars has been supplying some of London's top restaurants and bars for the past eight years.

Eager to wash down the cheese we'd consumed, the offer of a tasting couldn't have come at a better time, so we happily sat for an hour trying out reds and whites from some of the finest independent producers from Italy and France.

With so much greenery on the doorstep, a walk around Hyde Park is a must, and who said that London wasn't dog friendly? I've never seen so many pooches in one place!

Another attraction worth visiting is the village's 'Tree of Love, Joy and Hope'. Beaming down on the junction of Connaught Street and Kendal Street, the unique display adorns dazzling pink and red hearts, providing the perfect location for a romantic after-dinner stroll.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK