Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Belmont

"Stop 1: Begin Day 2 Of Your London Itinerary At Hyde Park Head to the largest park in the UK first thing in the morning on the second day of your London itinerary. Hyde Park has such an array of sites and beauty that all who visit London must experience during their 4 day London itinerary. First, stop in at the Lido Café for a fresh pastry and barista-crafted latte."

"Despite being the home of Winter Wonderland every year, Hyde park is not short on things to do in the summer. Here you can find the Serpentine, London’s oldest boating lake, where you can rent a boat or swim in if the weather allows. As well as that, there’s a rose garden and a meadow if you want some pretty views with your picnic."

"Along with the smaller St. James's and Green parks to the east, the 350-acre Hyde Park started as Henry VIII's hunting grounds. Along…"

"Another location with a long association with British royalty, Westminster Abbey stands on a site that's been associated with Christianity since the early 7th century. Officially known as the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster, Westminster Abbey was founded by Edward the Confessor in 1065 as his place of interment. From his burial in 1066 until that of George II almost 700 years later, most sovereigns were not only crowned here but were buried here, too."

"If walls could talk, Westminster Abbey would have plenty to say!. The site of every coronation since 1066, this Gothic church is the final resting place for 17 monarchs, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Sir Laurence Olivier, and many, many others. It’s also a favourite for royal weddings—in 2011 Prince William married Kate Middleton here."

"Westminster Abbey is a pretty imposing building with stunning architecture. Needless to say, it makes for some pretty beautiful Instagram shots. If you want the perfect Instagram shot just walk a little further away from it along one of the roads that lead to it."

"Never has a traffic jam on the Old Kent Road looked so enchanting – everything seen from The Shangri-La looks enchanting. The hotel occupies floors 34 to the 52 of Renzo Piano's 87-storey London landmark. The rooms (contemporary, creamy, Asian-influenced), restaurants (especially the romantic Ting) and bar (gin and rosemary – divine) are all fantastic, though nothing can compete with the extraordinary views over London, which turn every guest into a slack-jawed infant, lost in wonder, gazing out, palms to the window, all day long."

"It’s definitely a unique-looking structure, and you can see it from all over London; that’s because The Shard is a 95-story skyscraper, designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, in Southwark, London, and the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. The Shard was built with the idea of it being an architecturally stunning vertical city, and it more than lives up to that. It houses restaurants, hotels, offices, residences and more."

"Alternatives (or additional spots) in the area to the above attractions: Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market (one of London’s most famous food markets), The Old Operating Theatre Museum (fee*), The Monument (fee*), and The View from the Shard (fee*)."

"With magnificent exhibits including the Crown Jewels and ravens around the grounds, the Tower of London is a showcase of British history and culture. During a visit to the tower, you can see where prisoners were kept before they were hung, drawn and quartered as well as walk around rooms which used to be the royal palaces. Dating back to 1075, the Tower of London brings six palaces together into a historical landmark right in the centre of London, which continues to attract those who want to learn all about British history."

"Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, this uncompromising slab of a building has been many things—including the site where Henry VIII ordered the execution of two of his wives. Now the Tower is most famous as the home of the Crown Jewels. Come, take a tour from one of the Beefeaters (offered every half hour), and gawp at the sparkling and the frightening alike."

"The Tower of London is one of the top tourist activities in London and a great one for families. This is where you’ll see the Crown Jewels and tour the tower with a yeoman warder. The Tower may be better suited for older children, but younger children will enjoy playing make-believe in this real-life castle and fortress."

"Inside Tower Bridge, there’s also a spectacular Glass Floor Walkway from which to admire the views. Take a break at one of the great places to eat near Tower Bridge afterwards. Best shot: from the South side of the river just past the bridge – or on the bridge itself whilst there’s no road traffic."

"On the other side of the rose pergola from the Agius Evolution Garden, you’ll find the Kitchen Garden where Kew Gardens grow edible plants to learn more about producing healthy and sustainable food. I love bringing the kids here during the summer to see the various crops, and in the autumn to see the pumpkin patch. Keep an eye out for their Kitchen Garden sales, where they sell fruits and vegetables from the garden from May to September."

"The Kitchen Garden is a vegetable garden with fruits and vegetables, and can be seen growing different products in all seasons. Vegetables are selected for maximum flavor and to provide mature products in all seasons. There you find asparagus, potatoes, peas, spinach, strawberries, carrot varieties (including purple and yellow), gooseberries, garlic, beans and many other foods."

"A Gothic wonderland of shrouded urns, obelisks, broken columns, sleeping angels, Egyptian-style tombs and overgrown graves, Highgate is a Victorian Valhalla spread over 20 wonderfully wild and atmospheric hectares. On the eastern side, you can pay your respects to the graves of Karl Marx and Mary Ann Evans (better known as novelist George Eliot). The real highlight, however, is the overgrown West Cemetery, which can only be visited on a guided tour."

"It may sound a bit sinister, although it’s actually anything but. London is home to a selection of stunning cemeteries, known as the ‘Magnificent Seven’. During the Victorian era, Londoners realised they had run out of space to bury their loved ones so built seven new private plots - which were the first of their kind."

