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The best bike rides in the UK

Rent

 

The locals call them Boris Bikes, but look out for Santander Cycles, the official city bike hire scheme. You can pick up a ride almost anywhere and pay for hire at the bike rack or online.

Ride

If you’re looking for the best bike rides in London, you’re spoilt for choice. One of our favourites is an easy 90 minute spin round some of the sights, suitable for all fitness levels. It starts in London Bridge, taking in the Victoria Embankment, Horseguards Parade Ground, London Eye, Big Ben and the Tower of London before finishing up back where you started, not far from Native Bankside.

Refuel

You’ll start and finish right near Borough Market, so take your pick from sizzling paella, an old-fashioned fry-up or a baguette stuffed with roast pork, to name but a few options.

Glasgow

Rent

NextBike is Glasgow’s own city bike share scheme and you can find your nearest bike, book it and pay, all on the app.

Ride

For a leisurely 90 minute pootle by the river, start at the beautiful church of St Enoch and ride along the gorgeous Clyde Cycleway. You’ll pass Glasgow Green, old bridges and all kinds of riverside flora and fauna. You’ll end up back at the church, just a short ride from Native Glasgow.

Refuel

Right near the church you’ll find neighbourhood favourite Hootenanny. These days they’re serving up lush burgers from Patty Cake and crisp pizzas from Romans – perfect for carbo-loading before or even after your ride.

Edinburgh

Rent

It’s delightfully easy to get riding with Edinburgh Cycle Hire, with everything you need in their handy app.

Ride

Holyrood Park is a must-visit for anyone new to Edinburgh and cycling is a wonderful way to see this Royal Park unlike any other.

The Holyrood Park Road entrance is near the Commonwealth Pool, the Pollock Halls and the start of the Innocent Railway, if you fancy a detour. The path follows the road round, passing Dynamic Earth, the Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyrood House. It ends by St. Margaret’s Loch, near Duke’s Walk, unless you’ve got the stamina for powering on up to Arthur’s Seat for the views.

Refuel

Right near the end of your trail is Baba Rista, where you can get coffee and pastries to replenish your energy, and take some fresh Italian bread, pizza or pasta back to your apartment.

Manchester

Rent

All-round bike-lover’s haven Manchester Bike Hire has a great range of city bikes to rent for three or more days, including electric ones.

Ride

A half hour spin through the city takes you to Daisy Nook, which Lowry himself loved and painted. It’s a country park that runs through the Medlock Valley and very popular with dog walkers, cyclists and horse riders. There’s a great path to take you to Hartshead Pike for the stunning views (it’s particularly beautiful at sunset), and on a clear day you can even see Snowdonia.

Refuel

The family run Daisy Nook Country Park Café is the perfect pit stop for coffee, cake and a chat with the regulars.

Book your Tour de Native

Safe staycations in London

Time to shine

It takes more than a lockdown to dull the capital’s shine, and there’s been a quiet buzz rumbling under the surface of the city as bars, restaurants, theatres and parks plan their big comebacks. As a result, there are plenty of things to do in London in May.

 

If you’re staying in…Hyde Park

Hyde Park London
enjoy the sunshine in Hyde Park.

At Native Hyde Park, you’re just minutes away from one of the most beautiful green spaces in the UK. There’s nowhere in London more perfect for a thoroughly Covid-safe reunion with friends, a riverside picnic by the Serpentine or just a day exploring the Rose Garden, Italian Gardens and the Dell, with its exquisite waterfall. There are plenty of cafés and quaint little vans to pick up food, coffee and ice cream, and the rest of Central London is right outside the park walls.

Book Native Hyde Park.

Native Hyde Park

 

If you’re staying in…Mayfair

Long, leisurely strolls down Mayfair’s wide avenues are the perfect way to dust off the cobwebs of lockdown. We’ll be heading straight for Shepherd Market, a hidden gem of a village square, tucked away between Piccadilly and Curzon Street. It’s full of little boutiques, restaurants and charming Victorian pubs, so it’s the perfect spot to pitch up and people-watch.

Book Native Mayfair.

Native Mayfair

If you’re staying in…Bankside

There’s something deeply refreshing about being by the water, so staying at Native Bankside, just a few minutes from the Thames, is an irresistible proposition. We know how hard the lockdown has hit our local drinking spots, eateries and food producers, so it’s tempting to eat three meals a day at Borough Market. Twenty of Borough’s best restaurants and bars are serving their wares al fresco, and the market stalls are open for business, so snap up a table and don’t count the calories.

Book Native Bankside.

Native Bankside

If you’re staying in…Fulham

Fulham’s pretty, artsy countryside vibe is perfect at this time of year and the beautiful Fulham Palace is a must-visit if you’re looking for fresh-aired fun. The museum and rooms are closed for a little while longer, but the expansive grounds, the botanical garden and walled garden are all open, as is (most importantly) the café. Book a tour, talk or trail or just rock up and spend the day.

