Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Gilwell Park Scout Activity Centre

"Hyde Park is centrally located and loved by many residents as well as international students. This gorgeous park is spread across 350 acres of land. It has more than 4,000 trees, a lake, a meadow, a rose garden and several ducks enhancing the beauty."

"This includes the V&A, Natural History Museum, The Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park!. What’s more, all the other London landmarks are just a hop, skip, and jump away. This makes it our top choice for a short summer getaway in London"

"It's been the coronation church since 1066, where William the Conqueror was crowned King of England. It is, of course, a hub for tourists these days and sightseeing passes are £22 when purchased in person on the day. If you’re planning to attend it’s definitely worth booking online too — tickets bought online are £2 cheaper and entitle the holder to fast track access."

"The Westminster Abbey Museum, or The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, sits 52 feet above the abbey floor in the 13th century triforium. Guests will take in incredible views of the abbey as they climb the Weston Tower to the museum. The secret space that houses the galleries was hidden for more than 700 years."

"This Gothic architectural masterpiece has hosted almost every coronation of English monarchs since 1066, when William the Conqueror was crowned on Christmas Day. Over 3,300 people are buried here, including at least sixteen monarchs, eight Prime Ministers, and the Unknown Warrior."

"The Shard may not seem like a top romantic spot for Valentine’s Day, but with all it has to offer, it may be a one-stop shop. Stay at the Shangri-La hotel, dine in the restaurants, and even take in the tallest view of the city from the building’s observation floors. Even if you don’t opt to spend more than an hour or two of your Valentine’s Day here, it can still be your base of operations for anywhere you visit in London."

"The Shard has one of the most beautiful and photogenic views over London (if you manage to go on a sunny day, unlike the one when I went and snapped the photo below). My advice for visiting The Shard is to go enjoy the view from the cocktail bar, instead of the viewing floor. As you can imagine cocktails are expensive, however they are only a couple pounds more expensive than the entry ticket to the viewing deck."

"Given that it’s the tallest building in the United Kingdom, it’s only natural that the Shard is also one of the most incredible viewpoints in London. There are the viewing decks of the View from The Shard where you can go and take epic photos from. However I always personally recommend having drinks at the bar in the Shard instead."

"While visiting the historically important Tower of London does require a paid entrance ticket, the daily Ceremony of the Keys – the traditional ‘locking up’ of the Tower – is completely free to watch. At exactly 21:53 each evening, the Chief Yeoman Warder (or ‘Beefeater’) marches through the Tower carrying the Queen’s Keys. Escorted by four armed guards, he performs a series of specific rituals as he locks the gates to the Tower for the night before returning the keys to the Queen’s House at 10pm."

"The Tower of London is one of the top places to visit in London. The White Tower, the one bona fide castle in London, dates back to the late 11th century. Along with Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Place and St Paul’s, it should be essential for London first time visitors."

"Despite its medieval, fairy-tale appearance, Britain's most iconic bridge was actually built at the tail end of the Victorian age, first…"

"I’ll level with you: the extent of Covent Garden’s ‘market’ status is kind of questionable, despite it being one of the most famous markets in London. There are more shops selling designer bags here than there are market traders but that doesn’t stop it from being a historic market spot in the centre of London. Don’t think it’s all about the big names here either – there are independents and quirky finds if you poke around, particularly at the weekends when independent makers set up around the Apple Market."

"Watch a musician or magician in the piazza and wander among the stalls and high-end shops at Covent Garden Market. Housed in and around the iconic Market Building, this central London shopping market is an architectural masterpiece. Alongside Apple Market, speciality shops such as perfume boutiques, homeware stores, restaurants and cafes, you'll find gorgeous crafts, antiques and jewellery."

"In the heart of London's bustling Covent Garden, you'll find this covered market with quirky stalls offering local artwork, handmade clothes and extra trinkets and souvenirs. The surrounding area is filled with pubs, restaurants and bars too, with plenty of live entertainment on offer from musicians to comedians. When to visit: It's open seven days a week, 10am-6pm."

