Best & Cool Bars in Barnes

"Located on the 43rd floor of the Walkie Talkie building in the City of London, the Sky Garden is the capital’s highest public garden and one of the coolest places to visit in London for free. The garden’s large plant-filled atrium has floor-to-ceiling windows with amazing panoramic views out over the city below and is open throughout the day and into the evenings on weekends – making it one the best free things to do in London at night too!. There’s also an open-air covered terrace on one side."

"The ferns, fig trees and purple African lilies that clamber up the final three storeys of the 'Walkie Talkie' skyscraper are mere wallflowers at this 155m-high rooftop garden – it's the rather extraordinary 360-degree views of London (the best in the City) that make this vast, airport-terminal-like space so popular (advance booking recommended). Located on the 35th floor of 20 Fenchurch St, the Sky Garden has front-row seats for the Shard and vistas that gallop for miles east and west."

"Get the lift to the top of 20 Fenchurch Street and let your toddler explore London’s highest public garden. There are 360 degree views of the London skyline, gardens to run around in and a café where you can buy cakes and pastries. Cost – Free, but you need to prebook."

"Imaginative, modern-European food and no-expenses-spared decor tempts A-listers such as Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez through the doors of Sketch. The Mayfair hot spot contains three Michelin star restaurants, but the Lecture Room is the place with wall-to-wall celebrities."

"From artwork plastered on the walls to the egg toilets and that pink gallery room, this Maddox Street restaurant is instantly distinguishable amongst Londoners and tourists alike."

"A real sought-after restaurant in Mayfair, Sketch initially grabs attention with its unique decor. Then the grub takes over. Is it an art gallery?"

"It's part of London's vast culinary mythology, and it feels a bit like stepping back in time to Covent Garden's theatrical heyday. J Sheekey offers a cornucopia of the city's freshest seafood in a darkly lit, brass embellished ambience which is perfect for highbrow romancing or laid back business dealings. Start with scallops in a halfshell with garlic and chilli for £17.50, and move on to a grilled Dover sole with bearnaise for £39.50."

"If it’s enduring love you’re looking for, J Sheekey’s passion for prime seafood has burned for more than 100 years. The West End restaurant has hosted many a star of nearby stages over the last century, and images of some of those famous faces line the walls. The Champagne bar makes a glamorous spot for two to linger, accompanied by shellfish aplenty and J Sheekey’s famous selection of oysters."

"Taking on the identities of two of the world's most flavourful cuisines, Mommi is a finely executed hybrid of Japanese and South American cultures making for one sensational culinary offering. Tease your palate with their raw plates, including some incredibly unique sushi dishes."

"When I call this one ‘small batch’, I mean really small batch. As in, sixteen bottles a day, distilled in a humble copper pot behind the bar. Plus, it’s not just the teensy tiny production that makes Highwayman Gin one of the most unique gin tastings in London."

"On the 33rd floor of The Shard, Hutong, whose name comes from the narrow lanes of the former capital of Peking, specialises in the seafood- and vinegar-based 'Lu' food of Shantong northern province and the fiery chilli accented Sichuan cuisine. There's a real sense of occasion here and the view at nighttime is mesmerising. Luxurious dim sum available at lunch include iberico xiao lang bao soup dumplings."

"Restaurants Contemporary Asian London Bridge. Like the original Hutong in Hong Kong, this London offshoot is a glitzy, high-end Chinese with magnificent views. It has the same northern Chinese menu, the same plate glass surrounds and the same ersatz Old Beijing decor."

"Last but certainly not least, Aqua Neuva is a Spanish restaurant with a view over London’s West End. Sitting on famous Regents Street, 5th-floor Aqua Neuva may not be as sky-high as many other restaurants on this list, but that certainly shouldn’t put you off. The glamorous restaurant has not just one but two large rooftop terraces overlooking the surrounding streets of the bustling West End."

"Layers of honey browned butter sponge with dulce de leche, whipped cream and Biscoff crumbs, it’s heavy and rich in flavour but so light and spongy in texture. 212 Balham High Rd, London SW12 9BS"

"Restaurants Cafés King’s Cross. Caravan’s all-day menu is a whirlwind of worldwide flavours – the jamón croquetas with saffron mayo are irresistible to humans of all sizes, but just about everything will suit small but curious appetites. Staff are as loveable as characters from ‘Balamory’, and kids will adore the fountains on Granary Square."

"Sure, lemon and sugar are nice, but how about kimchi and spring onions?. Caravan are spicing things up with one of the best Pancake Day deliveries in London, offering a kit complete with the mix, cooked pork belly, Gochujang ketchup, sourdough bread, coffee and more."

"If you find yourself with boisterous kids after insisting on an exhibition at the excellent Courtauld Gallery, simply pop outside and strip off. The courtyard, surrounded by 19th century buildings, contains a lively fountain featuring 55 jets, a terraced cafe and a glorious restaurant if you are feeling flash. Bring the baby and let him/her have a splash around in what can turn into a small paddling pool."

"Every winter, skating at the ice rink in Somerset House is one of the most fun things to do in London. There are several other ice rinks around London (including at the Tower of London and Natural History Museum) but it’s pretty hard to top Somerset House. The courtyard is a great place to spend time in summer too, when th fountains in the courtyard are a great place to splash and cool off."

"Somerset House is home to London's Courtauld Gallery (currently closed for refurbishment) with its collection of Old Masters, Impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings, and The Embankment Galleries with a rotating programme of exhibitions dedicated to art, design, fashion and photography. Some exhibitions require tickets."

"One of the oldest churches in London, Temple Church was founded in the 12th century by the Knights Templar - a Christian order of crusading monks from the Middle Ages. The church has a distinctive design and is one of just four medieval round churches still in use in England. You’ll find several services each week, which follow the Book of Common Prayer and feature beautiful singing from the prestigious Temple Church Choir."

"Temple Church is linked with the Knights Templar and contains the stone effigies of eight slumbering knights on the floor of the Round Tower 3"

"The Chislehurst Caves is mainly a tourist attraction, but it did play an important role in the history of London. Up until the 19th century the caves were intensely used for mining but during the two World Wars, they had a different purpose. It was used as an ammunition depot in WWI, air raid shelter for about 15 thousand inhabitants, an emergency hospital and some sections were converted to a chapel."

"Give us diner nachos, served with spicy Jalapeño salsa and summery guacamole, and we're happy. Give us pulled pork, cooked for 16 hours with barbecue sauce and house slaw, and we're very happy. Give us Jamie's Insanity burger, and we're ecstatic."

"Byron Richmond serves proper hamburgers, the way they should be. Properly sourced British beef, ground fresh into 6oz patties and cooked medium so it's pink and juicy and served in a squishy bun with a pickle on the side. Fries, sides, extra-thick…"

"Another Brixton Village restaurant, Kamome is also offering a delivery via Deliveroo and Just Eat. Kamome’s Japanese menu includes plenty of sushi and noodles, plus donburi, and katsu curry. Further information can be found on the restaurant’s website."