Book Native Fulham.

 

If you’re staying in…the City

Leadenhall Market

Online shopping is so 2020. It’s time to browse. To compare. To ponder. And there’s nowhere better to re-learn the art of shopping than one of London’s many, many outdoor markets. When the City gets quiet at the weekend, walk over to Brick Lane and revel in the bustle, with street food, arts and crafts, vintage treasures and clothes all vying for your attention amidst the legendary curry houses and bagel shops.

Book Native Bank, Native Fenchurch Street, Native Tower Hill, Native Cannon Street or Native City.

 

 

Safe staycations in Scotland

Baba

Baba

Levantine food is really making its mark on the Scottish food scene, thanks to Baba. The best of Lebanese, Syrian and Jordanian cuisine is here for the tasting, with grills, mezze and bar snacks you’re supposed to share but won’t really want to. Try the haggis merguez and Yemenite hot sauce – it’s a work of art.

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh zoo

If you’re looking for some of the more exotic Edinburgh locals, you’ll find them here at the city’s legendary zoo. Famous for its conservation expertise, it’s home to the UK’s only giant pandas – Tian Tian and Yang Guang – and Europe’s largest outdoor penguin pool, with three different species and over 100 penguins.

McLarens on the Corner

For a laid-back but lively lunch, head to McLarens. It’s a family-friendly place, so it’s always bustling with dogs and kids and happy reunions, with a fabulous menu of innovative dishes from around the world. They’ve made some changes to their layout to keep everything covid-safe, and, trust us, you’ll want to save room for dessert.

 

Book Native Edinburgh.

Native Edinburgh

 

 

 

Welcome back to Glasgow

Glasgow’s famously friendly locals can’t wait to welcome you back to their city. There’s so much going on already that it’s easy to forget we were ever locked down at all. Here’s where we’ll be spending our Glasgow staycation.

SWG3

acid bar

One of the city’s newest and most popular hotspots, SWG3 is a multi-disciplinary arts venue, hosting everything from concerts and poetry clubs to fashion shows and alternative bingo nights. Acid Bar is a great place to spend an hour or two – by day it’s a café, serving coffee and lunch, and by night it’s home to a rotation of great restaurants. These days it’s Julie’s Kopitiam, a Native favourite, adding some spice to these spring evenings.

Bloc+

bloc+ glasgow

If the latest lockdown has got you craving something new and completely different, set aside a night for Bloc+. It’s an independent live music bar, with excellent bands and DJs seven nights a week, completely free of charge. The music is high quality and wonderfully varied, the atmosphere is unpretentious and relaxed, and the food is big, bold and absolutely brilliant.

BAaD

Barras Art and Design (BAaD) is a wonderful place to spend the day when the sun is shining. It’s been transformed into a collection of light-filled spaces to lounge around, have a drink or two, grab a coffee, enjoy some scran (that’s food, you know) and soak up some entertainment. Make your way to the tropical courtyard oasis, floating restaurant or sunny container yard and see where the day takes you.

 

Book Native Glasgow.

 

Safe staycations in Manchester

Manchester Craft and Design Centre

Open Monday to Saturday, the home of Manchester’s artistic community is an oasis of calm and beauty, just five minutes from the city’s main shopping streets. It’s a gorgeous Victorian building that’s been converted into retail and studio spaces filled with makers and crafts. There’s also a brilliant programme of exhibitions and workshops, so you might even pick up a new skill or two.

 

Skyliner Street Art Tour: The Modern History of the Northern Quarter 

To get an alternative feel for your new neighbourhood, try a Skyline tour. They’re award-winning for a reason. The guides are brilliant, and the routes are a little off the beaten track, with a fresh take on the history and landmarks, a focus on sustainable tourism and a hearty dose of Mancunian pride.

 

Cutting Room Square in Ancoats

One of the city’s favourite hotspots for al fresco everything, this beautiful square is home to all kinds of neighbourhood favourites. The vibe is laid back and welcoming – we love The Counter House for brunch, Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza for dinner and Elnecot for drinks in between.

 

Canal Street

Manchester’s iconic LGBT village is a colourful, joyous place to saunter in the sunshine. The Rochdale Canal runs right through it, with cafés, bars, restaurants and green spaces to lounge in and soak up the vibrancy. It’s also just a quick walk from Chinatown, so you can get your dim sum fix at the same time.

 

Cotton Field Park

If a waterside stroll with takeaway coffee sounds good, head to Cotton Fields Park in New Islington. This new eco-park is blossoming, with a new body of water, a boardwalk, an urban beach and little islands, one of which is going to be an orchard. The perfect place to reconnect with nature at the heart of city life.