"London’s most famous cemetery in Highgate is the resting place for some 170,000 – most notably, Karl Marx, although there are many other famous figures. It’s a peaceful and beautiful place. The cemetery is privately owned and operated."

"Finally, one of the best playgrounds in London is the Children’s Garden that opened at Kew Gardens in 2019. It is a fantastic space based in a natural setting the size of 40 tennis courts, with highlights that include a sandy area with play houses and small slides for little ones, tall “worm-hole” tubes to slide down, an area with trampolines and wooden climbing frames. The kids love the water play area, which features log troughs, water tables and several pumps, plus there’s a splash pool in a shady spot which is perfect for little ones."

"A small island on the River Thames, Eel Pie Island has a splendid landscape, wildlife scenery and cordial inhabitants (only around 120). Only reachable by boat, Eel Pie Island is popular among sport fans due to two important English clubs: Twickenham Rowing Club and Richmond Yacht Club. The island is also famous for the Eel Pie Island Hotel, which hosted many musical and dancing events where important figures made their name known."

"A chain on a mission, Leon wants us to eat healthily when we’re on that fast-food treadmill. Ok, lunch comes in a cardboard box with plastic cutlery, but the ingredients are seasonal and eco-friendly, right down to the last green pea. Leon’s worthy message is even easier to swallow when the bill arrives."

"Natural and delicious fast food specialising in hot boxes, wraps and salads, inspired by the flavours, variety and healthiness of Mediterranean cooking."

"13/06/2021: Non so se sia cambiato qualcosa nel corso degli anni, ma come rapporto qualitá / prezzo è sempre stato ottimo. Si puó scegliere il grado di piccante del pollo ( veramente buono ) e le bibite sono self service e a volontá ,con un prezzo fisso nel menú che si sceglie.Mi sono fermato piu volte da Nando's e sono contento che questa catena sia resistita nel corso degli anni.Consigliato. 29/05/2021: Went to Nando's because we were starving."

"This Portuguese chain is the people’s choice for peri-peri chicken, but also makes its money with burgers, wraps, pittas, salads and steaks. As a family-friendly go-to option, it has special menus for young ‘nandinos’ too. Flagship site: 10 Frith Street, W1D 3JF"

"We feature the Brum branch of the excellent Botanist group on Cool Places but it's worth knowing that their two London branches – and in particular their original and flagship branch on Sloane Square – do fabulous stacks of delicious American-style pancakes. But they are perhaps best known for a spectacular lobster and mushroom affair that will blow your socks off – not least because it will set you back 30 quid!"

"Doused in English elegance and conjuring the charm of the countryside, The Botanist is a hybrid of ultra stylish interiors and traditional British cuisines mastered with a Modern edge. Serving dishes of a gourmet seafood persuasion, you can tuck into everything from classic fish and chips to a scallop & shrimp burger."

"Coming in on the high-end spectrum when it comes to some of the best seafood restaurants in London, The Botanist dazzles any and all diners. Not only boasting creative and rich plates, their roster of seafood dishes are hearty, fresh and humble with that added pazazz."

"This is one of my personal favourite sunset spots in London. From here you can see the sun setting behind the Houses of Parliament, and flooding both the London Eye and River Thames with beautiful golden light. It might not be the most Instagrammable shot since if you want to get all elements in you will have to shoot landscape (and we all know portrait is better for Instagram) but it’s still going to be a breath taking photo."

"I have been photographing this second composition ever since I started photographing London. I love the way the London Eye is dominant in the frame and towers over the smaller buildings that surround it. As you can see from the image here, this is a cracking location to capture the London Eye as a long exposure which I cover in a previous post featuring my top 5 locations to capture long exposure photos in London."

"Quick Tip: If you have time, walk across the Hungerford Bridge which is also lovely at night and has a great view of the London Eye. Have more time to spend in London?"

"Unique in being one of the remaining independent and privately funded institutions of the arts in London, The Royal Academy of Arts has garnered a reputation as the venue for some of the most interesting art exhibitions that the country has ever seen. “The breadth of their show programme is so impressive, you can almost guarantee that at all times there will be a show on you have to see,” says Matthew. “We framed the Hockney exhibition there a few years ago,” recalls Matthew, who had a great deal of input into the frames used for some of Hockney’s vibrant and dreamlike landscapes inspired by the Yorkshire countryside."

"Led by artists and architects for over 250 years, the Royal Academy of Art has making at its heart. Alongside world-class exhibitions in this art museum (including the world’s largest open-submission art show), their central London campus is home to Britain’s oldest art school."

"Know a really cool free museum in London we forgot to include?. Tell us about it in the comments below and we’ll add it to the list ?"

"Occasionally compared to New York’s Times Square (though, to be honest, I think that’s a bit unfair to my hometown landmark!), Piccadilly Circus is an intersection known for its wide spaces and bright lights. From Piccadilly, head less than 10 minutes down Waterloo Place and around Pall Mall to enjoy a nice relaxing coffee or break in Trafalgar Square, named to commemorate British victory in the Napoleonic Wars."

"From the National Gallery, walk to Piccadilly Circus. This spot is similar to Times Square in New York City. This meeting point, where several main roads come together, is a very busy spot in London. Enormous neon signs bath the area in colorful light and double decker red buses and cars continually stream by."