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When dining with a conscious is just as important as the food tasting good… for this month’s travel link up focussing on sustainability, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite London restaurants that promote eco-friendly dining.

1. Island Grill at Royal Lancaster London

I was fortunate enough to dine at the Island Grill a few months ago and I was happy to discover it was so much more than your average hotel restaurant! The newly refurbished Royal Lancaster Hotel has stunning views of Hyde Park and the restaurant itself is flooded with light from floor to ceiling windows. Being a grill we were a little concerned that the vegetarian in our party might struggle to order but actually there are ample options for both vegetarians and vegans.  I loved the wild mushrooms on toast with apple balsamic whereas my companions were big fans of the queen scallops, roast cauliflower steak and crisp polenta. And yes, this is still a grill with British organic beef on the menu, free range chicken, burgers and lamb chops. Food waste is kept at a total minimum whilst fish is sourced from their own boat in Kent and honey from their own bees! The old cooking oil is even recycled as biofuel.

I was invited to review Island Grill

2. Spring

Spring Restaurant at Somerset House is well known as one of the most beautiful restaurants in London, but this gorgeous place with a focus on seasonal cuisine isn’t just a pretty face! Chef Skye Gyngell has pledged to reduce single use plastic, first eliminating plastic straws and then looking into bio-degradable clingfilm alternatives. She is now looking at getting rid of all plastic containers in the restaurant with a focus on being London’s first plastic free restaurants. Skye is committed to responsible consumerism at her ground breaking restaurant. The pre-theatre Scratch menu is created using waste produce – basically those ‘ugly’ vegetables not sold in the super market that are still perfectly good to use.

3. Hawksmoor

Well known for serving some of the best steak in London, but Hawksmoor is also proud to be shortlisted as one of the country’s most sustainable restaurant groups by the Sustainable Restaurant Association and have a three star rating. The restaurant only uses the very best quality British meat from trusted sources where kindness to animals is guaranteed. They are also committed to sustainable seafood, supporting local breweries and charities such as Action Against Hunger and One Water Foundation who provide clean water to third world communities.

4. Sketch

Restaurants in Regent Street and St James’s are working with the Sustainable Restaurant Association as part of the The Food Waste Pledge in order to give diners options for ‘conscious’ dining. Renowned restaurant sketch, is one of eleven restaurants as part of their commitment to social responsibility which also includes working with charities such as Place 2Be and Hospitality Action.

5. Adam Handling Chelsea

Adam Handling’s newly opened restaurant at Belmond Cadogan, Adam Handling Chelsea, see the continuation of his commitment to zero waste, use of sustainable practices and seasonal products. It was also one of the best restaurants that I tried recently! The chicken butter is rightfully renowned and I really recommend the tomato and avocado salad as well as the salmon with artichokes. It’s a really beautiful dining space too.

Those are my five top sustainable restaurants in London. What are yours?

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A babymoon or final fling is the perfect way to celebrate the pending arrival of your little one, whilst getting a last chance to have a holiday on your own. But getting on a plane whilst pregnant can be a little daunting with the prospect of uncomfortable seats, increased risk of DVT or worst case scenario, you go into labour on the plane… ok the latter is very, very rare but with all the fears and anxieties pregnancy brings, a UK staycation may feel like your best option especially if you want to be in close proximity to an NHS hospital. Fortunately there are plenty of UK hotels that are just perfect for babymooning!

1. The Scarlet, Cornwall 

The serenity of the Cornish coast is the perfect way to relax and enjoy each others company before the new arrival and I would highly recommend The Scarlet in Mawgan Porth as the hotel of choice. The eco-friendly hotel has gorgeous views of the coast, stunningly modern interiors and a location that is totally away from it all. Best of all, The Scarlet is adult-only so you can bask in a few final months of being totally child-free! Another highlight of the Scarlet is the spa and the hotel offers a special babymoon break in conjunction with the spa experience. The hotel hosts pregnancy specialist therapists who create a bespoke program for guests using advice from doulas, prenatal yoga tutors and other mums. The package actually includes accommodation, breakfast everyday, plus and lunch and dinner for a romantic evening together. There’s a Pregnancy Journey treatment (massage, exfoliation, body wrap) or any other safe treatment, massage lesson, private pregnancy yoga and special sensitive products to take home.  The Scarlet is famous for the cliff top hot tubs which may seem frustrating as hot tubs are not advisable during pregnancy but at the Scarlet they’ll adjust the temperature of the tub so that you can enjoy it without worry.

