Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Windrush

"Today we are going to explore even more of London’s central highlights, including the British Museum, Covent Garden, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Shakespeare’s Globe. Today all of the attractions are within walking distance but you may want to use public transit to reach some of them. It may also be a good day to use a hop-on hop-off bus if you have a free ticket with the London Pass as the bus routes go to or near all the attractions on today’s route."

"The British Museum is a treasure trove of artifacts from around the world. Among its treasures, you’ve got bits of the Greek Acropolis, the Rosetta Stone, a burial helmet from Sutton Hoo and an Easter Island statute. There is so much to see among the permanent collections but there are also excellent temporary exhibits."

"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."

"The largest decorative arts and design museum in the world, the V&A galleries give you a tour of the world through ancient sculptures, a world-famous fashion collection, antiquities from Asia and a brand new Photography Centre. The exceptional interiors of the café were designed by James Gamble, William Morris and Edward Poynter, complete with stained-glass windows, painted tiles and elaborate decorative mouldings. And the building’s Italian Renaissance facade, visible from the John Madejski Garden, is a sight to behold."

"The Victoria & Albert Museum in London is the world's largest museum of applied and decorative arts and design. With a permanent collection of more than 2.2 million works, the V&A sits on more than 12 acres that contain 145 different galleries. The museum was founded in 1852, with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert serving as its namesakes."

"This beautiful grand museum takes you back in time to experience the decorative arts and designs of our past ancestors. Discover the fashion through the eras as well as beautiful jewels and statues of important aristocrats. With the beautiful grounds that surrounds one of the world's largest museum it is simply breathtaking."

"Mathematics: The Winton Gallery at the Science Museum © NIck Guttridge. Image courtesy of the Science Musuem. From the future of space travel to asking that difficult question: "who am I?", the Science Museum makes your brain perform Olympic-standard mental gymnastics."

"It has interactive displays that cover transport, space, medicine and much more. Following its reopening, the museum is only open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm. The museum is free, but you must book your tickets in advance."

"Set in London’s busiest open space, Trafalgar Square, this is the grandmother of galleries with more than 2,300 paintings spanning the 13th to the 19th centuries: Heavyweights include Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Velazquez's Rokeby Venus, and Constable’s six-foot long The Hay Wain. It gets packed at weekends, but its so large that you can usually find a quiet corner. You can download an audio tour covering the museum's highlights, but you can also curate your own by selecting the paintings you want to see before you arrive."

"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."

"Cult chicken and waffle spot Sweet Chick has made its way from Manhattan to London, taking over the Carluccio’s site on Market Place just off Oxford Street. Think American comfort food done well: alongside its staple dish the restaurant dishes up ‘shrimp and grits’ (scallions with poached egg and cheddar grits), chicken wings, mac and cheese, maple glazed bacon and the like. Wellness fever may be sweeping the nation – but there’s still a place for downright indulgence."

"This Asian late night restaurant and bar boasts panoramic views of one of London’s famous landmarks – St Paul’s Cathedral. Find theatrical drinks and cocktails late into the night alongside a delicious menu of tantalising, Asian-inspired dishes. On arrival, diners are met with a fluorescent pink onyx floor and a pink-hued pagoda."

"20 New Change Passage, London, EC4M 9AG Why should you care?. The latest Ivy has opened in the impressive space that once held Jamie Oliver's Barbecoa. This time they've launched an Ivy with an Asian-influenced menu."

"Italian steak group, Macellaio RC, has launched a ‘Macellaio at Home’ delivery service from its South Kensington, Exmouth Market, and Battersea sites. Full menus and contact details (for phone orders) can be found on Macellaio RC’s website. RELATED: Macellaio RC continues to prove Italian steak is some of the world’s best"

"39-45 Shaftesbury Ave, Soho, London W1D 6LA Why should you care?. Taking over from Cafe Monico, the latest Macellaio RC has a similar vibe to the other restaurants in the group. An Italian grill restaurant with dry-aged steak from the Fassona breed at the heart of the menu, it's very much all about the steak."

