Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Chigwell Row

"The British Museum has been offering free admission to ‘studious and curious persons’ since it was first founded in 1753. It’s the most popular museum in the country, with over 6 million visitors a year but don’t worry, it’s big – very big, so there’s room for everyone. Where to start with this magnificent, overwhelming place, dedicated to human history, art and culture?"

"With its huge collection you could spend years exploring the various rooms and displays but there are some highlights you can’t miss to see:. Inside the museum, the the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court transformed the Museum’s inner courtyard into the largest covered public square in Europe. The museum is open daily from 10.00–17.30 and until 20.30 on Fridays."

"The gargantuan British Museum houses treasures such as the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian mummies, and is a great rainy day activity in London. However, when the sun shines, the photo opportunities are even better. Best shot: Queen Elizabeth II Great Court, the covered atrium designed by Foster and Partners."

"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."

"Arguably the world's best decorative arts museum, the V&A, as it's generally known, has been open since 1852 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."

"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."

"The Science Museum of London was founded in 1857, and it is one of the historical landmarks in London. It is the most-visited science and technology-related museum in Europe, with more than 3 million people coming through it annually. The museum has more than 15,000 science-related objects on display, including the famous Apollo 10 command capsule and Stephenson's Rocket."

"The hands-on style of this London Museum brings science to life for everyone. Be sure to check the museum’s calendar for regular exciting events, including ‘Science Night’, where children get participate in a range of activities, and then spend a night sleeping amongst the exhibits. The Science Museum © Flickr DncnH"

"Ranking among the top art museums in the world, London's National Gallery represents an almost complete survey of European painting from 1260 until 1920. The museum's greatest strengths are in its collections of Dutch Masters and Italian Schools of the 15th and 16th centuries. Among its highlights are a cartoon (preliminary sketch) of the Madonna and Child by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo's The Entombment, Botticelli's Venus and Mars, van Gogh's Sunflowers, and The Water-Lily Pond by Monet."

"The National Gallery is an art museum with a worldwide known collection of classical paintings. One of the most famous works is certainly the -Sunflowers- by Vincent van Gogh. Read which is the most well-liked British painting, where it is located and which other art works are definitely worth seeing ...Images, Info & Tips"

"Housing a collection of over 2,000 Western European paintings from the middle ages to the 20th century, the National Gallery is a must-see for art lovers."

"Everyone loves a good reinvention story, and Peckham Levels has a great one, having been transformed from a multi-storey car park into a bustling market and entrepreneurs hub. It’s run by the same folk behind Pop Brixton, so it’s no surprise that you find the same emphasis on some of London’s best up and coming foodie ventures. Don’t miss Nandine which serves up amazing contemporary Kurdish food or Lords of Poké for amazing poké bowls (pictured above)."

"St Margaret Pattens is one of Wren’s plainest churches, with a severe, un-Wrenish, but beautiful spire. The church gets its name from the nearby makers of pattens in medieval times. Pattens were devices that you wore under your shoes to elevate you several inches off the ground."

"When I call this one ‘small batch’, I mean really small batch. As in, sixteen bottles a day, distilled in a humble copper pot behind the bar. Plus, it’s not just the teensy tiny production that makes Highwayman Gin one of the most unique gin tastings in London."

"Uli is the second coming of Michael Lim’s modern Asian restaurant featuring the food of the Chinese diaspora – from regional China through Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. The place originally opened in All Saints Road, but Lim retired three years ago leaving a loyal clientele bereft. Now he’s back, with partner Graham Rebak, and they’ve revamped the operation with a bright new identity and lighter cooking for the clean-eating generation."

"Fans of the minuscule Uli Chinese/Asian on All Saints Road were gutted when it shut a few years ago. Two of them, Graham Rebak and Adam Wilkie, decided to relaunch the restaurant, along with founder Michael Lim. It's small but smart and an outdoor terrace adds space."

"Secluded in one of the labyrinthine side streets behind Goodge Street tube station, this chic, cosy vegetarian café has tempting displays of colourful salads, hot dishes, cakes and pastries by the entrance; and a miniscule seating area at the back. Originally set up by a father and son duo, the venue shut down for a few months last year, and has recently reopened with a new owner. It’s notable for currently being the only vegetarian venue in London to showcase cooking with broadly Ottolenghi-esque Middle Eastern influences."

