Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Leytonstone

"Today we are going to explore even more of London’s central highlights, including the British Museum, Covent Garden, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Shakespeare’s Globe. Today all of the attractions are within walking distance but you may want to use public transit to reach some of them. It may also be a good day to use a hop-on hop-off bus if you have a free ticket with the London Pass as the bus routes go to or near all the attractions on today’s route."

"The British Museum in London’s Bloomsbury was founded in 1753 and was the first national museum in the world to cover all fields of human knowledge. The impressive museum now has a permanent collection of over eight million artefacts which span two million years of human history, art and culture. And if the museum’s extensive free collections aren’t enough to draw you in, then its architecture certainly will."

"One of the world’s oldest museums of history and culture, grown from the collection of one man who was interested in everything. Exhibitions include abstractions like life and death and showcases of Ancient Iran, the prehistory of Europe, the Middle East, the Rosetta Stone, Lindow Man, the Lewis Chessmen and the Sutton Hoo ship burial."

"Lovers of culture should head to Exhibition Road, home to some of London’s best museums and galleries. There you will find the remarkable Victoria and Albert Museum, which offers free general admission, talks and tours. The foundation stone of the current V&A building was laid in 1899 by Queen Victoria, and the stunning building houses thousands of art and design objects from a wide range of periods, including Art Deco, Medieval, Renaissance and Surrealism."

"The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art and design and is one of the largest art museums in the world. The museum houses a permanent collection of over 2.27 million objects spanning 5,000 years of art, design and sculpture from different cultures all across the world, with exhibitions on textiles, costumes, jewellery, furniture, drawings, printing, photography, ironwork, ceramics, ancient objects and plenty more. Nearest tube station: South Kensington."

"With more than 2.3 million objects, multiple visits (and some comfy shoes) are required to get a handle on the V&A’s enormous collection. Whatever your passion, you’ll find part of its history here, with displays dedicated to fashion, furniture, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery and performance to name but a few. It costs nothing to get in, and you’ll leave feeling inspired by the endless possibilities of human creativity."

"With over 3 million visitors each year the Science museum is a firm favourite amongst children and adults. There are seven floors of educational and entertaining exhibits, including the ground floor Exploring Space Gallery with the Apollo 10 command module, rockets, satellites, a piece of moon rock, a 600kg Spacelab X-ray telescope and a full size replica of the Eagle moon lander. Opened in 2000, the Wellcome Wing looks at the future of science, medicine and technology."

"The large number of interactive stations is outstanding here. Perfect for children and all who like to press buttons and to stroke screens. If you are interested in technical masterpieces you will have the chance to see some highlights like the Apollo 10 command module, which was already in the orbit of the moon ...Images, Info & Tips"

"It has interactive displays that cover transport, space, medicine and much more. Following its reopening, the museum is only open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm. The museum is free, but you must book your tickets in advance."

"From Michelangelo to Monet and Raphael to Rembrandt, almost all of the old European masters can be found on the walls of the National Gallery, overlooking London’s famous Trafalgar Square. Crowd favorites include Van Gogh’s "Sunflowers"; Botticelli’s "Venus and Mars;" and Monet’s "The Water-Lily Pond." (If you’re short on time, you can pre-plan your trip around the gallery’s 30 must-see paintings.)"

"Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Turner, Renoir and Van Gogh—a roll call of Western European masters await you at London’s National Gallery. Boasting more than 2,000 paintings from the 13th to the 19th century, the overwhelming collection is yours to discover free of charge. And if you’re hungry for more art, stop by the National Portrait Gallery next door."

"One of the most famous and indeed most prestigious art galleries in the world, the National Gallery rightfully commands a domineering position overlooking Trafalgar Square. Home to a huge collection of paintings, it is a marvelous place to visit. An almost endless array of stupendous artworks greet you from every conceivable wall space."

"The Victoria is a stylish and premium local pub offering a premium drinks range including Craft Beers, Lagers, Ales, Cocktails, Gins and Quality food."

"I was looking for a spa hotel mini-break for an anniversary celebration (last minute due to personal schedules). Everything was so booked up, over-priced (in my opinion), or not suitable. I then found a too-good-to-be-true offer on the Richmond Habour Hotel Spa website (whilst searching all their Harbour Hotel sites) which was worth taking a risk for."

"The Gates Restaurant at the Richmond Gate Hotel serves fresh, imaginative food in a relaxed dining room. The menu is packed with rich flavours showcasing British and Mediterranean influences, using carefully sourced produce to create elegantly presented…"

"The Orrery in Marylebone Village holds one of London's best-kept secret rooftop terraces, serving elegant and traditional French food in the heart of W1. Physically (and metaphorically) elevated from the traffic and crowds of Marylebone, it's a flower-lined sanctuary that's kept its culinary standards high. Come for a cocktail, stay all afternoon."

"Orrery, located on the first floor of a converted stable block, has a beautiful terrace overlooking St Marylebone Church gardens in the heart of Marylebone Village. An elegant spot for cocktails and dinner in the sun."

