Mentioned by Secret London
31 Fascinating & Free Museums Every Londoner Should Visit At Least Once
"If a trip up to the stunning viewing gallery of one of London’s tallest buildings sounds like a pocket drainer, think again. Situated inside a glass oasis at the top of the “Walkie Talkie”, Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden, filled with greenery and boasting panoramic views of the capital. It’s totally free to head up there, but you’ll need to book in advance, with post-lockdown visits starting up again from July 29."
"Located on floor 36 of the iconic Walkie Talkie, the views from the Darwin Brasserie are pretty striking. Although Fenchurch Restaurant – one of Sky Garden’s other offerings – is higher, the Darwin Brasserie has better views thanks to its position further back from the Sky Garden’s atrium roof. A good option if you want to enjoy the sights without the flocks of camera totting tourists."
"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."
"Must try: Griddled vegan cookie dough with burnt butter ice cream. Chin Chin is Europe’s very first liquid nitrogen ice-cream parlour and one of the best spots to discover some of the most unique and delicious desserts in London. Their exciting selection of ice cream flavours are frozen with liquid nitrogen in giant tanks, in a space that looks more like a mad scientists lab than a dessert parlour."
"Don’t go to Chin Chin Labs for your average cake and cookie because ‘simple’ really isn’t in their vocabulary. They are most famous for their ice-cream made with liquid nitrogen but what a lot of people don’t know is they make and bake a whole load of cakes, cookies and pies downstairs in their in-house bakery. Find things like their naughty titty cakes, party cakes and hot cherry pies."
"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."
"A post shared by Cutter & Squidge (@cutterandsquidge) on May 28, 2018 at 5:50am PDT. Just yards away from its previously successful pop-up space, Cutter & Squidge's Soho home is full of sweet delights. Choose from a wide selection of its speciality biskies, or opt for vegetarian marshmallows, dream cakes, honeycomb or its award-winning salted caramel."
"You'd be bonkers not to try one of their famous 'Biskies' (a merge between a cake and a biscuit - v moreish) while sitting in their secret garden."
"Lambrusco Dell'Emilia, Maecello Gran Cru Dry IGT , Ariola, 10.5%"
"Bright and airy, and where the Mediterranean meets London, Amber is what modern London is all about. The menu includes Greek feta cheese, shakshuka, grilled Jerusalem pita bread, Turkish coffee, and Kandula tea. You can order a fry-up here, but it won’t be your traditional English breakfast — this one is more likely to include Spanish sausages and halloumi cheese."
"The oldest scientific zoo in the world, London Zoo is home for more than eight hundred species of animals, being by far the most diverse zoological garden in the United Kingdom. Sometimes referred to as Regent’s Zoo (because it is situated in Regent’s Park), London Zoo is a great day out for any family with a few kids. Besides the enormous range of animals and insects that can be seen in such areas as the Aquarium, the Penguin Pool, Gorilla Kingdom, Butterfly Paradise, Rainforest Life and Nightlife, the Reptile House, and so many others, London Zoo also attracts children to the area that is primarily dedicated to them: Animal Adventure."
"The ZSL London Zoo is in Regent’s Park and is a super fun attraction to check out. The zoo is the oldest in England and is also a conservation zoo. This means that all sales proceeds go towards protecting the creatures of our planet."
"It is also home to Regent’s Park and the London Zoo, and Camden Lock is a popular place to start a canal boat ride along the Regent’s Canal. View of Regent’s Canal from Camden Lock Market"
"One of Europe’s largest inland wetland projects, this 42-hectare centre run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust was transformed from four Victorian reservoirs in 2000 and attracts some 140 species of bird, as well as frogs, butterflies, dragonflies and lizards, plus a thriving colony of watervoles. The glass-fronted observatory affords panoramic views over the lakes, while meandering paths and boardwalks lead visitors through the watery habitats of black swans, Bewick's swans, geese, red-crested pochards, sand martins, coots, bitterns, herons and kingfishers."
"Voted in 2012 as Britain’s Favourite Natural Reserve, WWT London Wetland Centre is an oasis of natural wildlife placed right in the heart of London. Managed by Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, this idyllic wetland reserve is located in a loop of the Thames and occupies more than 100 acres of land. Home for a significant number of unique species of birds, insects, amphibians and other wildlife representatives, the Wetland Centre represents a real natural wonder."
"Just ten minutes from Hammersmith, you'll get lost in the London Wetland Centre and its lakes, ponds and gardens. Aside from the daily guided tours, you can meet the otters, feed the birds, or take part in a host of family activities such as pond dipping and nature walks."
"This farm is little further out of London, but a whole day of adventure and fun can be enjoyed here, thanks to a huge array of facilities, besides the friendly animals. There’s indoor soft play at the Bundle Barn, an alpine toboggan run, Dino Dig and Splash play area and an adventure playground. Unlike most of the other city farms in London listed, there is a small entry price for this one (£10) but this includes entry to all indoor and outdoor play areas, activities, animals, bird shows and a tractor ride to the dairy farm."
"A post shared by Georgiebd (@georgie.bd) on May 26, 2018 at 10:23am PDT. Cycle along the paths or take a stroll at Lee Valley Regional Park. Stretching 42km (26 miles) along the river Lee, past Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and up to Ware in Hertfordshire, there is plenty of opportunity to spot wildlife, relax or play."
"A stately home with as opulent an exterior as the art it holds within, Somerset house was once a palace for the Duke of Somerset Edward Seymour in 1547. Now one of the more grandiose of London’s institutions, the palace hosts exhibitions from all over the world and continually draws enormous crowds. The gallery is “known for the breadth of cultural collaborations across photography, fashion, art, film and music."
"London is bursting at the seams with historic architecture, but the neo-classical Somerset House is a true standout. Built in the late 1770s, it’s home to art exhibitions, open-air concerts, and 55 sparking fountains. It’s worth a visit in the winter, too: the courtyard hosts one of the world’s best skating rinks."
"Monument was built between 1671 and 1676 to commemorate the Great Fire of London. Today, you can access the viewpoint at the top for some great views of the city. However, you will be required to climb a spiral staircase comprised of 311 stairs (although it felt like a thousand!) and pay a small entrance fee."
"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*)."
"Entrance is £5 for adults and you get beautiful 360 views over the roofs of the City. I like it because it’s high enough to get a view but not tall enough to lose the details. See the exact location here."