You can take a boat ride on the Thames from Westminster Bridge to Greenwich Pier to visit the famous Royal Observatory and in particular, the Prime Meridian which passes through the building. Here you can pose for a photo standing in two hemispheres. Other sights include the Royal Naval College by Sir Christopher Wren, the Queen’s House, an excellent example of Palladian architecture, and Greenwich Park.

Extensive public gardens for walking and gazing. Within the gardens are Palm House and Temperate House, wonderful 19th century greenhouses, and the Pagoda, a fascinating structure built in the 18th century. The Royal Botanic Gardens (commonly called Kew Gardens), located near Richmond, about 10km southwest of London, are easily reached by Tube on the District Line (in the direction of Richmond). Purchase a zone 3 travelcard and exit at Kew Gardens; it’s a short walk from the tube stop.

Breathtaking gardens created by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicholson. There are also beautiful lakeside and woodland walks.
The easiest way to get here is by car. There is also a train from London to Staplehurst which takes about an hour; arrange in advance with one of the local cab companies for the 10-minute ride between Sissinghurst and the train station. It’s also a good idea to buy an entry ticket in advance because of the large number of visitors.

For garden lovers who are willing to make the trip (it’s best to rent or hire a car), Stowe is a fantastic 18th century landscaped garden created by the esteemed Capability Brown with numerous monuments created by leading architects of the day.