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Laura's London

Exploring The Cosmic House in London

Jan 24, 2023 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

The Cosmic House is the first Post-Modern house in the UK to be given Grade I listed status (meaning it must be preserved). Once the private residence of the late Maggie and Charles Jencks, the eccentric home opened to the public in September 2021 as a "cultural laboratory" and museum. From the outside, it doesn't necessarily stand out from all of the other large brick and … [Read more...] about Exploring The Cosmic House in London

New Royal Academy Exhibition: Treasures from Spain and the Hispanic World

Jan 20, 2023 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

Presented in the Main Galleries at the Royal Academy in London from 21 January 2023, Spain and the Hispanic World celebrates the unrivaled collection of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library in New York. This landmark exhibition presents a visual narrative of the history of Spanish culture. It brings together outstanding works from Spain and colonial Latin America, from … [Read more...] about New Royal Academy Exhibition: Treasures from Spain and the Hispanic World

Exploring Sutton House National Trust in Hackney – A Tudor Wonder

Dec 9, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

Sutton House is a National Trust property in Hackney. That would be unusual enough but it's a Grade II* listed Tudor manor house. Yes, there's a Tudor house in east London. Despite its misleading Georgian frontage, this 16th-century home has nearly 500 years of history. A rare example of a Tudor red-brick house, it was built by a courtier of Henry VIII. It has been home to a … [Read more...] about Exploring Sutton House National Trust in Hackney – A Tudor Wonder

Exploring Leighton House Museum – London’s Palace of Art

Nov 10, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

Leighton House Museum is the former home and studio of the leading Victorian artist, Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830–1896). When you arrive the formal red brick exterior leaves you unprepared for the 'Palace of Art' inside. About Leighton House Designed by his friend, the architect George Aitchison RA (1825–1910), this is the only purpose-built studio-house open to the … [Read more...] about Exploring Leighton House Museum – London’s Palace of Art

Exploring The Red House – William Morris’s Iconic Arts and Crafts Home in London

Oct 27, 2022 By Laura Porter 1 Comment

Red House is a significant Arts and Craft house in southeast London that was designed for William Morris. A lavishly decorated and thoughtfully designed villa, it is now a National Trust visitor attraction.  Red House lay along the ancient pilgrims' route to Canterbury and Morris cast himself in the role of genial Chaucerian host. He encouraged a stream of artistic … [Read more...] about Exploring The Red House – William Morris’s Iconic Arts and Crafts Home in London

Open House London – Exploring The Fog House in Clerkenwell – A Very Private Home

Oct 21, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

Each September, Open House London offers opportunities to visit buildings that are often not available to the general public. The Fog House was an excellent example of what makes Open House so wonderful. It is someone's home, so we would never get inside without the generosity of the owner and the Open House team's negotiations. This converted and extended small industrial … [Read more...] about Open House London – Exploring The Fog House in Clerkenwell – A Very Private Home

Open House London: Exploring 75 Grosvenor Street and its amazing roof gardens

Oct 20, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

Open House London is an annual architecture festival that allows us to go inside buildings that are often unavailable to the public. I like to visit a variety of places which is how I discovered this Mayfair office. You could walk past and think it's just another row of Georgian townhouses but going inside, I saw the incredible work of the developers transforming three … [Read more...] about Open House London: Exploring 75 Grosvenor Street and its amazing roof gardens

Exploring Euston Fire Station during Open House London

Oct 19, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

Open House London gives an annual opportunity to visit buildings that are not usually open to the public. I've often walked past Euston Fire Station and wondered what it was like inside, so I booked a tour. Euston Fire Station is a Grade II listed late Victorian red brick building. It's in the Arts and Crafts architectural style, dressed with Portland stone. It is close to … [Read more...] about Exploring Euston Fire Station during Open House London

New Exhibition at British Museum Report – Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt

Oct 14, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

The British Museum has a major exhibition on hieroglyphs open from 13 October 2022. Two hundred years after the language was deciphered, Hieroglyphs: unlocking ancient Egypt marks this important moment in our understanding of ancient history. It explores the inscriptions and objects that helped scholars unlock one of the world's oldest civilizations. Egypt was a superpower … [Read more...] about New Exhibition at British Museum Report – Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt

Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination – Latest Blockbuster Exhibition at the Science Museum

Oct 13, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

This is the most ambitious exhibition the Science Museum has ever staged. Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination places visitors at the heart of a genre-defying interactive science fiction story. Through over 70 objects, visitors uncover fascinating connections between significant scientific innovations and celebrated science fiction works, brought together in … [Read more...] about Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination – Latest Blockbuster Exhibition at the Science Museum

