Big news for fans of British star Ian McKellan, to celebrate his 80th birthday next year, he's going to go on a national tour around Britain, celebrating his greatest hits and raising funds for theatre. Here are the details: Ian McKellen is to celebrate his 8oth birthday next year by raising funds for theatres, with a new solo show which will play on 80 … [Read more...] about Ian McKellan To Go On Tour For His 80th Birthday – Tolkien, Shakespeare, others
Events
Top Ten London: 10 Best Places to Spot Christmas Decorations in London
“Those Christmas lights, light up the street” and how they light up the streets of London. From Oxford Street to Harrod’s, you can count on London to do it up big for the holiday. Many big shopping districts and landmarks throughout Great London have incredibly impressive displays of decorations that shine and sparkle all season long and despite it being early November, many … [Read more...] about Top Ten London: 10 Best Places to Spot Christmas Decorations in London
London Alert: Tower of London Lights 10,000 Torches in its Moat in Remembrance of World War I – See it by Sunday!
A very moving scene has been created in London at the Tower of London and you only have until the 11th to see it. 10,000 gas lanterns have been lit in the Tower's moat in commemoration of the end of World War I. If you're in London right now, you have until Sunday to see this. Go! I wish I was there to see it in person. From Historic Royal Palaces: As the nation … [Read more...] about London Alert: Tower of London Lights 10,000 Torches in its Moat in Remembrance of World War I – See it by Sunday!
Wands At The Ready! Giant Harry Potter Wands Unveiled On Walk to St Paul’s Cathedral
We reported on this a couple weeks ago (and it was the most popular thing we've posted in months!) so we figured we would let everyone know that the Giant Harry Potter Wands are now on display on the walk to St Paul's Cathedral from the Millenium Bridge for a very limited time. Put up to coincide with the upcoming film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Fantastic … [Read more...] about Wands At The Ready! Giant Harry Potter Wands Unveiled On Walk to St Paul’s Cathedral
Laura’s London: A Look at the Courtauld Impressionists at The National Gallery – From Manet to Cézanne
For the first time in London for 70 years, the National Gallery is displaying major Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterworks from the Courtauld Gallery, purchased in the 1920s by Samuel Courtauld (1876–1947). These are shown alongside paintings from the National Gallery's own collection which the businessman and philanthropist financed and helped acquire. Courtauld … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: A Look at the Courtauld Impressionists at The National Gallery – From Manet to Cézanne
Ten Interesting Facts about the Notting Hill Carnival
Most Mardi Gras celebrations, or Carnival as its known in Central and South America, take place prior to the season of Lent in February. Notting Hill’s Carnival is a little different, however, happening in August instead. And while other Carnivals are about getting out your excesses ahead of Lenten period, Notting Hill’s event is more a celebration of the Caribbean cultures … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about the Notting Hill Carnival
Harry Potter: Explore the Dark Arts This Autumn at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is a great destination for any Harry Potter fan (especially of the films). Throughout the year, they have special events geared towards each season and this year, they're going to 'celebrate' the Dark Magical Arts along with their usual Halloween Celebrations. Here are the details: From Friday 28th September – Saturday 10th November, fans … [Read more...] about Harry Potter: Explore the Dark Arts This Autumn at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Event Alert: Travel on a 1930’s Tube Train on the London Underground
If I was in London on Sunday, September 9th, I would be doing this. The London Transport Museum is providing a rare opportunity to travel along the London Underground on a 1930's stock Tube train. Here are the event details: Step back in time with London Transport Museum’s art deco heritage train trips, and enjoy a journey reminiscent of the 1930s in Metro-land, when the … [Read more...] about Event Alert: Travel on a 1930’s Tube Train on the London Underground
London’s Autumn Season: Ten Things to Do in London This Coming Autumn
Autumn is a wonderful time of the year just about anywhere in the world, and no more so than in London. You can believe that no matter what day it is, there’s going to be something to see and do. From street festivals to culinary celebrations, pageantry to tradition, and sport to costuming, there is much London has to offer from September through November. We have outlined … [Read more...] about London’s Autumn Season: Ten Things to Do in London This Coming Autumn
Exhibition Alert: Laura Visits the 2018 Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace – Prince Charles’s Favorites in the Royal Collection
For ten weeks each summer we get to go inside Buckingham Palace and see the State Rooms while the Queen is away at Balmoral (Scotland). There's also a special exhibition included and this year, to mark the 70th birthday of The Prince of Wales, the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace includes a special display of over 100 works of art personally selected by His Royal … [Read more...] about Exhibition Alert: Laura Visits the 2018 Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace – Prince Charles’s Favorites in the Royal Collection
Voice & Vote – Women’s Place in Parliament Exhibition at the Palace of Westminster
I hope you saw The London Annual 2018 as I had a feature in the magazine about Vote 100 marking the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 which gave most men and some women the vote for the first time. There have been events all year to celebrate this 100 year anniversary but as this is about the right to vote it's fitting that the one you should really want … [Read more...] about Voice & Vote – Women’s Place in Parliament Exhibition at the Palace of Westminster
Exhibition Alert: My Visit to the New James Cook Exhibition at the British Library – Review
On my final day in England for my trip over to cover the Royal Wedding, I decided to pop into London and visit an exhibition I really didn’t want to miss. The British Library just launched a new exhibition about the voyages of James Cook, putting them into context and showcasing the discoveries he and his crews made (and the damage they wrought). As someone interested in … [Read more...] about Exhibition Alert: My Visit to the New James Cook Exhibition at the British Library – Review
Laura’s London: New Digger Deeper and Crossrail Secrets Exhibitions at the London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum in Covent Garden has a new permanent gallery exploring the history of tunneling and a new temporary exhibition about Crossrail opening on 23 March 2018. Both are part of the national programme to celebrate the Year of Engineering 2018. Digging Deeper Gallery On the ground floor of the museum, this new gallery looks at the challenges of … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: New Digger Deeper and Crossrail Secrets Exhibitions at the London Transport Museum
