Best Botanical Garden in Lightwater

"According to Wikipedia, “Kew Gardens is the world’s largest collection of living plants”. From the exotic glasshouse gardens filled with succulents and tropical blooms to a stroll down to the Chinese Pagoda, there’s much to see and photograph. A great perk, if you’re a member, you can get to visit Kew before any of the tourists, which means you could almost have the place for yourself, to enjoy as you please."

"Alternatively, if you are not interested in visiting Camden, you could try visiting two of the recommended morning attractions (e.g., Windsor Castle and Kew Gardens). You’ll need to use public transit to reach the morning attractions and to get to Camden but the attractions in Camden are all within walking distance."

"After lunch we stopped at Kew Palace, a 17th century building that was the summer home of King George III in the 18th century. It’s actually the oldest building in Kew Gardens and it has been turned into a museum showcasing the history and bringing to life King George and his wife Queen Charlotte and their 15 children’s lives in the palace over the three levels. There is a perfectly manicured garden out the back which gives a stunning view."

"A trip here offers more than just plants, as you can also visit art galleries, the Great Pagoda, and tour Kew Palace, a former royal residence located within the gardens. You can explore at your own pace or join one of the garden’s guided walk tours that come free with entry. This is a must-see for any garden lover. Kew Gardens are located in outer London and can be reached by public transportation."

"Full of rare and unusual trees and shrubs, the Isabella Plantation is a beautiful spot set in the depths of Richmond Park. It’s a green space for most of the year, but in April & May, the azaleas bloom and Isabella Plantation becomes a perfect pink paradise. COVID-19 UPDATE: Isabella Plantation is currently closed to the public."

"Established in the second half of the seventeenth century by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, the Chelsea Physic Garden is one of the oldest botanical gardens in England. Included among the London Museums of Health and Medicine, this botanical garden has some unique features attracting tourists interested in botany. Noteworthy mentions are Britain’s largest fruiting olive tree and the world’s most northern grapefruit that grows outdoors."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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,"

"Following all Soho House group traditions, The Ned’s spa offers a range of deeply relaxing Cowshed treatments, mani-pedis and the chance to get your back and sides done at Ned’s Barber. Built around a 20-metre pool, surrounded by marble columns, and featuring a traditional Moroccan hammam, the space is a welcome - and rather grand - retreat in the centre of The City. While non-members are welcome for treatments, spa facilities are currently restricted to Ned Club members and hotel guests only."

"24 taps mean a lot of diversity for this tap room-cum-blendery. With worldwide beers all lovingly crafted within the oak barrels behind the bar, the Barrel Project is one for those who want an almost overwhelming amount of choice when it comes to picking their drink of the evening. Guests at Hotels in Paddington Hyde Park won’t want to miss the amazing array of internationally brewed beers, giving everything from Big Milk Stouts to the Sour Solistice IPA."

"Situated along the popular Bermondsey Beer Mile, The Barrel Project is a cool taproom housed underneath an archway. Not only does it contain around 200 oak casks, but it's also got 24 taps of house-aged and international brews."

"London’s popular Italian food halls—found in Mayfair and Elephant & Castle—are back with their brilliant street food offerings Wednesday through till Sunday, for takeaway and deliveries only. Meanwhile, MM Grocery will continue to stay open throughout the week. Hand sanitisers will be out in both venues and social-distancing measures will apply."

"Located in Elephant and Castle, Mercato Metropolitano is one of the original food halls in London. Enjoy a craft brew outside on their terrace, tuck into a freshly-made pizza on one of the communal tables in the main hall or sneak into the more secluded den and nibble on cured meat and melted raclette whilst sipping on wine."

"Venture over to Mercato Metropolitano and you'll find a great atmosphere, craft drinks aplenty and a treasure trove of dining stalls to choose from. As one of the city's ultimate food halls, this Elephant & Castle beauty is guaranteed to be busy all-year-round with regulars and newcomers alike."

"What: If you’re someone who believes weekends exist for boozy brunches, then you’re sure to have heard of Gaucho’s Electro Brunch Feast. Hedonistic to the extreme, this banquet – there really is no other way to describe it – includes tables groaning with the weight of unlimited food and drink to the tune of whatever smooth beats the DJ feels like spinning. This all you can eat offering includes all manner of brunch dishes from eggs Benedict to bacon sarnies, steak and eggs, and burrata on sourdough, all served up with an epic line-up of free-flowing cocktails."

"Nestled between Tower Bridge and London Bride is Gaucho’s tranquil terrace. The Argentinian restaurant’s al-fresco dining area offers guests magnificent panoramic views across the River Thames in an exclusive setting. Drinks are served from a stylish cocktail bar whilst inside diners can tuck into with our menu showcasing impeccable Argentinian steaks and Latin American inspired food."

"Chandeliers, cowhide, black leather and moody lighting – welcome to Gaucho’s spin on an upmarket steakhouse with big-money aspirations. Myriad cuts of pampas-reared beef dominate the show, although the menu spans everything from ceviche to dulce de leche cheesecake. Serious Argentinian wines too."

"If only all watering holes were like this lively Chinese restaurant-meets-pub, where the beer is fresh and unpasteurised and the bar snacks include a delightful array of dim sum, from venison puffs to scallop shumai. The informal yet sumptuously decorated two floor venue on Berwick Street (Soho) is from the king of London’s trendy Chinese food scene Alan Yau – the man behind Yauatcha and Hakkasan. The great thing about the menu here is that, while it’s Chinese food done properly, there are also plenty of takeaway classics to appease us boring Brits, with the comforting inclusion of classics like sesame prawn toast and chicken in black bean sauce."

"At face value, this stalwart pub in Soho seems an unlikely addition to this round-up. While drinks are served in the buzzy ground floor bar, head upstairs for the real deal. Chinese food is served in the intimate dining room - be sure to order the Cantonese-style roast duck, hand-reared at a local family-owned farm."