Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Paines Lane

"The first thing you need to know about the British Museum is that it is the largest museum in England and also the oldest public museum in the world. It was established in 1753 with its first collection being that of the Irish Scientist Sir Hans Sloane. The Museum was opened to the public in 1759."

"Its permanent collection numbers more than 8 million pieces, spanning human history and culture from its ancient beginnings right up to modern times. The British Museum © Flickr WWarby"

"With more than 2.3 million objects, multiple visits (and some comfy shoes) are required to get a handle on the V&A’s enormous collection. Whatever your passion, you’ll find part of its history here, with displays dedicated to fashion, furniture, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery and performance to name but a few. It costs nothing to get in, and you’ll leave feeling inspired by the endless possibilities of human creativity."

"The Victoria and Albert Museum, commonly called the V&A, is a collection of decorative arts and ornate objects from around the world, housed within one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. The Victoria & Albert Flickr © Tony Hisgett"

"Harrods, the world famous shopping experience, is a brief walk from the V&A museum. You could also really go museum crazy, and drop in at either the Natural History Museum or Science Museum, both of which are free."

"Another free museum in South Kensington, dedicated to the miracle of technological progress… and all the neat things we’ve discovered along the way. Some of the ‘classic’ galleries focusing on the birth of steam power are a little fusty, but the bit about space travel is neat, and there are tons of neat interactive exhibitions to play with. The Wonderlab area (which isn’t free alas) is full of hands-on experiments that kids will go absolutely bananas for."

"The highly informative and entertaining Science Museum fills seven floors with interactive exhibits. The Energy Hall highlights the first steam locomotives, which date from the early 19th century, while the third-floor exhibits, which include old gliders, hot-air balloons and flight simulators, are popular with kids."

"Now in its 53nd year, this unmissable exhibition looks at everything from elephants in their natural habitat to urban foxes peering over fences, and is a sheer delight from start to finish. Date: until 10th September"

"At almost 200 years old, not only does the UK’s most-visited gallery hold one of the most valuable European art collections in the world, The National Gallery also holds a position as one of London’s most treasured pieces of architecture. Priceless artworks, like ‘Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers’ by Van Gogh and ‘Virgin of the Rocks’ by di Vinci, are surrounded by impressive marble pillars, golf-leaf arches, frescoed ceilings, and Victorian glass roofing. With over 2,300 paintings dating from the 13th to the 19th century, it is an eden for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike."

"The National Gallery has Sunday storytelling sessions on the ‘magic carpet’ aimed at under-fives, stopping in front of a different painting each time. There are also other activities for older kids, especially in holidays, plus trails to follow (although paintings do tend to be moved around so tracking them down can be more challenging than expected). Stopping to colour and draw is positively encouraged."

"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."

"This is one of my personal favourite sunset spots in London. From here you can see the sun setting behind the Houses of Parliament, and flooding both the London Eye and River Thames with beautiful golden light. It might not be the most Instagrammable shot since if you want to get all elements in you will have to shoot landscape (and we all know portrait is better for Instagram) but it’s still going to be a breath taking photo."

"I have been photographing this second composition ever since I started photographing London. I love the way the London Eye is dominant in the frame and towers over the smaller buildings that surround it. As you can see from the image here, this is a cracking location to capture the London Eye as a long exposure which I cover in a previous post featuring my top 5 locations to capture long exposure photos in London."

"Quick Tip: If you have time, walk across the Hungerford Bridge which is also lovely at night and has a great view of the London Eye. Have more time to spend in London?"

"Wood-fired sourdough pizzas with serious artisan credentials guarantee queues at Franco Manca – no wonder this cult-status mini chain has spread across London like a drizzle of chilli oil on your plate. Prices are rock bottom, the pizzas are served up super-quickly, and the toppings include everything from gloucester old spot sausages to gragnano tomatoes. As you might expect, vegan and gluten-free options are always available."

