Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Saxon Lake

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

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The British Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. On Fridays it closes at 8:30 pm. The museum remains closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and from 24 to 26 December."

"See two million years of human history at the British Museum. From Egyptian mummies to samurai armour and the Sutton Hoo helmet, there’s something for everyone."

"London’s largest art museum – the eighth-biggest art museum in the world – has more than 100 galleries displaying everything from photography to jewellery. It has put on some of the city’s most talked-about exhibitions in recent years: the curators have become known for their hot-ticket fashion displays of designers including Christian Dior and Alexander McQueen. Make sure to visit the permanent Rapid Response Collection, which has contemporary pieces that react to significant moments in recent history, such as the pussyhats worn at protests against the election of Donald Trump to a 3D-printed Extinction Rebellion coin."

"This includes the V&A, Natural History Museum, The Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park!. What’s more, all the other London landmarks are just a hop, skip, and jump away. This makes it our top choice for a short summer getaway in London"

"The V&A is the world’s largest collection of art and design with over 4.5 million objects. Explore 5000 years of creativity from ancient Chinese ceramics to Alexander McQueen dresses."

"Another free museum in South Kensington, dedicated to the miracle of technological progress… and all the neat things we’ve discovered along the way. Some of the ‘classic’ galleries focusing on the birth of steam power are a little fusty, but the bit about space travel is neat, and there are tons of neat interactive exhibitions to play with. The Wonderlab area (which isn’t free alas) is full of hands-on experiments that kids will go absolutely bananas for."

"You could also really go museum crazy, and drop in at either the Natural History Museum or Science Museum, both of which are free. If you’re into pageantry, just round the corner from Buckingham Palace, and officially part of the grounds, the Royal Mews is a fascinating place to visit, and much less popular than its exhibits deserve. Finally, if you’re into afternoon tea, you can experience a fashionable take on the high tea experience at the Berkeley."

"The Science Museum is a great place to take the kids before or after spending time outdoors in Hyde Park. There are many interactive galleries, IMAX films and rotating exhibits. For little kids, I highly recommend The Garden play area in the basement — my kids had a blast there."

"Overlooking the hubbub of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery houses an impressive art collection spanning from the mid-13th century to the 20th, with more than 2,300 works range from the early Renaissance through to Old Masters and important examples of Impressionism. Highlights include Jan van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait, Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Diego Veláquez’s The Rokeby Venus, and JMW Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire. There are more than 2,300 works of art in The National Gallery|Courtesy of the National Gallery, London"

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The National Gallery is open every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. It closes at 9:00 pm on Fridays. It’s closed on 1 January and from 24 to 26 December."

"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)"

"Cafe Monico is 140 years old, talk about a London classic and a must go-to if you're in the capital. The restaurant specialises in a mix of French and Italian gastronomy (reads: the most renowned in the world), so you'll certainly be eating well. Why is it the perfect romantic restaurant?"

"A cool taproom on Brick Lane, this pop-up beer hall has got your summer plans sorted. Head down to this Shoreditch beer garden when the sun is high and cool off with craft brews and fun catch-ups with friends."

"The Museum of Wimbledon is not what you might be thinking: It is not a museum dedicated to the popular tennis tournament. Instead, the Museum of Wimbledon is a local history museum in Wimbledon that is run by The Wimbledon Society. The museum is a small operation that is only open on weekends."

"For more than a decade, customers have been visiting Min Jiang for its spectacular view of Kensington Gardens and staying for its delicious Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine. Located on the 10th floor of the Royal Garden Hotel on Kensington High Street, the restaurant’s chefs specialise in a medley of cooking styles and techniques that have been passed down through generations. If you order one thing, make it the Beijing duck, which is roasted for 45 minutes and presented in two servings: first the skin is crisped with granulated sugar and served with pancakes, and then the meat is served with your choice of noodles, rice, soup or lettuce wraps."

"Not only is Min Jiang an outstanding example of authentic Chinese food, it also offers the second-best view from an oriental eatery in the capital (Hutong at The Shard pips it, with its vantage point in space). From the tenth floor of the Royal Garden Hotel it overlooks the splendid Kensington Gardens, but it’s the legendary Beijing Duck that draws visitors. Roasted in a wood-fire oven and immaculately carved at the table by gloved waiters, it has to be ordered in advance."

"Alternatives: There are many other things to see in the area (mostly in Chelsea), including the Chelsea Physic Garden (fee*), Leighton House Museum (fee), Design Museum, Portobello Road Market, Chelsea Football Club Stadium Tour & Museum (fee*), and the recently renovated National Army Museum. London Itinerary Day 6 – Greenwich or Free Day"

"Leading Victorian artist Frederic (Lord) Leighton lived and worked in this building on the edge of Holland Park, spending 30 years (and…"

"The University College London Art Museum houses a collection that goes back to 1847. The collection began when artist John Flaxman offered his sculpture models and drawing to the university. Now, there are more than 10,000 objects in the collection, to include etchings by Rembrandt."

"London Bridge has a surprisingly dark and fascinating history, and here you’ll learn all about it by actors who bring a whole immersive, theatrical experience. London Bridge is the most haunted bridge in the world - for over 300 years traitors would have their heads put on spikes along London Bridge, and now many are said to haunt it today. Be immersed in London’s dark history of the bridge before you head further underground to the London Tombs."

"The Ragged School Museum in London opened in 1990 at the former Dr Barnardo's Copperfield Road Ragged School. The school opened in 1877 to provide the children in the area with a basic education, making it the biggest school of its kind for the period. By 1908, the government had taken over public education and the school was closed."

"OK, now we know this next suggestion for the best desserts in London, isn’t a restaurant or cafes – but if you’re looking for an amazing dessert on-the-go, then I don’t think you can top Ben’s Cookies for deliciousness and price. Yummy, gooey, tasty cookies that dreams are made of."

"Bakers Mathew and Andrew met while working in Melbourne and decided to return to London to set up their own business. Chewy Cookie is all about quality, ethically sourced cookies. The doughs are aged for 24 hours before baking (and we can attest to how great they taste)."

"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."