National_Geographic_Traveller_UK_June_2017

Riverside
The Thames looks cleaner here — almost
see-through. Richmond Bridge Boathouses
rents out rowboats for up to 12 people,
although if you’d prefer a drier experience,
take the longish river walk to Marble Hill
House, and hop on the ferry to equally
historic Ham House. Afterwards, reward
yourself with a few pints at The White
Cross. Watch out, though; at high tide, the
pub becomes its own island.
IMAGES: ALAMY; GETTY
THREE TO TRY
Richmond
restaurants
BEIRUT STREET KITCHEN
A fiver gets you a crispy falafel
wrapped in stone-baked
flatbread from this Lebanese
joint. Don’t miss out on the
manakish za’atar (flatbread
topped with spices) and
pomegranate lemonade.
RINCON
Traditional Spanish tapas and
an expansive wine list. Go on
evenings when they host live Latin
music and jazz bands. A word of
caution — their sangria is potent.
rincon-bar.co.uk
GALETERIA DANIELI
Head up to Brewers Lane
for authentic Italian gelato
from Galeteria Danieli. The
pistachio, fig and mandarin
flavour is delicious.
gelateriadanieli.com
Get out
Even if you’ve been to Kew Royal
Botanical Gardens before, regular
new additions make it worth
another visit. Installed last year,
The Hive is a 17-metre tall outdoor
installation that uses LED-lights
and a mesmerising soundtrack to
immerse you into the secret lives of
bees. Of the perennial attractions,
the Palm House is like stepping into
a massive steam-room populated
by giant ferns and palms. As special
as Kew is, it doesn’t have deer —
but they can usually be found in
Richmond Park. If you don’t see
any, mollify your disappointment
by climbing King Henry’s Mound,
where the trees frame a tunnel-like
view directly across London to St
Paul’s Cathedral.
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