Merci Amélie the Musical for bringing some much-needed sunshine to a bleak and midwintery London. The petite French girl that we fell in love with in the 2001 film is treading the boards at The Other Palace in a production that’s a billet doux to Paris and is as enchanting as it is heartwarming. The original…
A Guide to London Art Week 2019
London Art Week, a six-day festival where art adrenaline courses through the veins of St James’s and Mayfair, kicks off on Sunday, December 1. Galleries and auction houses across both areas throw open their arty doors to the public with 32 exhibitions dedicated to pre-contemporary art. There’s also a range of events and talks, most…
An Alternative Christmas in London 2019
Looking to have yourself a merry little alternative Christmas in London? Here’s a sampling of my top recommendations of things to do in London this December 2019 including Christmas lights, some festive theatre, carols and concerts. There’s also a few free things to do this Christmas in London. It’s time to get your frosty on…
Christmas in London 2019 | Festive events in London’s museums and historic places
For a dash of Christmas past and present and a sprinkling of holiday fun, there’s a sleighful of merry on the calendar this Christmas in London 2019. Leave Scrooge at home, wrap up warm and add some mulled spice to your culture fix with some Christmas events in London museums and historic houses. Christmas at…
The Moon and beyond | National Maritime Museum
Old blue eyes Frank Sinatra and Tintin wanted to go there, whilst Constable, Turner and Kubrick were all infatuated with it. The moon has always held us in spellbinding fascination, as far back as the Ancient Mesopotamians. And over at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, you can go to the moon and beyond with…
Sticky Mango | Restaurant Review
I have a real loathing of places which refer to themselves as London’s “best-kept secret,” but Sticky Mango actually deserves the accolade. It’s not wedged into Southbank’s busy arteries which overflow with humdrum chain restaurants. Instead, this Waterloo outpost is quietly but conveniently located on Coin Street, close to the Old Vic, the National Theatre…
Londoness Loves November 2019
London may be getting spruced up for Christmas, but we’ve still got a month to go before we descend into full-blown festive craziness. It’s time to banish the never-ending Brexit blues with some help from a culture-filled November in London. This month is all about the towering figures of art, history and legend with Leonardo,…
Charles Dickens Museum | Christmas and Beautiful Books
As one of London’s top destinations for booklovers, it makes sense to see beautiful books headlining a new exhibition at the Charles Dickens Museum this November. As the house dresses itself for Christmas, it’s also preparing for the festive display Beautiful Books: Dickens and the Business of Christmas, where you can gaze at the world’s…
Oxford Lieder Festival | Magic, Myths and Mortals
It’s that melodic time of year again, when Oxford goes into full musical throttle in celebration of classical music and poetry. For two weeks, the city falls under the spell of the Oxford Lieder Festival, which this year transports us to Tales of Beyond – Magic, Myths and Mortals in the tuneful company of some…
The Lost Dress of Elizabeth I | Hampton Court Palace
There are some royal portraits that just take your breath away. The ‘Armada Portrait’ of Elizabeth I at the Queen’s House in Greenwich is one of them. Thomas Sully’s ‘Queen Victoria’ at the Wallace Collection is another, and let’s not forget ‘Queen Elizabeth II, Lightness of Being’ by Chris Levine. Then another comes along which…