Popular Gardens in Plaistow

"Amazing Kew Gardens in the southwest neighbourhood of Kew is one of London’s most picturesque parks; 132 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses that that house the world’s most diverse collection of living plants. Kew Gardens was founded in 1840 and is today London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with beautiful glasshouses, including the iconic Palm House and its exotic rainforest. There’s a magical children’s garden, the fantastic Treetop Walkway that soars into the tree canopy at a height of 18 metres, and Kew Palace, the former summer residence of King George III."

"If you are on museum overload, skip some of the museums on this itinerary and journey out to Kew Gardens. Take a Walking Tour of London"

"Sky Garden pairs epic views with tasty cocktails and an indoors garden, how can you not love that?. Sky Garden has a 360° view all around London and a number of different bars and restaurants inside it. Access to Sky Garden is free but you have to book in advance if you want to skip the queues, don’t worry if you forget about booking, you can still access Sky Garden but you will have to wait a little longer before taking your perfect Instagram shots."

"For a lunch date to remember, 155 meters high at the top of the famous ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building, the Sky Garden offers spectacular views of the city. But it’s the incredible tropical garden which makes this iconic London landmark a must-see. There are multiple restaurants and bars to choose from, but for informal yet stylish lunchtime dining, we highly recommend Darwin’s Brasserie to take in some of the best views of the city."

"Offering perhaps the best free vantage point in Central London, the indoor viewing decks and restaurants occupying the top three floors of 20 Fenchurch Street (known to locals as the "walkie-talkie") are a great place to hang out without spending a penny. It is open daily, just book your free visit in advance."

"This museum is an extraordinary place, comprising the original collection of wealthy tea-merchant and pack-rat Frederick John Horniman. He had this art-nouveau building, with its clock tower and mosaics, specially designed to house his collection. Built in 1901, today it encompasses everything from a dusty walrus and voodoo altars from Haiti and Benin to a mock-up of a Fijian reef and a collection of concertinas. It’s wonderful."

"The Horniman Museum really excels in its child-friendly nature with 16 acres of child-friendly places to play. Toddlers will fall in love with its outdoor areas that includes a nature trail and hands-on object touching exhibits. There’s also an aquarium which will keep them mesmerized as well as a nature base with interactive ways to explore the natural world."

"Founded in 1901 by Frederick John Horniman, a tea merchant who wanted a space to display his private collection of natural history, the Horniman Museum is a nature lover’s dream. See African art or visit the tiny aquarium. We especially like the conservatory, set in a grand Victorian glasshouse with views over the rolling gardens."

"Hampton Court Palace (fee*) is a former royal palace, originally built in the 16th century for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a powerful person during the time of King Henry VIII. However, Wolsey would fall out of favor with the king (as most people did) and Henry would confiscate his house and use it as his own palace. The huge Tudor and Baroque style royal palace was used by British monarchs until the 18th century and is now a popular tourist destination. The palace is huge and you could spend all day exploring its many rooms, but luckily the self-guided tours are broken up by themes so you can decide which parts of the palace are of most interest to you. The gardens, the tennis court, and hedge maze are also definitely worth exploring here."

"Built by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in 1515 but coaxed from him by Henry VIII just before Wolsey (as chancellor) fell from favour, Hampton Court Palace is England's largest and grandest Tudor structure. It was already one of Europe's most sophisticated palaces when, in the 17th century, Christopher Wren designed an extension. The result is a beautiful blend of Tudor and 'restrained baroque' architecture. You could easily spend a day exploring the palace and its 24 hectares of riverside gardens, including a 300-year-old maze."

"Just outside of central London lies Hampton Court Palace, an impressive royal residence that is one of two remaining that once belonged to Henry VIII. To enter the palace and admire the opulence you’ll need to buy tickets. It’s cheapest to book them online, although they are available at the gate."

"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."

"Originally designed for Buckingham Palace, this was moved to Kew in 1836 by King William IV. The building was formerly known as the Aroid House No. 1 and was used to display species of Araceae, the building was listed Grade II* in 1950.[38] With an abundance of natural light, the building is now used for various exhibitions, weddings, and private events. It is also now used to exhibit the winners of the photography competition."

"Between Waterloo and Hungerford bridges you can retreat to the landscaped Victoria Embankment Gardens, where you will find an unmatched tranquillity in this tourist area. In the summer recline on deckchairs and take in a bandstand performance."

"Alternatives: There are many other things to see in the area (mostly in Chelsea), including the Chelsea Physic Garden (fee*), Leighton House Museum (fee), Design Museum, Portobello Road Market, Chelsea Football Club Stadium Tour & Museum (fee*), and the recently renovated National Army Museum. London Itinerary Day 6 – Greenwich or Free Day"

"Less shiny Parisian bistro and more rustic rural French eatery, this bar and restaurant just off Trafalgar Square specialises in low-intervention natural wines, and food to match. Come for a glass, a bottle and some small plates or a full-blown meal and enjoy the likes of cured meats and cheeses, rich fish soups and unctuous rillettes. If you want to get carried away with wine, then you’re in the right place; if not, starting prices for a glass are about £6."