"Located next to the late princess’s home, at Kensington Palace, this vast playground’s many sections are inspired by the stories of Peter Pan (J M Barrie was another nearby resident). There are teepees, a giant pirate ship and surrounding sandy beach, giant musical instruments, and extensive plantings which offer ample space for hiding."

"We’re going to West London now and to Kensington Gardens, specifically to the Diana Memorial Playground. The Princess of Wales was known for her love of children and humanitarian work to help kids around the world. There are also many sections inspired by the story of Peter Pan, as J M Barrie was a nearby resident to this park."

"Located next to Princess Diana’s home, the Diana Memorial Playground has a huge wooden pirate ship, sensory trail, tepee and a beach set against a backdrop of trees and plants. There are also lots of seats for parents too. The playground is open all year round, but you may have to queue to enter during busy times."

"Restaurants French St Paul’s. If you’re sightseeing the St Paul’s area with your kids and fancy a change from Pret, join the queue outside this London outpost of the French salad and sandwich chain. On offer is an express menu of healthy baguettes, clean-living bowls, curry pots, cakes, fruit crumbles and yoghurt-based desserts."

"Like many of us, chef Jake Finn had big plans for 2020 – he was going to open his first restaurant, having trained at La Petite Maison, Coya and The Ritz. Instead, he pivoted to a home-delivery service to save Londoners from their terrible cooking during lockdown. Now he’s finally swung open the doors to his own place: Cinder in Belsize Park."

"In a nutshell: Grill restaurant for Belsize Village Where is it?. 66 Belsize Lane, London NW3 5BJ Why should you care?. This new neighbourhood restaurant by an ex-Ritz chef Jake Finn has a menu devoted to the grill and a lovely outside terrace too."

"Part of the pull of Golden Square-based Folie is its delicious interiors – but (considering they’re temporarily shut away for lockdown 3.0) luckily its delivery menu is equally sumptuous and exciting. Prepared by executive head chef Christophe Marleix, the on-the-go menu includes Riviera-style dishes like tuna sashimi, octopus, citrus, avocado and herbs, rich Italian classics like aubergine parmigiana and seared cod updated with a twist – hazlenut crust and heritage carrots. To finish it all off (and see away your waistband entirely) you won’t want to miss out on the all-new patisserie brand for dessert, Petite Folie – which brings classics to the table like vanilla mille-feuille and paris-brest."

"In a nutshell: Med food and cocktails on Golden Square Where is it?. 37 Golden Square, Soho, London W1F 9LB Why should you care?. This restaurant on Golden Square is looking to the Riviera and the Mediterranean for its influences and will have a design created by the people behind the look of Chiltern Firehouse."

"London's Golden Square is said to be where Soho meets Mayfair, which goes some way to explaining why the part cool and part classy Folie can be found there. We can't stop thinking about its octopus carpaccio à la niçoise."

"Côte Brasserie serve breakfast and brunch from 8am until 12 noon on a Monday to Friday and then 9am to 1pm on a Saturday and Sunday. Highlights include a breakfast set menu that involves any cooked breakfast with fresh orange juice or cloudy apple juice and a hot drink of your choice. Options include a full English breakfast, Crepe Complete (pancakes, bacon and comte cheese), Eggs Florentine, Eggs Royal and Eggs Avocado."

"Restaurants Cafés Putney. Outdoorsy folk who like cycling can stay outside and eat alfresco at this laidback cycling caff in Putney. A big terrace dining area out front soaks up the sunshine (if any), and it’s regularly packed with punters."

"In a nutshell: Indian restaurant meets train journey Where is it?. 29 Bond Street, Ealing, London W5 5AS Why should you care?. They're big in Hammersmith and Northfields and now Patri has arrived in Ealing."