"The Richmond outpost of London’s original sourdough pizza chain is definitely one of its coolest, situated as it is in the old police station. Beautiful wooden accents and exposed brick make the interior as cosy as can be, while the pizzas are as dependable as rain on a Bank Holiday weekend. Specials change according to the season and include meat, vegetarian and vegan options."

"Restaurants Austrian Marylebone. If your idea of romance is waltzing round old Vienna to the sound of Strauss, you can capture some of that old ‘Blue Danube’ magic with a trip to this instantly comforting Mittel-European number from Messrs Corbin & King. Schnitzels, sausages, ice-cream coupes and – of course – incomparable viennoiserie provide welcome sustenance, with excellent hot chocolate and coffee adding that vital X factor."

"Corbin and King’s refined Marylebone homage to Viennese waltzes past and present is always a fine, low-key luxurious breakfast venue, and in the spirit of fried batter its Austrian crêpes, served either with apricot and brandy jam or a gianduja-approximating hazelnut and chocolate, make a winning centrepiece around which to build an Austrian feast."

"From a whole menu dedicated to meat-free sides to their garlic chilli paneer, there's no holding back on vegetarian food at Mint Leaf Lounge. Join them for sumptuous Indian plates in a slat-up, City of London setting."

"Cuisine: IndianHalal Options: Halal Lamb and Chicken optionsAddress: 1B Suffolk Pl, London, SW1Y 4HX Website: https://www.mintleaflondon.com/Nearest Tube Stop: Charing Cross"

"A recent opening in south west London's Balham is the Red Duck, a quaint eatery off the main high street with a terrace outside and casual seating inside. Priding itself on expertly sourced ingredients (duck from Northern Ireland, British beef), the contemporary menu offers a a modern twist on classic Chinese dishes. Must tries include the aubergine and tofu in black bean sauce, the three mushroom fried rice, char siu pork and panko prawn balls snack starter."

"The Red Duck officially opened in the pre-Christmas period when the long winter lockdown was imminent. As a result, the majority of its growing customer base have only been able to sample its modern Cantonese specialties via home delivery. The Balham restaurant is the first solo venture of chef Chi San, who has worked in the industry for 30 years with a stint under the formidable British-Chinese restaurateur Alan Yau."

"The chefs at this family-run restaurant are experts in cuisine from the four regions of China, meaning guests can expect hearty dim sum and Szechuan dishes full of exciting flavours. The a la carte menu is vast and, while mainly meaty, does offer several vegetarian options. The interiors are nothing to write home about, but friendly staff more than make up for it."

"12/02/2021: Going by all the excellent reviews we ordered £75 worth of food to celebrate Chinese New Year. Delivery was late, although having pre-ordered the night before. Food was bland, over cooked and not worth the money."

"With a waterfall behind the bar and a giant gold-plated crocodile hanging on the wall, it’s hard not to get caught up in the glamour of Sexy Fish – a lavish pan-Asian brasserie with real “wow factor”. Eager staff in multi-coloured waistcoats attend to diners’ every need, delivering thrillingly fashionable food at heavyweight prices to an equally fashionable crowd peppered with celeb faces. Wagyu ganku rolls come topped with white miso and black truffle, while scallops are pepped up with jalapeño sauce and pickled green apple, although the biggest hits are elsewhere – witness tender, honey-glazed duck breast sharpened with kimchi and pickled daikon or sticky pull-apart pork ribs from the robata grill dressed with green onions and chilli."

"Have you ever thought “I like fish, but I just wish it was sexier?. ” Look no further than Berkeley Square, where Sexy Fish is solving just that problem. The interior of the restaurant is certainly alluring: a pair of Damien Hirst mermaid sculptures adorn the bar, and a glittering crocodile takes to the walls."

"Cuisine: AsianHalal Options: Not Halal, but various Fish optionsAddress: Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6BRWebsite: https://www.sexyfish.com/Nearest Tube Stop: Green Park"