London - Around Town : South and West (part 2) - Best of the Rest, Eating and Drinking

A Day Exploring Maritime Greenwich

Morning

Start the day from Westminster Pier, because the best way to arrive at
Greenwich
is by boat. The journey takes 50–60 minutes and there are terrific river sights on the way. The old tea clipper
Cutty Sark
is undergoing restoration until 2010 but the visitor centre
is worth a visit. Step into the nearby Greenwich tourist information
centre to get your bearings.

Behind is Greenwich Market, which is liveliest on weekends. Grab a
coffee here, and then explore the surrounding streets, full of antique
and other charming shops. Turn into Wren’s Old Royal Naval College, walk
around the Grand Square, and then down to the river. Take a break for
some lunch and a pint at the old Trafalgar Tavern on the far side of the
Naval College overlooking the river.

Afternoon

After lunch, make your way back up to the
National Maritime Museum
, Queen’s House and the Royal Observatory Greenwich,
which is on the hill behind. Spend a couple of hours exploring the
fascinating museum, the largest of its kind in the world, then make your
way to the Observatory. This is the home of world time, and stands on
the Prime Meridian. You can be photographed with one foot in the eastern
hemisphere and one in the west. Return to Central London by boat, DLR
or rail from Greenwich.

Best of the Rest

Brixton Market

This
colourful market lies at the heart of London’s Caribbean community. The
atmosphere is lively, with music stalls pumping out a variety of
sounds, and the scent of aromatic ethnic foods. Look for secondhand
vinyl, fresh produce and bargain fabrics. Open 8am–5pm Mon–Sat.
- Electric Avenue to Brixton Station Road SW9
- Tube Brixton
Battersea Arts Centre

One of the main fringe theatre venues in the capital, with a huge programme of activities.
- Lavender Hill SW11
- Train to Clapham Junction
- 020 7223 2223
Battersea Park

Entertainments
in this large park include a boating lake, a children’s zoo, sports
facilities, and a gallery. There is also a woodland walk, nature reserve
and therapy garden.
- Battersea Park SW11
- Train to Battersea Park
- Open dawn to dusk daily
Battersea Park
The Bush

This off-West End theatre is one of London’s premier showcases for new writers.
- Shepherd’s Bush Green W12
- Tube Shepherd’s Bush
- 020 8743 5050
Merton Abbey Mills

An
arts and crafts village on the River Wandle, with an old watermill,
pub, restaurant, shops and weekend craft market. Arts festival in the
summer.
- Merantum Way SW19
- Tube Colliers Wood
Wetland Centre

In
this major bird sanctuary by the Thames, there are different recreated
habitats to explore, as well as a Discovery Centre .
- Barnes SW13
- Train to Barnes
- Open 9:30am–6pm daily (winter: 9:30am–5pm)
- Admission charge
Wimbledon Common

Start
with a visit to the windmill, and then try not to get lost roaming the
1,100 acres. The Crooked Billet and the Hand in Hand on the south side
are pubs to head for.
- Wimbledon Common SW19
- Train to Wimbledon
Wimbledon Stadium

Have a night at the dog track, where you can urge on your favourites from the stands or one of the restaurants.
- Plough Lane SW17
- Tube Wimbledon Park
- Races 7:30–10pm Tue, Fri, Sat
- Admission charge
Firepower

An
exciting museum at the historic home of the Royal Artiller. Hundreds of
exhibits as well as a spectacular multi-media display.
- Royal Arsenal, Woolwich SE18
- Train to Woolwich Arsenal
- Open 10am–5pm Wed–Sun
- Admission charge
World Rugby Museum

At Twickenham Stadium, the national home of rugby. A Mecca for rugby fans, a visit includes a tour of the stadium.
- Rugby Road, Twickenham, Middlesex
- Train to Twickenham
- Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sat, 11am–5pm Sun
- Admission charge

Eating and Drinking

The River Café

The
“best Italian restaurant outside Italy” is the long-standing reputation
of this imaginative Hammersmith restaurant, housed in a converted
warehouse with a river terrace.
- Thames Wharf, Rainville Road W6
- Tube Hammersmith
- 020 7386 4200
River Café
Thai Square Putney Bridge

A
brilliant view of the river from this smart, innovative glass
restaurant makes it a good spot year-round, and the Thai menu is
excellent.
- The Embankment SW15
- Tube Putney Bridge
- 020 8780 1811
Chez Bruce

Stylish yet relaxed, Chez Bruce serves excellent modern European food. Service is impeccable and booking is essential.
- 2 Bellevue Road SW17
- Train to Wandsworth Common
- 020 8672 0114
The Glasshouse

The food is exciting, modern European at this relaxed restaurant.
- 14 Station Parade, Kew, Surrey
- Tube Kew Gardens
- 020 8940 6777
- No disabled access
The Gate

Probably
the best vegetarian restaurant in London, The Gate is worth hunting
out. The gourmet menu changes regularly, and the meals are hearty and
inventive. Closed Sundays.
- 51 Queen Caroline Street W6
- Tube Hammersmith
- 020 8748 6932
- No disabled access
Carpenter’s Arms

It may look like an old boozer but the food here is hearty fare made with well-sourced, seasonal ingredients.
- 91 Black Lion Lane W6
- Tube Stamford Brook
- 020 8741 8386
Inn at Kew Gardens

A lovely hostelry with great pump ales and moreish gastro food. It’s also perfectly located beside Kew Gardens.
- 292 Sandycombe Road, Kew TW9
- Tube Kew Gardens
- 020 8940 2220
The Green Room

A
thoroughly modern venue in an old-fashioned part of town. Great
cocktails at the stylish bar, simple but good Anglo-French food in the
restaurant.
- 45A Goldhawk Road W12
- Tube Goldhawk Road
- 020 8746 2111
Esarn Kheaw

Authentic
Thai food, with all the usual favourites as well as more unusual dishes
such as mud fish sweet and sour soup. Expect liberal use of chilli and
spices.
- 314 Uxbridge Road W12
- Tube Shepherd’s Bush
- 020 8743 8930
The Dove

With
the smallest bar in Britain, a warm fire, good local beer and a
riverside terrace, this is as close to a perfect pub as you can get.
Good bar food is served lunchtime and evening.
- 19 Upper Mall W6
- Tube Hammersmith
- 020 8748 9747

Unless otherwise stated, all restaurants accept credit cards and serve vegetarian meals