"Offering the fresh, bold flavours typical of a Yotam Ottolenghi restaurant but with an unlikely marble and gold interior, Nopi in Soho is a sophisticated spot for weekend brunch, which is served until 11:30 on Saturday and Sunday. Once you’ve navigated yourself out of the restaurant’s striking mirror maze bathrooms (they’re worthy of a visit alone), tuck into dishes such as Shakshuka-braised eggs with piquante tomato sauce and smoked labneh, brown butter egg salad, and chickpea & herb pancake with rose harrisa tempeh and courgette salad. 21-22 Warwick Street, W1B, ottolenghi.co.uk"

"As a recent Desert Island Discs appearance confirmed, the Israeli-born chef is now at national treasure status in the UK, thanks to his service to making vegetables great again. Back in 2002, he made salads a thing of desire with then mostly unheard-of Middle Eastern ingredients at his small Ottolenghi deli in Notting Hill. He then went on to expand his empire with seven cookbooks and four more restaurants, with our favourite being Nopi, a grown-up brasserie in Soho."

"Ok, it’s not technically a park, but it most definitely is one of London’s foremost green spaces. Speaking of technicalities, its proper title is actually Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, but when did anyone last call it that?. However you refer to it, Kew is a glorious day out, and with 300 acres and 50,000 plants, you could go every week of the year and discover something new every time."

"Enjoy the huge outdoor space – 330 acres (134 hectares) – at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. See the peaceful Japanese garden, the amazing trees of the arboretum and explore the stunning glass conservatories. Pack a picnic (or pick up food from one of the restaurants) for the perfect relaxing day out in London."

"The Davies Alpine House is a somewhat different greenhouse, it is quite long (16m) and high (10m) and was designed to provide ideal conditions, fresh with natural wind for the best conditions the mountain plants. The collection features a wide range of campanulas, dianthus, small ferns, helichrysum, small lavenders, primulas, saxifrage, thymus, tulips and verbascums along with lesser known species."

"Many of the plants at Kew couldn't survive in Britain's grey, damp climate. The Davies Alpine House supports those that thrive in dry, cool, windy conditions of mountainous areas such as succulents and campanulas,"

"Fulham Palace is a site dedicated to tracing its own history. Items found on the palace's grounds date all the way back to prehistoric times; the archaeological finds are part of the museum's impressive collection of artifacts and objects. The site has been a residence of the Bishops of London since 704 and played a major role as a hospital during World War I and a refugee spot during World War II."

"A beautiful open garden, glasshouses, flowers in bloom, and brick walls, all in a place less visited by tourists which make for one great location for a photo shoot or a private event. And if you’re looking for some diversity, just walk a few steps out of Fulham Palaceand you’re right on the shore of river Thames."

"A family favourite for hordes of Richmond locals, this neighbourhood Italian (family-run, of course) has been doing its thing on Kew Road for more than a decade. It may be dressed up in fashionable contemporary garb, but this is a diehard trattoria at heart and the food presses all those familiar comfort buttons – arancini balls, homemade pasta, saltimbocca, calf’s liver, tiramisu. The decked forecourt gets rammed in summer."

"05/06/2021: We visited one evening as a pre-booked table for 4. The menu was nice but disappointingly two out of the four staters we order had been taken off the menu as they had run out of ingredients. The food was good, but not exceptional and the service pleasant but hit and miss, slow and some of the drinks we ordered etc did not turn up until we chased them."

"#piccadillycircus #rainforestcafe #kidsactivities #daytrip #wheretogo #rainyday #rainraingoaway #parentblogger #londonrestaurant #uniquevenue #safari #fun #adventure. A post shared by Rainforest Cafe London (@rainforestcafelondon) on Jan 31, 2018 at 4:06am PST. Take your children to the Rainforest Cafe, one of the most fun restaurants in London."

"Your kids will never forgive you if you don't take them for a meal at the Rainforest Cafe in central London. A joy to behold, with an American menu that has something for everyone."