http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34509 I bought a lovely Tower of London mug from there. I was with my friends who were visiting from abroad and it was so refreshing to find good quality locally made souvenirs and it was a bonus to meet the designer too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34509 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34219 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34219 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34164 Dropping down from Crystal Palace to Elmers End and through West Wickham you arrive at Corkscrew Lane, and suddenly its woods, valleys and rolling fields. The Lane takes you right to the top of the majestic North Downs and on a good day you can see 30 miles. You might touch 40 mph on the exhilarating drop to Westerham. Turn left to follow the ancient Pilgrims way as it winds through vineyards on its way to Canterbury, 70 miles away. Then it’s the big cogs to climb the elegantly named Hogtrough Hill (15%), heading north through Cudham and the pretty Downe to Keston. Cutting left down the steep hill by the Norman church takes you past fields and stables until suddenly you arrive back at West Wickham again. The last push up Anerley hill is helped by the thought of the amazing double expresso at Café Paradou on Crystal Palace Parade – the perfect place to nod to the other riders who meet there.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34164 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34000 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34000 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33995 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33995 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33994 On the menu are British favourites such as great roasts for Sunday lunch, and there are more adventurous offerings; such as fillet of Gilt Head Bream with fennel and lime dressing. There are plenty of veggie options too.
The Tiger is a great place to chill out with a cool drink, wake up with a coffee, or cheer on the team with mates.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33994 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33955 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33955 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33914 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33914 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33908 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33908 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33875 Italian food, small plates to share (two per person was recommended by the waiter and is right).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33875 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33834 David, our London Walks guide, manoeuvred us away from the traffic and chain shops of Kensington High Street into a Russian doll’s London within a London of the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
First stop, the early 20th century and the art deco Barker’s Department Store, then onto Kensington Square, with its Regency houses lived in by the likes of William Thackeray and John Stuart Mills.
David took us into St Mary’s Church, pointing out the “Healing” window, funded by the Royal College of Surgeons. Out of the church and through a scattering of graves and daffodils and onto another narrow row of houses where T S Eliot and Ezra Pound had both lived and written.
Now down a narrow, cobbled lane, straight out of a Jane Austen novel, lined with tiny shops converted from stables.
We strolled along ‘Millionaire’s Row’ arriving at Kensington Palace, the sunken gardens and David’s last tip, to “Forget the Ritz, take tea at the Orangery.”
Full of enthusiastic information delivered in an entertaining, professional and friendly manner, this was one of the best value for money, interesting experiences I’ve had in London.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33834 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33778 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33778 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33579 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33579 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33556 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33556 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33547 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33547 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33546 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33546 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33545 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33545 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33538 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33538 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33534 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33534