Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Ponders End

"You could spend several lifetimes in the British Museum, Britain’s largest museum, without running out of artifacts to ponder. The collection is one of the largest in the world, arranged by location (Ancient Egypt, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Greece and Rome), and the list of big hitters includes the Rosetta Stone and other finds from Ancient Egypt, Asia and the Middle East. Come early on a weekday for a less crowded experience, pick one gallery and stick to it (or go for a guided “Highlights” tour), and plan to hit one of the day’s free 30-minute taster talks."

"The British Museum is the world’s oldest public national museum, dating back to 1753. It is also home to the largest covered public square in Europe; the Great Court. This two-acre space is enclosed by a spectacular roof of glass and steel and comprised of 3312 panes of glass."

"A look at the turbulent and exciting past six decades of American history through the eyes of artists, starting with the pop art explosion right through to the present day. Date: 9th March to 18th June"

"In the trinity of London museums, up next comes the Victoria & Albert Museum. Also located in South Kensington, just across the street from the Natural History and Science Museums, you will find the V&A. This museum couldn’t be more different from the first two on this list."

"Harrods, the world famous shopping experience, is a brief walk from the V&A museum. You could also really go museum crazy, and drop in at either the Natural History Museum or Science Museum, both of which are free."

"This is the place to come if you want to see the Apollo 10 command module and Stephenson’s Rocket. There is so much for children to do here, from morphing your face to see what it will look like when you’re older to investigating climate change and dressing up as a WWII fighter pilot. Wonderlab is one of the world’s leading hands-on science centres and one of the best London museums for children especially if your kids are into science."

"Founded in 1857, the Science Museum is one of London’s main tourist attractions. Hosting a collection of over 300,000 items, the museum also features a dedicated library and an IMAX 3D Cinema showing science and nature documentaries. It’s free, and offers loads of interactive exhibits and fascinating history, including the famous 'Puffing Billy', the oldest surviving steam locomotive, dating from 1813-14."

"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."

"Day 1: Arrive in London, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, the London EyeDay 2: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Whitehall, Covent GardenDay 3: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Tate Modern, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sky GardenDay 4: National Gallery, Greenwich, Prime Meridian, Up at the O2Day 5: British Museum, Portobello Road Market, Victoria and Albert Museum, Harrod’s"

"A day is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights: Cardiff Castle, the National Museum, and Cardiff Bay. Learn about Welsh history, culture, and language on a walking tour or by talking to locals. Spend the evening in Cardiff."

"When it comes to British meats, the Jugged Hare is ahead of the game. This Barbican pub can pull a pint, but it’ll also pluck you a pheasant too, possessing an ardent passion for game meat. British game season – late summer through to early spring – is the prime time to make a pitstop: at this time of year, the menu features roasted whole red grouse with liver pâté en croute, buttermilk fried partridge, braised venison leg with venison salami, and its namesake dish of 24-hour marinated, juniper-infused hare meat made to an 18th century recipe."

"This stylish City pub is attached to the old Grade II listed Whitbread Brewery, making it the perfect spot for enjoying great drinks and delicious gastro pub food. Watch the chefs cook in the state of the art open kitchen and have a stroll through the walk-in wine room to choose your favourite bottle."

"Sure, it's in the heart of The City, but prepared to be surprised by the level of countryside cuteness going on at The Jugged Hare. Tuck into this taxidermy-filled, cosy spot for an afternoon of classic British dining - with their namesake signature always worth a try."

"Sir Christopher Wren Hotel & Spa, Thames Street, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1PX. The prices at this upmarket hotel reflect the historical backdrop (the ramparts of Windsor Castle) and location (overlooking the Thames), but for dishes such as venison and truffle pie or chicken wrapped in pancetta and served in a port wine jus, we think they’re probably justified. The ‘bubbles and jazz’ Sunday lunch is popular with locals."

"This romantic riverside hotel and spa boasts a 4-star rating thanks to its sleek 98 rooms and apartments. Tucked away on a historic cobbled street by Eton Bridge, it's the ideal spot for a bit of R&R thanks to the amenities including a gym, spa treatments, outdoor jacuzzi and sauna. Meanwhile the rooms are bright and spacious yet still cosy, for a homely feel."

"With beautiful views of the River Thames and spires of Eton College, this historic hotel – named after Sir Christopher Wren, architect of St Paul’s Cathedral – occupies an enviable spot. Expect ancient grandeur in the main house, and contemporary mod cons in the newly renovated wings."

"In truth, any trip to Borough Market is unlikely to end up being free because there’s too much that’s too tempting. It is a hive of some of London’s best producers and throbs with crowds looking to get their fix of fresh pasta, or cured meats, or coffee from countries you’ve barely heard of. The market runs all week offering everything from drinks to dry goods, beauty accessories to bakery specials (on Sundays it’s only open for produce shopping, rather than street food, from 10am to 2pm)."

