Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Purley

"When the British Museum was opened in 1759 it was the first free to enter national museum to be open to the public anywhere in the world. The first exhibits consisted of the collection of physician and naturalist Sir Hans Sloane – ancient coins and medals, books and natural remains. Over the centuries it has become home to the most significant finds made by British explorers, like the Rosetta Stone from Ancient Egypt and the Parthenon sculpture from the Acropolis in Athens."

"Founded in 1753, The British Museum is the largest museum in London and was the first national museum in the world to cover all fields of human knowledge. The impressive museum now has a collection of over eight million artefacts which span two million years of human history, art and culture. And if the museum’s substantial free collections aren’t enough to draw you in, then its architecture certainly will."

"The British Museum is dedicated to the past history of the human race. The culture of each country and art is represented and show through discovered artifacts found. Mummy tombs from previous egyptian kings and queens and discovered bodies lie in the museum for people to look at."

"Heralded as “the world’s greatest museum of art and design,” the Victoria and Albert Museum can easily boast the claim to being one of London’s most iconic locations. With upcoming exhibitions on wedding dresses and the savage beauty of Alexander McQueen’s gothic fashion, the museum’s expertly curated collections create strong reactionary responses. “The show that made me cry was the incredible retrospective of Diane Arbus, showing her life’s work in images and how she tragically came to kill herself,” recalls Matthew of one of the more stirring of exhibitions."

"In the trinity of London museums, up next comes the Victoria & Albert Museum. Also located in South Kensington, just across the street from the Natural History and Science Museums, you will find the V&A. This museum couldn’t be more different from the first two on this list."

"Just around the corner is the Science Museum, an interactive haven for visitors of all ages. This arrangement of free galleries maps the progress of technological invention, from the birth of steam power to our adventures in space. There are areas to get involved in problem solving and designing tech, as well as a garden where younger scientists can learn about the properties of water, light and sound through play."

"See a real piece of the moon 🌚 or lightning strike ⚡️ before your eyes at Science Museum. From space travel to IMAX, the interactive galleries bring science to life."

"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."

"1824: The première of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9; the Egyptians capture Crete; ‘New Holland’ becomes ‘Australia’; some government guys in Britain bought 38 paintings. Now: Beethoven’s no longer in the charts, Australia still has an identity crisis, and The National Gallery has over 2,300 works tracing the complete development of Western European painting from virtually every European school of art."

"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."

"If you’re in the mood for something sweet, then pancakes always hit the spot. For an authentic American version head to Pickle & Rye in Sheen and dive into their buttermilk and blueberry pancakes, served with maple syrup and a choice of toppings such as bacon, banana, whipped cream, and more."

"A beast on the Balham brunch scene with a beer garden to envy most, The Exhibit is a must try for those looking to eat outside in South London as you enjoy a contemporary space with a menu of burgers, small plates and more."

"Founded by ex-Nobu and Yumi head chefs Yasuhiro Mineno and Shinya Ikeda, both the Yashin restaurants pride themselves on doing sushi with a bit more modernity and theatre than you might find elsewhere. For their delivery menu, you’ll find dishes like yellowtail carpaccio with orange soy and chilli oil alongside otoro tuna sets and sake paired omakase offerings. Follow them on Instagram: @yashinlondon."

"Japanese , Sushi"

"Park Plaza County Hall enjoys a superb location on the South Bank, rubbing shoulders with many of London’s most famous attractions such as the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye. Named ‘Best Family Friendly Hotel’ at the HRS Hotel Excellence Awards 2011, the hotel specialises in treating children like VIPs through its Family Fun in the City package. Spacious family rooms include substantial closets and plenty of space to relax and unwind, while Studio Rooms and Penthouse Apartments afford an enhanced feeling of indulgence with defined sleeping and living areas."

"This hotel is located in central London, and one of its most infamous attractions is “The Lanesborough Suite” which can be all yours for a night at the price of £18000!. Other than exclusivity, the suite will also bring you access to a complementary concierge service and a Rolls Royce to drive around in. Its restaurant — Apsleys, a Heinz Beck Restaurant — is famous for having received a Michelin Star within five months of opening, thus establishing a world record."

"Smack dab opposite Hyde Park is the grand neoclassical Lanesborough, which, thanks to its stately good looks, has been used often as a stand-in for Buckingham Palace. Today it’s about as close as you can get to feeling like a royal without being born one. Interiors by designer Alberto Pinto recall 18th-century Regency style (which continues into the ultra-plush guestrooms) and fresh flowers are everywhere."

"He was the 5th century Bishop of Arras who converted Clovis. “Foster” is an English bastardisation of his name. This was Wren’s cheapest church, as he was able to re-use some of the earlier walls."

"Towering over diminutive Ludgate Hill in a superb position that's been a place of Christian worship for over 1400 years (and pagan before that), St Paul’s is one of London’s most magnificent buildings. For Londoners, the vast dome is a symbol of resilience and pride, standing tall for more than 300 years. Viewing Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece from the inside and climbing to the top for sweeping views of the capital is a celestial experience."

"Why: Found a short distance from Harrods and other upmarket shopping destinations, Harry's Dolce Vita is perfectly accomodating for a spot of post-shopping dining. If lugging around all of those bags has worked up a sweat, you can cool down with one of Harry's delicious ice cream sundaes. You're able to enjoy them either inside or out on the terrace, and flavours to choose from include an apricot, mango and yoghurt combination or lemon sorbet topped with candied lemon and whipped cream."

"27–31 Basil Street, London SW3 1BBForget tiramisu and ice-cream sundaes – there’s a new pudding in town and it’s called the Toadstool. It might look like straight out of Super Mario, with its glossy red dome and cute white spots, but the white-chocolate, raspberry and pistachio creation at Harry’s Dolce Vita, the latest venture from Caprice Holdings, is the talk of London right now. And the rest of the menu’s not bad either."

"Restaurants Italian Belgravia. Directly behind Harrods, Harry’s is a glamorous Italian bistro with a breezy European-style terrace out front that’s often packed with people enjoying a spritz and a plate of pasta after a day of shopping across the road. Foodwise, stick to the simple Italian things: seafood spaghetti and fresh antipasti plates."

"Cuisine: IndianHalal Options: All Chicken is Halal, some Lamb dishes are HalalAddress: 73 St James’s St, St. James’s, London, SW1A 1PH Website: http://www.chutneymary.com/Nearest Tube Stop: Green Park"