Popular Gardens in London Borough of Bromley

"Kew Gardens — officially called the Royal Botanic Gardens — is situated in southwest London on the south bank of the Thames and is a wonderful place to visit as you enjoy the numerous plants grown amid its 300 acres. Laid out in 1759, the gardens became government property in 1841. In 1897, Queen Victoria added Queen's Cottage and the adjoining woodland."

"Plant Houses Nos. 7 to 14b inclusive were collectively known as the "T" Range because of their T-shaped plan. The extant Aroid House (now the Nash Conservatory) was designated Plant House No. 1 and the Water Lily House was Plant House No. 15."

"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 is one of the modern but still equally famous attractions in London. Since its opening in 2015 on the 43rd floor of the "Walkie Talkie" building, the Sky Garden has gained a lot of popularity and has become one of London's best gardens to visit. This attraction serves as a public park for visitors on top of a commercial building."

"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."

"Probably London's most child-friendly museum, offering fascinating exhibits and exciting activities from all over the world. Galleries include musical instruments, natural history and African art & culture, plus an aquarium and extensive gardens. Highlights are the wonderful 'hands on base' where children can touch and handle items from cultures around the world, and a music room where everyone can experiment with playing a wide variety of specially commissioned instruments."

"In Forest Hill in leafy south London, the Horniman Museum is like the Natural History Museum but on a much smaller (and more digestible) scale. Its collection has subjects including natural history, anthropology, and musical instruments, and is particularly famous for its many taxidermied species. There’s quite the eclectic mix, and you’re sure to find something intriguing at the Horniman Museum."

"More than a century old and dedicated to anthropology and natural wonders, this family-friendly south London museum delights with stunning exhibits, and is a popular venue for workshops, events and festivals. Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill is one of south London's best hidden gems. Some exhibitions require tickets."

"I’m thinking Windsor Castle, or Hampton Court Palace – both eminently explorable, and easy to reach with a car. If you want to save money on the above attractions, and will be visiting a few, then you should definitely consider investing in a London Pass. Available in 1, 3 and 6 day versions, the savings can really be quite impressive if you plan on visiting a few locations. You can read a full break down on if the London Pass is worth buying here, and buy one yourself here."

"Download the Hampton Court Map to easily navigate around the palace. It is highly recommended to download this Hampton Court Palace Map as it will be handy if you’re doing a self-guided/audio tour of the Palace."

"The Honourable Artillery Company Museum opened in 1987; it then closed and underwent a complete rebuild. The Duke of Edinburgh reopened the museum in 2011. The collection is dedicated to the Honourable Artillery Company and includes uniforms, silver, medals, weapons, equipment, art, and armour dating back to the 1530s with a special emphasis on the 1600s and 1700s militia."

"It lifts the soul to see what a passionate community can achieve when it works (damn hard) as one. The jam-packed ‘Pleasure Garden’, created from an old bombsite, is a masterclass in use of space. But the true pleasure here is how the horticultural enthusiasm erupts from its tiny confines to virtually every free surface of the square."

"Blessed with hidden pathways and a beautiful array of flowers, Chiswick Gardens has inspired some of the most iconic parks and gardens, including Blenheim Palace and New York’s Central Park. Each January, they host the Magical Lantern Festival, an incredible display of light and colour. COVID-19 UPDATE: Chiswick House is currently closed, but the park remains open to the public."

"One of the highlights of visiting Kew Gardens in summer is seeing the stunning Rose Garden behind the Palm House. The Rose Garden at Kew Gardens is home to 170 different species and cultivars of rose, with bold plantings of mixed shrub roses."

"Summer is the best time of year to stop by the Waterlily House, a small, square glasshouse by the Palm House, to see the amazing Santa Cruz waterlilies, lotus flowers and other aquatic plants. The lily pads of the Santa Cruz waterlilies grow up to two metres wide!. Fun fact: the circular pond spans over 10 metres and is dyed black (using a harmless food dye) weekly to stop algae growth"

"The Waterlily House is the hottest and most humid of the houses at Kew and contains a large pond with varieties of water lily, surrounded by a display of economically important heat-loving plants. It closes during the winter months. It was built to house Victoria amazonica, the largest of the water lily family Nymphaeaceae."