 

Book your post-lockdown escape at Native Manchester.

COVID-19 What we’re doing to keep you safe

Download the Native London Stay Safe PDFDownload the Native Manchester Stay Safe PDFDownload the Native Glasgow Stay Safe PDF

Download the Native Edinburgh Stay Safe PDF

We are AA Covid-19 Confident

Our Native Aparthotels have achieved this AA accreditation that recognises that we have in place the necessary risk assessment, safety measures and staff training to reopen safely. This is in line with the UK’s respective government and trade association guidelines, as they are published.

This includes:

  • Social distancing and safety measures
  • Covid-specific risk assessment completed
  • Following industry and government guidelines
  • Signed up to the AA Covid Confident Charter

Before you arrive

The latest Government rules now require all guests to download & complete the NHS Track & Trace App before their stay.

It has a number of features:

  • Trace: find out when you’ve been near other app users who have tested positive for coronavirus.
  • Alert: lets you know the level of coronavirus risk in your postcode district.
  • Check-in: get alerted if you’ve visited a venue where you may have come into contact with coronavirus, using a simple QR code scanner. No more form filling.
  • Symptoms: check if you have coronavirus symptoms and see if you need to order a test.
  • Test: helps you order a test if you need to.
  • Isolate: keep track of your self-isolation countdown and access relevant advice

Getting to us

If you haven’t already noticed, we’re right in the very heart of London, Manchester and Glasgow – which means we are within walking distance to all the main sights, attractions and city business districts.

This means less time on public transport (a good thing right now), and more freedom to explore on foot. Oh and in London all our sites are also close to Santander Bikes, giving you even more options for travel.

Once you’ve arrived at your Native place

We’re pretty sure you’re up to speed on things and like nearly all businesses we’ll be using a physical distancing policy in all our aparthotels.

There’ll be helpful floor and wall signs to help guide you, whether it’s a manned or unmanned building.

We may also use other entrances and exits to help spread the footfall of people entering and exiting, so look out for those signs too.

Checking in

We want to make sure that we have minimal contact with you at this time – it’s just so that we can all try and be as safe as possible. So, we’ll be doing things a little differently – such as using email, phone and messaging services, like WhatsApp, to keep in-touch with you. It’s not that we don’t like you of-course, but having less physical contact means greater safety for everyone.

But don’t worry, none of this will impact your stay with us and our Natives will always be on hand to help if you need them.

Payments:

Prior to your arrival, we’ll send you a secure, online pre-payment link for you to complete at your leisure. Although payments on-site for our manned buildings are possible, we ask that all bookings are fully pre-paid to ensure a fully contactless check-in – meaning you can simply pick up your keys and start enjoying your stay.

Manned receptions:

Our manned reception desks will be positioned behind a screen to help protect you and our staff; and where necessary some of our staff may be wearing PPE.

Unmanned receptions:

If the reception is unmanned then simply follow the instructions on your welcome email, to retrieve your welcome pack and keys from the safety deposit boxes. All boxes will be regularly sanitised.

Luggage storage and meet & greet:

Unfortunately at this time we cannot store luggage or offer a meet & greet service. We’re sorry about that.

Physical distancing

Again we’ll be doing things a little bit differently in our public spaces to help keep you safe, such as having a 1 person per lift policy and making sure that everyone keeps apart in our lounge. You’ll see signs dotted about to help guide you. As a general rule, physical distancing will be in operation in all public areas, including:

  • Reception
  • Lifts & landings
  • Stairs & hallways
  • Pantry & co-working areas, (if applicable)
  • Lounge, bar & restaurant areas, (if applicable)
  • Meetings rooms, (if applicable)

Oh and a word on our public spaces cleaning – you’ve probably guessed that we won’t be taking any chances so all the above spaces will be ultra-deep cleaned throughout the day. Hand sanitiser will also be readily available everywhere including lifts & hallways, but please remember to wash your hands as often as you can.

Your apartment

You’ll notice as soon as you get to your apartment there’s a breakable ‘clean seal of approval’ on your door. That’s to show that your room has been deep-cleaned using the latest environmentally friendly powerful cleaning products to BS EN 14476:2013+A2:2019 standards, designed to kill strains of coronavirus. We’ll also be paying greater attention to high touch points, such as handles, knobs and controls.

You might notice a few things missing from your apartment, such as sofa pillows and throws – we’re afraid it’s all in the name of safety.

Cleaning, hygiene, linen & towels:

A weekly clean along with fresh linen and towels will be provided to all guests staying 7 nights or more. If you’d like a mid-stay clean, we’ll be happy to do it at a time when the apartment is vacant – just chat to the team at the front desk to arrange this.

