Mentioned by The Points Guy UK
16 kid-friendly things to do in London
"The ferns, fig trees and purple African lilies that clamber up the final three storeys of the 'Walkie Talkie' skyscraper are mere wallflowers at this 155m-high rooftop garden – it's the rather extraordinary 360-degree views of London (the best in the City) that make this vast, airport-terminal-like space so popular (advance booking recommended). Located on the 35th floor of 20 Fenchurch St, the Sky Garden has front-row seats for the Shard and vistas that gallop for miles east and west."
"If you guys have been following this blog for a while you may have realised that I am borderline obsessed with Sky Garden. I think it’s not only one of the best views and best rooftop bars in London, but it’s also very Instagrammable. The combination of stunning views over the rooftops of London, with modern architecture and green plants is a winner for me."
"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."
"London’s first ice cream parlour made using liquid nitrogen, Chin Chin Labs is best known for their bold flavours, big scoops and scientific methods. The team wanted to create something which hadn’t been explored before and it’s certainly done the trick because they now boast three outposts in London. Designed as a grab-and-go pit stop, their ice creams are great for scoring a ‘gram worthy image and fuelling you on your Sunday stroll around the city."
"Restaurants Ice-cream parlours Soho. Those nitro-fuelled experimentalists at Chin Chin are the Willy Wonkas of the ice-cream world, and this Soho shop is an ostentatious showcase for their wares. Not only their signature ices, but also full-on desserts – there’s some seriously elaborate stuff going on here amid all the bells and whistles (try the decadent tiramisu sundae)."
"A biscuit isn’t quite a dessert – unless it’s in the hands of Cutter & Squidge, that is. Enter the Biskie, the Soho bakery’s signature dessert which sees two discs of a cake-cookie hybrid sandwich an array of flavoured creamy fillings. The chocolate s’more version is filled with buttercream and a handmade marshmallow, while the blueberry cheesecake version layers jam, cheesecake cream and a wedge of digestive biscuit."
"The menu at this Soho dessert stop features a lot of the delicious treats mentioned on this blog, but most famous are their biskies – a biscuit/cookie/cake hybrid filled with tasty buttercream, jams and caramels. Flavours include passion fruit and salted caramel, apple crumble, chocolate lava and miso caramel. If you’re feeling extra naughty, order one of their indulgent freakshakes to go with it."
"It’s pretty, it’s pink and the cakes and treats are equally as gorgeous to eat as well as look at. Their famous for their ‘biskie’ creations which are a cross between a cake and a cookie sandwiched with cream or chocolate. If you prefer you can go for one of their perfectly presented cakes by the slice."
"Named after the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, whose impressive work to the taxonomic rank helped communicate our understanding of who we are, and how we as individuals fit into the world surrounding us, Linnaean is a spot that’s on one hell of a health kick. Fused together through a love for health, beauty and lifestyle, all of your girlie needs are catered for here, from the health-driven cafe, natural beauty treatments, to a little lifestyle boutique for all of your self-pampering needs. Unlike most ‘Instagrammable’ venues, Linnaean manages to deliver on all accounts and ticks all of your interior goals as soon as you step inside."
"South London’s answer to Instagrammable restaurants is Linnaean: a health-focused café, apothecary and beauty salon named after Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. Located in the heart of London’s Embassy Gardens, Linnaean is a beautiful space, with a very Instagram-friendly flower ceiling, hanging lights and pastel pink bar seats, alongside an equally pretty – and delicious – food offering. Afterwards, pop into the salon for a treatment for a long-awaited self-care day."
"One of London's prettiest restaurants, The Linnaean Cafe is a pastel-hued, floral-clad beauty in Battersea. With biodynamic wines and a range of brunch, lunch and dinner menus filled with mouthwatering vegan dishes, this place is sure to please."
"Not only does Luminary Bakery make some of the finest cakes in town, it’s all for a good cause. The social enterprise aims to offer opportunities for disadvantaged women, using baking as a tool to take women on a journey to employability, equipping them with transferrable skills for the working world. Its celebration cakes are beautifully designed, with flavours including almond, cherry and chocolate; lemon and blueberry; and sticky toffee."
