Best Botanical Garden in The Grove

"The botanic gardens at Kew, in Richmond, were first opened to the public in 1840 after the royal family established the gardens initially and started to bring plants from overseas from 1759. Because of the royal family’s continued interest in Richmond, the areas of Kew and Richmond became one of the most fashionable places to live, especially in the 18th century. Today, Kew Gardens focuses on plant and fungi research whilst housing the largest collection of plants in the world."

"If you’re into floral photography, Kew Gardens houses one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of living plants. This expansive botanical garden is absolutely magical. It contains numerous greenhouses, a tree-top walkway, an exotic rainforest, and so much more."

"If you are on museum overload, skip some of the museums on this itinerary and journey out to Kew Gardens. Take a Walking Tour of London"

"The 17th-century home of King George III, who preferred the countryside to the urban St James's Palace. Today only the building known as the Dutch House remains, however it is kept in immaculate condition."

"The King George III summer home, Kew Palace is one of London’s lesser-known royal residences and is the oldest building in the Gardens, built in 1631 for a Flemish merchant, Samuel Fortrey."

"This small Victorian woodland plantation was planted in the 1830s, but not opened to the public until 1953. It’s famed for its evergreen azaleas, which are best viewed in late April or early May. The garden includes the National Collection of Wilson 50 Kurume Azaleas, as well as other rare and unusual shrubs and trees."

"Alternatives: There are many other things to see in the area (mostly in Chelsea), including the Chelsea Physic Garden (fee*), Leighton House Museum (fee), Design Museum, Portobello Road Market, Chelsea Football Club Stadium Tour & Museum (fee*), and the recently renovated National Army Museum. London Itinerary Day 6 – Greenwich or Free Day"

"Fulham Palace is a site dedicated to tracing its own history. Items found on the palace's grounds date all the way back to prehistoric times; the archaeological finds are part of the museum's impressive collection of artifacts and objects. The site has been a residence of the Bishops of London since 704 and played a major role as a hospital during World War I and a refugee spot during World War II."

"A beautiful open garden, glasshouses, flowers in bloom, and brick walls, all in a place less visited by tourists which make for one great location for a photo shoot or a private event. And if you’re looking for some diversity, just walk a few steps out of Fulham Palaceand you’re right on the shore of river Thames."

"The Davies Alpine House is a somewhat different greenhouse, it is quite long (16m) and high (10m) and was designed to provide ideal conditions, fresh with natural wind for the best conditions the mountain plants. The collection features a wide range of campanulas, dianthus, small ferns, helichrysum, small lavenders, primulas, saxifrage, thymus, tulips and verbascums along with lesser known species."

"Many of the plants at Kew couldn't survive in Britain's grey, damp climate. The Davies Alpine House supports those that thrive in dry, cool, windy conditions of mountainous areas such as succulents and campanulas,"

"Lose yourself amongst the stone pines, olive trees, and cypresses of this typical Mediterranean landscape. The King William's Temple stands in the middle of the garden, lending a sense of grandeur to the vibrant landscape."

"Gardens emerge in the unlikeliest of places, including this tropical beauty atop a railway station. Crossrail hasn’t quite reached Canary Wharf yet, but this stunning spot is open for business—as is the adjacent street food hall!. COVID-19 UPDATE: Crossrail Place Roof Garden is open 8am-9pm daily."

"Situated by the riverside at Reading's Oracle shopping centre, Bella Italia is a popular destination for Italian dining. The restaurant itself is an attractive space, decked out in a rustic Italian style with tiled flooring, warm tones and bistro style…"

"Bella Italia are an Italian restaurant chain that also offer a Bottomless Pizza Brunch – bottomless pizza, combined with bottomless Prosecco – what’s not to love?. Find out all the info here. They also do a surprisingly good value cooked breakfast."

"With a menu combining delicious Pizza and Pasta with a superb range of grill and speciality dishes there's something for everybody.....more..."

"Part of a chain that also runs Pizza Express, Zizzi offers a range of pizzas and Italian food. Based in The Oracle, the restaurant's website says Zizz is "the perfect location for a much needed break after a shopping spree in The Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading.". Reviewers said: "First time back at Zizzi’s Reading since lockdown and the service has been incredible. Amazing 3 course meal would highly recommend!" and "Always a warm welcome, the food and service were as good as always. Difficult times have not meant we received anything but the best of service and quality. Well done to all the management and staff."

"Popular chain specialising in Italian dishes including pizza, calzone, pasta and salads. Second branch in Reading town centre, situated on the Oracle Riverside."

"Another longstanding veggie stalwart, The Gate has been serving fantastic vegetarian food since it opened more than 30 years ago. It now serves an almost entirely vegan menu across its branches in Islington, Marylebone, Hammersmith and St John's Wood. After tucking into veg-packed dinner dishes of miso-glazed aubergines, wild mushroom risotto cake and meat-free tagine, head over at the weekends for the brunch menu, complete with vegan pancakes and vegan full English."

"The Gate’s menu features dishes from around the world|© The Gate. With four locations across London, The Gate has proved that there’s plenty of appetite in the capital for vegetarian and vegan food. The menu is varied and wholesome without being restrictive, and features dishes from around the world, with the aubergine schnitzel and the smoked tofu caesar salad particular highlights."

"The Gate is a Brick Lane restaurant with a drop-dead gorgeous outdoor terrace. Offering sleek furnishings, incredible views of the surrounding city and a menu of top-quality organic dishes, this is a real all-rounder."

"Pastry Girls London is one of the leading cake suppliers in London that offers highly creative, ingenious design and rich and flavourful cakes to all their customers. Perfect for any celebrations and purposes, they can deliver the finest and best-tasting cakes that you can enjoy for your ultimate celebration. They can work on bespoke cakes for corporate events and private parties like birthdays, weddings, engagement and many others."

"Born from a man’s dream to recapture the American diner scene, along with home-grilled burgers, hand-cut fries and thick milkshakes, Big Moe’s diner perfectly encapsulates classic American eating. Their menu spoils you for choice, from chargrilled beef and chicken burgers, lamb ribs and steaks to Cod and veggie options. If you want to start your day right, their breakfast menu serves New York-style Cro-dough and huge platters of beef sausages and chicken rashers served with free-range eggs and baked beans."

"If you’ve never been to Xi’an Impression next to the Emirates Stadium, you either have terrible taste or simply couldn’t get in. The founders have now understood that delicious, handmade noodles and Shaanxi province cuisine deserves a bigger surface area and opened a second outlet in Whitechapel last year (a third, Master Wei, can now be found in Bloomsbury). In this far more capacious eatery, all the same classics are available with far more room to breathe."

"Andrew Wong and his eponymous restaurant have earned their place as one of London’s most show-stopping Chinese restaurants. At Wong’s newest – Kym’s in the Bloomberg Arcade – the plush opulence of the first is swapped for dark wood, low lighting and a cherry tree by the stairs. Focusing on classic Chinese barbecue and butchery with a few of A Wong’s dim sum and duck options, it’s a worthy addition to the family."

"Secluded in one of the labyrinthine side streets behind Goodge Street tube station, this chic, cosy vegetarian café has tempting displays of colourful salads, hot dishes, cakes and pastries by the entrance; and a miniscule seating area at the back. Originally set up by a father and son duo, the venue shut down for a few months last year, and has recently reopened with a new owner. It’s notable for currently being the only vegetarian venue in London to showcase cooking with broadly Ottolenghi-esque Middle Eastern influences."