All the news and views of 20 the Barons

The Mindful Baron

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If ever there were a time to introduce mindfulness into your life, it is now. As the world grows busier, spins faster, feels crazier and becomes more crowded, it is easy to find yourself running like a hamster in a busy wheel.

At 20 The Barons, we’ve started to heed the message that in order to feel happier and healthier it is helpful to take time out for yourself; to stop and breathe for a moment every once in a while, to rebalance yourself and give some of your energy to your own wellbeing. We try to ensure that one part of the service in our serviced apartments is to make it as easy as possible for our lovely guests to do the same.

1. Make time for yourself

What many of our guests have in common is that they lead successful but very busy lives, giving so much of their time to others that there’s not much left over for themselves. We are fortunate to live within striking distance of central London but in a quiet, tree-lined crescent. Say that again a few times, “A quiet, tree-lined crescent…” It’s amazing how easy it is to meditate.

2. Breathe

While our lives depend upon the air we suck into them, we rarely stop to think about how we breathe. Taking ten minutes out to close your eyes, to experience your breathing, to feel each breath as it enters through your nose, fills your lungs and spreads through your body, and to slowly slow your breaths down, is a simple way of shutting out the rest of the world and giving yourself some attention.

The master bedroom is breathtaking, spacious and exquisitely decorated.

3. Relax

Go and sit in our garden, we have roses for you to stop and smell. We’re also providing yoga mats for those who wish to stretch their minds and bodies. And there is nothing quite like slipping into our apartments’ luxury slipper baths, lighting a few scented candles, and zoning out beneath the bliss of bubbles. We call it ‘putting on your slippers’.

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4. Be in the moment

You are wonderful. You are magical. Take some time out to remind yourself of that. Stop thinking about yesterday or worrying about that appointment you have tomorrow, and get your mind back into the present, the moment, the now. We have some beautiful parks a short walk away, and a rather lovely little river called the Thames to accompany you on your journey.

What do you do to keep yourself feeling well and happy?

A Cup of Tea

It was galling enough to watch our lionesses being recently mauled, in true errant-penalty English style (good to see they’ve learned something from the chaps!), by the USA women’s football team. But when the redoubtable US striker, Alex Morgan, celebrated her goal with apparent mockery of true English style (by not only miming the act of drinking that sacred English institution, a cup of tea, Sir!, but daring, by Jove!, to stick out her Yankie pinkie while she did so!) and simultaneously cocked a metaphorical snook at our nation of noble tea-drinkers, that nation grew apoplectic and nearly choked on its collective Earl Grey. And the ripples from that cup of tea continue to radiate out through the Twittersphere.

The Baron, on the other hand, is merely intrigued by Ms. Morgan’s signal failure of proper tea-drinking etiquette. You know, the pinkie thing. Not in the sense of ridiculing old John Bull. We have recently, after all, rather invited that. But simply insomuch as the sporting young lady has completely misrepresented the true Englishness manner of tea drinking, casting it aside like tea chests into a Boston harbor. For not even the most reckless or wilful of debutantes would ever make the heinous error of sipping her Darjeeling with little finger outstretched. It is, you see, considered vulgar, along with adding the milk before the tea has brewed, swirling instead of stirring, grasping the bowl of the cup, sipping from the spoon, looking into the tea cup instead of over it, slurping and, most heinous of all, dunking!

These tea-drinking faux pas and aberrations are, indeed, something one might expect of an American gal, not a true English gentlewoman. And so, Miss Morgan, I might dare to suggest that, whilst it would be errant of The Baron not to extend his own little finger in congratulations on your exceptional performance, in terms of tea-drinking celebration, you are a long way from winning the cup.

Britishness with The Baron

It’s a tricky time to celebrate Britishness, with all that’s going on. Here at 20 The Barons, we like
to celebrate British tradition without being stuck in the past, as we also
think of ourselves as modern, inclusive and international! So, here’s The
Baron’s poetic celebration of the best of British for all our guests, wherever
they’re from, which they might like to use as an ‘i-Spy’ checklist to brighten
their time enjoying the sights of London and further afield while they stay in
our historic, but ultra-modern, serviced apartments…

Tea and crumpets, brass band trumpets, picnic hampers, village fêtes; parks and gardens, beg your pardon, please and thank you, don’t be late; steak and kidney, pie and gravy, whelks and cockles, fish and chips; knotted hanky, Punch and Judy, naughty postcards, kiss me quick; ice-cream cornets, summer bonnets, rolled up trousers, stick of rock; boats and blazers, punts and boaters, river cruisers, sailing yachts; bright-red double-decker buses, black cab taxis, where’s my train? Endless talk about the weather, endless talk of endless rain. City markets, pin-stripe jackets, black umbrellas, bowler hats; traffic wardens, double yellows, parking meters, income tax; gin and tonic, slice of lemon, pint of lager, down the pub; Champagne, cava, cheeky snifter, pint of bitter, down the club; Sunday papers, eggs and bacon, sausage sarnie, beans on toast; Bloody Mary, Bloody Tower, bloody Brexit, Sunday roast; motte and bailey, lord and lady, garden party, royalty; Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, Tommy Cooper, Ali G; House of Commons, Clapham Common, Shakespeare’s Globe, the BBC; Monday mornings, 9 to 5ers, knock off early, cup of tea.