Charles Dickens Museum – To Be Read At Dusk: Dickens, Ghosts & the Supernatural

Oct 5, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

It must be getting close to Halloween as a new exhibition at the Charles Dickens Museum explores the ghosts in the mind of Dickens. To Be Read At Dusk: Dickens, Ghosts & the Supernatural is open from 5 October 2022 until 5 March 2023. Dickens wrote, read, performed, and edited ghost stories for over 30 years, and the exhibition covers from boyhood horror comics to his … [Read more...] about Charles Dickens Museum – To Be Read At Dusk: Dickens, Ghosts & the Supernatural

Exhibition Report: Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery

Sep 30, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

This National Gallery landmark exhibition is being staged to mark the centenary of the birth of artist Lucian Freud (1922–2011.) It is the first major Lucian Freud exhibition in a decade to showcase his long and influential career. Family The grandson of Sigmund Freud, Lucian Freud was born in Berlin in 1922. His father was the Jewish architect Ernst L. Freud. Ernst was … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery

Report on New Installation on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square – Antelope by Samson Kambalu

Sep 29, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square has displayed temporary contemporary art since 1998. THE END by Heather Phillipson was removed on 15 August 2022, and the latest choice was unveiled on Wednesday, 28 September 2022. Antelope by Samson Kambalu is the 14th Fourth Plinth commission and will stay until next year. It was selected in 2021 by the Fourth Plinth Commission … [Read more...] about Report on New Installation on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square – Antelope by Samson Kambalu

Buckingham Palace Summer Opening 2022 Report

Aug 8, 2022 By Laura Porter 2 Comments

The annual Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace has returned this year. It's when we get to look around the Palace's State Rooms while the Queen is away. Each time there is a special exhibition and this year it's Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Accession. Summer Opening After the Windsor Castle fire in 1992, the decision was taken to open Buckingham Palace to visitors to raise … [Read more...] about Buckingham Palace Summer Opening 2022 Report

Lucian Freud: Family Matters at Freud Museum London

Jul 21, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

For the centenary of the birth of British artist Lucian Freud (1922–2011), the Freud Museum is staging its first-ever exhibition of his work. The exhibition explores the childhood, family life, and early work of Lucian Freud at the London home of his grandfather, Sigmund Freud (1856–1939), the founder of psychoanalysis. On display are paintings, drawings, photographs, … [Read more...] about Lucian Freud: Family Matters at Freud Museum London

Superbloom at The Tower of London – The Return Visit

Jul 14, 2022 By Laura Porter 3 Comments

Superbloom is in the dry moat at the Tower of London. I first visited in late May and there were concerns that it didn't look as lovely as it might in the summer. So I decided to return and see the changes. As a recap, this is a permanent transformation in the 13th-century moat. It was drained in 1845 and it's taken over 175 years for another drastic change. The soil was … [Read more...] about Superbloom at The Tower of London – The Return Visit

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2022 Report

Jun 21, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is an annual highlight for London culture. It is the world's oldest open submission exhibition. What does that mean? It means that anyone can enter their work to be considered for inclusion. Yes, anyone. So, we get to see artworks from incredible Royal Academicians and artists most will never have heard of before. What Is The Summer … [Read more...] about Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2022 Report

First Look: Laura Goes to Superbloom at The Tower of London

May 30, 2022 By Laura Porter 2 Comments

All of London is celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this week. There's bunting everywhere and we're getting an extra public holiday. Superbloom at The Tower of London is the culmination of a 3-year project for Historic Royal Palaces. The historic dry moat has been transformed. And this is a permanent change. Over 20 million seeds have been sown here to create a new … [Read more...] about First Look: Laura Goes to Superbloom at The Tower of London

Edvard Munch: Masterpieces From Bergen – New Exhibition at The Courtauld Gallery

May 27, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

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

Laura’s London: Elizabeth Line Opening Day First Person Report

May 24, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

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

May 19, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

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

Apr 26, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

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

Canaletto’s Venice Revisited – Review of Latest Exhibition at the National Maritime Museum

Mar 31, 2022 By Laura Porter 2 Comments

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

Exhibition Report: The World of Stonehenge Exhibition at British Museum

Mar 10, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

Stonehenge © English Heritage

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

William Morris and his life and London Connections

Feb 15, 2022 By Laura Porter Leave a Comment

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

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