Best Botanical Garden in Stanwell

"Whether you’re a fan of gardens or not, Kew Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in London. The Hive is a unique new structure exploring the story of the honey bee, and children will love the Treetop Walkway. Best shot: the Waterlily House or the spiral staircase make for superb captures."

"Plant Houses Nos. 7 to 14b inclusive were collectively known as the "T" Range because of their T-shaped plan. The extant Aroid House (now the Nash Conservatory) was designated Plant House No. 1 and the Water Lily House was Plant House No. 15."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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,"

"When it comes to places to eat outside in London, this Canary Wharf restaurant is a great shout. Not only does Humble Grape have you sorted for breakfast, brunch and dinner but it's also got an impressive selection of wines available."

"Maria-Luisa Riascos Solis’s peerless pica pollo, Dominican fried chicken, is available from La Barra, under the arch in Eagles Yard, Elephant and Castle for takeaway through lockdown."

"The Xi’an Chinese cooking that has made chef Wei Guirong — an alumnus of Sichuanese restaurant Barshu in Chinatown—a star of London dining, is now at home in Bloomsbury. Master Wei is Guirong’s first solo project — following her joint venture, Xi’an Impression by the Emirates Stadium in Highbury, a tiny restaurant which has rightly earned cult status among lovers of regional Chinese food in the capital. At Master Wei the focus is on the region’s flour-foods, mianshi: peerless biang biang noodle dishes, with vegetables or beef and hot chilli oil; fine liang pi, cold skin noodles with a cool, refreshing, umami rich dressing, and the chef’s inimitable “burgers” with a cumin-spiced beef or pork filling."

"Guirong Wei’s Qishan-style hand-pulled noodles are an elite cold weather food, a crimson slurp of sour, hot soup with a mottling of chilli oil clinging to its surface. It almost makes the heaters at her Bloomsbury restaurant unnecessary — almost, but they’ll ensure that the only cold skin on show is the liang pi noodles."

"Master Wei is one of the best Chinese restaurants in London thanks to its elevated menu of Xi'an cooking. Head on over to Bloomsbury for the chance to tuck into street food-inspired dishes such as shredded chicken with spicy sauce, biang biang noodles and their take on a beef burger."

"Forgive us for saving the best until last; if it’s Michelin-starred dining you desire, it might come as a surprise that Reading residents can find it right on the doorstep. Having retained its Michelin star for 18 consecutive years, this beautiful Grade-II listed building (that lost its top floor to a war-time bomb) is the perfect place for a romantic dining experience. Top Chef Tom Clarke has crafted a French modern menu with seasonal, local produce at its heart, with truly spectacular offerings for all dietary requirements."

"If you're looking for one of the best restaurants in Reading, this Michelin-starred eatery in Shinfield should do the trick. Offering a sublime selection of fine French fare, L'Ortolan has scooped acclaim for its innovative dishes and biodynamic wine list."

"Head Chef Tom Clarke is passionate about his cooking, and ensures that the same quality extends right through the whole of the L'Ortolan experience. Address: Church Lane, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9BY"

"For more than a decade, customers have been visiting Min Jiang for its spectacular view of Kensington Gardens and staying for its delicious Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine. Located on the 10th floor of the Royal Garden Hotel on Kensington High Street, the restaurant’s chefs specialise in a medley of cooking styles and techniques that have been passed down through generations. If you order one thing, make it the Beijing duck, which is roasted for 45 minutes and presented in two servings: first the skin is crisped with granulated sugar and served with pancakes, and then the meat is served with your choice of noodles, rice, soup or lettuce wraps."

"If you're used to dining in grand, hotel-based Chinese restaurants in Asia, you'll feel right at home in Min Jiang, located on the 10th floor of the Royal Garden Hotel. Service is slightly formal and clipped, the lighting a touch (only a touch) too bright, but the food – the main event – is sublime. The star dish is wood-fired Beijing duck in two servings, the second with a choice of four types of preparation."

"Find traditional Chinese cookery updated for the modern age at Kensington's Min Jiang. Although a great place for provincial Chinese dishes; many come simply for its wood-fired duck, which is served over two courses. Perched on the 10th floor of the Royal Garden Hotel, this stylish restaurant boasts views of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens."

"There are wraps, and then there are double stuffed chip-filled Greek wraps. Souvlaki Street serves up proper souvlaki made using quality local ingredients. There is a choice of pork shoulder, chicken or halloumi, and you can go ALL IN with three in one."

"What a relief that Souvlaki street – along with other al fresco establishments – has reopened at Pop Brixton. We will be getting extra halloumi and spicy feta dip with ours, obviously."