Le Gothique

It’s astonishing to encounter this massive Victorian-gothic building in SW18. The edifice has been an orphanage, a hospital, & an outpost of MI5/MI6, but as Le Gothique, it’s now primarily a wedding & party venue. The huge interior, the quiet courtyards & peaceful gardens are ideal for large-scale events (meaning the place is often booked at weekends), but you can also pop in for food & a pint. During the day & early evening, the Gothic bar serves pub grub (sausage & mash, steaks, soup). Alternatively, you could dine in the alfresco courtyard or the wonderfully flamboyant restaurant on 1970s-style French cooking at 1990s' prices. Start with chicken-liver mousse or moules marinières; move on to duck à l’orange or chicken with tarragon, finishing with chocolate fondant. A retro treat.