One of the most important collections of paintings by Edvard Munch (1863–1944) is being shown in the UK for the first time in a new exhibition at The Courtauld. Eleven of the paintings have never been on display in the UK before. The Morgan Stanley Exhibition: Edvard Munch. Masterpieces from Bergen brings together 18 seminal paintings by Munch from KODE Bergen Art … [Read more...] about Edvard Munch: Masterpieces From Bergen – New Exhibition at The Courtauld Gallery
Columns
Laura’s London: Elizabeth Line Opening Day First Person Report
Editor's Note: Unfortunately, I couldn't be there today for this special day, but thankfully Laura Porter was able to get out there and check out London's new railway today and write up this report for everyone. Thank you, Laura! We'll soon forget the long delay and the enormous cost as the Elizabeth Line opens today (24 May 2022). This is the most significant addition to … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Elizabeth Line Opening Day First Person Report
Laura’s London: Exploring The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
The Old Operating Theatre Museum is a museum of surgical history housed in a church attic. Yes, there is so much about that sentence that needs explaining! The Museum has two parts: the Herb Garret and the oldest surviving operating theatre in Europe. Anniversaries This London Bridge attraction has been open for 60 years, but 2022 is also 200 years since the first … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Exploring The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
Laura’s London: Rare Tour of The Speaker’s House State Apartments at the Palace of Westminster
For two weeks during the House of Commons Easter recess, there was the rare opportunity to see inside the Speaker's House. This was the first time tours of these State Apartments have been offered to the public so I booked quickly and got a ticket before all tours sold out. For over 160 years the State Apartments in Speaker’s House has hosted visits and dinners for Royalty … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Rare Tour of The Speaker’s House State Apartments at the Palace of Westminster
The London Fiver – Five Unusual Hobbies You Can Learn in London
When people go on holiday, they might opt for taking a course to learn something like French pastry making or Italian cooking. London certainly has its own share of courses tourists can take from chocolate making to beer brewing, but there are also more than a few unusual hobbies that you can learn while you’re visiting the city. From centuries-old skills to fictional sports, … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Unusual Hobbies You Can Learn in London
Canaletto’s Venice Revisited – Review of Latest Exhibition at the National Maritime Museum
Canaletto's Venice Revisited is at the National Maritime Museum from 1 April 2022. It explores some of the most iconic 'view paintings' of Venice and how the tourism that helped establish Canaletto's career, today threatens his city's future. The exhibition combines paintings from Woburn Abbey with objects from the Royal Museums Greenwich's collections. Look … [Read more...] about Canaletto’s Venice Revisited – Review of Latest Exhibition at the National Maritime Museum
The London Fiver – Five of the Best Bookshops in the Borough of Camden
Camden is known for being one of the best shopping experiences in London with its multiple street markets, high street shops, and pop-up retailers. Naturally, such a great place for shopping also extends to books. The Borough of Camden has some of the best small and independent bookshops that you’ll find in the city, and amongst the rows and rows of books in them, just about … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Bookshops in the Borough of Camden
Exhibition Report: The World of Stonehenge Exhibition at British Museum
When a major London exhibition gets repeated five-star reviews and is described as 'magnificent,' 'astonishing' and 'unmissable,' you know it's one you have to see. The World of Stonehenge opened at the British Museum on 17 February 2022. I've seen some reviewers describe it as one of those exhibitions you will remember for the rest of your life. With such high praise, I had to … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: The World of Stonehenge Exhibition at British Museum
The Fiver – Five Bookshops in Greenwich to Visit
Continuing our search for the best places for bibliophiles in London, we turn our attention to the other side of the River Thames and the Borough of Greenwich. There are a wide variety of bookshops within the boundaries of Greenwich, from great secondhand stores to large corporate retailers. Whatever you’re looking to read, we can guide you to one of five shops within the … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five Bookshops in Greenwich to Visit
William Morris and his life and London Connections
William Morris (1834–96) was a man of many talents. His life, and life's work, made a huge impact on the worlds of literature, design, and politics. When you hear his name, you may first think of the wallpaper and textile designs, but he achieved so much more. William Morris was a designer, architect, craftsman, artist, novelist, printer, socialist, environmentalist, idealist, … [Read more...] about William Morris and his life and London Connections
Five Romantic Activities in London for Valentine’s Day
Now that the world is opening up again, people are making their romantic travel plans for 2022. While most people might think of Paris or the Bahamas to celebrate their love, why not give London a try? Many people fall in love in London, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate your love for one another in the British capital. We have identified five such activities that … [Read more...] about Five Romantic Activities in London for Valentine’s Day
The Fiver – Five People You Probably Didn’t Know Were from Greater London
London is a wonderful city to grow up in, though not everyone who’s born there stays there. Plenty of famous celebrities have their origins in London but became famous as residents of other countries. It may surprise you to find out that some of America’s biggest names actually got their start in the United Kingdom’s capital, having been born or spending a good bit of their … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five People You Probably Didn’t Know Were from Greater London
The London Fiver – Five New Things Coming to London in 2022
As we turn the corner into a new year, it looks like the end may finally be in sight for the pandemic. With London opening back up and available for tourists yet again, there are plenty of new things in the city to celebrate this year. From new museum exhibits to a massive royal celebration, there is a lot going on in London for residents and visitors alike to do. We’ve … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five New Things Coming to London in 2022
Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art 50s to Now – Latest Exhibition at Tate Britain
This Tate Britain exhibition explores Caribbean-British art over four generations. There is an open admittance that, like much of the mainstream British art world, Tate was late to recognize many of the artists included. But that is being rectified now with this celebration of this cross-cultural genre of art. Over Forty Artists This is the first time a major national … [Read more...] about Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art 50s to Now – Latest Exhibition at Tate Britain
In Pictures: Dennis Severs’ House at Christmas
Dennis Severs' House is not a museum but a private home that opens to the public as a time capsule to London's past. The Christmas spirit returns to Dennis Severs' House with the Annual Christmas Installation from 25 November 2021 to 9 January 2022. How It All Started American artist Dennis Severs (1948–99) bought this unmodernized 18th-century House in 1979 and decided not … [Read more...] about In Pictures: Dennis Severs’ House at Christmas
Christmas Comes to the Charles Dickens Museum in London
Visiting the Charles Dickens Museum at Christmas time is a real treat as the place is transformed with Victorian-style decorations. This year, the Museum has lots of winter events, including a production of A Christmas Carol streamed from inside Charles Dickens's only surviving London home. There are also spooky ghost stories and 'A Search for Father Christmas' for families … [Read more...] about Christmas Comes to the Charles Dickens Museum in London
The Courtauld Gallery Reopening after 3 year closure for renovations – Here’s a look at what’s changed
The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has been closed since 2018 for the largest transformation project of its history. It reopens on Friday, Nov 19, 2021, allowing us to enjoy not only the magnificent Impressionist and Post Impressionist collection but so much more with the extra gallery space. The Courtauld is home to one of the greatest collections of art in the UK, … [Read more...] about The Courtauld Gallery Reopening after 3 year closure for renovations – Here’s a look at what’s changed
Hogarth and Europe – New Exhibition at Tate Britain
Understanding the time a famous figure worked in can help us to know them better. The latest exhibition at Tate Britain showcases works by the eighteenth-century English artist William Hogarth (1697–1764) alongside works by his continental contemporaries. Hogarth and Europe explores the parallels and exchanges that crossed borders and the cosmopolitan character of Hogarth's … [Read more...] about Hogarth and Europe – New Exhibition at Tate Britain
The London Fiver – Five Places to Visit in London for Winston Churchill History
Certainly one of the greatest Prime Ministers in the history of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill cemented his place in the annals of Britain as the country's leader during World War II. While not without a fair amount of controversy, Churchill was arguably the right man for the job during one of Britain's toughest periods, and his defiant attitude reflected that of the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Places to Visit in London for Winston Churchill History
Exhibition Report: Late Constable at the Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts's latest exhibition presents the first survey of the late work of John Constable (1776–1837). Late Constable opens on 30 October 2021, exploring the last twelve years of the artist's career, from 1825 until his unexpected death in 1837. The exhibition brings together over 50 works, including paintings and oil sketches as well as watercolors, … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: Late Constable at the Royal Academy
London: Port City – New Exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands
This major new exhibition reveals the scale of the capital's 'hidden' international port. London: Port City runs from 22 October 2021 to 8 May 2022 at the Museum of London Docklands, itself originally part of West India Docks – London's first enclosed dock system and a hive of activity packed with valuable cargoes from around the world from 1802 until its closure in … [Read more...] about London: Port City – New Exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands
Foundling Museum – Fighting Talk: One Man’s Journey From Abandonment to Trafalgar
The Foundling Museum is a wonderful place to visit and has really well chosen temporary exhibitions. The latest looks at a first-hand account of the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. And the connection is that George King had started life at the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity). Who was George King? George King (10 June 1787–31 July 1857) was child number 18,053 … [Read more...] about Foundling Museum – Fighting Talk: One Man’s Journey From Abandonment to Trafalgar
Behind the Scenes at Berry Bros & Rudd – Oldest Wine Merchant in The UK
Berry Bros & Rudd is one of the oldest wine merchants in the world and is the oldest wine and spirit merchant in the UK. Even after more than 300 years, it is still a family-owned and family-run business. And yes, this is where the Queen gets her wine. As a business, it started off as a coffee merchant, went into wine 100 years after that, and, in its second century, it … [Read more...] about Behind the Scenes at Berry Bros & Rudd – Oldest Wine Merchant in The UK
The London Fiver: Five More Bands Founded in London
London certainly feels like the center of the universe at times, which also extends to music. Rock, pop, rap, and more have all gotten their start in Britain’s capital. We already covered groups such as the Rolling Stones and the Spice Girls in a previous article, so now we turn our attention to five other bands that started their domination of the charts in London. Punk, … [Read more...] about The London Fiver: Five More Bands Founded in London
Exploring the fascinating history of St Bride’s Church on Fleet Street – The Journalists’ Church
St Bride's Church on Fleet Street is a Christopher Wren church built after the Great Fire of London. It's the journalists' church, and the spire is the original inspiration for tiered wedding cakes. It is a City of London working parish church and welcomes visitors as a heritage attraction too. While open most days, it took Open House London to remind me that this would be a … [Read more...] about Exploring the fascinating history of St Bride’s Church on Fleet Street – The Journalists’ Church
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