Best Zoo in Kew

"The London Zoo is a fantastic place for toddlers, as it’s centrally located in Regent’s Park so it’s easy to get to and the number of animals who live here is astounding for a city zoo. Get up close to the giraffes, watch the meerkats run back and forth, head into the sloth exhibit or visit the tigers. There are child-friendly activities held at the zoo on a daily basis, and particularly when schools are out, you can always find something to do at the London Zoo with a small child."

"Opened in 1828, London Zoo is among the oldest in the world. The emphasis nowadays is firmly on conservation, breeding and education, with fewer animals and bigger enclosures. Highlights include Land of the Lions, Gorilla Kingdom, Tiger Territory, the walk-through In with the Lemurs and Penguin Beach. There are regular feeding sessions and talks, various experiences are available, such as Keeper for a Day, and you can even spend the night in the Gir Lion Lodge."

"Giants of the Galápagos was opened in 2009 to coincide with the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin,[34] and is home to three female Galápagos giant tortoises named Dolly, Polly and Priscilla. The exhibit features a large indoor area, with a heated pond and underfloor heating, while the outdoor paddock has been designed to mimic the tortoise's natural environment and features two heated pools, one of which is a naturalistic clay wallow."

"Nestled in Battersea Park, this Children’s Zoo may not exactly be big, but that’s part of its charm. They house a range of mammals, reptiles and birds, from farm to smaller exotics animals. With various feeding times, picnic and play areas and children’s rides, this zoo is especially good for the little ones."

"Battersea Park Children's Zoo is home to a host of farmyard animals, flamingos, otters and monkeys. Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ. Tube: Sloane Square Station"

"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)."

"If cookies stuffed with the likes of butterscotch cookie dough, peanut butter and chocolate ganache isn’t enough to entice you, perhaps the fact that they’re made by ex-Claridge’s pastry chef Kimberly Lin is. Available for delivery nationwide, the vegan cookies come in five core flavours, alongside a sixth rotating seasonal option. Kimberley has spent the past year perfecting her recipes, using the best produce available such as Valrhona chocolate to ensure the utmost quality."

"How does a vanilla cookie coated with crispy cinnamon cereal, and stuffed with rich speculoos cream sound?. Like something you want in on?. Well it’s your lucky day, because this Covent Garden pop-up turned nationwide cookie delivery service is delivering boxes of its vegan stuffed cookies around the country."

"A soft-and-crisp, pecan-studded butterscotch cookie with a filling of date caramel, it’s creamy in the centre, warming – not sugary sweet – and completely vegan too. 5 James St, London WC2E 8BH. Open for take-away and nationwide delivery."

"The Family Cake Company is a premier cake shop that offers bespoke cake designs that are beautifully handcrafted to the delight of all their customers. Offering different cakes for all occasions like birthdays, weddings, engagement, christening, communion, baby shower, Christmas and Halloween, you would certainly have the perfect cake that will complete your special event and make it more luxurious and fancy. Using the best and finest ingredients and following your allergen advise, they guarantee that you will enjoy the flavourful creations that they have."

"A family favourite for hordes of Richmond locals, this neighbourhood Italian (family-run, of course) has been doing its thing on Kew Road for more than a decade. It may be dressed up in fashionable contemporary garb, but this is a diehard trattoria at heart and the food presses all those familiar comfort buttons – arancini balls, homemade pasta, saltimbocca, calf’s liver, tiramisu. The decked forecourt gets rammed in summer."

"This genuinely friendly family-run Italian is popular with locals and visitors alike on account of its authentic food and charming service. Bacco may have all the visual trappings of a contemporary Italian restaurant, but at its heart is an old-fashioned trattoria so diners can expect classic pastas and simple antipasti as well as more expensive dishes come evening. It’s also handy for theatre-goers."

"If it’s high-class modern dining and cracking marina views you’re after, Gogos Waterfront Restaurant should be just the ticket. The colourful, flavoursome menu is brought to life with South African sparkle, the cocktails are to die for and the views from its choice marina location lend your meal a touch of maritime glamour."

"Slightly off the beaten track, and only accessible by car, this charming, family-run South African restaurant boasts views over the marina and Windsor racecourse. Expect a friendly welcome and great service whether you stop by for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just drinks, and a relaxed setting in which to drink and dine."