If you like Wren architecture, this is the place. Because it's still a working refuge for retired…read moresoldiers, it feels like a privileged visit to a private institution, well away from he usual London weekend crowds. Just wander around and soak up the architecture and atmosphere.

What is less well-known about the Royal Hospital, Chelsea is that you can hire out its beautiful…read morerooms and grounds for events such as dinners, weddings and other parties. The State Apartments have great paintings around the panelled walls and are more intimate, while I can't imagine a more impressive place for a wedding reception than the Great Hall, lined with battle standards captured from foreign regiments (though one might have to be selective with the guest list....)

The entry for debates in the House of Lords, is at the far end (almost at the park next door)…read more Do budget at least 10 minutes for a security scanning. The staff are all very polite and helpful, but taking off jackets and belts and putting them on again takes time and there is normally a rush of people before a scheduled debate. The room we were in was beautiful and cosy. Good acoustics, so as long as speakers enunciate clearly at slightly louder than conversation volume, its easy to follow the proceedings. This was a great experience.

Wow, this is an amazing treat in London. To first walk through the historic halls and see some…read morebeautiful paintings, fixtures and design then walk onto a veranda that overlooks the River Thames. Jaw-dropping. My friend who works for the House of Lords invited me to lunch and while I can say the food was a modest experience. Cafeteria style and very inexpensive but not bad at all. Honestly one doesn't go for the food, it's more about the location and this is one fabulous place. How fabulous you ask, well the House of Lords is where her majesty the Queen gives her speeches. Now that's pretty damn British y'all and this American Southerner living in London loved every minute of it. If you have the opportunity, GO. There are areas open to the general public but be careful there's lots of places you cannot take photos. :)

Beautiful area without and within the castle walls. Very well preserved and maintained grounds…read more Personally, I was disappointed with the experience....not enough meat in there for me!! There is a great view overlooking the town from the now disappearing battlements. There is free parking on site ...BUT, beware, it is only for 30 mins....it's all you need, really!!!

I beautiful example of a Motte and Bailey Castle, situated right in the centre of Tonbridge…read more The gatehouse tours are excellent with audio and plenty of signage. They take about an hour. You can also walk up pathways to the top of the motte (the hill) and admire the views from up there. It's open every day and is easy to find right alongside the high street and next to the River Medway. There are car parks all around. The nearest is the Upper Castle car park approached by Castle Street (yes, indeed!) (The Lower Castle car park is free on Saturday afternoons and Sundays and just a short walk). The castle sits just inside Tonbridge Park, a huge area for sports activities, walking, flying kites, you name it! Tonbridge is very lucky to have such a wonderful piece of history and such a lovely park alongside. The Castle is also a venue for Wedding and other ceremonies, so a luxurious occasion can be enjoyed here.

This is one of the sites in London that I visit frequently lately, due to my research. It is open…read moreto the public. We didn't stay long to witness a court hearing / in action.  It's known as the Law Courts locally. This Grade I  listed building is in Westminster, housing the High Court and Court of Appeal of England and Wales. (The Central Criminal Court, known as Old Bailey is next to the Royal Exchange.)  Before 1875' courts were housed in Westminster Hall' Lincoln's Inn, and a few other buildings around London. When it was decided to have a centralized court, Parliament paid £1'453'000 for the 7.5-acre site. Reported that 4'175 people lived in 450 houses had to be moved. George E. Street (1824-81) was appointed in 1868 as the sole architect, building began five years later, and Queen Victoria opened it on December 4th 1882.

Really intersting to see and learn the history!…read more You should take the time to see this place when your in town!

Neat tunnel that takes you underneath the Thames River. Makes it convenient to cross to the other…read moreside without having to find a bridge or take the ferry. It can be a bit eerie to think that a lot of water is all around you and the only thing separating you from it is a man-made structure. Pretty bare bones so don't expect anything eye catching.

