Best & Cool Bars in Stanborough

"Offering perhaps the best free vantage point in Central London, the indoor viewing decks and restaurants occupying the top three floors of 20 Fenchurch Street (known to locals as the "walkie-talkie") are a great place to hang out without spending a penny. It is open daily, just book your free visit in advance."

"Set atop 20 Fenchurch Street (aka the Walkie Talkie building), Sky Garden is the highest public garden in London. Amidst a lush urban jungle, it offers stunning 360° panoramic views of the city. The unique setting and spectacular views easily make this one of the most Instagrammable places in London."

"Just as famous for its interiors, French chef Pierre Gaignaire’s Sketch flagship is one of a select number of London restaurants with two Michelin stars. So the cooking belongs to a certain tradition, offering the likes of whole pigeon, pigeon terrine, beetroot, buckwheat crepe, and cherry for £54. It recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, which means neither Sketch’s sort of finery nor the boldest of bold designs have yet to fall out of fashion."

"We won’t lie to you, going to The Gallery at Sketch isn’t about the food. This central-London spot is all about the pink dining room. The service is theatrical while the toilets aren’t to be missed for a photo op."

"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?"

"J Sheekey has been at the centre of London's seafood scene since 1890 and continues to serve immaculately sourced and perfectly prepared seafood dishes, including their famous fish pie. However, for a romantic meal, share a fruits de mer platter for a feast of oysters, prawns, langoustines and crab. The restaurant itself has maintained its late-Victorian charm with panelled interiors that are intimate without being overbearing."

"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."

"Restaurants Chinese Soho. The original of a Sichuan gang that also includes BaoziInn, Barshu is a refreshing change from Chinatown’s mostly Cantonese restaurants. Come here for prairie tripe, fragrant and hot pig’s trotters, stir-fried chicken gizzards with pickled chilli and other fiery tongue-tinglers – just remember to have plenty of soothing tea on tap."

"Chinatown, like the indomitable village in Asterix, has largely held out against the culinary renaissance that has transformed the capital into the roiling galaxy of restaurants, tasting rooms and trend-infused “concepts” that it is today. To go into Soho, to those identikit MSG joints feels like a throwback to the Dark Ages. Leave it to the tourists, right?"

"You might think Bar Shu – adorned with slatted blinds, latticed woodwork and tasselled lanterns – was a sweet-and-sour honeytrap for Soho tourists; but you'd be missing out on possibly the best Sichuan food in... Top ChoiceBritish in East London"

"St Pancras Old Church isn’t that old nowadays, having largely been rebuilt as recently as the 19th century, but it probably dates back to Saxon times, most likely the 7th century AD, making it one of the oldest churches in London. It’s a fairly small, humble but atmospheric church, around ten minutes’ walk from King’s Cross and St Pancras railway stations. The churchyard and surrounding St Pancras Gardens are also noteworthy – the churchyard contains the tomb of architect Sir John Soane, which was the inspiration for the famous British red telephone box design."

"Just moments away from the lively hub of King’s Cross, the St Pancras Old Church is a picturesque spot to visit when in London. This church in London traces its history as far back as the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, but an altar stone dating 625 AD suggests that worship may have taken place from the 7th century. You can attend mass on Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, or join a host of history talks and intimate live music gigs at the London church."

"It’s thought to be one of the oldest Christian places of worship in England. It dates back to the fourth century and got renovated in Victorian times."

"St Paul’s Church Covent Garden was the first new church in London to be built since the Reformation almost a century before. It was designed and built by Inigo Jones, the architect also responsible for other famous London buildings at Banqueting House, Whitehall and Queens House, Greenwich. It was built between 1631 and 1633 along with the new Covent Garden Piazza, the first formal square in England."

"Not to be confused with St Paul's Cathedral (a big attraction that comes with a ticket price), this church on the western flank of Covent Garden Piazza is also known as the Actor’s Church. The first Punch and Judy show took place here in 1662, and there are memorials to Charlie Chaplin and Vivien Leigh."

"Also known as the Actor’s Church, this is situated next-door to Covent Garden and was designed by the famous architect Inigo Jones"

"Restaurants Chinese Paddington. Don’t let the traffic mayhem and less-than-lovely tower blocks around Paddington station put you off coming to Pearl Liang: its sophisticated, blossom-decorated dining room and moodily lit cocktail bar are real lookers. And the mainly Cantonese menu rarely disappoints – especially the choice of exquisite dim sum (visit during the day for the full selection)."

"With over 160 restaurants in 14 territories, Din Tai Fung is somewhat legendary. While celebrating the Year of the Ox can’t currently happen at its Covent Garden branch, you can order their Prosperity Set Menu online. It features honey and vinegar short ribs, prawn and pork shao mai, tianjin cabbage and chicken gyoza, crispy fried chicken with spices, broccoli with garlic, XO sauce prawn fried rice, and salted egg yolk custard lava buns (in case you weren’t tempted already)."

"Named as one of the world's best restaurants by The New York Times,Din Tai Fung is a no-brainer when it comes to Chinese restaurant deliveries in London. The Taiwanese eatery is serving up a whole host of dumpling varieties, along with prawn and pork wontons, steamed chicken soup and honeyed short ribs. Din Tai Fung's dumplings are some of the best in London, if not the world."

"Supreme when it comes to the art of the xiao long bao, Din Tai Fung are globally notorious for the soupy dumpling, with their London restaurant boasting queues in excitement to try their authentic Chinese options."

"If the ladies’, men’s and mixed bathing ponds seem a bit too murky, take your children to the lido, instead. While still brisk, the water here tends to be warmer, and after you tire the children out in the water, roam the heath and find the perfect picnicking spot for the day. The heath has no great playgrounds – though, if you must, there are plenty in neighbouring Hampstead and Highgate – but the glorious park offers endless space for roaming, plenty of wooded areas for discovering natural forts, and space for sport."

"For any list of the best parks in London, it’d be a crime to ignore Hampstead Heath. Closest to the Hampstead Heath overground, or the Hampstead station if you’re going via tube, here you can enjoy your sandwiches on top of Parliament Hill while taking in stunning views of London. It’s even got its very own swimming ponds should the weather be particularly nice."

"This is a very popular park/green area, as it’s a particularly beautiful spot in London that offers you stunning views of the city. There is a lovely lido too that your children will love swimming in before you find a spot to have the perfect picnic."