Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Barkingside

"One of the world’s greatest collections covering human history, art and culture, the museum has around eight million artefacts (only a tenth are ever on display) in almost 100 galleries. I’ve been visiting the British Museum since I was a child myself, fascinated by the Egyptian galleries – and the sheer scale of items on display, the variety and the fascinating stories behind so many artefacts mean that kids are likely to be just as enthralled, whether it’s by the mummified crocodile, the Easter Island Moai or something else. This is one I’d personally avoid during the early toddler years: preschoolers are old enough to be interested, babies young enough to snooze around, but chasing after enthusiastic 18-month-olds in a gallery of priceless artefacts makes me shiver."

"The British Museum, founded in 1753, was originally consisting almost entirely of the collections from Sir Hans Sloane, who was a physician and scientist. Today, the Museum has a permanent collection of more that eight million items, including works and documents from every corner of the world. It is a great opportunity for kids to know more about the history and cultures of the world through the many themed departments including: Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan, Department of Greece and Rome, Department of the Middle East, Department of Asia, Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, and many others."

"The British Museum is one of London's top attractions, and absolutely free. It is bursting at the seams with enthralling artifacts from all over the world, from Egyptian mummies to samurai armor 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."

"Arguably the world's best decorative arts museum, the V&A , as it's generally known, has been open for over 150 years and contains an incredible 4.5 million items. The first floor focuses on Asian (Japanese swords, ancient Chinese ceramics) and some European art, including plaster casts made from Michelangelo's David (note the fig leaf created in the 19th century to protect the sensibilities of Victorian visitors). The Ardabil Carpet in the Middle East-focused Jameel Gallery is the world's oldest, dating from Iran in the 1500s."

"Enjoy high-quality craft activities and then cool off in the courtyard before taking a dip into the paddling pool. The V & A has changing facilities on-site, making it a great place to spend the day."

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The museum is open Thursdays to Sundays from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Admission if free but you must book your preferred time-slot in advance."

"There are fabulous hands-on galleries for all age groups at the Science Museum: Launchpad - the museum's most popular gallery - enables adults and older children to explore science and technology with 50 hands-on activities and shows, Pattern Pod has scientific fun and games for younger children, and the basement 'Garden' has great water play and building activities for toddlers. See rockets, satellites, a piece of moon rock and a full-size replica of the 'Eagle' moon lander in the Exploring Space Gallery, or learn about electronic music, the future of fuel and the history of aviation in fabulous galleries over six floors. Older children will want to get their hands on the controls in the Fly Zone Simulators, while the whole family can experience a Saturn V rocket launch in the 4-D cinema, watch a science film on the enormous IMAX screen or take part in workshops, storytelling sessions and science shows."

"The highly informative and entertaining Science Museum fills five floors with interactive exhibits. The Energy Hall highlights the first steam locomotives, which date from the early 19th century, while the third-floor exhibits, which include old gliders, hot-air balloons and flight simulators, are popular with kids."

"Home to more than 2,000 paintings from the Middle Ages through to the 20th Century, the National Gallery is another museum that’s free to enter. The gallery is open daily between 11am and 6pm, and booking is required in order to limit numbers in the building. Booking can only be done online and in advance."

"Anyone with even a passing interest in art will want to put this near the top of their to-do lists while visiting London, for it is truly…"

"Paolo Cometa’s Italian Restaurant on Finchley Road is a truly authentic, back street Italian Restaurant experience but instead its offered right off the busy road that is Finchley Road in London!. Paolo Cometa is from Palermo in Sicily, he offers his fullest hospitality to guests to the restaurant and along with this handmade pasta and many other reasonably priced dishes he also offers wine from his own vineyard!. Here’s the Osteria Ovada Websitewhere you’ll find the Osteria Ovada Finchley Road Menu!"

"This magnificent neoclassical mansion stands at the northern end of Hampstead Heath in a glorious sweep of landscaped gardens that lead down to a picturesque lake. The 17th-century house was substantially remodelled in the 1760s and rescued from developers by Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh, who donated it and the wonderful collection of art it contains to the nation in 1927. Among its treasures are paintings by Rembrandt (one of his many self-portraits), Constable, Gainsborough and Vermeer."

