The Selwyn is located in Richmond upon Thames, a place regularly hailed as one of Britain’s best spots, and now buoyed by the worldwide success of the Ted Lasso series. Richmond upon Thames is a gem of a place to visit in London. It’s remarkably well-connected, with trains and buses out into the green pastures of Surrey and beyond, as well as a 20-minute express into Waterloo station.

This beautiful town boasts both a Richmond Park (a Royal Park, famed for its deer) and a gorgeous riverside perfect for strolling, cycling, or simply soaking up the sun and people-watching.

Housed in a prepossessing Victorian townhouse close to the town centre, The Selwyn offers a glimpse of another world. Wisteria drapes the facade, and once inside, you’ll find an ornate lobby, curated art, and world travel-inspired interiors. I loved the art deco influences and plush furnishings. Check-in is smooth, and staff are attentive and helpful. The real bonus point is you have the room until 12 noon. This small per feels like such a luxury now when many hotels opt to squeeze the duration of stay with increasingly later check-in times and earlier check-out times.

Who for

Travellers who want their hotel to be part of the experience rather than just a place to sleep. It;s popular with couples and young families searching for a neighbourhood stay rather than central London.

There are also plenty of business travellers and guests who often use The Paisley Room, an opulent and beautifully lit dining area that transforms into a workspace.

Accommodation

Selwyn bedroom

The Selwyn has 50 bedrooms offering a range of options: Cabin, Classic, Selwyn and Family. Each room has flat‑screen television, complimentary WiFi, tea and coffee-making facilities, and eco‑certified bath amenities.

The Cabin and Classic rooms are cosy so for those travelling with a lot of luggage, or who prefer to spread out, the larger categories may suit better.

We stayed in a Family Room, which has two double beds and works fine for parents with younger children, but those with kids aged seven and older would benefit from two rooms instead.

Food & Drink

The Paisley restaurant, Selwyn hotel

Breakfast is served in The Paisley Room, which I just loved for its beautiful bay windows and high ceilings. The breakfast (and weekend brunch) are a real selling point, as it combines a light continental buffer with a la carte options such as such as the delicious organic smashed avocado on sourdough, more-ish fluffy pancakes with ricotta, or the foodie favourite – French omelette (fillings include cheese, mushrooms, ham or salami). The Green Goddess and Yellow De-tox juices are excellent.

On weekends The Social Blend opens from 11 am to 2 pm for brunch or a light bite or coffee and is hugely popular with locals and tourists alike. The bar menu is modest but high in quality, with good wine and drink choices.

Facilities

The hotel offers private parking though spaces are limited it is a rare perk in this part of London. There is no gym or spa but Richmond town is just a few minutes’ walk with a collection of

wellness and fitness choices, and of course, the riverside offers boating, kayaking, cycling and an array of walks. Free wifi is available throughout the property.

How much

Rooms start from around £150 per night for basic categories in low season, rising to more than £350 during peak times. Parking charges may apply. Breakfast is an optional inclusion and will be dependent on the room rate. You can opt to pay for it separately. CHECK AVAILABILITY

What’s Nearby?

Everything! The hotel is brilliantly located for all the joys of Richmond town and riverside – cafes, boutiques, pubs, restaurants, and the regular Ted Lasso tours that take you through key moments from the series. Richmond Hill and Richmond Park are a short stroll away and Kew Gardens can be reached by bus or by tube.

Richmond Train Station is nearby and with it access to the fast trains into Central London.

The post The Selwyn, London: Hotel Review appeared first on The Travel Magazine.

The Lensbury Resort is located in Teddington, a part of London with quiet charm that’s easy to fall for. Leafy, low-key and brushed by the Thames, it is one of those elegant London neighbourhoods frequently voted “best place to live” by glossy magazines.

You’ll find joggers along the river, dog-walkers spilling out of Bushy Park and families picnicking on long stretches of green. The High Street, lined with independent boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, still has such a vintage village charm that it is difficult to believe you’re still in London.  

Staying at The Lensbury, sitting right on the edge of the river in 25 acres of grounds, lets you tap into all that Teddington has to offer, but it’s also a unique proposition in itself: A resort hotel in the city.

Equal parts country retreat and sports club, it’s a place where you can feel like you’ve left London entirely, without actually leaving the capital at all. And if you need the bright lights, it’s a short train ride away.  

Originally founded in 1920 as a private club for Shell employees, it’s now a hotel and members’ club. The property still has some of its old grandeur – arrival is via a private drive passing manicured lawns and the entrance has a stately home feel to it.

But the decor inside has faded from its glory days, and there are elements of the venue that feel more like a well-loved pub than a resort. Now a members club and hotel, it is popular with business people, sports fans, and families.  

Who for

The Lensbury draws a broad crowd. Weekdays see a steady stream of corporate guests, thanks to the hotel’s extensive conference and meeting spaces. However, on weekends, it transforms into a destination for families, couples, and wedding parties.

With its riverside setting, children’s activities, and expansive lawns, it’s ideal for parents seeking a London break that doesn’t feel urban. At the same time, couples can enjoy the spa, peaceful rooms and long walks along the towpath. It also works well for solo travellers after a wellness break with proper facilities. 