"You’ll come for the giant cheese trolley, but you’ll also be seduced by inventive starters and a truly magnificent steak. The Orrery is a fabulous reason to make the trip to Marylebone."

"Westminster Cathedral, or to give it it’s snappier full name 'the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ', is the second largest church building in London behind St Paul’s. It’s the largest catholic church building in England and Wales and former popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI both celebrated mass here, making it a hugely significant religious setting. Neo-byzantine in design, it’s also one of the prettiest churches in the capital and one of the most awe-inspiring to visit."

"Westminster Cathedral is located in central London and is an iconic monument in the heart of England’s Government. The Cathedral itself is a Catholic Church and was bought by the Diocese of Westminster in 1885, before becoming the seat of the Archbishop of Westminster. The Church is built in the neo-Byzantine style and takes up over 5000 square metres of space."

"Westminster Cathedral is the Mother Church for Roman Catholics in England and Wales. The site, a marshy wasteland around Westminster, has been home to markets, a maze, pleasure gardens, bull-baiting rings and a prison. It was acquired by the Catholic church in 1884."

"Old Royal Naval College This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Greenwich. It once served as a naval hospital and later as a naval college. Now, this site is being used as a filming location for many famous movies such as The King’s Speech, Patriot Games, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Avengers, and The Dark Knight Rises."

"The Old Royal Naval College is a set of buildings designed by Christopher Wren whose original purpose was to serve as a place to care for and house retired seamen. Later the large building complex was used as a naval training college and today is used for a number of functions, and many of the buildings are open to the public."

"Begun by Sir Christopher Wren in 1694 as a rest home for ancient mariners, the college became a school in 1873. It's still used for classes…"

"St Mary-le-Bow has held a place in London folklore for generations and it is said that east Londoners can only call themselves true cockneys if they were born within earshot of the Bow Bells, which ring from St Mary-le-Bow church. The church’s long, thin spiral pierces the east London skyline, standing out as an anomaly in and amongst the otherwise fairly nondescript Cheapside setting. For all its history, St Mary-le-Bow has got plenty to offer today too — the church’s extensive programme includes lectures, musical recitals and live bell ringing, where people can hear the famous bells rung up close and personal."

"Perhaps one of the best-known City of London churches, St Mary-le-Bow is found on Cheapside within the Square Mile. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren (who also lays claim to nearby St Paul’s Cathedral), it’s full of bold baroque-style features including Corinthian columns and a bright blue and gold ceiling. Tradition states that you can only call yourself a true Cockney if you were born within earshot of the church’s famous Bow Bells."

"True Cockneys need to be born within earshot of the Bow bells, which were said to have turned back Dick Whittington when on his way to Highgate 2"

"The Twickenham Museum is housed in an 18th-century building that is listed as Grade II by Historic England. The volunteer-run museum focuses on the histories of Teddington, Twickenham, Whitton and the Hamptons. The collection includes archives and artifacts related to these areas."

"The Jack the Ripper Museum is devoted to one of London's most notorious and terrorizing serial killers. The museum recreates the setting in which the unsolved Jack the Ripper murders took place in 1888. The collection has original objects related to the crimes."

"Today we are going to explore even more of London’s central highlights, including the British Museum, Covent Garden, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Shakespeare’s Globe. Today all of the attractions are within walking distance but you may want to use public transit to reach some of them. It may also be a good day to use a hop-on hop-off bus if you have a free ticket with the London Pass as the bus routes go to or near all the attractions on today’s route."

"The British Museum in London’s Bloomsbury was founded in 1753 and was the first national museum in the world to cover all fields of human knowledge. The impressive museum now has a permanent collection of over eight million artefacts which span two million years of human history, art and culture. And if the museum’s extensive free collections aren’t enough to draw you in, then its architecture certainly will."

"One of the world’s oldest museums of history and culture, grown from the collection of one man who was interested in everything. Exhibitions include abstractions like life and death and showcases of Ancient Iran, the prehistory of Europe, the Middle East, the Rosetta Stone, Lindow Man, the Lewis Chessmen and the Sutton Hoo ship burial."

"Côte Brasserie serve breakfast and brunch from 8am until 12 noon on a Monday to Friday and then 9am to 1pm on a Saturday and Sunday. Highlights include a breakfast set menu that involves any cooked breakfast with fresh orange juice or cloudy apple juice and a hot drink of your choice. Options include a full English breakfast, Crepe Complete (pancakes, bacon and comte cheese), Eggs Florentine, Eggs Royal and Eggs Avocado."

"In the centre of Richmond, just a stone’s throw from the river, this branch of the Côte brasserie chain has all the Francophile trappings you could wish for – from striped awnings, fold-back french doors and modish light fittings to ‘formule’ breakfasts, ‘plat rapides’ and a menu that revels in pissaladière, steak frites, moules marinière and chargrilled Breton chicken. The drinks list is also as Gallic as can be."

"There are Francophiles behind this nationwide French brasserie group – that much is obvious. Every last detail, from the rattan terrace furniture ..." Read our full review"

"Charming bistro strongly influenced by French regional cuisine. Next to the Parish Church with a secluded courtyard for al fresco dining."