Mentioned by CN Traveller
The 20 best museums in London
"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."
"Sky Garden pairs epic views with tasty cocktails and an indoors garden, how can you not love that?. Sky Garden has a 360° view all around London and a number of different bars and restaurants inside it. Access to Sky Garden is free but you have to book in advance if you want to skip the queues, don’t worry if you forget about booking, you can still access Sky Garden but you will have to wait a little longer before taking your perfect Instagram shots."
"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."
"When Chin Chin first opened their first place in a former condom shop (yes, really) in Camden their crazy take on making ice cream with liquid nitrogen may have been pre-Instagram but it was still an almost instant sensation. The thing is that it's not just a party trick, the ice cream they make here really does taste smoother because there are no ice crystals. They've also used their USP to devise a clever way of chilling ice cream down to a level that it can actually be sent by post."
"Chin Chin pioneered the use of liquid nitrogen to make ice cream in a retail setting when it opened its first ice cream ‘lab’ in Camden Lock in 2010. Its founders were convinced that hand churning with liquid nitrogen was better than any other method, and they had stumbled on the future of ice cream. Nowadays, the company has grown to three locations and over 300 innovative flavours, from sweetcorn to wild blueberry to coffee and olive oil."
"The sweet treats get scientific at Chin Chin Labs, where all the ice cream is hand-churned with liquid nitrogen. Its short but inventive menu of regular flavours includes tonka bean and burnt butter caramel, with an array of topping options including bee pollen honeycomb and truffle crumble."
"This sister-owned Soho bakery looks sweet, but isn't saccahrine. Using no more sugar and fat than they need, their inventive and joyfully decorated offerings are delicately, carefully flavoured. Cutter & Squidge’s Dream Cakes make for jaw dropping centrepieces for your big celebration, or can also be enjoyed by the slice in house – the Lychee Kiss is an elegant flavour trio of lychee, raspberry and rose."
"Each one features two biscuit pieces closing in on a layer of cream to create a beautiful dessert sandwich. They’re the perfect sugary pick-me-up and come in a selection of creative flavours. Try the rich billionaire dreambar, which is served with an extra layer of chocolate in the middle."
"Cutter & Squidge are bringing the latest in hybrid desserts to London. Here, they have invented the Biskie. This is a biscuit-cookie-cake creation filled with buttercream, jam or caramel."
"For 13 years, Ice Cream Union has worked hard producing their ice cream and sorbets to some of London’s top restaurants and influential chefs. Now it’s even easier to grab a taste of their finest flavours in their first ever parlour. They focus on creating show-stopping treats each and every time, whether that’s down to hand-selecting the best fruits in peak season or sourcing the freshest milk."
"After years of supplying the best restaurants around town Ice Cream Union opened their first standalone store (outside of their Bermondsey base) in Chelsea. It’s all about attention to detail from this Bermondsey-based crew - so they might spend hours making their own honeycomb to be crushed up to go into a new summer flavour. Their dulce de leche is particularly moreish."
"They say: ‘Our ice cream breaks convention, and to break convention we constantly find new ways to refine our craft. From the tools we use, to the ingredients we select, everything has been meticulously planned and sourced by us for the finest results.’. The sweet stuff: The Lionel Messi of ice cream."
"Lambrusco Dell'Emilia, Maecello Gran Cru Dry IGT , Ariola, 10.5%"
"The North Street Deli offers a range of tasty veggies that can be packed into salad boxes for on-the-go meals. The North Street Deli (on North Street) has got more sandwiches and salads than you’ll know what to do with. North Street Deli's sandwiches are packed with flavoursome fillings."
"Try something totally unique at "dirty ice cream" specialist Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream, which brings Filipino flavours and techniques to Chinatown. Don't be fooled by its name, the hygiene is top-notch at this parlour, which churns out flavours such as purple ube, milo, black buko and vegan specials guyabano and calamansi."
