Food prices at Kew can mount up quickly, so try to take as many drinks and snacks into the Gardens with you that you can carry! If you arrive at Kew by Tube train, outside the station there's a choice of local shops in which to buy your drinks and snacks in more cheaply.

Holland and Barrett are a group of UK stores stocking organic, vegetarian and vegan foods, snacks and vitamin supplements. They stock 'free from' ranges for those with allergies too.

Chakalaka specializes in all things South African-people and food! This place is great-Down a few Castles while trying the 25 oz Namibian Rump Steak challenge-clean your plate in 25 minutes and you get a free SA t-shirt -not cheap at £25, but worth it!

Marylebone High Street is a great street running north and south from the Euston Road down to Oxford Street in London. The north end is accessed from the Euston road, between Baker street and Regent's Park tube stations-it has character (and you can avoid tourist traps at Baker Street)-sit in the church park amongst the gravestones and have a coffee, visit a pub for lunch or just stay away from Oxford Street and shop in trendy places the locals go.

Try out vegetarian restaurant Eat and 2 Veg on the north end of Marylebone High Street-they're very good- reasonably priced and there's a good choice of main courses (I liked the veggie schnitzel) in a pleasant venue.

We highly recommend the Pizza Express chain of restaurants for excellent pizzas-they're freshly cooked to order and the standard of their ingredients is better than Pizza Huts. I asked for a special pizza with no cheese or tomatoes (allergies) and the girl serving us couldn't be nicer or try harder. Because of their concern, I had one of the best pizzas ever!