Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Romford

"A post shared by Rakel Harboe (@rakelharbo) on Mar 8, 2019 at 1:57am PST. Take a leisurely stroll, zip around on a bicycle, row a boat or swim in the Serpentine at Hyde Park. Whichever way you choose to explore this huge and centrally located park, there's plenty to see and do, with more than 4,000 trees, a lake, a meadow, rose gardens and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain."

"Hyde Park may be nearly 7 times larger, but I’ve always been partial to St. James’s Park, flanked on the east by Buckingham Palace and on the west by Number 10 Downing Street, the British government headquarters. I’m a particular fan of the St. James’s Parks lakes as well as the wildlife it supports, which include pelicans, ducks (lots of ducks!) and foxes!"

"Currently, the newly developed “Elephant Springs” and the water jets next to More London by Tower Bridge are open. As mentioned above, the fountain court at Somerset House will open on July 15th. We will update this article as soon as we have more information about reopening London’s water play areas for kids."

"Throughout its history, the abbey has been home to every coronation since 1066 and has seen sixteen royal weddings, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Visitors to the abbey can take in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Poets Corner, as well as pay their respects to leading British cultural figures including Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton and Geoffrey Chaucer. With more than a million people visiting Westminster Abbey each year, it’s a great place to explore some of the greatest moments in British culture."

"Formerly called the Collegiate Church of St. Peter at Westminster, Westminster Abbey is visited by more than one million people a year and it’s easy to see why. A marvellous gothic abbey, construction began on the present church under Henry III, who selected the site to be the place of his burial."

"» The main purpose of Westminster Abbey is coronation and burial vault of ruling monarchs. The building features a special cross shape. » Westminster Abbey is a huge necropolis, where the most famous people of England were buried."

"Hotel phone: +44 20 7234 8000 Occupying the 34th to 52nd floors of the Shard (London’s iconic jagged-topped skyscraper) the Shangri-La is London’s highest hotel. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms, restaurant, and bar and Infinity Skypool on the 52nd floor offer unparalleled views of the city. Rooms contain king-sized beds and marble bathrooms equipped with Washlet toilets."

"Renzo Piano’s super-skyscraper The Shard is by far the tallest building in London, dwarfing everything around it. It’s 1,016 feet (309 metres) high, dominating the area around London Bridge. It houses an office complex, the luxury Shangri-La Hotel and the highest viewing platform in London."

"This is an example of modern luxury, being part of the famous Shard building that towers above London. The building was completed in 2012 and was the tallest structure in Europe at the time. The multi-award-winning hotel takes up floors 34-52."

"While visiting the historically important Tower of London does require a paid entrance ticket, the daily Ceremony of the Keys – the traditional ‘locking up’ of the Tower – is completely free to watch. At exactly 21:53 each evening, the Chief Yeoman Warder (or ‘Beefeater’) marches through the Tower carrying the Queen’s Keys. Escorted by four armed guards, he performs a series of specific rituals as he locks the gates to the Tower for the night before returning the keys to the Queen’s House at 10pm."

"For a building still significant but just a bit (okay, a lot!) older, walk right across the River Thames to the Tower of London, which, having been founded in 1066, is nearly 1,000 years old!. Tours include exploring several different parts of the property – my favorite part of the tour during my visit was checking out the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom!"

"Next suggested stop is HMS Belfast(fee*), which is permanently moored on the Thames a short walk from Tower Bridge on the south bank. 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."

"Tower Bridge is one of the most well-known bridges in London (although often mistaken for London Bridge) and will allow you to get some great views of the city and the Thames. Inside the tower, you can learn more about the mechanics of the bridge by watching videos and exploring the Engine Room. Kids will enjoy the app that allows you to use your phone for a real-life simulation."

"Inside Tower Bridge, there’s also a spectacular Glass Floor Walkway from which to admire the views. Take a break at one of the great places to eat near Tower Bridge afterwards. Best shot: from the South side of the river just past the bridge – or on the bridge itself whilst there’s no road traffic."