Accommodation

Lensbury Bedroom

There are 155 rooms in total, ranging from practical singles to generously sized suites. We stayed in a family room which normally sleeps 4, but they allowed us a campbed to squeeze in our tribe of 2 adults, 3 children.  This worked for us as our children are still young, but for families with teens or even tweens, two rooms might be optimal.

The rooms are clean and functional, but are in need of revival and better soundproofing to reduce noise from the corridors or other rooms.

There is an annexe that is separate from the main building, so if you prefer to be close to breakfast and the bars, it’s worth stating where you prefer to stay as a request when you book. 

Food & Drink

The main restaurant and lounge bar serve classic comfort fare with an emphasis on seasonal produce. We had an excellent meal as a family at the Lounge and Terrace. My husband and I were able to relax with cocktails (I recommend the Spiced Thames Mai Tai and the Riverside Espresso Martini) at the table, while our brood ran free on the expansive lawns – not a gadget in sight – until their meals were ready. We opted for the steak, thai curry, and burgers. All dishes were generous portions and cooked well. The children’s menu, though pricier than most, had a range of choices and the desserts were a masterpiece. The ice cream sundaes and chocolate brownies are definitely big enough to share. The wine list is decent and I found the staff to be attentive. The restaurant also has theme nights for Indian and Asian cuisine which are worth trying.  

Breakfast is served in the conservatory-style lounge, which is a screen/tech free zone enabling a much nicer experience. There are both buffet and à la carte options. It’s easy to linger here with coffee and a good book especially if the sun’s out. Service is warm, not overbearing, and staff are good at making families feel welcome. That said, if you arrive for breakfast after 930am, there’s a risk that not everything you want will be available.  

Leisure & Wellness 

The Health Club is well-equipped but can get busy at peak times. There’s a 25-metre pool, steam rooms, saunas and an excellent gym with everything from rowing machines to strength zones. Group classes range from yoga and Pilates to high-energy spin sessions. 

The spa offers a solid treatment menu, with massages and facials using top skincare brands. It’s not the most design-led spa in London, but it’s peaceful and professional. Outdoors, you’ll find no fewer than 22 tennis courts, as well as football pitches and a watersports centre on the Thames offering kayaking, paddleboarding and boat hire. Personal training is available on request, and the concierge team can help organise bespoke outdoor activities. 

During school holidays, the kids’ activity programme keeps little ones entertained with sports, crafts and outdoor play, giving parents a proper chance to relax. 

How much

Rooms at The Lensbury typically start around £140 per night for a Standard Double during low season, rising at weekends or peak periods. Family packages, spa offers and activity-inclusive rates are available and worth exploring if you plan to make use of the facilities. 
CHECK AVAILABILITY

What’s nearby?

The location is hard to beat if you’re after greenery and culture. Hampton Court Palace is just a 10-minute drive or scenic walk away, while the wild deer of Bushy Park are a few minutes on foot.

There’s a glorious footbridge that takes you from fabulous pub The Anglers, across the Thames and into equally lush Petersham, where you can explore Ham House or the famed Petersham Nurseries.

Richmond Park and Kew Gardens are a short bus trip away, the Richmond Town’s riverside restaurants and theatres are also close by. If you want to head into central London, Teddington station is a 15-minute walk, with direct trains to Waterloo in just over half an hour. But most guests find little reason to leave the area once they’ve arrived. 

The post The Lensbury Resort London: Hotel Review appeared first on The Travel Magazine.

Autumn is a favorite season among experienced outdoor shooters who understand the impact of beautiful light, color separation, dramatic skies, and the gorgeous warm tones that paint the landscape. Today’s tutorial from the popular  PHLOG Photography YouTube channel provides eight Lightroom tips and tricks that even beginners can use to enhance their imagery in a big way.

Instructor Christian Mohrle is a notable landscape veteran based in Germany near beautiful Lake Constance. He’s also a post processing expert, and today he reveals a straightforward Lightroom workflow you can use when your fall photos need more emphasis with a realistic look. And if you’re interested in the gear and software he prefers, just scroll down to the description beneath the video.

Mohrle says, “the very first thing I do before I start with anything else is to open Lightroom’s Basic panel and adjust the Profile to my needs, and for autumn photos I generally want to push the foliage.” He choose Adobe Landscape for this specific task because it immediately provides an appropriate boost in base saturation.

He continues with the basic adjustments by reducing overall contrast for a dreamy appearance that mimics a soft autumn-glow effect. This is easily accomplished by dialing down highlights, bringing up shadows, and opening up the blacks. Mohrle accentuates these enhancements further by modifying clarity and dehaze to strengthen the glow.

Mohrle then accentuates a tree in the middle of the frame by selectively boosting contrast to make this key element stand out with greater texture and apparent sharpness on the leaves and branches. Here it’s important not to bias the intentionally soft areas elsewhere in the frame.

The next step is targeting the foliage with masks, beginning with a Color Range mask that selects all the leaves for various color and tonal enhancements. You’ll also see why and how a Landscape mask adds to the effect. All that remains to complete the impressive transformation are a few tweaks with Lightroom’s Color Mixer, additional color contrast, and a bit of final calibration.

Once you’re done watching head over to the instructional PHLOG Photography YouTube channel where there are many more how-to videos for landscape photographers of all skill levels.

And be sure not to miss Mohrle’s earlier tutorial, demonstrating how to make nature and wildlife subjects jump of the screen by applying Linear gradients during post processing for maximum emphasis.