Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Stanmore

"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"

"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."

"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 and Albert Museum (V&A) is one of the world's most iconic art and design museums. It was named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and was founded in 1852. At the museum, you’ll be able to discover a range of design-based collections."

"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 Science Museum of London was founded in 1857, and it is one of the historical landmarks in London. It is the most-visited science and technology-related museum in Europe, with more than 3 million people coming through it annually. The museum has more than 15,000 science-related objects on display, including the famous Apollo 10 command capsule and Stephenson's Rocket."

"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."

"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."

"One of London’s most iconic galleries takes centre stage in London’s most iconic square!. While The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world, this 200-year old building also stands as a work of art and piece of history itself."

"Marked by a yellow fish above an otherwise nondescript doorway on Portobello Road, time travel back into the groovy 70’s for an evening at Trailer Happiness’ subterranean tiki lounge, one of the best cocktail bars in London. Adorned with hula girl memorabilia and other emblems of retro Polynesian kitsch, don’t be fooled by the bartender’s Aloha shirt – the staff here are true mixologists and specialize on putting inventive twists on rum classics. They’re also known to perform a fire show at times, blowing alcohol to the ceiling and setting it aflame while everybody cheers."

"In a railway arch in Bethnal Green, this New York-inspired tap room and shop stocks an impressive array of beers brewed in the capital and across the globe. The menu of beers available on tap changes regularly and there are 19 taps serving all sorts of different styles, including limited edition brews. Sharing plates are available and street food vendors congregate outside every weekend."

"Six of them, shoulder to shoulder, shelves full of anything from Amundsen to Wild Beer Co. Pair that with 23 taps on constant rotation, and it’s fair to say this tap room has one of the most extensive beer ranges in London."

"The Bethlem Museum of the Mind is a museum focused on the history of the Royal Bethlem Hospital. Inside the museum is an art gallery that was created in 1997 as a way to showcase the art of artists who are currently or were once patients of the hospital. Famed patients with work on display at the museum include William Kurelek, Richard Dadd and Louis Wain."

"When you first walk into Mayfair’s Bocconcino, there are a few things that stand out. First up will be your own reflection, bounced back at you by the mirror panelling that lines the restaurant’s mezzanine-meets-lobby. Then there’s the spiral staircase that swoops down to the lower floor, glass handrails glistening in the soft golden light."

"Read the full review: Bocconcino19 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8EDThis smart Mayfair joint backs up its stylish looks (think plush seating and glittering chandeliers) with some serious substance. Perfect for date night, dishes such as oozing buratta and pasta spun in a wheel of cheese are guaranteed to ignite romance."

"Fashion fans should bookmark this undeniably chic patisserie pronto. Pasticceria Marchesi is one of Milan’s most established bakeries and is now owned by one of the world’s biggest fashion powerhouses, Prada. They opened a London outpost earlier this year and it’s become one of Mount Street’s most Instagrammable spots – for both it’s sweet treats and sugar almond coloured interiors."

"From the line of massive steel tanks behind Howling Hops’ Hackney Wick bar, beers (both the brewery’s core and seasonal) are served unpasteurised straight from tank to tankard without touching a keg, can, or bottle on the way. Clearly, visitors don’t hold back — in the late evenings, the taproom erupts into a disco of sorts, with limb-throwing patrons all too willing to get involved. Until nightclubs start serving their own lemon goses and US-hopped pale ales, this is the next best thing."

"Howling Hops opened Hackney’s first brewpub, The Cock Tavern on Mare Street, back in 2011. And that’s a claim to fame if we ever heard one (the pub also went on to win an award for its pickled eggs). Their motto is ‘brew interesting beer’, and this is exactly what they do, with unfiltered, unpasteurised, vegan brews."

"Another Hackney Wick hideaway, this unique brewery serves its homemade beers straight from the tap, making it a literal taproom!. With ten beers on sale, you can also find a range of freshly made snacks, meats and coffees made in-house before your very eyes."

"Sopwell House Hotel is a grand affair, with more than 100 rooms, two restaurants, a spa and 12 acres of grounds to its name. Among all of that the best place to relax is in the cocktail lounge, where afternoon tea is served. It’s a long, breezy room that begins with a marble-topped bar and stretches all the way to a library, with little alcoves and giant sash windows along the way."

" A combination of hotel, leisure complex & conference centre, the former Georgian country home of Lord Mountbatten is just a 20-minute train ride ..." Read our full review"