"Split over two floors, Terroirs in London’s West End is both a wine bar and restaurant. Reserve a table on the ground floor to sample fine wines and pick at small plates of charcuterie and cheese, or choose to sit in the cellar restaurant for exquisite three-course meals. Order oysters by the half dozen, sample the bouillabaisse or the red mullet, or, if you’re feeling carnivorous, share a whole black leg chicken or a one-kilogram Angus T-bone steak."

"While the majority of our listed restaurants offer excellent French wines, we thought it worthy to include Terroirs as the stand-out wine destination. This charming wine bar in Charing Cross is exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about recognising the worth of every bottle. The word terroir actually refers to the characteristic flavour imparted to a wine from the environment it is produced in, such as soil and climate."

"Bringing a taste of provincial France to Clerkenwell, La Petite Ferme is a restaurant that takes a rustic approach to French cuisine. This eatery sources artisanal produce and sticks to traditional Gallic recipes, meaning rich flavours are guaranteed. There’s garlic butter Burgundy snails, foie gras with brioche, top-quality French cheese platters and truffle mash potatoes."

"We've praised The Bluebird for its versatile approach to dining and Chelsea-style leisure. It's a compound comprised of a swanky restaurant, a more casual cafe, outdoor space, and, of course, the boutique to end all boutiques. The ground floor shop is "an ever-evolving space; part concept store and part cabinet of curiosity, where you can discover high-end designers alongside niche labels and emerging fashion talent, interspersed with objets, ephemera, collectibles and cult beauty brands." They stock everyone from Balenciaga to Levi's, and their homewares are to die for – go for a Fornasetti candle, try on something you couldn't possibly afford, and get your brows done by Blink."

"Restaurants Contemporary European King’s Road. The main dining room of this King’s Road branch of Bluebird Café looks like it’s actually outside; it has a conservatory-style glass roof and loads, we mean loads, of plants. If you want to really get some fresh air, there’s a massive outdoor dining area with fake grass, umbrellas and garden-style furniture serving a Mediterranean menu."

"A chic, all-day drinking and dining destination in West London, with a beautiful terrace, bar and restaurant serving everything from breakfast to late night cocktails."

"Located in a complex of historic railway arches off Deptford High Street, the Market Yard is a hip hub of indie shops, bars and on-trend street-food eateries. If you’re peckish, head to the Tapas Room for Spanish nibbles and fine wine or Mama’s Jerk for funky Caribbean classics. If you’re simply after some booze, set your sights on Taproom SE8 (a real ale and craft beer mecca with pizza) or Little Nan’s Bar, where the cocktails are served in teapots."

"Whitecross Street Market is a friendly and scrumptious market that’s a favourite amongst hard working locals, and has been serving up delicious food for over 150 years. It’s still relatively unknown, tucked away behind The Barbican Centre, so the food here is unpretentious and on point. Don’t miss long-time favourite Ravello’s Italian for some authentic Italian eats."

"20-30 stalls serve food from all over the world to local workers around Old St. It’s worth a detour if you’re visiting the City or the Barbican. Fortune Street Park, off one of the side streets, has plenty of park benches to eat your food. Or the Two Brewers pub (121 Whitecross St) lets you eat your food inside as long as you buy a drink."

"Dalston Food Market is an amazing little market located in an uber-trendy part of the city. The stalls in this area tend to be cheaper than those in some of the other markets, making this a budget-friendly option."

"Portobello Road is the jewel in Notting Hill – the world’s largest antiques market has retained its sense of charm and friendliness, even as the surrounding area has scaled the ladder of exclusivity. The market, which wends its way along the sinuous Portobello Road is actually five interconnecting markets – with separate sections for fresh produce, clothing, second hand goods, household stuff, a flea market and antiques. The antiques section, always sizable, really comes into its own on Saturdays – cementing Portobello’s position as one of the go-to Saturday markets in London."

"Just round the corner from the beautiful white houses of Notting Hill you will find the cute coloured houses of Portobello. Portobello is famous for its vintage and street food market, with the coloured houses coming up close after it. It’s not quite as fancy as Notting Hill with the white columns and houses, but if like me you love colourful places Portobello is a more fun photo location."

"There are lots of colourful streets around Notting Hill which make for wonderful pictures. Your best bet is to get off at Notting Hill Gate station and then walk towards (and along) Portobello Road. Another aesthetic place in London is on the other side of the city around Hillgate Place and Campden Hill Road."