Britain on the Cheap

Heading to London to visit the Queen? Or at least the Queen’s main residence, Buckingham Palace? TheatreBreaks will offer a summer promotion from July 27–Sept. 29:  £63/$95 for a three-course lunch at the Ritz, a glass of champagne and a tour of Buck House.

Radisson Edwardian, with 12 London properties, is offering a summer promotion July 23-Sept. 5, with a 20% value-added savings. Promotional rates start at from £129/$188 per room, per night, based on double occupancy at the Radisson Edwardian Heathrow; the rate for the other London city-center hotels starts at £160/$233 per room, per night. The promotion [...]

Break out the Pimm’s, it’s time for the seventh annual Taste of London in Regents Park June 17-20. The mix of the city’s finest chefs with the best food and drink from around the world is irresistible. Some of the participating restaurants are L’Anima, Asia de Cuba, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, Gaucho, The Grill [...]

London’s Capital Hotel, in Knightsbridge near Harrods, Harvey Nichols and The Royal Gardens, is offering a Capital Dining Experience from Executive Chef Jerome Ponchelle. The package, £350/$506, includes: a one-night stay in an executive double room, English breakfast for two, a three-course dinner for two, a bottle of water, two coffees or teas and the [...]

London’s Imperial War Museum is marking the 70th anniversary of the introduction of rationing in Britain with the “Ministry of Food” exhibit, running now through Jan. 3, 2011 . The museum is dishing up rationed cafe recipes and special events. At the café, you can try corned beef, beetroot and radish salad, as well as [...]

Love to travel but want to go more green? The Green House, a 32-room Victorian villa in Bournemouth, can help on both counts. The Grade II building has been remodeled for more than £5 million, incorporating solar power, low-energy lighting and solid hard wood furniture, either recycled or hand-crafted in the UK from fallen trees [...]

June is all about EAT! NewcastleGateshead, a festival that champions local food producers, restaurants and culinary talent in NewcastleGateshead and the North East. More than 50% of this year’s festival events are  free. The Big EAT! Weekend June 12–13 is free, with street food markets, cookery demonstrations, a Fairtrade City Fête and Food Adventure Playground [...]

Swissotel, The Howard and the Lalique boutique plan an exclusive evening for Feb. 14, starting with a horse-drawn carriage ride from The Howard to the Lalique boutique on Conduit Street. Lalique will be closed for you to enjoy a five-course dinner with wine pairings, served by a private butler, with harpist to accompany. A Jaguar [...]

London’s Restaurant Ship Hispaniola, with romantic views of the Thames, is offering a special Valentine’s three-course lunch for $50/£29.95 per person or dinner for $78/£48 per person. Diners will be entertained by the ship’s pianist.

London’s Vinopolis will be celebrating Valentine’s Day weekend with two big events. On Feb. 13, Vinopolis will host a Valentine’s Day Laughter Lounge, featuring three top acts, an MC and food and drink for $21/£12 in advance, $25/ £15 at the door. On Feb. 14,  it’s a self-guided ‘Valentine’s Tour’ together with live flamenco entertainment [...]