"Though several of these markets are very well known, Borough Market is arguably the most famous of them all….and for good reason!. Borough Market originally opened in 1014 and thus celebrated its 1,000 year birthday in 2014. Originally called Southwark, Borough Market currently resides in its original location — just south of London Bridge."

"Borough Market is London's oldest food market, which has been in existence for over a century and dates back to the year 1014. This market is not only popular in the UK, but it is also one of the most famous markets in the world. The present structure of the market was built during the 1850s."

"Tucked between railway arches and an architectural salvage lumberyard, Bermondsey’s Maltby Street Market is a hub for those who take their food seriously. Maltby sells everything from organic vegetables to the most decadent egg waffles, and also serves as the perfect pit stop during a day out in the area—the Textile Museum and White Cube Bermondsey are within a six-minute walk. View this post on Instagram"

"Found on Bermondsey’s Ropewalk, between the railway arches and the LASSCO salvage warehouse, this heaving strip of a market started taking shape in 2009. Back then, it was just coffee kings Monmouth cupping up for a couple of hours every Saturday. Now, it’s a proper institution, and the main contender to Borough Market’s crown."

"Like a slutty brownie on crack, these award-winning brownies in any flavour will have you seeing how many you can legally pack up and ship home. With other flavours like raspberry, rose and pistachio, and “bonfire brownie,” there are plenty of ways to taste their divine chocolate."

"Portobello Road is the jewel in Notting Hill – the world’s largest antiques market has retained its sense of charm and friendliness, even as the surrounding area has scaled the ladder of exclusivity. The market, which wends its way along the sinuous Portobello Road is actually five interconnecting markets – with separate sections for fresh produce, clothing, second hand goods, household stuff, a flea market and antiques. The antiques section, always sizable, really comes into its own on Saturdays – cementing Portobello’s position as one of the go-to Saturday markets in London."

"Just round the corner from the beautiful white houses of Notting Hill you will find the cute coloured houses of Portobello. Portobello is famous for its vintage and street food market, with the coloured houses coming up close after it. It’s not quite as fancy as Notting Hill with the white columns and houses, but if like me you love colourful places Portobello is a more fun photo location."

"There are lots of colourful streets around Notting Hill which make for wonderful pictures. Your best bet is to get off at Notting Hill Gate station and then walk towards (and along) Portobello Road. Another aesthetic place in London is on the other side of the city around Hillgate Place and Campden Hill Road."

"Not only does Aubaine deliver exceptional French cuisine, they also deliver on Instagrammable interiors. You already know we’re a sucker for a floral installation but seriously, how cute are these wisteria shots?!. Pull up a pew, grab yourself a cocktail and soak up these dreamy interiors."

"Otto’s may only have been open for seven years, but it feels like it’s been an integral part of London’s restaurant scene forever. And at a time when restaurants were all about sharing plates and open kitchens, this Grays Inn Road restaurant was properly old school from day one - reintroducing Londoners to the joy of Gueridon service with dishes like the steak tartare prepared tableside. But really there’s only one dish to order at Otto’s - the Canard Presse which is one duck for two guests over three courses of sheer theatricality."

"Properly old-school French, Otto's has carved out a niche for itself because of a serious bit of kit called the duck press. This dish sees the breast sliced, then the rest of the duck (bar the legs) pressed in the special screw press giving a juice to which Cognac and duck liver are added before it's poured over the rare slices which finish cooking in the sauce. Both very rich and very pricey but, by all accounts, like nothing else in town."

"Otto’s is somewhat of an institution when it comes to the best French restaurants in London. They do classic French cuisine which is old-school, traditional and deliciously hearty. Dine here if you’re after lobster bisque, foie gras terrine, French rabbit and veal sweetbreads."

"What: Sourdough doughnuts are a thing, and a thing of beauty as Crosstown have proven time and time again. These pillowy piles of perfection have gained cult status among doughnut lovers (the majority of us, we think) and are available on same day delivery. Try and find a fault in any of that."

"Another place that absolutely slays the donut game is Crosstown. These guys have only been in London since 2014, but they’ve garnered a massive following since then. As plenty of Londoners would confirm, a donut from Crosstown is absolutely one of the best desserts in London."

"Vegan 'Peanut Butter and Blackcurrant Compote' from Crosstown Doughnuts. Crosstown Doughnuts in Marylebone. Crosstown Doughnuts' vegan 'Lime & Coconut' doughnut"

"You can’t get more traditional than Venchi who have 140 years of gelato-making experience under their belts. They have five stores across London, but with a gelato lab and a running chocolate tap, their Covent Garden shop is the one to head to."

"Venchi – Venchi started life as a chocolatier and it is now also an exceptional gelato producer. So it is no surprise that sitting in"