Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Aley Green

"The British Museum is one of London's top attractions, and absolutely free. It is bursting at the seams with enthralling artefacts from all over the world, from Egyptian mummies to samurai armour and Anglo-Saxon burial treasures to the Rosetta Stone. Remarkably, the 80,000 objects on display at any one time only make up 1% of the eight million objects in the museum’s possession."

"British Museum – The British Museum is one of the best free museums in the world and is an absolute must visit on any trip to London. The museum is dedicated to human history and culture with its permanent collection consisting of some eight million works and is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence. It documents the story of human culture from beginning to present, covering items from all continents."

"Trafalgar Square is home to the National Gallery, an art museum that opened in 1824 and currently has over 2,000 paintings hanging on the walls. The National Gallery was visited by 5.2 million people in 2017, taking in paintings from well-known artists including Cezanne, Michelangelo and Van Gogh. Housing priceless works such as these, it is one of the busiest museums in the world, alongside the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art."

"It’s worth battling past the floating Yodas to get to the crown jewel of Trafalgar Square; the National Gallery. The formidable building sits resplendently behind the Fourth Plinth - always a talking point for art lovers - and contains some of the most famous paintings in the world. Here you’ll find works by Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Turner, Botticelli and Van Gogh - and you won’t be charged a penny to enjoy them."

"Housing masterpieces by painters including van Gogh, Renoir, da Vinci and Michelangelo, the National Gallery is home to one of the world’s most impressive art collections, and sees over six million visitors every year. Avoid the hordes by visiting on weekday mornings or Friday evenings. Whatever time you go, the permanent collections are always free."

"It’s where Londoners go to express themselves – to rally, protest and say their minds at Speakers’ Corner or to share the excitement of the big event, such as the Rolling Stones playing to half-a-million fans. Summer rock concerts and the Winter Wonderland funfair are only the latest incarnations of crowd-pleasers stretching back to the grisly carnivals that accompanied executions at Tyburn Tree, now Marble Arch. Most of the time, however, the park is simply a huge and peaceful place to jog, ride, rollerblade, practise tai chi, swim in the Serpentine, have a picnic or do whatever it is Londoners do to feel free."

"Hyde Park – Covering 350 acres, Hyde Park is visited by millions of visitors and Londoners each year. There are a number of famous landmarks within the park including Serpentine Lake where you can hire a row boat, Speakers’ Corner and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain along with countless statues. Enjoy a coffee or bite to eat from one of the two cafes on the lake or just get lost walking around the miles and miles of pathways."

"If you’re a fan of thrilling adventures in the great outdoors, there are plenty of activities for the romantically-inclined at Hyde Park. Why not take the reins and trot through the grounds next to your beau on horseback?. Hyde Park Stables offer horse riding all year round, which includes loping through the famous Rotten Row bridle path."

"When Asian hospitality chain Shangri-La opened in the Shard, Western Europe’s tallest building, in 2014, it was literally head and shoulders above the rest of London – as well as being the first luxury hotel south of the river. The hotel, which occupies the floors from level 35 upwards, pairs its pared-back guestrooms – lots of business-friendly beige and black lacquer – with panoramic views across the entire city. Deep baths are positioned by the glass windows to maximise the views."

"Hotel phone: +44 20 7234 8000 Occupying the 34th to 52nd floors of the Shard (London’s iconic jagged-topped skyscraper) the Shangri-La is London’s highest hotel. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms, restaurant, and bar and Infinity Skypool on the 52nd floor offer unparalleled views of the city. Rooms contain king-sized beds and marble bathrooms equipped with Washlet toilets."

"London is an eminently walkable city, and you’ll be able to take in the majority of the key highlights, from the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace through to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. Then, on your second day, take advantage of that car and head out to some of the attractions outside of London. I’m thinking Windsor Castle, or Hampton Court Palace – both eminently explorable, and easy to reach with a car."

"Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, this uncompromising slab of a building has been many things—including the site where Henry VIII ordered the execution of two of his wives. Now the Tower is most famous as the home of the Crown Jewels. Come, take a tour from one of the Beefeaters (offered every half hour), and gawp at the sparkling and the frightening alike."

"Nowhere else does London's history come to life so vividly as it does in this mini city of 20 towers, the intimate details of lords and…"

"Address:Abbey Mill Ln, St Albans AL3 4BLSave on Google Maps | Visit Website. Also in Verulamium Park, a short walk from the Hypocaust, you’ll discover the remains of the wall that defended the Roman city of Verulamium from AD 270. In its heyday, the wall ran for over 3km (2 miles)."

"Source: Photo by user Carole Raddato used under CC BY-SA 2.0. This stop is definitely worth a visit as this is the only Roman theater of its kind, in Britain. Once surrounded by shops and houses, the foundations of which you can still see here, this is not your usual Roman amphitheater."

"The Roman Theatre of Verulamium is an ancient excavated theatre built around 140 AD. It’s unique in that it’s not an amphitheatre, as was commonly built during Roman times. But rather, it resembles a design similar to a modern theatre, with a raised stage."

"Children and adults alike will enjoy this museum, designed to encourage an interest in science and history through Roald Dahl’s characters and stories. A visit to the gallery has often been described as walking into a giant pop-up book and it’s impossible to leave without a smile on your face. So, whether you want to climb inside a giant peach, crawl through Mr Fantastic Fox’s tunnel (not recommended unless you’re small) or simply pay homage to The Twits, this gallery is well worth a visit."

"Perfect for a romantic evening drink, Champagne and Fromage is for lovers of authentic French produce. The small bistro tucked away on Wellington street, offers a variety of 25 award winning Grower Champagnes and artisanal charcuterie platters. The outdoor seating provides soft blankets, outside heating and baked cheese to warm our hearts up."

"Somewhat bemusingly, it claims to be the oldest French restaurant in London despite only being founded in the 1940s. Still, the menu is brimming with classic French dishes, so we’ll forgive this apparent fib."

"The name means ‘daily bread’ – a phrase that conjures up eating together around communal tables. It’s a theme that sits at the heart of Alain Coumont’s bakery chain, an outfit also known for its organic breakfasts, tartines, quinoa scones and vegan apple pie. Flagship site: 72-75 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5JW"

"You could easily miss Hawksmoor, discreetly signed and clad in black brick, but dedicated carnivores will find it worth seeking out. The dark wood and velvet curtains make for a handsome setting in which to gorge... Top ChoiceSichuan in The West End"

"The original – and some would say, best – site for Hawksmoor hasn’t lost its allure after all these years (having first opened in 2006). Book drinks in the glitzy basement bar before enjoying some serious steak."