Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Swanley Village

"The British Museum is London’s most popular attraction by visitor number. Full of exhibitions of artefacts from all over the world, it is housed by the magnificent Montagu House, Bloomsbury, and has been there for more than 250 years. It was designed in the Greek Revival style by famous British architect Sir Robert Smirke."

"No visit to London would be complete without a trip to the British Museum. It’s home to over 8 million artefacts, including the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon Marbles. There are so many things to see in this museum that even a full day spent here will barely scratch the surface."

"Dangling in its epic entrance foyer is a colossal blue-and-green Dale Chihuly's blown glass chandelier, and that’s just the beginning. Established in 1857, the museum’s collection spreads over seven floors and is comprised of decorative arts and design in virtually every medium from virtually every time period. Highlights include the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci; ceramics by Picasso; a copy of the first collected edition of the works of Shakespeare; treasure troves of art from Medieval and Renaissance Europe; and one of the most comprehensive jewelry collections in the world."

"The Victoria & Albert Museum is across the street from the Natural History and Science Museums in South Kensington. It’s one of the top museums in London, and one of the best museums in the world dedicated to the applied and decorative arts. The building housing this amazing collection is rather special too."

"PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The museum is open Thursdays to Sundays from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Admission if free but you must book your preferred time-slot in advance."

"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."

"Just around the corner is the Science Museum, an interactive haven for visitors of all ages. This arrangement of free galleries maps the progress of technological invention, from the birth of steam power to our adventures in space. There are areas to get involved in problem solving and designing tech, as well as a garden where younger scientists can learn about the properties of water, light and sound through play."

"From the future of space travel to asking that difficult question: "who am I?", the Science Museum makes your brain perform Olympic-standard mental gymnastics. See, touch and experience the major scientific advances of the last 300 years; and don't forget the awesome Imax cinema. Some exhibitions require tickets."

"Set in London’s busiest open space, Trafalgar Square, this is the grandmother of galleries with more than 2,300 paintings spanning the 13th to the 19th centuries: Heavyweights include Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Velazquez's Rokeby Venus, and Constable’s six-foot long The Hay Wain. It gets packed at weekends, but its so large that you can usually find a quiet corner. You can download an audio tour covering the museum's highlights, but you can also curate your own by selecting the paintings you want to see before you arrive."

"From Michelangelo to Monet and Raphael to Rembrandt, almost all of the old European masters can be found on the walls of the National Gallery, overlooking London’s famous Trafalgar Square. Crowd favorites include Van Gogh’s "Sunflowers"; Botticelli’s "Venus and Mars;" and Monet’s "The Water-Lily Pond." (If you’re short on time, you can pre-plan your trip around the gallery’s 30 must-see paintings.)"

"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)"

"What do you get when you put a Korean, a Filipino and an Aussie chef together?" enquires one reader. The answer is 100 Hoxton, a low-lit, concrete-hued hangout that gives fusion food a good name. "You'll want to order every small plate", insists one fan – perhaps braised octopus with garam masala or crunchy, salty soft-shell crab with peanut brittle and a dousing of fresh lime from the dinner menu."

"From soft shell crab doused in honey and garlic sauce through to Asian takes on ceviche and hand-dived scallops, Rapsa is bringing a delicious taste of the Philippines to Hoxton High Street. Staking their claim as one of London's best places for seafood, it's well worth a visit."

"Paolo Cometa’s Italian Restaurant on Finchley Road is a truly authentic, back street Italian Restaurant experience but instead its offered right off the busy road that is Finchley Road in London!. Paolo Cometa is from Palermo in Sicily, he offers his fullest hospitality to guests to the restaurant and along with this handmade pasta and many other reasonably priced dishes he also offers wine from his own vineyard!. Here’s the Osteria Ovada Websitewhere you’ll find the Osteria Ovada Finchley Road Menu!"

"Read the full review: Artusi161 Bellenden Road, London, SE15 4DHArtusi is confident in its own ability, offering a concise menu that allows the quality of the ingredients to shine through. You could easily eat here for under £30, but the ice cream and all-Italian wines are worth splurging for. If you can’t get enough of all things Italian, check out our pick of the best pizza restaurants in London."

"A bright, white room, a short simple menu and rustic Italian food: that’s Artusi in Peckham. Dishes can change throughout the week, depending what produce is at its best, and pasta is handmade daily at the charming neighbourhood joint. Expect pasta e fagioli or ribbons of chestnut tagliatelle and secondi like bream with peperonata or bavette with pumpkin."

"Of course you will want to check off primary attractions such as The Big Ben, The London Eye, or Westminster Abbey off your list. If you’re a keen shopper, you will want to hit the shopping mecca that is Oxford Street. But also make sure you experience luxurious afternoon tea in London , take an offbeat food tour, sample street art, and hit a few alternative bars in town. Check out our Guide To London for loads of offbeat and fun ideas of things to do in London."

"Designed by Sir Charles Barry, the Palace of Westminster, known as the Houses of Parliament, is one of the best places to photograph in London. Its Great Bell Tower, nicknamed Big Ben was actually renamed Elizabeth Tower in honour of the Queen in 2012. Best shot: it’s been photographed countless times so try to find a new angle, or zoom in close for added impact."

"Big Ben & The Houses of Parliament – Iconic Big Ben is the name of the bell in the giant clock tower at the end of the Houses of Parliament, where the UK Parliament meets. This iconic sight is best viewed from the Westminster Bridge or from the south side of the Thames."

"A post shared by Jessica Lalau (@jesslalau) on Aug 19, 2016 at 2:26am PDT. London is sadly lacking when it comes to great Southern food places, but, luckily, The Fat Bear delivers if you’ve got a hankering for New Orleans gumbo or the bizarre yet brilliant Southern staple dish of fried chicken and waffles."

"Why: Although it’s only been open since 2014, The Colony Grill Room feels like it’s been around for decades, and we mean that in a good way. Traditional grill fare and old-school charm are the major draws here, but for us, dessert is the highlight. If you opt for a sundae to end your meal, you get the unrivalled childish thrill of ticking off which toppings you like, and these range from chocolate flakes and marshmallows to honeycomb and crushed meringue."

"A post shared by dC (@desdemonacheung) on Nov 28, 2018 at 8:56pm PST. Be transported back to the 1920s at Mayfair's The Colony Grill Room. Enjoy a drink in the cosy cocktail bar adorned with vintage snaps, before settling down to an intimate meal at this classy hangout modeled on traditional American grills."

"If the bare-bricked walls and bottled beer are a little too grubby for your refined tastes then head down to The Beaumont hotel in Mayfair. Within its hallowed walls you will find The Colony Grill Room, an upmarket restaurant that channels a nostalgic art deco feel."

"Named after King Olaf of Norway, St Olave Silver Street is one of many places in London with connections to the Vikings. St Olave Silver Street: This was the parish church of St Olave Silver Street destroyed by the dreadful fire in the year 1666. Barbican, London EC2"