This Mary Poppins experience is the ultimate Christmas staycation in London

Travel


This Mary Poppins experience is the ultimate Christmas staycation in London

By Megan Murray

7 years ago

Mary Poppins fans, we think this could be your idea of a practically perfect weekend. 

The magic of Mary Poppins has stayed with us since the film hit screens back in 1964. The sweet tale of the Banks family made London come alive, from the chimney sweepers tap dancing across the rooftops to the family flying their kites in the park. 

Now one London hotel is recreating the joyous scenes of the film in a special Mary Poppins-themed package that will treat guests and fans of the story to an experience that picks out some of the picture’s most iconic moments. 

The award-winning five-star Milestone Hotel & Residences is a quintessentially British mansion-hotel located opposite Kensington Palace and Gardens in West London. Although we don’t know exactly where the Banks family lived (Disney filmed on sets in California instead of the real deal), the replicated architecture lends itself to the idyllic, tree-lined streets of West London, so this hotel feels like the perfect place. 

Those opting in for the package, which is available from 1 November, can choose either a room or suite for their stay and on arrival will be greeted with the first of their Mary Poppins-themed activities. 

Now, it does technically say this next part is for younger guests, but we reckon being a kid at heart is a good enough argument to get involved, as staff give out a chocolate tuppence for “tuppence a bag” bird feed. Guests are then invited to walk over to the nearby Hyde Park to feed the birds, inspired by the bird-feeding woman in the film who sat by St Paul’s Cathedral.

The concierge also have kite kits on hand, which means that you can make like Mr Banks and build your very own. Fingers crossed that the weather is bright, and guests can fly their kites “up to the highest height” from the Italian Garden at Kensington Gardens.

As huge fans of a themed afternoon tea, we love the sound of the Spoonful of Sugar Afternoon Tea for two, which is also included in the package. It’s a newly introduced afternoon tea concept for the hotel, that captures the fun of the story with a variety of cleverly themed pastries. 

The creative menu includes a chocolate pastry in the shape of Mary Poppins’ iconic floral hat, a black “chimney sweeps” macaron, a cupcake served with a chocolate spoon(ful of sugar) and many other sweet treats.

But what makes any afternoon tea that little bit better? You guessed it - a delicious cocktail to wash it all down with. And we think you’ll like the sound of the Little Nip from Every Sip cocktail, made with muddled raspberries, peach liqueur, peach purée, orange juice and ginger ale, which comes with the tea.

Continuing with the theme of the Mary Poppins story, guests will also receive a red carnation buttonhole just like Mr. Banks wore on his lapel in the final scene of the film. Something that the staff at the hotel will be donning too.

The package will be available to try until the 31 January and prices start at £540, although walk-in guests are welcome to try the afternoon tea which is £50.

Sounds pretty supercalifragilistic to us.

Images: Milestone Hotel & Residences / Anita Austvika / Getty 

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