Kiwis take a load off hundreds of feet above London's streets
Posted on Wednesday 27 June 2012
in Holidays, England, London
By Sophia Choice
When Kiwis travel to London, sightseeing as much as humanly possible is typically at the top of their priority lists. From Big Ben and the London Eye to Buckingham Palace and St. Paul's Cathedral, the multitude of attractions in the city is an overwhelming feat for any traveller. As the summer months begin to heat up, hotels, bars and lounges throughout the city dust off their rooftops and invite guests to take in the sights of the magnificent locale from skyscraper heights.
Visit Sir Richard Branson's exclusive Roof Gardens
Towering above Kensington High Street are The Roof Gardens, located on the top floor of the former Derry & Toms department store. Dating back to 1936, the beautiful expanse provides stunning views of the London Eye, Wembley, and the rest of West London from Battersea Power Station. Kiwis may have a hard time tearing their eyes away from the themed gardens surrounding them, as the lush greenspace takes on a life of its own from hundreds of feet above the London streets.
The Tudor Garden, filled with evergreen shrubs, sends aromas of lavender, roses and lilies through the air. In the spring months, the English Woodland takes centre stage, where thousands of muscari, crocus, anemones and narcissus bloom in vibrant colours. Kiwis will also find four permanent residents of the Gardens within this space: fluorescent flamingos, which stay safe within the confinements of the locale. Lastly, the Spanish Garden adds a distinct flavour of Moorish culture, recalling the Alhambra in Granada, Spain.
When Kiwis arrive at this lounge, they should try the Lady Marmalade. The chic cocktail features Ketel One Citron vodka, cinnamon syrup, orange bitters and orange juice, which is then shaken with a teaspoon of orange marmalade and Mozart dark chocolate liqueur.
A no-frills pop-up joint resides atop a car garage
Another unique spot to perch after Kiwis have ventured out of their London hotels is Frank's Cafe and Campari Bar, a pop-up lounge on the roof of a multi-story parking garage. The tented bar showcases the work of artists from around the world, as well as the stunning scenery surrounding bar patrons, including the Gherkin, the Shard and the London Eye. The roster of guests is often heavily populated with artists, but is open and inviting to any London local or visitor to the U.K. city. The menu features a variety of light fare, including tapas-style dishes such as hummus, beetroot and smoked cecina or braised tomatoes grilled polenta and aioli. Guests with more of a sweet tooth can sample the rich banana bread semifreddo pudding, which is topped with decadent chocolate malt sauce.
As Campari sponsors the makeshift bar, Kiwis can't go wrong with any cocktail featuring the Italian aperitif.
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