The London Fiver – Five Events to Check out in London This Spring
Spring has sprung! From March through May, the warming of London invites more people to come out and participate in events that celebrate the season. Whether you’re looking for something to do as an adult or a fun activity for your kids, London has plenty to offer children of all ages. If you want to set a physical goal for yourself or just plan to engage in an East-themed … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Events to Check out in London This Spring
Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
Editor's Note: This article is made up of extracts from the 2018 London Annual Guide to London in 2018 written by London expert Laura Porter. It's a massive article - over 20 print pages - too big to post here in one go. We still have copies of the Annual - you can get them here (we're almost out though so move quickly). But since people are planning trips for 2018, I thought … [Read more...] about Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
Event Alert: Immerse Yourself in 1920’s and 1930’s London in a Special Bright Young Things Evening at the London Transport Museum
This event looks like a lot of fun! The London Transport Museum is hosting a special late night where you can have a very 1920's or 1930's evening with costumes, musical guest, and talks. Sounds like a lot of fun and if I was in London in March, I would totally check this out. Here are the details: Immerse yourself in the glittering world of the 1920s and 1930s at London … [Read more...] about Event Alert: Immerse Yourself in 1920’s and 1930’s London in a Special Bright Young Things Evening at the London Transport Museum
Event Alert: Visit the London Transport Museum’s Acton Depot – Open Weekend in April
The London Transport Museum is one of our favorites in London, but the museum in Covent Garden is but a sliver of their entire collection. They store the whole collection in the Acton Depot, and occasionally it's opened to the public. LTM has notified us that this year's open weekend will take place on April 21st and 22nd. Fancy a potter about their massive collection and … [Read more...] about Event Alert: Visit the London Transport Museum’s Acton Depot – Open Weekend in April
Theatre Alert: Ian McKellan’s King Lear Coming to the West End for Just 100 Performances – Booking Now Open
Big news today in the London theater world. A production of King Lear starring Ian McKellan that started out in Chichester is coming to the West End. This will be a great chance to see McKellan in a major role in London Theatre. Here are the details released today: ATG Productions, Chichester Festival Theatre, Gavin Kalin Productions and Glass Half Full Productions are … [Read more...] about Theatre Alert: Ian McKellan’s King Lear Coming to the West End for Just 100 Performances – Booking Now Open
Laura’s London: Charles I: King and Collector – Royal Academy Exhibition Review – New Exhibition Alert!
Charles I had one of the most extraordinary and influential art collections. For the first time since the 17th century, this landmark exhibition at the Royal Academy has brought together the astounding treasures that changed the taste of the nation. Charles I: King and Collector reunites 140 of the most important works of art, ranging from classical sculptures to Baroque … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Charles I: King and Collector – Royal Academy Exhibition Review – New Exhibition Alert!
Laura’s London: Lumiere London Review – Was It Worth It? Yes, Yes It Was.
Lumiere London brought over fifty light installations to six areas of central London for the UK's largest light festival. (But you knew that already, surely, as you saw my Lumiere London preview, didn't you?) I went out on the first night to see the fun. Something to Compare As we had Lumiere London here in 2016 Londoners were able to make a comparison. Last time it … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Lumiere London Review – Was It Worth It? Yes, Yes It Was.
Lumiere London 2018 – The Incredible Festival of Lights Returns to London – Preview
In London later this week? This you're in for a treat. Lumiere London was last here in January 2016 and everyone is really looking forward to it returning this month. Even though I live in London, last time I booked a hotel stay in central London so I could walk to see a lot of the lights but this year I'll be travelling in from home (zone 3) so I'll need to do a lot more … [Read more...] about Lumiere London 2018 – The Incredible Festival of Lights Returns to London – Preview
The London Fiver – Five Things to do in London on Christmas Day
London is a magical place around the Christmas holidays, but city practically shuts down on 25 December. If you’re there over the holiday, it may be difficult to find something to do with seemingly everything closed, but London is still a vibrant place full of Christmas activities. We’ve managed to compile some ideas for activities covering Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to do in London on Christmas Day
Laura’s London: New Exhibition Report – Charles II: Art and Power at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
After over a decade of austere Cromwellian rule, the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 led to a resurgence of the arts in England. The court of Charles II became the centre for the patronage of leading artists and the collecting of great works of art. This served not only as decoration for the royal apartments but also as a means of glorifying the restored monarchy and … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: New Exhibition Report – Charles II: Art and Power at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
London Alert: Christmas Events at the London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum is one of our favorite museums in London and they're getting into the holiday spirit this year with a ton of Christmas related events. Here are the details: All aboard for Festive Fun at London Transport Museum from 1 December 2017 until5 January 2018. Families can visit Santa’s Secret Hideaway or track him down in one of the Museum’s historic … [Read more...] about London Alert: Christmas Events at the London Transport Museum
The Spooky Fiver: Five Things to Do in London for Halloween
At this time of year, everything becomes spookier. The shadows on your wall seem more menacing, the wind howls like a banshee through the city streets, and London transforms into a city of the dead. Well, maybe not really, but it certainly is fun to pretend during Halloween and London has more than enough spooky events to make your October memorable. Whether you're hoping to … [Read more...] about The Spooky Fiver: Five Things to Do in London for Halloween
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