"Omar Shah and Florence Mae Magnaloc’s Mamasons is packaging up its range of Filipino-influenced ice creams for delivery and is open for takeaways, with ube, milo, and calamansi among the flavours. Expect bilog, the pandesal ice cream sandwich, to go quickly, with the Chinatown branch open from 12 p.m."
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"This family run gelateria and all-round wholesome cafe/restaurant/bed & breakfast in Chiswick has been serving its ice-cream since 1978. You can get delicious sorbets, ice-creams and some top quality banter from owners Maria and Luciano. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can also order for collection, or delivery to certain postcodes in West London."
"The Lowdown: The Parlour at Fortnum and Mason is guaranteed to impress anyone – the perfect place for a fun and delicious outing. Expect a build-your-own sundaes bar, where visitors are treated to a menu detailing every way to eat ice cream, including a gin and tonic float. For a sweet treat, cosy up with a Parlour Hot Chocolate – with the choice of milk, dark or white, you can make it merry with Thunder Toffee Vodka, Butterscotch Schnapps or Grand Marnier, all topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings."
"Address: 1st floor, Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1A 1ER. High end and extravagant, this is great way to experience a twist on the famous tea shop, where you can build your own sundae, chose a classic Knickerbocker Glory or enjoy a fruity sorbet. As well as a selection of new and innovative ice creams, including an afternoon tea-inspired sundae, this luxurious London cafe also offers artisanal coffee, hot chocolate and savoury snacks."
"Treat yourself at high-end ice-cream spot, The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason. As well as a selection of new and innovative ice creams, including an afternoon tea-inspired sundae, this luxurious London eatery also offers artisanal coffee, hot chocolate and savoury snacks."
"Until 2007, Londoners had no idea what an affordable spa was, until Spa London opened up its first spa-tique in Bethnal Green. Now there are several all over London, but the favourite must be in Swiss Cottage. Signature body treatments, facials and massages are up for grabs from as little as £30 — rare in this part of town."
"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."
"6 floors up from the madness of Leicester Square lies an oasis of calm in the form of the AWAY Spa at W London. The spa is all-white and minimalist, with smooth, sleep lines. A team of celebrity therapists are on hand to help you: from the signature facials by Su-Man and advanced aesthetics of Dr. Wong, expert tanning of James Harknett, to Ruthie Belle's stunning eyelashes and hair styling of Sergio Giannasso."
"This luxe Soho spa at the W Hotel on Leicester Square is the go-to place for glamour, perfectly placed for pampering ahead of a night on the town. Revitalise your body with one of their tailor-made treatments or revive your soul in their sauna and steam rooms. Book a ritual or package for a loved one, including specials for the ‘modern gentleman’ and ‘the entrepreneur’."
"This vibrant and superbly sexy London hotel and spa is an energising experience from the spa to the restaurant. Putting you in the mood to party and recover the next day, it’s a breath of fresh air in the heart of Soho."
"Some of the most amazing desserts in London can be found in the most unassuming bakeries in Chinatown. So, take a stroll through Chinatown (located north of Leicester Square) and search out some of the famous Chinese bakeries serving up incredible bread and cakes and pastries. You won’t be disappointed!"
"I absolutely love eating, drinking and shopping in Chinatown – and the photography is totally awesome too. Chinatown is one of London’s most bustling and dynamic areas. Of particular interest are the statues and decorations, including fierce stone lions and beautiful red lanterns."
"Choose from dozens of Chinese restaurants in London's Chinatown for an affordable lunch option. Try the Golden Dragon for cheap dim sum starting at £3 to £4 per dish, or Old Tree Daiwan Bee for Taiwanese street food such as Taiwanese braised pork rice for £3.50."
"The elegant redbrick exterior of the smallest of Britain's royal palaces seems almost humble when compared with the grandeur of, say,…"
"Goats, horses, chickens, ducks and geese are just some of the animals who live at Deen City Farm. 39 Windsor Avenue, Merton Abbey, London, SW19 2RR. Tube: South Wimbledon Station"