We celebrate seven super years at 20 The Barons

As we celebrate seven super years at 20 The Barons, we’d like to give a shout out to the Magnificent Seven serviced apartments where we do everything in our power to make sure all our wonderful guests enjoy a comfortable and relaxing stay. We’re located a short stroll from Twickenham Film Studios, and we’ve welcomed many fabulous actors through our doors, so we hope you’ll forgive the cinematic references…

Five of our apartments occupy a single mansion block on the scenic crescent of The Barons in St Margarets, near Richmond and Twickenham, and this offers our guests the security of being part of one happy band. We have on-site housekeeping staff, and our head honcho Ali is always available to ensure life is good, never bad, and anything but ugly.

Leading our own Magnificent Seven is the 2-bedroom Arlington on the 2nd floor, our Yul Brunner if you will. With original features and fireplace, high ceilings and treetop views, this apartment has striking looks, great presence and unquestioned star quality.

Our second 2-bedroom apartment is the Crescent, on the 1st floor, which has sweeping views of The Barons. With granite surfaces, easy charm and dazzling good looks, this is the Steve McQueen of our merry band.

The first of our 1-bedroom apartments is the Brooke, a secret hideaway boasting old-fashioned dapper design worthy of Robert Vaughan, with clean and classic lines.

Also on the lower ground floor is our 1-bedroom Garden Suite, which, with its French windows leading directly to the private garden, is the perfect place for any cowboy to walk on the wild side or kick back and watch the buffalo roam.

And last but by no means least in the main 20 The Barons corral is Hill View Loft: the highest and smallest, a top floor studio that packs a lot of punch, with a roof terrace from where you can keep an eye out for bandits (or Twickenham rooftops and Richmond Park!).

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Across the road is the stunning Number 9, a 1-bed, first-floor apartment that is very much part of the gang but a little more independent. Slick and stylish, we’ll call that our Charles Bronson.

And across town is 18 Egerton Drive, a luxury 3-bed Richmond townhouse on a private estate. Modern and luxurious, with exceptional style and crisp, white linen, we’ll call that our James Coburn.

Our little village of St Margarets is quite safe from marauding bandits. In fact, it’s got a sense of community that we like to think is as homely as anywhere in the big city of London. And we provide every luxury and comfort to ensure that homely feel continues behind our doors. Our guests might be “like the wind, blowing over the land and passing on”, but for as long as they’re under our roof, we’ll do everything we can to make them feel they’re in their own home away from home.

Why have we been here for seven years? Because we’re magnificent! To paraphrase the movie, before we ride off into the sunset: ‘We are seven, but we are worth seven hundred!’

12 Days of Christmas – a suggested itinerary

12 Days of Christmas

With Christmas approaching at a gallop worthy of Prancer, it’s time to think not only about shopping for food and gifts, and sending out all those Christmas cards, but also about taking time to relax and enjoy all the many festive events taking place in our neighbourhood. If you’re lucky enough to be living in the St Margarets area, where our luxury serviced apartments enjoy a quiet sense of community alongside easy access to central London, here’s a suggested itinerary for the twelve days leading up to the sleigh passing overhead…

Friday 14 December

At Strawberry Hill House, the Gothic Revival home of Horace Walpole, enjoy a Christmas choir and carols with minced pies, mulled wine and a tour.

Saturday 15 December

After a festive horse-drawn carriage ride through Richmond Park, watch a rugby union match as Harlequins take on Benetton at Twickenham Stoop.

Sunday 16 December

Enjoy your birdwatching before a visit to Santa’s Grotto at the wonderful London Wetlands Centre, or join the other Santas for a fancy-dress fun run at Bushy Park in aid of Princess Alice Hospice.

Monday 17 December

Skate back in time with ice-skating at Hampton Court Palace.

Tuesday 18 December

There’s nothing quite like following the trail of lights at Kew Gardens.

Christmas at Kew gardens — Christmas at Kew

Wednesday 19 December

Get in the swing of Christmas at the Eel Pie Club, where the Christmas party features the Eel Pie All-Stars.

Thursday 20 December

Recreate the atmosphere of the seventeenth century with a candlelit Christmas at the National Trust’s Ham House.

Friday 21 December

Brace yourself for the festive season with a Moonlight Dip at Hampton Pool.

Saturday 22 December

For those missing gifts, there’s last-minute shopping at Kingston Christmas market.

Sunday 23 December

Christmas isn’t Christmas without pantomime, and there’s no better swashbuckler than Robert Lindsay playing Captain Hook in Peter Pan at the Richmond Theatre. Tick-tock!

Monday 24 December

Remember what Christmas is all about with Midnight mass at All Hallows Church, Twickenham.

25 December

Merry Christmas!

(Remember to always check the latest details and availability before heading out!)

Introducing our stunning new home in a private gated estate by the River Thames.

We are thrilled to have added a brand new luxury home in a private gated estate at 18 Egerton Drive to our portfolio. We can now enhance our luxury portfolio offering of the properties at 20 the Barons and 9 The Barons with this stunning three-bedroom bespoke town-house. Located one mile from Richmond and on the borders of the River Thames this property not only has its own garden but also beautifully landscaped private grounds with fountains and private access to the river.

It is generously proportioned and has views to the beautiful houses and gardens in the estate. It has a delightfully light and airy feel and has been designed to create a luxurious, state of the art home from home.

18 Egerton Drive sleeps 6+ people in three sleek and stylish bedrooms with crisp-white linen, deliciously comfortable mattresses and wonderful window dressings, all of which guarantee a great night’s sleep. The lounge and dining area offers views to the private patio garden. Hi-speed WiFi and a Virgin package provide for all your entertainment and communication needs. The stylish kitchen has been designed for every catering consideration. Egerton Drive has 4 stunning bathrooms, three en-suite.