Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in The Valley

"The first time I visited the British Museum I ignorantly thought it would be a celebration of British culture. Instead, it’s a huge collection of historical artefacts from all over the world (I guess being a huge colonial power made everything part of British history?). Entrance to the British Museum and permanent exhibition is free, but there are occasional exhibitions that you can pay for if you want."

"The British Museum has been offering free admission to ‘studious and curious persons’ since it was first founded in 1753. It’s the most popular museum in the country, with over 6 million visitors a year but don’t worry, it’s big – very big, so there’s room for everyone. Where to start with this magnificent, overwhelming place, dedicated to human history, art and culture?"

"One of the world’s oldest museums of history and culture, grown from the collection of one man who was interested in everything. Exhibitions include abstractions like life and death and showcases of Ancient Iran, the prehistory of Europe, the Middle East, the Rosetta Stone, Lindow Man, the Lewis Chessmen and the Sutton Hoo ship burial."

"While most London art galleries focus on the medium of painting, The V&A is crowned as the world’s largest museum of applied and decorative arts. In fact, it exhibits a 2.27 million-piece-collection of textiles, jewellery, costumes, furniture, ceramics, sculptures, and more, spanning 5,000 years from all corners of the Earth. The diversity of The V&A serves as a beautiful (and sometimes much-needed) reminder that art is everywhere you look, intrinsically entwined with history and culture."

"The V&A celebrates art and design with 3,000 years' worth of amazing artefacts from around the world. A real treasure trove of goodies, you never know what you'll discover next among the furniture, paintings, sculpture, metalwork and textiles."

"Enjoy high-quality craft activities and then cool off in the courtyard before taking a dip into the paddling pool. The V & A has changing facilities on-site, making it a great place to spend the day."

"Everything marvelous man has ever made is here in the Science Museum. Countless mind-bending exhibits, many of which are interactive, are arranged in a minefield of galleries across seven floors, and kids with eyes the size of dinner plates are scattered throughout. Expect delighted squeals and children racing each other to the virtual reality space descent."

"My personal favourite free museum in London has to be the Science Museum in South Kensington. London’s Science Museum covers various aspects of science and human achievement, from the exploration of space to the invention of modern digital technologies. It is currently the most visited science museum in Europe."

"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."

"Ranking among the top art museums in the world, London's National Gallery represents an almost complete survey of European painting from 1260 until 1920. The museum's greatest strengths are in its collections of Dutch Masters and Italian Schools of the 15th and 16th centuries. Among its highlights are a cartoon (preliminary sketch) of the Madonna and Child by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo's The Entombment, Botticelli's Venus and Mars, van Gogh's Sunflowers, and The Water-Lily Pond by Monet."

"The National Gallery is one of the UK’s most important art museums which contains over 2,300 works dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. With many famous works by artists including Michelangelo, Velázquez, Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh and others housed inside a Grade I listed Neoclassical building on the northern edge of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is certainly one of the most impressive free galleries London has to offer. Nearest tube station: Charing Cross."

"Home to one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world, The National Gallery contains a “who’s who” of art icons – from Titian and Turner to Van Dyck and Van Gogh. This iconic gallery on Trafalgar Square also features blockbuster exhibitions: past shows have included Gaugin Portraits and Monet & Architecture."

"Probably the first London opening to demonstrate the nature of the tail-end pandemic market: a corporate-indie (Harts Group) taking an absolutely premium Soho restaurant site (formerly Hix) and going hard on vibes, vibes, vibes. The large-format sharing plates — a short rib of beef; cochinita pibil; and an aping of Mexico City restaurant Contramar’s famous red-green sea bream all served with fixings and tortillas — are probably the trend to keep an eye on, following as they do from Santiago Lastra’s Kol, while frozen margaritas and a covetable mezcal range add their own buzz. If someone wanted to say “Soho is back,” they’d probably point here."

"The newest member of the ever-expanding family of London taquerias, El Pastor Soho will be bringing the company’s trademark tacos, tostadas, mezcal and a distinctly fiesta spirit to London’s West End. There’s not a single dud on the menu, which includes the house special taco, made with marinated pork shoulder and caramelised pineapple. 66-70 Brewer St, Soho, London W1F 9UP Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus"

"Taking over the old Hix space, El Pastor's latest Mexican restaurant is landing in Soho. Alongside tacos and tostadas, they have a bar with a "house party vibe" in the basement too."

"The National Archives is situated close to the river and is open to the public. It offers a range of exhibitions and events, as well as access to documents and reading rooms for research projects. There is also a bookshop and restaurant."

"Avenue in the heart of St James’s is always buzzing with the chatter of London’s trendy set, and never more so than at weekends during the brunch service. Choose from two or three courses, sit back and enjoy a catch-up with friends as your Prosecco is constantly topped up by waiters on stand-by – and trust us, the drinks are top-notch. Standout dishes include the Avenue Cheeseburger, Native Lobster Roll, and the Caramelised ‘Eggy Bread’ if you still have space for dessert."

"An elegant brasserie serving up modern European food in the heart of St James’ offering lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Diners can expect a menu filled with contemporary dishes in a relaxed environment."

"Around Hackney’s London Fields are a network of creative complexes, so there’s plenty to explore around this vibrant area. Netil Market is the quirky little sister of Netil House and a street food spot worth checking out. With its rickety stands and interesting array of vendors – from ‘Afro-tacos’ to delicious cakes and delectable Bao Buns, you’re bound to find something new to try."

"A little bro to the creative complex of Netil House just down the road, this London Fields hub is a quirky gem, filled with an ever-changing rotation of rickety stands and more charming than the nearby Broadway and Schoolyard markets. There’s not much cover, but you can brave the hipsters and plonk down in the park on sunny days. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-6pm."

"This one takes the cake for being the best hidden gem on London’s street food scene. Netil Market is more of an ‘if you know, you know’ kind of place, with amazing designers selling and showcasing their work here, and of course, some awesome street food being rustled up in the teeny tiny kitchens. Head to South Hackney and discover Netil Market."

"17/05/2021: We spend more than £50 on food and we're really disappointed. The chicken satay didn't taste of peanut and my partner wouldn't eat it, the lemon chicken had no zing and lacked flavour, the Singapore noodles were underseasoned. This was much more expensive than we usually pay and the quality was very poor."

"Fronted by a pair of intimidating 15in naval guns and a piece of the Berlin Wall, this riveting museum is housed in what was the Bethlem Royal Hospital, a psychiatric hospital also known as Bedlam. Although the museum’s focus is on military action involving British or Commonwealth troops largely during the 20th century, it covers war in the wider sense. Must-see exhibits include the state-of-the-art First World War Galleries and Witnesses to War in the forecourt and atrium above."

"This historic warship, operated today by Imperial War Museums, will definitely be of interest to military buffs, or anyone with an interest in boats. Launched just before the outbreak of World War 2, this Royal Navy Light Cruiser saw action in both World War 2 and the Korean War, before being decommissioned in 1963."

"Despite its name, the cultural venue formerly known as the Imperial War Museum (one of five IWM branches around the country) does not…"