You can of course request fresh linen & towels at anytime – we’ll just leave them outside your apartment.

We’ll be stocking extra cleaning items such as washing tablets and refuse sacks, so that you don’t run out.

Air-conditioning:

All our air conditioning is filtered air from outside with most units containing HEPA filters for extra safety. It’s one less thing for you to worry about.

Appliance guides:

All our apartment appliances, including dishwashers, washing machines and cookers are very easy to use with extremely user friendly functions. To make sure we don’t have any unnecessary items, and for safety reasons, we have taken away the paper-based version. But don’t worry you can still download our Apartment Appliance Guide

Keeping it minimal:

We’ve decluttered all our apartments so that there’s less areas to touch, for example all our appliance guides are now online. Minimalists, rejoice!

On-site pantries

We have temporarily closed our complimentary pantries at Native Bankside and Native Hyde Park to help protect our guests and keep our aparthotels as safe as possible. If you’re in need of any essentials then our team will be happy to let you know where the nearest convenience shop is.

Your stay

We like to think of our apartments as your home away from home, so we will be doing everything we can at this time to ensure we live up to those expectations. If there is anything we can do to make your stay better then just ask us.

And remember, unlike a small hotel room, your Native apartment is your own personal sanctuary for you to do just about anything.

Why not bring some fresh ingredients to your room and cook up a storm in your fully equipped kitchen. Or order a delicious takeaway straight to your front door – with obviously a little physical distancing thrown in. Either way you can avoid the mass crowds outside and stay safe inside.

But if you do venture out then our onsite Natives will be able to shine with their rather exceptional knowledge of the area. Groceries, shops, cafes, restaurants, pharmacies, or simply where to get the best sunset view. Go on, test them out.

247 support

We know that sometimes things can go wrong, it happens to the best of us. Well don’t worry , there might be physical distancing in place but our exceptional Native customer service will still be very much in place.

For example an appliance might not be working correctly or you’ve got a question to ask us. We are always on hand 24hrs a day, whether your staying in a manned or unmanned building. Just let us know by calling us, texting or using a messaging service like WhatsApp.

If in the very unlikely event we do need to visit your apartment we’ll be wearing personal protection equipment and keeping to those all important 2 metres.

If you display any COVID-19 symptoms whilst staying in one of our buildings then please follow the safety advice provided at reception.

The current UK Hospitality Guidelines advise that any guests presenting symptoms whilst in the hotel will need to leave immediately and return home

When you come to check out

Just like check-in, we want to make sure that we have minimal contact with you at this time. It’s just the way things have to be for now.

We’ll be introducing an express check-out where you can simply drop off key cards or keys in the drop-boxes – these will be present at manned and unmanned buildings. Just let us know you’ve left the building by either text or messaging service.

Don’t forget to leave us a review on either Google, TripAdvisor or Booking.com to help us figure out what we did great and what we can do better.

Key contact details

Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any queries. If you are staying with us and have any queries, please contact us via the numbers below:

General Enquiries: Call +44 (0)207 313 3886 or email us enquiries@nativeplaces.com

Native Aparthotels: Text us on +44 (0)777 184 6130 or call us +44 (0)207 313 3886

Native Bankside: Text us on +44 (0)738 429 7328 or call us +44 (0)207 313 5867

Native Glasgow: Text us on +44 (0)7341 562 486 or call us +44 (0)141 288 7730

Native Hyde Park: Text us on +44 (0)750 357 0608 or call us +44 (0) 203 111 1764

Native Manchester: Text us on +44 (0)755 798 5951 or call us +44 (0)161 503 9551

Native Monument: Text us on +44 (0)749 302 2987 or call us +44 (0) 203 111 1774

If you have any further questions then please visit our FAQs page. For the latest health and travel advice from the UK government please visit their website here.

To certify that we have thoroughly planned our re-opening and are COVID-Ready, click here to view our Health & Safety Executive Disclaimer

Stay Safe Stay Original Stay NATIVE

Everything you need to know about our flagship aparthotel in London

Our apartments are fully equipped so there’s everything you need from the moment you arrive. There’s fresh milk in the fridge so you can put the kettle on as soon as you step through the door, luxury toiletries and fluffy towels in the bathroom, cooking utensils, dishwasher and washer/dryer in the kitchen.

We just love this location, you’ll be perfectly placed to explore Borough and Southbank. At the end of our quiet cobbled street sits Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, where you can still watch Romeo and Juliet under the stars. A short walk takes you to Borough Market where you can try artisan cheeses, local oysters and freshly baked bread. Eat under the atmospheric railway arches and Victorian iron girders that make this a favourite with Hollywood’s location scouts, or pop into one of the fantastic local restaurants dotted around the market.

We just know that you will want to keep coming back too!