"This largely Palladian villa offers an escape to a gracious country house with a magnificent collection of Old Masters and beautiful…"

"Off-the-beaten-track gastropub The Gun is a bit of a walk from Canary Wharf, but it’s well worth going out of your way for. Perched right on the Thames, the stylish pub boasts lovely views of the 02 and Greenwich – particularly from its waterside terrace, which fills up quickly during the summer months. Despite undergoing a lengthy refurbishment last year, The Gun maintains its history and heritage, with long-cherished features such as open fires and wooden panelling."

"The Belle Vue is a warm and welcoming pub in Clapham – and that's to vegetarians and vegans too. Head down for delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes found on both their small and big plates menu. And while you're there, why not enjoy live music or their tasty beers?"

"Taking the warm, friendly aspects of being a pub and mixing them with more modern touches, expect a menu packed to the brim with delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes, from their sharing plates menu to their varied big plates menu."

"The staff, despite varying degrees of experience , are all wonderfully polite. Some odd things here and there missed - condiments, repeat drinks, water - but food is good.The setting is sweet in the back garden, they’ve done a great job, and despite uk weather and covid, it’s lovely ( if not cold - invest in heaters, blankets are not great) and this place is a sure fire returnable visit.The battered sausage was my least favourite, but having had most things on the menu, it’s all pretty good. 01/05/2021: Had a lovely night at the Oaktree yesterday."

"Vegetarian and vegan haven Oaktree Market Bistro offers an array of wonderful products to take home and enjoy, alongside an extensive menu of meat-free delights. Hearty and filling dishes win most die-hard carnivores’ seal of approval, a good choice of sharing plates and salads, soups and cous cous sitting alongside hearty grilled cheeses in warm ciabatta and several pasta dishes. Themed evenings make the most of regional flavours, with Thai, Greek and Japanese proving very popular."

"This stylish and modern Japanese restaurant is a great find. The sushi is technically spot-on, a mixture of classic and modern fusion options. The sashimi and noodle, rice and grilled dishes are also of high quality."

"Like Sushi Tetsu, Wimbledon’s Takahashi is run by a husband and wife, chef and front-of-house team, with the chef both ex-Nobu and named Takahashi. Cornish red mullet and horse mackerel grace a specials card to make anywhere blush. Takahashi-san borrows from the Mediterranean elements of his former employers here, but superlative nigiri and sashimi — served with minute attention to detail to prevent spoilage of the rice at a restaurant with no sushi bar — are the things to come for."

"You could walk past this tiny spot on Merton Road five times before realising that this low-key restaurant is home to some of the best sushi you can get in SW London. It’s a small restaurant with an intimate feel, and a menu of nigiri, sashimi, maki, and small plates. The fish is excellent, and the spicy tuna and shrimp tempura maki are some of the best we’ve had in London."

"Ayllu is not only one of the best places to eat sushi in London, but it also celebrates the very best in modern Nikkei cuisine. Against a backdrop of stylish furnishings and dimmed lightning, you can tuck into stunning fusion small plates celebrating South American and Asian flavours."

"One of the most indulgent desserts in London, the s’mores (£8.20) at Flesh and Buns need no introduction. Swapping campfires for swish interiors and an Insta-worthy table-top flame, the Fitzrovia favourite offers passion fruit marshmallows that you can toast to perfection before smothering with almond chocolate and sandwiching between graham crackers. All fired up and ready to go."

"📆 From today you'll be able to book at both our Covent Garden & Oxford Circus branch for when we open our doors again on Saturday 4th July. Bookings will be limited at first so make sure you get in there quick. A post shared by Flesh & Buns (@fleshandbuns) on Jun 5, 2020 at 9:21am PDT"

"Hailing all the way from the US, the marshmallowy sensation ‘S’mores’ are really having a moment in London and one of the best can be found at quirky Japanese restaurant Flesh and Buns."