London has many beautiful parks and gardens, but Kew Gardens and Richmond Park are your best choices.

Kew Gardens is a Botanical Research Center and it possesses the largest plant collection in the world. With its beautiful lawns（草坪）, formal gardens and greenhouses, it is such a tourist attraction for anybody visiting the capital. Probably the Chinese Pagoda is the most recognizable structure, but the Alpine house, Chokushi-Mon, Kew Palace, Queen Charlotte’s Cottage or Shirley Sherwood Gallery are beautiful and interesting attractions as well. Richmond Park is an area of natural beauty and wild life. Like Kew Gardens（just 2 miles away）, Richmond Park has a wonderful variety of plant and animal life.

If you are planning to visit either of the two parks, you will be thrilled to know that the area has six main car parks, all costing small fees. The disabled, providing a disabled badge（残疾证）, though, can park for free.

Kew Gardens is open 9:30 am to 3:45 pm during the winter months, and 9:30 to 5:00 pm in the summer months. Richmond Park, however, is open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm in summer while 7:30 am to 4:00 pm in winter.

Richmond Park is free of charge, while you need to pay to get into Kew Gardens. The price is fairly small though, with children under the age of 17（when accompanied by an adult）visiting for free.

More information about Kew Gardens:

Address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Rd, London

E-mail: info@kew.org

Phone: +44 020 8332 5655

Website: http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/

Price: £11.50

Note: Kew Gardens is one of the most popular visitor attractions in London area and can therefore be extremely crowded during summer months, particularly on summer weekends.

Formal Afternoon Teas

A pot of tea, a plate of finger sandwiches and a selection of pastries and scones: In America, this wonderful way to wile away the afternoon is commonly, though mistakenly, known as “high tea.” In Britain, where it originated, “high tea” is simply an old-fashioned name for the evening meal; it’s also called “meal tea.” The light, elegant, scone-centric meal served at fancy hotels is called “low tea” or “afternoon tea”. Whatever you call it, here are four places to get afternoon tea on Long Island. Prices are per person.

230 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre

516-208-8521, chatnoirtea.com

Owner Emma Tso is a talented pastry chef, and her afternoon tea($22) includes sandwiches, miniature pastries, warm scones, cream and jam and a pot of tea. Open 7 days a week. Reservations required.

97-E Main St., Stony Brook

631-751-1232

Robinson’s service afternoon tea Tuesday to Sunday. $26 buys unlimited tea, about 10 finger sandwiches, fresh scones, cream and jam and desserts. Reservations required.

225 Main St., Port Jefferson

631-476-8327, thesecretgardentearoom.com

The Street Garden’s menu has more modest options, but the full afternoon tea, $26.95, includes scones, fresh fruit, tea sandwiches, mini desserts and a pot of tea. Open Tuesday to Sunday.

Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Montauk Highway, Great River

631-277-3895, bayardcuttingarboretum.org

The cafe is open Tuesday to Sunday. Afternoon tea($25.95) includes tea sandwiches, desserts and pastries, scones with cream and jam and a pot of tea. Reservations required 24 hours in advance.