Romantic Spots in London
 

I will be in London in a few weeks with a very special lady, and I'd like to hear thoughts on the most romantic spots (including restaurants) in London. (I already have a day trip to Bath planned, and I'm sure that will be wonderful, but I need something in the city.) My idea of romantic is a quiet place where you can get lost together in the warmth and beauty of the surroundings.<BR><BR>Thanks.

One for non-central London: Petersham Hotel in Richmond - check out website and I think you will see what I mean, www-petershamhotel.co.uk for lunch, then wander through next door terrace gardens and take in some of the prettiest views of the river from Richmond Hill. (although you need to eliminate Twickenham stadium and some council blocks to right of view - focus downriver): Can carry on into Richmond Park - far more ability to get away from people than in the more central London parks (2000 acres make it ´the biggest of the Royal Parks). Richmond is 25 minutes by train from Waterloo or 30 mins from Victoria by tube.

You'll likely not find much &quot;warmth&quot; in the literal sense with my recommendation, but I think one of the most romantic spots in London as far as &quot;beauty of the surroundings&quot; is a late nite walk along the Thames on the south side of the Houses of Parliament. <BR><BR>Parliament is lit up, its quiet (hopefully!), and a sight that she'll very likely never forget....at least I never have and the first time I saw it was over 25 years ago.<BR><BR>Best wishes for a great trip!! Dave

It may not be the most romantic spot, but the Royal Observatory in Greenwich is an idea. It's in a nice park with diagonal walks. The observatory in on a hill. From there, you can see the Christopher Wren designed symmetrical Royal Naval College, the City of London skyline, the Millennium Dome, and the fabulous Canary Wharf skyline.<BR><BR>Near the bottom of the hill is the Painted Hall in the Royal Naval College, but this isn't as romantic as the Royal Observatory. The ship Cutty Sark is next to the Royal College.<BR><BR>If you go there on a weekday in a few weeks, it won't be crowded at all.<BR><BR>Perhaps you can surprise your special lady by not telling her where you are going. You can take the 188 bus on the south side of Tower Bridge (Jamaica Road) or the Docklands Light Rail to Greenwich/Cutty Sark.

For restaurants, try &quot;La Poule au Pot&quot; in Pimlico - consistently voted London's most romantic restaurant by Harden's (The restaurant bible), www.hardens.com<BR><BR>Dimly lit, cosy, with rude but entertaining French waiters to boot, you won't be disappointed.

I think of<BR>Sung Evensong at Southwark Cathedral<BR>Westminster Hall in Parliament (if you can get in)<BR>Dinner on board an evening boat along the Thames<BR>A lunchtime concert at St Ann and St Agnes, a little north of St Paul?s Cathedral<BR>A view as the evening gathers from a hill overlooking London: perhaps Parliament Hill in North London or Telegraph Hill half a mile south of New Cross Gate station.<BR>Tea in the Orangery north of Kensington Palace<BR>Lunch upstairs at the Market Porter in Borough Market<BR><BR>Welcome to London<BR><BR>[email protected]<BR><BR>

This probably doesn't appear to fit in with your requirements, but my vote goes for the night-time view along the river from Waterloo Bridge! You can see so many of the major landmarks lit up from there, and the lights are all so pretty. I walk home from work frequently across the Bridge after dark (that sounds a bit suspect, but bear in mind it's dark by 5!) and the view never ceases to amaze me. The whole newly renovated area nearby along the South Bank is lovely for strolling too, now (near the Globe Theatre and Tate Modern, down to Tower Bridge and maybe across to St. Katherine's Dock near the Tower). The South Bank reminds me a little of Paris by the Seine!

I agree with UKFIONA. After dark, from the South Bank at the Tate Modern, take the Millenium Bridge across the Thames. You have a fantastic view of St. Paul's, the Tower Bridge and more. Quite lovely.

May sound dopey, and show my age, but one of the most romantic things my husband and I ever did was stay in our hotel. Honest. We were staying at the Basil Street Hotel, which is cozy and perfect anyway. We had a lovely dinner in the dining room where a student from the Royal Conservatory played the piano. Then we went for a bit of a walk - to get wine at Oddbins - then retired to our room with a window that overlooked the rooftops of London, put on our pajamas, drank wine and watched television. Whether one of their great, cerebral game shows, The Bill (my favourite UK cop show), talk shows, Top of the Pops - it was great and I loved my husband even more because we could share even the quietest things.

Surely London has more romantic places than just the ones mentioned. I haven't been to London yet or I would add my opinion.

February is probably not the best time for this suggestion but - go to Harrods or Fortnum and Mason and have an exotic picnic basket packed, an appropriate bottle of wine (make sure you can open it) and then find a spot in a park or on the river. Some suggestions - Kensington Gardens near the Italian Gardens at Lancaster Gate or near Kensington Palace, the hillside at Greenwich, maybe a sheltered spot on the Thames between Lambeth Bridge and the Tate. There may be some cozy spots in St James or Green Park.

Hi Mak,<BR> You've probably thought of it already but how about afternoon tea?<BR> See http://www.gofortea.com/

<BR>Picnic lunch at the little garden of St.Dustain in The East in the City,the spring bulbs shall be flowering already.<BR><BR>After a nightout at South Banck Centre,walk the beautiful Hungerford Footbridge across the Thamas.

The London Eye at dusk, when you can watch the lights coming on the Houses of Parliament is an incredibly romantic view, (and a bit warmer than being on the bridge in February).<BR><BR>A walk through Hyde Park on a brisk Saturday or Sunday morning on your way to dim sum at the Royal China (or after to walk it off... but make sure to get there when it opens or you will never get in!)<BR><BR>That little pub/cafe/restaurant you just happend to stumble across after an afternoon wandering around Covent Garden/Soho/Knightsbridge/Notting Hill/etc. (As for romantic restaurants, one man's Andrew Edmunds is another man's Mirabelle, so without more guidance it's hard to make more suggestions)<BR><BR><BR>