Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in North Watford

"The Great Court at the British Museum in London|© David Coleman / Alamy Stock Photo. The world’s first national public museum, which has always been free to all “studious and curious persons”, opened its doors in 1753. The impressive Greek Revivalist building, with its imposing colonnades, is a teaser to the 8 million wondrous objects contained within."

"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."

"Despite the name, this sprawling building in London’s academic Bloomsbury district is only fleetingly concerned with British history. Instead, it aims to represent the entire sweep of human endeavour, from pre-historic man through Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Absolutely marble-ous!"

"The world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design is not the most obviously family-friendly of the South Kensington museums, but there’s a lot more to the Victoria & Albert museum for kids than you might expect. Better with older preschoolers than toddlers, there are various children’s activity packs, including the Agent Animal backpack with coloured blocks which make a noise to entertain as you follow the animal-themed trail. As you might expect from a museum focused on ‘decorative and applied arts’, there are plenty of creative activities as well – the chance to draw and let imaginations be inspired by the exhibits as well as opportunities to dress up."

"No design nerd’s visit to London would be complete without a trip to the V&A Museum. You could potentially spend a week roaming its 145 galleries and still not see everything; the permanent collection alone includes over 2.3 million objects spanning some 5,000 years. Those visiting in the month of September are in for an additional treat, as the museum becomes a hub for the London Design Festival and plays host to installations by both established and emerging designers."

"The Victoria & Albert Museum, often referred to as the V&A Museum, is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, with over 2 million objects in its collection that spans 5,000 years of human history!. You’ll find everything from Greek pillars to Chinese vases to Alexander McQueen gowns here. The museum is also known for hosting popular temporary exhibitions (fee*) throughout the year."

"Another of the best free museums in London, and one of my personal favourites, is South Kenisngton’s Science Museum, covering various aspects of science and human achievement, from the exploration of space to the invention of modern digital technologies. Spanning multiple floors, the museum has a collection of over 300,000 items, including some amazing world-famous objects such as the Apollo 10 command capsule, Helen Sharman’s spacesuit(the first Briton in Space) and Puffing Billy (world’s oldest surviving steam locomotive). There are also a number of interactive exhibits such as a 3D IMAX cinema showing science and nature documentaries throughout the day."

"And why wouldn’t you when there are planes and trains and spaceships and rockets, interactive exhibits, computers and cameras through the ages, and a history of mathematics?. While you’re there, be sure to catch up with Eric, the UK’s first working robot, from 1928, who has been brought back to life by a 2016 Kickstarter campaign. Address: Exhibition Road, SW7 2DDsciencemuseum.org.uk"

"Behind the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum amazes me with its immense size and impressive exhibits. It’s packed with everything from object galleries to interactive spaces, an IMAX Theatre, and simulators. There are places to engage in virtual reality and rooms to see airplanes suspended in mid-air."

"With more than 2300 European masterpieces in its collection, this is one of the world's great galleries, with seminal works from the 13th to the mid-20th century, including masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian, Vincent van Gogh and Auguste Renoir. Many visitors flock to the eastern rooms on the main floor (1700–1930), where works by British artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, John Constable and JMW Turner, and Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces by Van Gogh, Renoir and Claude Monet await."

"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."

"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."

"Restaurants Italian Portobello Road. We guarantee your kids won’t feel embarrassed eating pizza with mum and dad at this ultra-hip, jam-packed eatery – there’s nothing like feeling part of the ‘in’ crowd, especially if you don’t have to be on your best behaviour. There are plenty of child-friendly flavours here, right down to the cinnamon doughnuts for afters."

"A post shared by Pizza East Portobello (@pizzaeastportobello). We'll always nod along happily to the prospect of eating pizza al fresco, but when those pizzas involve toppings like black truffle and veal meatball – as is the case at Pizza East Portobello – it turns to rabid excitement."

"Led by head chef, Simone Remoli, who was born and raised in Rome, Pasta Remoli celebrates all things Italian and is certainly one of the best restaurants in Wembley. Centrally located in between Wembley Park Station and Wembley Stadium (and our apartment buildings), the pasta restaurant will become your local haunt for filling, home cooked food when you live in the area. The pasta is made fresh on the day with genuine Italian eggs and flour, while the sauces are all carefully curated with Italian ingredients and locally sourced produce."

"Pasta Remoli Wembley Park is our ‘go to’ fast-casual restaurant for fresh, handmade pasta. Each bite will have you exclaiming “it’s just like Nonna used to make.” Choose your sauce, select your pasta, and choose your Italian cheese to create your perfect dish. With hundreds of possible combinations, so you can try something new every time, or stick to your old favourites."