Greenwich Foot Tunnel is a really handy way to cross the river if the DLR isn't running for any…read morereason - it's classed as a public highway so it's kept open 24 hours a day. It's also part of the National Cycle Network but you're not allowed to ride your bike through it - cyclists are supposed to get off and push. The lifts at either end are operated by attendants and only open between 7am and 7pm. There's no guarantee that they'll be working when you go through though - especially if you happen to be carrying a lot of heavy shopping! As for safety, I've walked through there at all hours and never felt threatened or unsafe. There are a few CCTV cameras and most of the time there'll be at least a couple of other people down there with you.

Holding one of the world's largest glitter balls, or so I was told, Stoke Newington Town Hall is an…read moreamazing venue for Weddings, Tea-parties, Plays, Music nights and Literary festivals. The permanent venue staff are amazingly helpful and accommodating, even down to wearing the themed colours for your event (if a weekend hire). The down side is that whilst weddings can be booked up to 18 months in advance other events can only be booked 12 months in advance meaning that even annual events have to shift out of the way for someone's special day. In all the times I have spent in the Town Hall, learning the secret back routes and admiring the WW2 camoflage that still graces the outside of the building, I have never felt unwelcome, merely under-dressed for the restored Art Deco beauty and the original cloakrooms (turned bathrooms) of the building.

The best venue in London for weddings & private hire. Extremely helpful & efficient staff namely…read morethe events team! Beautiful & well kept spaces very much recommend.

The Chiswick House & Gardens is a beautiful little garden in west London that many people don't…read moreknow about. I have been here during the fall when it is completely quiet, and during their magical lantern festival at night when it is packed with crowds. The grounds are well kept, and the lanterns are most amazing. The lanterns along the little lake are especially stunning thanks to the water reflection, but it's also extremely cold thanks to the water. There are three "rest stops": the cafe upon entrance, the marshmallow roasting station in the middle of the tour (but no warming huts which is desperately needed as it's humid and bone chilling in London), and a small fair ground at the end of the tour with hot food, hot drink, and a ferries wheels. The only problem is that it is so freezing cold, and their inadequate toilets especially for women created a huge problem: long queues, chilling cold temperature inside the loos, and generally uncomfortable dirty conditions. It is to be expected with any festivals but still the organizers could have done a better job at regular cleaning and providing directions.

We just headed here this weekend for the Magical Lantern Festival. Hence my rating and review is of…read morethe festival. However, we did see some gorgeous marble statues and the gardens (what we could see of them in the dark) and Historic House, looked like this place definitely merits another visit. The Magical Lanterns are stunning. After the London Lumiere festival, I was a bit skeptical of what would be on offer. But I was blown away by the displays. Budget 2 hours for the walk itself, especially if you are visiting on a night with crowds. We picked up hot coffees and churros at the entry. Feasted on hot chocolate and hot toddy from Beltane and Pop and roasted marshmallows on the firepit at the midway stop. And there was a good selection of meals at the exit point with a covered marquee to enjoy it in. We however decided that we wanted a proper sit down restaurant that was well warmed for dinner and hence walked across to Chiswick high street for a meal. Do note, that these are all pop ups and food trucks - I assume they are only here during the festival. They do have a permanent coffee shop on the premises that was open. But the number of wailing children on this occasion, kept us away.

10 Downing Street - is the address for the home of the Prime Minister of the UK, as you may know…read morewell, already. Can any person walk right upto the home, the answer is no. At one point of time (when we were there a few years back), the streets and the near by areas were not as heavily cordoned off as are now, for reasons obvious; one could still get a good glimpse. The gate (the picture posted) is where a person walking by at best can stand briefly and get a view, the right top side does mention that it's the "Downing Street". Enjoy when visiting London the next time!

To me it's a famous location from books and films. I didn't…read morerealize the high level of security we would see. But people do go come and go. Photographers and A DHL delivery. just a normal day.