Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

"Easily, the largest museum in Britain, it is known for its massive stone pillars that make it look as though it has been ripped straight out of Rome. While the exterior may look medieval, inside, there are some incredible modern features, and the layout is rather futuristic. It’s also interesting to note that the building is actually older than the United States."

"The British Museum in London holds in trust for the nation and the world a collection of art and antiquities from ancient and living cultures. Housed in one of Britain's architectural landmarks, the collection is one of the finest in existence, spanning two million years of human history. Access to the collection is free."

"The British Museum is dedicated to the past history of the human race. The culture of each country and art is represented and show through discovered artifacts found. Mummy tombs from previous egyptian kings and queens and discovered bodies lie in the museum for people to look at."

"The Museum of Manufactures, as the V&A was known when it opened in 1852, was part of Prince Albert’s legacy to the nation in the aftermath of the successful Great Exhibition of 1851. It houses the world's largest collection of decorative arts, from Asian ceramics to Middle Eastern rugs, Chinese paintings, Western furniture, fashion from all ages and modern-day domestic appliances. The (ticketed) temporary exhibitions are another highlight, covering anything from David Bowie retrospectives to designer Alexander McQueen, special materials and trends."

"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."

"Named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the V&A wears the crown as the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design. Its priceless collection includes sculptures, paintings, ceramics, fashion, drawings, and books from ancient times to present day. Like most of London’s museums, admission to the Victoria and Albert is free."

"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"

"Ideal for left-brainers, London’s Science Museum celebrates scientific, technological, and mathematical achievements—but that makes it sound so serious. With interactive exhibits, flight simulators, an IMAX theater, and even a milkshake bar, a trip to the Science Museum is far from the snore-worthy science lessons from back in the day. Some of the coolest things to spy?"

"» National Gallery in London exhibits about 2,300 paintings, representing the European art from the mid-13th to the early 20th century in chronological order. Here are all the best artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Van Gogh, Turner, Cezanne and others. » National Gallery was established in May 1824."

"The National Gallery is an art museum located in London's Trafalgar Square. The museum has more than 2,300 paintings, with some reaching back to the 1200s. The National Gallery sees some five million visitors each year."

"Quick Tip: Get here about 20 minutes before the National Gallery opens as it can get quite busy later in the morning. National Gallery(free to the public)"

"How does making your way down the world’s longest and tallest slide sound?. Pretty amazing, right?. If you agree, check out the Arcelor Orbit Slide."

"Located inside a Grade-II listed Georgian townhouse, The Harcourt is a beautiful spot for lunchtime in Marylebone. Blessed with five rooms featuring stunning artworks and contemporary design, this is one opulent space to settle in to sample some modern European delights, with a nod to their Scandinavian heritage obvious throughout."

"Graveney Gin is just the small-batch London gin distillery that Tooting needed – even if it didn’t know it. Distiller and long-time gin fanatic Victoria Christie (who was drinking G&Ts well before it became cool again) first started producing this organic gin in South London after a masterclass at The Ginstitute. Fast forward a couple of years and she’d released her first batch of the stellar Graveney Gin."

"A confession, I’ve not actually made it to Graveney Gin’s nano distillery in Tooting yet…. However I’ve heard lots about it from distiller Victoria, a fellow ex-banker. She makes Graveney gin with organic ingredients in a 30 litre pot still."

"Bringing the vibrance and colour of Argentina to the dreary streets of London, comes Gaucho. Their menu blends both the Mediterranean and the indigenous cooking as Argentine food derives from its European heritage. Whether you like your steak rare, medium or well done, in true Argentinean style it’ll be smokey from an open flame, and slathered in your choice of béarnaise or chimichurri sauce."

"Nestled between Tower Bridge and London Bride is Gaucho’s tranquil terrace. The Argentinian restaurant’s al-fresco dining area offers guests magnificent panoramic views across the River Thames in an exclusive setting. Drinks are served from a stylish cocktail bar whilst inside diners can tuck into with our menu showcasing impeccable Argentinian steaks and Latin American inspired food."

"Chandeliers, cowhide, black leather and moody lighting – welcome to Gaucho’s spin on an upmarket steakhouse with big-money aspirations. Myriad cuts of pampas-reared beef dominate the show, although the menu spans everything from ceviche to dulce de leche cheesecake. Serious Argentinian wines too."

"A family-owned diamond in the rough on the main strip of Green Street around the corner from Upton Park station. Shanghai Chinese has the look of that typical old-school neighbourhood Chinese takeaway joint, and has actually been around for over 30 years. Open for day and evening service takeaway."

"Independent Neapolitan pizza specialists Made Of Dough are now delivering their chewy numbers to your door from their HQ in Peckham."

"If you’ve never been to Xi’an Impression next to the Emirates Stadium, you either have terrible taste or simply couldn’t get in. The founders have now understood that delicious, handmade noodles and Shaanxi province cuisine deserves a bigger surface area and opened a second outlet in Whitechapel last year (a third, Master Wei, can now be found in Bloomsbury). In this far more capacious eatery, all the same classics are available with far more room to breathe."

"Murger Han is a X’ian Chinese restaurant with branches in Euston, Mayfair and the City that seriously delivers the goods, and is super cheap too. The speciality here is Biang Biang noodles. They are made fresh in house every day and hand pulled by the chef into one giant 12 foot sheet and then cut into wide, thick strands before cooking."

"This is the third Murger Han and as in its other incarnations, they'll have a menu of Xi’an dishes made to family recipes with the Biang Biang noodles and the murgers themselves (slow-cooked meat in flatbread) being the biggest draw."

"In the same month as they announced they were closing their King's Cross venue for good, MEATliquor revealed the site of their next new restaurant - Bloomsbury. They're opening in the Brunswick Centre, taking over the old Las Iguanas site."