Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Dagenham

"One of London's largest Royal Parks, Hyde Park is home to the vast Serpentine Lake (which you can swim in), the majestic Wellington Arch and even a hidden pet cemetery. With 350 acres to explore, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to picnic spots, and there are three cafes (including a stingray-shaped one) where you can replenish your supplies. Other points of interest include the Diana Memorial Fountain, the Hyde Park Rose Garden, and the Achilles statue, which actor Laurence Olivier once called "the best arse in London"."

"3 km from city center 12 out of 40 places to visit in London. Hyde Park is visited by millions of tourists and local people every year and it is one of the eight royal parks in London. The Hyde Park covers an area of 350 acres and is home to a number of famous landmarks like the Serpentine Lake, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain and the Speaker's corner."

"The great expanse of Hyde Park boasts a range of recreational activities, from swimming and boating on the Serpentine to browsing the Serpentine Galleries and visiting landmarks such as the Speaker’s Corner, Diana Princess of Wales Memorial and The Joy of Life fountains."

"A post shared by Constantine Konovalov (@ckonovalov) on Jun 12, 2017 at 2:01pm PDT. Be wowed by more than a thousand years of history at the world-famous Westminster Abbey. One of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the United Kingdom, the London landmark began its life in 1245 and its history traces back to 10th-century Benedictine monks."

"Westminster Abbey – This large, mostly Gothic, church is one of the most notable religious buildings in the UK and is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for British monarchs. It is simply breathtaking both inside and out but it is inside that you will find so much to explore. Make sure you allow a good few hours to visit properly."

"Since it opened in 2012, The Shard has taken its place as one of the most-recognizable and most-visited landmarks in London. Standing 1,016 feet tall and encompassing some 95 stories, this remarkable structure — so-named for its resemblance to a shard of glass — dominates the skyline yet, thanks to its pleasing design, doesn't seem at all out of place when seen next to neighbors such as Tower Bridge. In addition to its office space on the lower levels, The Shard is home to a stunning Shangri-La Hotel and three superb restaurants, all boasting some of the most incredible views over London."

"Last on my list, and another one where you unfortunately can’t use a tripod if you go inside – the Shard. A relatively new addition to the London Skyline, the Shard offers an incredible view of the London skyline from far above the ground. Like the London Eye, it’s also best visited for sunset – we advise booking your ticket in advance to be sure to get the right time slot for your visit."

"Options at the Shard are to go to the viewing platform on the top floor or stay in the amazing Shangri-La hotel. Both will present you with spectacular 360 views of the city. The Shard is also a good spot for sunset and blue hour pics."

"This is one of the oldest fortresses in London, built after the Norman Conquest of England, to house the new royalty who had just moved into the country and needed a nice secure palace to live in. As such, it’s a highly defensible castle, with two defensive walls and a moat, so it feels very castle-like. It’s also the home to the English Crown Jewels and has played host to notable historical events, in particular, the executions of 112 people, including Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey."

"Day 1: Arrive in London, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, the London EyeDay 2: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Whitehall, Covent GardenDay 3: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Tate Modern, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sky GardenDay 4: National Gallery, Greenwich, Prime Meridian, Up at the O2Day 5: British Museum, Portobello Road Market, Victoria and Albert Museum, Harrod’s"

"The best view of Tower Bridge (in my opinion) is from the water; however, not everyone has a chance to do a Thames River Cruise. If that’s not on your itinerary, try to get a photo of Tower Bridge from afar, featuring something else iconic – perhaps City Hall?. Alternatively, a head on shot crossing the bridge is pretty incredible, too!"

"Definitely up there as one of my favourite bridges in the world, Tower Bridge is marvellous to photograph both during the day…. … and at night, as a long exposure. It’s also good from both sides of the river, although if you go to the south bank then you can frame it with the Tower of London as well, which is nice."

"Although the red brick exterior is unassuming and neat, the golden mosaic interior of Fitzrovia chapel is a jewel of the Gothic Revival. Once part of Middlesex Hospital, the chapel was built as a memorial to Major Ross MP, a former Chairman of the Board of Governors."

"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?"

"Restaurants Italian Knightsbridge. Surrounded by swanky Knightsbridge hotels and luxury retail outlets, this tasteful Italian specialises in Roman cuisine, with ingredients (and staff) imported from the Eternal City. Close your eyes and you’d think you were on Via del Corso eating plates of handmade gnocchi coated in truffle sauce, cacia e pepe or lamb chops with velvety mash and crunchy leeks."

"Chef Mitshel Ibrahim’s Vyner Street trattoria is again a collection point and distributor hub for fresh pasta, fresh southern Italian fruit and vegetables, lots more of that low-intervention wine, pre-made negronis, and deli items, such as flour, yeast, eggs, olive oil, and some very nice tinned tomatoes. Good merch here, too; full details here."

"Canalside Ombra showed great dexterity under lockdown with its fresh pasta kits and grocery offer, and it’s doing the same upon reopening, with heated terrace seating and unheated terrace seating, depending on how hardy a party is feeling."

"Venetian specialists Ombra are offering a handmade pasta and sauce collection service for you to cook at home. At the moment it’s available if you’re near their restaurant in Cambridge Heath."

"It was built in 1610 and is lavishly decorated with many unique treasures hiding inside its walls. It epitomises the absolute height of luxury in this era. There are also formal gardens and an on-site café."

"From fully-qualified doctors to avid viewers of Holby City, this museum will remind you of how surgery used to be a whole lot more gruesome back in the day. Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatre is in Southwark, dating back more than 300 years. Nowadays you can tour the theatre, which has been kept exactly as it was when it was used during a time of no anaesthetic (ow), no antiseptic (ew) and certainly no antibiotics (crikey)."

"The blood and viscera has long since been scoured away, making this museum a fascinating place to visit. Pioneering medical techniques were trialled here back in the day, and today, it holds the crown as the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe. Tickets for adults are £7.50."

"Right on the Old Street roundabout, Shoreditch Grind offers up both exceptional artisanal coffee and fantastic people watching opportunities. All the other Grind locations are great too, and their breakfasts are fab, but this is the original. Shoreditch Grind, 213 Old Street, EC1V 9NR. Other Grind locations are Clerkenwell, Exmouth Market, Borough Market, Covent Garden, Greenwich and Liverpool Street."

"The original outpost of the fantastic Grind coffee stores, the cool Shoreditch location serves coffee, food and cocktails up to 18 hours a day. The smell of fresh coffee is heavenly, and the 50s diner style is the perfect backdrop to your espresso. coffee londonlondonlondon cafe"