Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Northfields

"One of the biggest, busiest and most popular museums in the United Kingdom, the British Museum is astounding to visit and is home to one of the largest collections in the world. With huge galleries that house artifacts from around the globe, one could spend months in the museum and still not see everything. There are over eight million items on show; visitors will pass sarcophaguses and statues, ancient texts, art and armor, as well as jewelry, coins and more on their voyage of discovery around the museum."

"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 Great Court at the British Museum in London|© David Coleman / Alamy Stock Photo. The world’s first national public museum, which has always been free to all “studious and curious persons”, opened its doors in 1753. The impressive Greek Revivalist building, with its imposing colonnades, is a teaser to the 8 million wondrous objects contained within."

"The V&A is already the doyenne of London’s design museums, but 2018 saw a huge focus on photography at the South Kensington venue. As part of the V&A’s considerable expansion plan, a new Photography Centre was added to its artistic arsenal in October 2018, housing the 270,000 photographs acquired from the Royal Photographic Society collection. This new haul includes some of the earliest examples of photography from the 1820s, right up to works by contemporary photographers including Martin Parr and Sir Don McCullin."

"Documenting 5,000 years of art and design, the free Victoria & Albert Museum is the third in the South Kensington museum trilogy. Known to most simply as the V&A, head here for amazing outfits, glittering jewellery, intricate mosaics and ancient sculptures in their constantly changing collection (their new Raphael Court, pictured above, is a gorgeous new addition). 2021 sees the arrival of an unmissable Alice in Wonderland exhibition."

"Another of London’s most popular museums with younger kids, this is ideal if you have children who like to get hands on, but with collections covering science and technology from the oldest surviving steam locomotive to the model of DNA and the forerunners of computers, this is a museum that you could revisit over and over again. Along with the space and flight galleries, you can follow humanity’s technological advances, medical history, more interactive displays and also the IMAX 3 cinema showing documentaries. Only a few areas are aimed at toddlers and preschoolers, in particular The Garden which is focused on under-fives at the Science Museum- although with exhibits that make noise, a mini puppet theatre, areas to climb and play and the water feature (always a big favourite), this area alone can entertain younger kids for quite some time."

"You could also really go museum crazy, and drop in at either the Natural History Museum or Science Museum, both of which are free. If you’re into pageantry, just round the corner from Buckingham Palace, and officially part of the grounds, the Royal Mews is a fascinating place to visit, and much less popular than its exhibits deserve. Finally, if you’re into afternoon tea, you can experience a fashionable take on the high tea experience at the Berkeley."

"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."

"Housing masterpieces by painters including van Gogh, Renoir, da Vinci and Michelangelo, the National Gallery is home to one of the world’s most impressive art collections, and sees over six million visitors every year. Avoid the hordes by visiting on weekday mornings or Friday evenings. Whatever time you go, the permanent collections are always free."

"Nearly 6 million people visited the National Gallery in 2015 – and small wonder. Right in the heart of London, overlooking Trafalgar Square, room upon room contain masterworks by the likes of Cézanne, Monet, Gainsborough, Rubens, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Constable. It’s a quite extraordinary collection, and there’s so much to see, you might want to follow this guide to 30 must see paintings to guide you through."

"It is a free site to visit with free guide tours and multiple language audio tours. There are various free activities available for families and children too. This museum boasts a huge collection of more than 2,000 paintings from the mid-13th century to 1900."

"A few doors from Brick Lane, one of the top London places to see, is an unusual museum that is only occasionally open. 19 Princelet Street is a terraced house dating back to the 18th century. It was initially home to the family of a French Huguenot silk weaver, and over the ensuing centuries Irish, Jewish and Bangladeshi immigrants."

"The Museum of Immigration and Diversity, located at 19 Princelet Street, is a museum focused on British immigration and diversity. The museum is housed in a Grade II built that was built in 1719. Due to the building's delicate structural nature, the museum only opens for a few days every year."

"The Cyclist is offering South Londoners the chance to top up their vitamin D levels with their outdoor seating. Head on over to the neighbourhood favourite in Balham for gastro grub and refreshing tipples this summer."

"Built for Michelin between 1905 and 1911 by François Espinasse, and completely restored in 1985, the building blurs the stylish line between art nouveau and art deco. The iconic roly-poly Michelin Man (Bibendum) appears in the exquisite modern stained glass (the originals were removed at the outbreak of WWII and stored in the Michelin factory in Stoke-on-Trent, but subsequently vanished), while the lobby is decorated with tiles showing early-20th-century cars."

"When it comes to authentic Italian gelato, Prime Gelato is the real deal. Smooth, flavourful and with just the right amount of sweetness, this is gourmet gelato at its best. Exceptional quality and velvety textures come together to produce real gelato that keeps Italians and Londoners alike coming back."

"Ice cream that’s sold on the streets of Manila is nicknamed ‘dirty ice cream’. Known for being super affordable yet still delicious, it’s made using little more than ice, salt, a steel pot and a pair of strong hands. Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream is the first filipino ice cream parlour in London and they try to recapture the authenticity, and of course, simplicity of Manila ice cream."

"Omar Shah and Florence Mae Magnaloc’s Mamasons is packaging up its range of Filipino-influenced ice creams for delivery and is open for takeaways, with ube, milo, and calamansi among the flavours. Expect bilog, the pandesal ice cream sandwich, to go quickly, with the Chinatown branch open from 12 p.m."

"You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by MAMASONS DIRTY ICE CREAM (@mamasonsdirtyicecream)"

"The newest wild-swimming spot in London is located in the most significant green space of Lewisham in South East London. Actually, it’s located in an old Georgian lake lost in 1800 when it was first created by John Cator of Beckenham Place Mansion. Now the lagoon is back to its former glory."

"Do it NYC-style at Dirty Bones, which has reopened its Soho and Kensington restaurants and is ready to throw a brunch party. There’s no clean eating here: fried chicken thighs and fried eggs top waffles drenched in maple syrup; crumpets come with poached-egg and 12-hour-cooked short rib, and a buttermilk pancake stack comes with fresh clotted cream, blueberries and yet more maple syrup. For £14, diners can also enjoy a package of three brunch cocktails, with options including an espresso martini and a Hip Monkey, made with rum, red vermouth, and Ting grapefruit soda."

"With four stunning venues across the city, you're never short of trendy places to eat when Dirty Bones is about. Devoted to all things New York, from decor down to delicious American grub, the chic bar and kitchen is adding a taste of Manhattan to your meals out."

"Not a name to go shy when it comes to hunking great plates in London, join Dirty Bones this Shrove Tuesday as their double dutch pancakes are topped with your choice of 10 amazing ingredients, from fresh strawberries marinated in lavender to fried chicken."

"A rapidly expanding American mega chain somehow beats most homegrown burger restaurants in London. One just needs to know what to order, or rather, how to order the trademark Shack Burger. It’s pretty simple (if emulating classic fast food burgers is the goal.) To best complement the beautifully and aggressively griddled American cheese-covered patty, which is sandwiched between a sliced, squidgy Martin’s potato roll, order sliced raw onion and add pickles."

"Why: Elegance and a warm welcome come as standard at this hotel grill room that has powerful echoes of New York’s old-timers with its art deco murals and framed photographic portraits. The menu majors in all-day comfort food with a distinctly American twang – feast on the likes of buttermilk pancakes topped with syrup and bacon for breakfast, while later in the day, hamburgers and steaks are followed by ice-cream sundaes.Where:The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont, 8 Balderton Street, Mayfair"

"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."

"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."