2. Chewton Glen, The New Forest 

I recently enjoyed a family holiday to Chewton Glen in the New Forest and I thought it would be a really perfect babymoon staycation too. The English country manor has comfortable lounges to chill out in, beautiful extensive grounds for relaxing walks and a beach in reach if that’s what you’re looking for. There are two restaurants, the fine dining for romance and The Kitchen for comfort food including wood-fired pizzas for hungry pregnant ladies! The spa at the hotel is award-winning and a babymoon is the perfect time to take advantage for a swim or pamper.  The hotel is also famous for being home to luxury treehouses and this would be the ideal time to splurge on one! Some parents might also be concerned about taking children to the rooms that are 35 feet above ground – actually they are perfectly child-friendly but if this a concern than now might be the time to check them out.

3. Soho Farmhouse

Well obviously. But seriously, it’s difficult to get a room at Soho Farmhouse at the best of times but even harder when you have a child as there are a very limited number of child-friendly rooms so make the most of it while you can! And while Soho Farmhouse is child-friendly (there’s a kids club and horse riding for children), it is still a club for adults ! The spacious cabins are perfect for alone time by the fire, there are pretty grounds and a boating lake for chilling and an indoor outdoor pool for swimming. Soho Farmhouse also boasts the Electric Cinema which features new releases, perfect to get some cinema time in. I’ve been warned cinema date nights are a rarity when you have a baby.  Food-wise, there’s plenty pregnancy-friendly food served in the Main Barn in the form of either hearty comforting meals or healthy dishes and there’s no need to avoid Japanese restaurant, Pen Yen as there is much more than sushi and sashimi on the menu. Spa-wise, Cowshed always delivers for me and I actually experienced the Udderly Gorgeous Full Body Massage while I was at sister hotel, Babington House. Especially for pregnancy, there is also the option of a full half day package with Udderly Gorgeous range including Udderly Gorgeous Full Body Care, Cowshed Facial, Cowshed Pedicure and Speedy Manicure.

4. The Connaught 

Rather than relaxing in the countryside, a glamorous trip to London maybe just the ticket. The Connaught is one of the most luxurious hotels in London and is perfectly located near some of London’s top restaurants for some date nights before the big day and plenty of the high-end shops to spoil yourself. Personally I’m buying shoes and handbags at the moment as nice new dresses are off the cards. You can also explore luxury baby boutiques fit for your new prince or princess that are located nearby. (This was photo was taken as part of engagement shoot, my thighs and waist are definitely not looking like that now!)

If you can manage fine dining,  Hélène Darroze at The Connaught is the hotel’s onsite two Michelin-star restaurant or there’s Jean-Georges at The Connaught offering lighter fare. The Connaught also serves one of the best afternoon tea’s in London and a great way to indulge a pregnancy craving. The hotel’s spa is by Aman and a ‘Perfect for Pregnancy’ range is offered using plant-based, organic products to help with stretching skin and aid relaxation.

5. The Pig on The Beach, Dorset

For something super low-key and more wallet-friendly (stocking up on baby stuff is expensive!) then I highly recommend The Pig on the Beach in Dorset. Here you can feel right at home and totally relaxed, no need to get dressed up in the evening (when you have about two outfits that fit, that’s a real plus) and the food is just like you might get at home but better. For accommodation, I recommend booking the Bothy, a super cute cottage for that extra privacy.  A small hotel, more a restaurant with rooms, The Pig on the Beach is the sort of place where you can chill, play board games, for walks on beach or just sit and admire the view. There’s not spa as such at the hotel but there are two cute huts overlooking Harry’s Rocks and the hotel offers a Pregnancy Massage by Bamford. Did you go on a babymoon in the UK? Where did you stay?

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