"The team behind Chinatown’s Experimental Cocktail Bar opened its first London hotel in 2017, and has been a hit with the Instagram set ever since. A sumptuous boutique number in Covent Garden, the Henrietta has 18 bedrooms dressed with handpainted wallpaper, upholstered headboards and marble details - yet this room number could soon double as an expansion plan has been permitted. The beating heart of the hotel is its eponymous restaurant, a chic fusion of ornate Victorian and sleek Art Deco led by star chef Sylvain Roucayrol."

"Although Henrietta is run by bartenders—the hotel is part of the Experimental Group, which runs the speakeasy-style Experimental Cocktail Club in Chinatown—it doesn’t feel built for the night. The interiors, rather, are light, whimsical, and irreverently French. The lobby's spring shades and splashes of leopard print continue upstairs in the 18 spacious rooms, which are interesting without being over-the-top."

"Restaurants Italian Covent Garden. Wunderkind Ollie Dabbous was here for a while, but this boutique hotel dining room is now a Basque-influenced small plates eatery overseen by chef Sylvain Roucayrol. During the week they serve Spanish-inflected breakfasts, but on Sundays an extended version (till noon) moves into brunch territory."

"If you’re looking for a beautiful and photogenic landmark St Paul’s Cathedral should be on your list, especially if photographed from One New Change. The reflections in the shiny mirror-like windows of the mall add to the Instagrammability of the shot. Once you’re done taking photos you can either visit the inside of one of the largest and most famous cathedrals in England, or go shopping in One New Change."

"If you’re looking for an important retail development in the City of London, then look no further than One New Change. This is actually the only major shopping centre in the area, so it won’t be difficult to find. It is located nearby St. Paul’s Cathedral, so you can always add a visit to this amazing cathedral to your experience."

"There's plenty to keep you busy here with restaurants, cafés, menswear and womenswear fashion brands, all set overlooking St Paul's Cathedral. Brands include GAP, Kurt Geiger, Pandora, Swarovski, Ted Baker and more."

"Watch a musician or magician in the piazza and wander among the stalls and high-end shops at Covent Garden Market. Housed in and around the iconic Market Building, this central London shopping market is an architectural masterpiece. Alongside Apple Market, speciality shops such as perfume boutiques, homeware stores, restaurants and cafes, you'll find gorgeous crafts, antiques and jewellery."

"Within the 19th century Piazza of Covent Garden, there are three markets to explore. Take a look around the Apple Market, East Colonnade Market and Jubilee Market for handcrafted gifts, artworks, confectionary and clothes, among other diverse goods. Covent Garden: Monday to Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm, and Sunday Midday-6pm."

"There are so many shops in London that desire to be featured on your Instagram feed. The following all provide unique opportunities for London ‘Grammers. READ MORE: Travel Photography Gear for the Best Instagram Photos"

"Hidden away under a Victorian rail arch, London Beer Factory’s The Barrel Project welcomes you for craft beer, cocktails and street food. The hybrid venue in West Norwood organises a great rooster of events and is home to more than 200 barrels for aging."

"One of North London's best taprooms has got to be ORA Brewing. Located in Tottenham Hale, next to the wetlands, this hoppy hero is winning points for style and substance, with experimental brews and signature sips such as limoncello IPA and tiramisu stouts."

"Restaurants Contemporary European Herne Hill. A brunch and pizza spot at the Brockwell Lido Café from the sourdough specialists. A waterside venue with a difference, this lovely alfresco space nudges up against the 1930s art deco splendour of the lido."

"The much-loved pizza pioneers 400 Rabbits have taken over the Lido café in Brockwell Park. Expect toasted banana bread, oat milk porridge and Portuguese eggs with sourdough. Wash it all down with a C-Bomb juice (orange, lemon and cherry) or a Bloody Mary."