<BR>Friends planning to get engaged in London next week. Need perfect romantic, non-cliche' setting for the special moment. <BR> <BR>Bride to be needs to be taken by surprise! <BR> <BR>Do not want to consider the typical restaurant scene. Any thoughts on special places- Help ASAP!! Thanks.

this is only half a suggestion because <BR>I don't have a guidebook handy and it's been years since I've been there, but <BR>I believe there is still an indoor <BR>greenhouse at Kew, just outside of London. If so, it should be filled with flowers or at least greenery even in winter. <BR>Someone else jump in here and fill in my blanks. <BR>

Yes, the Royal Botanical Gardens are in Kew, easily reachable via the underground. There is the Palm House [a large Victorian conservatory, as well as other indoor venues. I vote for the Palm House myself! Here's their website: http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ <BR> <BR>

The Kew Gardens idea is a very good one. Another might be the Victoria and Albert Museum. There is a large collection of 17th and 18th century paintings with, as I recall, a significant number of romantically theme'd works. The V&A is just off South Kensington and easily accessible by tube.

Bryan, Kew is a real hike from Central London, and there isn't much there for a celebratory (hopefully!) meal etc. after the big question. Here are a few, somewhat off-the-wall ideas from a Londoner: <BR>1. Top of Big Ben - you can get right up and stand behind the clock face - perhaps on the stroke of midday? - unfortunately you can't get up there at night. <BR>2. Top of Tower Bridge - during the day you can get up to the top of the bridge and there is a walkway with incredible views of the City. <BR>3. St James's Park - beautifully lit at night with views across to Buckingham Palace. Get to the lake in the middle, swans drifting past etc., there is a little bridge which is lit up at night - v.cool <BR>4. On a boat cruising down the Thames - again preferrably at night - go for something up-market like the Silver Barracuda. <BR>5. Westminster Abbey - every royal has been married there for several hundred years, so it should be good enough for you! <BR>6. Waterlow Park in Highgate (north London) <BR>7. Constitution Hill in Hampstead <BR>8. Albert Bridge (Chelsea-Battersea) or Battersea Park <BR>9. Orangerie in Holland Park (West London) <BR>10. If you've got the money, here is the coolest thing - take your loved-one to Waterloo Station by walking over Waterloo brige (fantastic views of Parliament). When you get to the station, take your unsuspecting bride to the Eurostar terminal where you have of course already booked 2 tickets (take your passport), get on the train to Paris, jump in a cab at Gare du Nord, speed over to the Pont Alexendre III, propose, get in a cab, back to the station, back to London and then from Waterloo walk to the nearby OXO Tower - best restauruant in London with incredible views. <BR> <BR>Much as I love London, Paris is the only place to propose. <BR> <BR>Nick <BR>

Bryan, Kew is a real hike from Central London, and there isn't much there for a celebratory (hopefully!) meal etc. after the big question. Here are a few, somewhat off-the-wall ideas from a Londoner: <BR>1. Top of Big Ben - you can get right up and stand behind the clock face - perhaps on the stroke of midday? - unfortunately you can't get up there at night. <BR>2. Top of Tower Bridge - during the day you can get up to the top of the bridge and there is a walkway with incredible views of the City. <BR>3. St James's Park - beautifully lit at night with views across to Buckingham Palace. Get to the lake in the middle, swans drifting past etc., there is a little bridge which is lit up at night - v.cool <BR>4. On a boat cruising down the Thames - again preferrably at night - go for something up-market like the Silver Barracuda. <BR>5. Westminster Abbey - every royal has been married there for several hundred years, so it should be good enough for you! <BR>6. Waterlow Park in Highgate (north London) <BR>7. Constitution Hill in Hampstead <BR>8. Albert Bridge (Chelsea-Battersea) or Battersea Park <BR>9. Orangerie in Holland Park (West London) <BR>10. If you've got the money, here is the coolest thing - take your loved-one to Waterloo Station by walking over Waterloo brige (fantastic views of Parliament). When you get to the station, take your unsuspecting bride to the Eurostar terminal where you have of course already booked 2 tickets (take your passport), get on the train to Paris, jump in a cab at Gare du Nord, speed over to the Pont Alexendre III, propose, get in a cab, back to the station, back to London and then from Waterloo walk to the nearby OXO Tower - best restauruant in London with incredible views. <BR> <BR>Much as I love London, Paris is the only place to propose. <BR> <BR>Nick <BR>