What's in a name?

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Not sure how this happened, but ended up at a number of places with off-the-beaten path names.  Just goes to show don't judge a restaurant by its name.

Albion (Multiple)

Tried this café, bakery and food store on Southbank after visiting Tate Modern. We enjoyed a tasty soup, goat cheese salad and filling steak sandwich with mushrooms. As a neighborhood restaurant, the cafe is open all-day, seven days a week. They make their own ice cream (chocolate, vanilla, caramel and lemon sorbet and offers seasonal flavors too).
www.albion-uk.london

Bel & the Dragon (Godalming)

We visited this restaurant and bar located in a converted church. Sunday 'lunch' menu goes into the evening and parking is within close walking distance and easy. The chef team includes a former sous chef of Gordon Ramsay at Claridges, so not surprisingly the food is fantastic.
www.belandthedragon-godalming.co.uk ✆ +44 1483 527333
Old Church Bridge Street, Godalming, GU7 1H

Burgers of Marlow (Buckinghamshire)

Don’t let the odd name confuse for what is essentially an artisan bakery located within 10 minutes of High Wycombe. A Swiss family started it and the name is pronounced 'Bur-jer' with a soft 'g'. It has remained a family business since the 40s with delicious bread, pastries and chocolates made on-site.
www.burgersartisanbakery.com ✆ +44 1628 483389
The Causeway, Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1NF

Cau (Multiple)

If you want a quiet adult dinner and drinks with kids in tow, this Buenos Aires inspired restaurant does the trick. At the Guildford location once seated, your kids are given an iPhone in an oversized case. Among the small plates are their must-order empanadas. They also serve bigger plates and flavorful steaks (if you are really hungry there is also a 440g filet of rump).
www.caurestaurants.com

Tanhouse Farm Shop (Multiple)

Everything is homemade and portions are large.  The soup with homemade cheese and onion scone and the quiche with trio of salads, are both large enough to share.  It has a bright indoor conservatory and for the kids, there is a nice fenced in grassy area with play structure and picnic tables along with tented seating.
www.tanhousefarmshop.co.uk ✆ +44 1306 631891
Rusper Road, Newdigate RH5 5BX

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Oxford Cambridge Boat Race

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The annual Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge Crews is one of the oldest sporting events.

No ticket is needed — just turn up* and join the thousands who watch from the banks of The Tideway. The 17-20 minute race starts at Putney and ends at Chiswick Bridge. While you can watch from the bank (which has the convenience of food and drink), it is exciting to watch from the middle of Putney, Hammersmith or Chiswick bridges as the teams head to the finish.
www.theboatrace.org

Two places near Hammersmith Bridge to get a bite before or after the race:

  • Hampshire Hog — This gastropub in West London reminded me of being at a laid back state-side West Coast eatery. In addition to ‘seasonally sourced, responsible food’, they have different light, airy spaces intended for you to feel at home. They serve food all-day with breakfast and brunch starting at 8 am on weekdays and 9 am on the weekends. A rare find!
    • www.thehampshirehog.com ✆ +44 2087 483391
    227 King Street, Ravenscourt Park, W6 9JT
  • Sagar — We enjoyed indli (steamed dumplings with chutney) and masala dosa (large rice and lentil pancake filled with vegetables) at this small South Indian vegetarian restaurant. With reasonable prices and fast service, their location across the street from the Apollo Theatre is an affordable, pre-theatre alternative.
    • www.sagarveg.co.uk ✆ +44 2087 418563
    157 King Street Hammersmith, London, W69JT
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Adrenaline rush

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Five fun ways to get an adrenaline rush — and burn some calories at the same time.

AirHop (Guilford)

Imagine 50 trampolines connected together with padded walls and pits of foam and you have AirHop, the first of its kind in England.  You can now practice slam-dunking like Michael Jordon, play a game of dodge ball or practice moves you have only dreamed of.  This place is a great place for kids to burn off energy or 1,000 calories an hour for £10/person.
www.airhoptrampolinepark.com ✆ +44 1483 504750
12 Midleton Industrial Estate Road, Guildford GU2 8XW

Anti-gravity Yoga (Godalming)

The Fitness Hangout was the first studio in the UK to feature this New York City craze.  If you want to learn how to fly, flip and invert — this is your chance.  Using a silk hammock it combines traditional yoga poses and principles with elements from aerial arts, dance, gymnastics, Pilates, and calisthenics.  As well as being fun, it’s a complete workout that is certain to get you in shape while realigning you — we walked away an inch taller and smiling.
www.thefitnesshangout.co.uk ✆ +44 7779 110773
Unit 14, Woodside Park, Catteshall Lane, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1LG

Climb Over O2 (London)

Up the O2 is really a climb over the roof of the O2 on a raised walkway. At the top, there's an observation platform with 360° views of London and its landmarks including Canary Wharf, Olympic Park and River Thames. You’ll also have a chance to star in your own movie with help of motion trackers. But hold on tight for the climb, which is 52 meters above ground level and reached via a fabric walkway. There is talk about a zipline being added from the O2 over the Thames.  I’ll be there!
www.theo2.co.uk ✆ +44 2084 632000
Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX

National Centre for Circus Arts (London)

Have you ever wondered what it was like to run away and join the circus? National Centre for Circus Arts, (formerly Circus Space) is a chance to become a pro under the Big Top. Sessions are taught by professional circus instructors at one of the top circus schools in Europe. During the workshop you learn how to juggle, walk a tight rope, swing on a trapeze and climb ropes like a circus star. We had to cheer each other on to be able to step off the trapeze platform.
www.nationalcircus.org.uk✆ +44 2076 134141
Coronet Street, London N1 6HD

Parkour (Multiple)

Originating in France, this is a form of fitness training that improves strength, speed, agility, coordination, stamina, endurance and precision. Parkour became popular after the famous jump scene in the James Bond movie Casino Royale. Learn how to overcome obstacles as quickly and efficiently as possible only using your body. We hired an instructor from London to teach us the fundamentals (running, jumping and climbing) and built on these skills to pass over, under, around and through obstacles with more complex movements. They also boast the UK's first and only dedicated parkour centre and gym in Canary Wharf. All you need is a pair of tennis shoes and a sense of adventure for this full-body workout.
www.parkourgenerations.com ✆ +44 2036 513364