"Head to Pasta Remoli for that much-deserved carb fix and indulge in their truly delicious pasta dishes. Not only does their DIY menu have an incredible range of veggie and vegan sauces, but is also packed with egg-free pasta and vegan gnocchi. For a veggie option, we recommend the truffle and mushroom ravioli in a butter and sage sauce."

"St Sepulchre is dominated by its grey 15th century Gothic tower. Captain John Smith, the famous Governor of Virginia, rescued by Pocahontas, was buried here in 1631. But St Sepulchre also has darker associations."

"You can order online or pick up in store - choose from flavours such as white chocolate and macadamia nuts, peanut butter, coconut, orange and milk chocolate and triple chocolate chunk."

"Motivated by a love of bao and a desire for something productive to do during lockdown, locals Julie Lynch and Li Lin Chung launched the city’s first bao bun delivery service in March 2021. Each pillowy bun is handmade by chefs to order, with no MSG or artificial flavours in sight – instead, vibrant ingredients such as beetroot and matcha are relied on for colour and only local, free-range meat is used. Even the packaging trays are 100% curb-side recyclable."

"Over in Notting Hill, Cloud Twelve is a wellness and lifestyle club set across three floors. There’s a salon, spa and holistic wellness clinic, plus a healthy brasserie and creche. Treatments include drawl-worthy massages, facials, pre and post-natal rituals and treatments specifically designed for men."

"Housed in one of London’s most glamorous hotel, The Dorchester Spa promises an experience as opulent as its surroundings. A warren of light, bright spaces and dramatic-yet-intimate areas, facilities include a fitness centre filled with Technogym equipment, nine treatment rooms, a relaxation room, experience showers, steam room, hair salon and wittily named Spatisserie cafe. Available Monday to Thursday, the signature spa day at The Dorchester is dubbed the Beau-Tea-Ful Spa Experience and, you guessed it, culminates in a classic afternoon tea."

"With Art Deco-inspired interiors, The Dorchester’s spa oozes 1930’s glamour with a modern edge. From manicures to full-body scrubs their treatment list is extensive and all are highly tailored to clients’ needs. Facilities include a mani-pedi suite, relaxation room, and male and female aromatic steam rooms and experience showers."

"Book today with full peace of mind, our Book with Confidence Guarantee provides full financial protection."

"Know somebody who needs a Bowie-in-the-bus-queue cake immediately?. Or a diplodocus-on-the-tube, or a cake replica of your favourite pub/museum/football stadium?. London baker Adam Cox takes bespoke commissions for all sorts of creative cakes, but recurring themes include London transport — with some fantastically detailed doubledeckers — London landmarks, and dinosaurs."

"Coffee ice cream, a dusting of cocoa powder and the fluffiest, softest cloud of whipped mascarpone cream, the base of this brilliant tiramisu mash-up is a thick, super rich, brownie-like cookie that is soaked in espresso for an extra gooey texture. The Chin Chin team have truly outdone themselves here. Address: 54 Greek St, London W1D 3DS or 49-50 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF"

"For something a little different, head to Chin Chin Labs, the go-to parlour for liquid nitrogen ice cream in London. Watch as your dessert is frozen to order using a dash of liquid nitrogen, and select from an exciting array of weekly-changing flavours at this cool cafe in Camden."

"I remember my first Chin Chin ice cream years ago back in Camden Market. At that point the brand was pretty new and out there, making ice cream sundaes using liquid nitrogen. It was theatrical and fun, but also really sweet and delicious."

"They say: 'Kipferl is based on the Viennese coffeehouse, where the kitchen is open all day and you can sit on your own with a 'kleiner Brauner' and a piece of cake... Through our online shop we are offering the finest Austrian cakes, wines & more for delivery in London and all over the UK.'. The sweet stuff: We love this Angel cafe, and are delighted they're now offering their cakes to all of London via delivery."

"Austria’s Emperor Franz Joseph was partial to pancakes, which he liked chopped up, sprinkled with icing sugar and served with fruity bits. It’s tricky to find his Kaiserschmarrencreation outside his homeland, but it’s on the menu at cosy Kipferl alongside raisins and apple compote. The menu and décor are Austrian themed, but stylishly so: less Sound of Music, more mid-century ski lodge."

"When the bustling streets get a little too much, nip into Kipferl to pick up your Austrian classics en route to work. The pastries and tarts are rich but not too sweet. Practice saying ‘sachertorte’ and ‘apfelstrudel’ before you go in!"