Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Big Ben

"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 in the iconic Walkie Talkie, Sky Garden has a foliage-filled viewing gallery on the 43rd floor. From here, visitors are surrounded by exquisite greenery while looking over panoramic views of London. Also seeBeer Tasting in London"

"At the Sky Garden you’ll get panoramic views of the city and you can also stop for food and drink. You have to book a ticket in advance to visit but it’s free. Head to skygarden.london for more info."

"Branches of the growing chain of Sushisamba restaurants can be found in New York, Chicago, Miami and beyond. London’s outpost is found on the 38th and 39th floors of the City’s Heron Tower so it’s likely you’ll see deals being brokered at nearby tables, but the atmosphere is kept in check by personable staff and the spread of dating couples out to have a good time. The menu’s an eclectic mix, too, featuring a blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine, alongside one of the most comprehensive sake selections in the city."

"Sushisamba London offers a mix of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine on the 38th and 39th floor of Heron Tower, one of our favourite restaurants in the City. The menu features items from a Robata grill, along with a variety of ceviches and tiraditos, sushi rolls and numerous sharing plates. Sushisamba London has two large outdoor terraces, one of which has a stunning copper-coloured tree as a focus point above the bar."

"While SUSHISAMBA in the City is notorious enough, it's the Covent Garden site that has caught our eye. Not only the place to catch sky high views and serious amounts of sushi, this pretty London restaurant is a sight to behold from the bold prints on the walls and the hanging plants overhead to the fusion cuisine, worthy of any Instagram post."

"What: A savoury doughnut – yes it is a thing, and yes it is delicious. The spicy ox cheek doughnut at Duck & Waffle has been a firm fixture on its menu for quite some time and frankly we’re not surprised. This decadent starter is filled with slow-cooked spicy ox cheek, the crispy outer coating is dusted with paprika sugar and it comes served with a generous dollop of apricot jam for good measure."

"There’s one very obvious reason why Duck & Waffle features in this list — the views. The restaurant is one of the highest in London and it has the impressive outlook to match (just be sure to specify a table by the window, otherwise the effect isn't quite the same). That said, there are plenty of other reasons to come."

"It’s on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, making it one of the highest bars in London and Europe, for that matter."

"Modern and stylish, The Danubius Regents Park is everything you would expect from a London hotel. From chandeliers to marble-effect flooring, its elegant interior is dreamy yet unintimidating. The hotel is not just a pretty face though."

"We'll start our rundown of the best family friendly restaurants in London with a trip to the riverside. Perched on the side of the water and offering one of the best outdoor terraces in the city, The Blue Boat is a friendly and familiar gastropub. Let the kids pick something from the children's menu while you weigh up the rest of the fresh and seasonal fare on offer, then head outside for a drink in the serene garden once the plates have been cleared away."

"Borough Market is not short of great places to eat, but Turnips, an open-air produce stall that now doubles as restaurant, is one of the best places to eat outdoors at London’s biggest and best foodie attraction. Tomas Lidakevicius (former executive chef at Jason Atherton’s City Social) cooks a constantly changing five-course tasting menu using the stall’s produce, whilst those seeking a more casual meal can choose from a selection of small plates. The drinks list is produce-led too, with cocktails such as a pea negroni."

"Located under the sheltered arches of Borough Market, Tomas Lidakevicius' restaurant Turnips benefits from an indoor-outdoor feel thanks to the railway above. It's a lively place to eat, with trains trundling by overhead and the bustle of the market around you, all while sampling the chef's inventive five course tasting menu that brings fruit and veg to the fore. There is also a small plates menu for those wanting something lighter, which also serves to highlight the wonderful produce on offer."

"Nearest c2c station: Fenchurch Street change for TFL services. With seven floors of interactive exhibits and even a flight simulator, Knightsbridge’s ever-popular Science Museum remains one of the very best free museums for kids – even the gift shop could be considered among top London attractions, its array of weird and wonderful toys making it near impossible to leave empty handed. The latest gallery, the museum’s biggest and most ambitious to date, is called Information Age: Six Networks That Changed Our World and was opened by the Queen herself – who marked the occasion by sending her first ever tweet."

"You could also really go museum crazy, and drop in at either the Natural History Museum or Science Museum, both of which are free. If you’re into pageantry, just round the corner from Buckingham Palace, and officially part of the grounds, the Royal Mews is a fascinating place to visit, and much less popular than its exhibits deserve. Finally, if you’re into afternoon tea, you can experience a fashionable take on the high tea experience at the Berkeley."

"Mathematics: The Winton Gallery at the Science Museum © NIck Guttridge. Image courtesy of the Science Musuem. From the future of space travel to asking that difficult question: "who am I?", the Science Museum makes your brain perform Olympic-standard mental gymnastics."

": Row upon row of glass jars, with everything from tiny organisms, to strange two-headed beasts, to examples of gross diseases, this museum can be very creepy at times, especially when it’s quiet. However, it’s so much more than the freakshow that it is sometimes made out to be, offering a unique insight into the history of surgery and advances in modern medicine. The next few months are your last chance to see the museum before it closes in 2017 for refurbishment, so get going!"

"If you’re a big fan of croissants, then the Pasty Parlour is a must for your Little Black Book. One of London’s best bakeries, everything is baked fresh on-site daily and their pastries are said to rival the originals from across the channel. 8 Piazza Walk, London E1 8FU; thepastryparlour.co.uk"