"Just when you thought mac and cheese couldn’t get anymore indulgent, the folks at Dirty Bones decide to deep fry it to make gooey bite-sized treats. They come served with a sweet chilli sauce to cut through the creamy pasta. When the cheese strings from your mouth, that’s when you know it’s great junk food."

"Seek out your nearest Dirty Bones because these NYC-inspired bars and restaurants have got you covered for all your favourite American eats. From indulgent chicken & waffles, to burnt onion and ale short ribs and spicy chicken burgers, they're all about tasty food, unqiue cocktails and great music."

"It makes sense that the bright, fresh flavours of Thai cooking pair well with vegan food, and the brilliantly named Greedy Khao brings both together for dishes that tick all the boxes: salty, sweet, sour, spicy and heavy on the umami. Interestingly, the street-food stall didn't start out as vegan – it was a decision made by its founders after learning more about the benefits of a plant-based diet, when they transitioned to vegan cooking without losing any of that punchy East Asian flavour. Find them at various markets around London to hoover up jackfruit laab, roast 'duck' curry and and the signature red curry – or rumour has it that they'll soon be running cooking classes..."

"A worldwide chain with a serious presence in London, Rossopomodoro has also stayed true to its Neapolitan roots. Wood-fired pizzas are made with flour from Naples and many of its pasta plates pay homage to the home city, while affogato al caffè provides the final authentic thrill. Flagship site: John Lewis Shopping Centre, 300 Oxford Street, W1A 1EX"

"What: A great one for groups, London Shuffle’s ‘Bottomless Shuffle Brunch’ includes unlimited pizza and booze as well as a 30-minute shuffleboard taster session to the soundtrack of some great funk and soul tunes. Shuffleboard, for the uninitiated, is a game in which two teams use long cues to push weighted discs along a narrow lane and (hopefully) into a marked scoring triangle. Lanes can accommodate 2-8 players at a time and each ticket covers a two-hour session including bottomless prosecco, draught beers and pizza, which you don’t even need to feel guilty about because you’ll be working it all off as you go… Probably."

"Shuffleboard and brunch collide at one of the most fun bottomless events in the city. Head down to London Shuffle as you not only take on the game, you take on their signature pizzas alongside bottomless prosecco or beer."

"More a place to come for a full brunch or to eat a filling main course, this ‘deliciously french’ bistro also serves delicious homemade brioche, Croque monsieur/madame and homemade desserts, baked the French way. You can enjoy a range of tarts or see what Antoinette’s cake of the day is!. 30 The Market Building, Covent Garden WC2E 8RE"

"Perched high above Marylebone High Street, this former Conran restaurant first opened its doors in the converted stable block back in 1997 complete with an epicierie on the ground floor. Here was where you could spend a long boozy lunch, particularly as no-one could see you on their terrace from street level. It had a major refurb recently and now chef/patron Igor Tymchyschyn turns out modern dishes alongside French classics like Tornedos Rossini."

"The Orrery in Marylebone Village holds one of London's best-kept secret rooftop terraces, serving elegant and traditional French food in the heart of W1. Physically (and metaphorically) elevated from the traffic and crowds of Marylebone, it's a flower-lined sanctuary that's kept its culinary standards high. Come for a cocktail, stay all afternoon."

"Orrery, located on the first floor of a converted stable block, has a beautiful terrace overlooking St Marylebone Church gardens in the heart of Marylebone Village. An elegant spot for cocktails and dinner in the sun."

"To experience fine dining at ordinary prices, French food fans will struggle to find a better restaurant than La Petite Auberge. With a name meaning ‘The Little Inn’, this restaurant exudes homeliness with its rustic French bistro feel. Red chequered tablecloths, wooden beams and bare brickwork transport visitors from the bustle of Upper Street to a simple yet welcoming tavern in the French countryside."