"Comfortably nestled around Chalk Farm Road, Luminary Bakery is more than just a bakery: it's a social enterprise designed to help women who have had a social and economic disadvantage build a future for themselves. Luminary Bakery uses baking as a tool to take women on a journey to employability and entrepreneurship, equipping them with transferable skills for the working world. They also produce some pretty wonderful bakes, too."
"Lemon sponge with fresh blueberries, lemon buttercream and a chunky, lemon-infused crumble on top, it’s tangy and super lemony but also a little buttery and sweet. 71-73 Allen Rd, London N16 8RY or 47 Chalk Farm Rd, London NW1 8AJ. This list does not include the incredible cakes from Crumbs & Doiles as the Soho shop currently isn’t selling the slices."
"West Hampstead’s Intermission Coffee is on a mission to change the coffee industry for good via its commitment to sustainable coffee. The team has made every effort to verify that everybody along their coffee supply chain is treated and paid fairly for their time and that not one ounce of their coffee causes unnecessary or undue harm to the planet. It’s a pretty noble aim and the cute little cups that the various excellent piccolos, macchiatos, and cappuccinos come served in certainly helps to sell the cause."
"This cute spot in West Hampstead has come on in big strides, first since opening and second since starting to roast its own coffee — a transition that countless have attempted and many have failed. It’s also willing to keep what made it such a strong starter going, by bringing in exciting, conscientiously brewed guest coffees from U.K. and European roasters doing interesting things, rather than relying on the older guard, and also making oat milk free."
"When I first moved to Reading I made it my priority to seek out the best place to head for brunch, and the popular consensus was that Café YOLK are responsible for serving up the best in town. They won South East regional Cafe/Bistro of the Year in The Food Awards England, probably in part thanks to their infamous fry-ups, and as their name might suggest, their incredible eggs. This is obviously the place to go for your eggs benny fix."
"Despite the name, there’s much more to Café YOLK than just great eggs. This award-winning café serves a comprehensive breakfast menu all day, every day, made from high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re searching for that calorific hangover cure or a bowl of wholesome goodness, Café YOLK has just the brunch you need to get you ready for the rest of the day."
"Give us diner nachos, served with spicy Jalapeño salsa and summery guacamole, and we're happy. Give us pulled pork, cooked for 16 hours with barbecue sauce and house slaw, and we're very happy. Give us Jamie's Insanity burger, and we're ecstatic."
"For many years the East End has been a hub for artists and Whitechapel Gallery has been there for over a hundred of them. Its focus, however, is largely on what’s happening now and next. Although it’s not averse to a 20th century artists’ retrospective, its links with London’s working artist community is strong and ongoing, so it’s a great place to find work by new artists on their way to becoming household names."
"The Whitechapel Gallery is a touchstone for contemporary art internationally, plays a central role in London’s cultural landscape and is pivotal to the continued growth of the world’s most vibrant contemporary art quarter."
"Churning its way to the top is Snowflake after founder Asad and gelato Chef Paolo opened up their first shop in 2012. With eight years now under their belt, they have several stores across the city delighting the busy commuters, tourists and passers-by with their specialities, handmade with love using some of the world’s finest ingredients. Despite expanding, each gelato is made by hand using the traditional Italian method, allowing each one to be naturally unique, just like a real snowflake."
"Their core product is made using raw organic Jersey milk from a Somerset family farm and pure spring water from the Wenlock mountains. Their chocolate ice cream uses only the very best 70% Valrhona which is a super high standard used by the world’s top pastry chefs. This is basically the Michelin star of ice cream making."
"Using proper Sardianian ingredients this place is a perfect blend of authentic Italian and fun British ice cream - the gelo buns (ice cream filled brioche buns) sound incredible. As well as cones and cups you can get waffles, ice cream cakes and frozen yogurt. Get MyLondon news with Alexa"
"They say: ‘The Creams story is one of passion, commitment and big flamboyant desserts. It took many years of research and tasting gelato, waffles and crepes to perfect the concept.’. The sweet stuff: A lot of OTT ice creams, Oreo milkshakes and cookie doughs."