"On the other side of the rose pergola from the Agius Evolution Garden, you’ll find the Kitchen Garden where Kew Gardens grow edible plants to learn more about producing healthy and sustainable food. I love bringing the kids here during the summer to see the various crops, and in the autumn to see the pumpkin patch. Keep an eye out for their Kitchen Garden sales, where they sell fruits and vegetables from the garden from May to September."

"The Kitchen Garden is a vegetable garden with fruits and vegetables, and can be seen growing different products in all seasons. Vegetables are selected for maximum flavor and to provide mature products in all seasons. There you find asparagus, potatoes, peas, spinach, strawberries, carrot varieties (including purple and yellow), gooseberries, garlic, beans and many other foods."

"However, today visitors can still see one remaining section of the palace complex, the Banqueting Hall (fee*) designed by famous architect Inigo Jones with a ceiling painted by Peter Paul Reubens. Today Whitehall is the center of the Government of the United Kingdom and you’ll pass a number of buildings home to various departments and ministries, including the Ministry of Defense and the Cabinet Office. Along this street you’ll also find The Household Calvary Museum (fee*), located in the 18th century stables of the Horse Guards, which gives information on the history of the Household Cavalry and displays a small collection of uniforms and weapons."

"Chiswick Gardens arguably spawned England’s most influential cultural export, second perhaps to The Beatles (who happened to film one of the first ever music promos here). In the 1720s, architect and designer William Kent experimented at Chiswick, inventing what became known as the English landscape garden. He loosened the fussiness of the formal garden, introducing a far more natural feel – sweeping lawns and lakes, classical temples and monuments nested in banks of trees or hedges."

"Blessed with hidden pathways and a beautiful array of flowers, Chiswick Gardens has inspired some of the most iconic parks and gardens, including Blenheim Palace and New York’s Central Park. Each January, they host the Magical Lantern Festival, an incredible display of light and colour. COVID-19 UPDATE: Chiswick House is currently closed, but the park remains open to the public."

"Springfield Park may not be well known but that’s exactly why we love it. Nestled in between Clapton and Walthamstow, the park was originally a combination of grounds from three private houses (only the White House is still standing). Now it’s got cricket, tennis and athletics facilities and is right on the edge of the River Lea."

"At just over 1000 metres long, Walthamstow Market is the longest in Europe and, because it’s not really part of the London tourist track, it’s one of the best London markets for real budget bargains. It’s open every day (except for Sundays and Mondays) from dawn until dusk, and is used by locals on a daily basis to buy food, clothes, gifts, electrical equipment, music, body care products and household goods. Whatever you need, Walthamstow Market has it, and if you can’t see what you want, someone will get it for you by the following week."

"The brief for the design of The Delaunay was ‘Where would a 1940s woman carrying a hat box and leaving New York by train eat beforehand?. ’ The elegant interior features white tablecloths and dark-wood accents to highlight the mittel-European food at this Corbin & King classic. Think goulash, tarte flambée and, of course, oysters."

"‘Come hungry, leave wobbly’ is the slogan of this restaurant and bar. Starting out as a humble food truck selling burgers in South London, Meat Liquor have grown into a full chain with restaurants across London, selling not just their famous burgers, but a range of exciting cocktails, chilli dogs, buffalo wings and other American favourites. Sticking close to their roots, their King’s Cross branch is based in a repurposed tram shed, slinging burgers out of a life size replica train."

"Restaurants Burgers Marylebone. Meat and liquor (duh) are the speciality here, with graffiti on the walls and a burger menu that helped kickstart London’s dude food scene. Home of the iconic Dead Hippie burger (two french mustard fried patties smothered in trade-marked sauce), the big surprise is that it’s the buffalo chicken burger that will change your life."

"Burgers , Diner"