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ONLY BE LONDONER
Only-Be Londoner
City of London Festival
London is a city that shines in the summer as you can enjoy the great weather of the season, which is something not usual at all during the rest of the year. The gray clouds, cold breeze and rain are replaced by sun and warm weather, which live up the celebration of festivals in the city, while people take to the streets to enjoy. © Copyright Christine Matthews The City of London Festival is an arts festival held for four weeks between June and July, which host various musical events, film screenings, guided tours and talks. Music takes special prominence; many of the concerts include jazz, blues and opera. In addition, many of the performances are held in the hot spots of the city such as St Paul´s Cathedral; there are almost a hundred different sites to visit. The festival has also been actively involved with schools in London, which contribute cultural and artistic performances that are exposed as part of the event’s agenda. Thus, the City of London Festival aims to build a mentality of community awareness in a city that has so many traditions and diversity. Apart of music, at the festival you’ll also have the chance to enjoy film screenings, talks and even guided tours around the city. The first festival was held in 1962, and has since then grown to become what it is today, while bringing together locals and visitors to celebrate culture and the arts. In addition, many of the restaurants in town also celebrate this festival and offer discounts and special menus for this unique occasion, which are always welcome in a...
Rare, fun and quirky London Museums
If you were expecting us to talk about the wonderful museums of art or natural history that occupy the streets of London, you are wrong. Today we want to talk about the non-traditional museums. Photo by Matt From London The Fan Museum This is a very unique museum located at number 12 Crooms Hill, Greenwich. It opens from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11am to 5pm. On Sundays it opens at 12. You don’t want to miss the permanent exhibition of all kinds of fans: from all ages, from all places and for all occasions. Then you can walk around the store to treat yourself or buy a souvenir. Museum of brands, packaging and advertising If a tomato can, by the hand of the great Andy Warhol, is elevated to the altars of arts, is there anything else we should be impressed of? This is a museum to enjoy all kinds of objects that in a way or another have become symbols or icons in the consumer society that started growing during the fifties. Located in Notting Hill (at number 2 Colville Mews), it opens from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. and on Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. Be aware of the special opening hours during Easter, Christmas and holidays. Firefighters Museum of London This is an essential place to visit if you are traveling with children in the delightful British capital. Here you will discover how firefighters are essential to support our communities. There is a great permanent exhibition that shows a historical journey that includes elements as antique trucks, colorful clothes and...
Chelsea Flower Show
The gardens Nobody actually knows when or why men have always needed to decorate their surroundings. One of the most common and popular types of decoration since ancient times is to have a garden. There are all types of gardens since the beginning of mankind history, from the biblical Eden to the Victorian gardens, they have been the main protagonists of countless dramas and romances. © HerryLawford One has to remember that through cinematography, we have been told right to our collective unconscious about the relevance and significance of decorating outdoor spaces, which we now call gardens, as well as their wide rage of varieties over time in the development of modern architecture. Nowadays, it is actually advisable to have a little garden to get our hands on the ground and relax our body and spirit. The tradition of gardening England is a country that keeps the tradition of gardening alive. It is the place where you can be part of the most important and interesting festival related to this specialty: the Chelsea Flower Show, which takes place at the Royal Hospital Garden, from the 21st to the 25th of May. This year, the show is expected to attract about 500 exhibitors among which include gardens, nurseries, silvicultures, specialists, exhibitors, vendors, etc.. The Fair will be open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., except Saturdays, when it closes at 5:30 p.m. One of the highlights of the event are the “Gardens show”, which are created by some of the world´s leading designers with the intention of providing great inspiration to the visitors. The Chelsea...
London For Free
London , it is said, is one of the most expensive cities in the world. However, there are many things that you as a visitor can enjoy for free, because it has a variety of places and activities to suit all tastes and needs at zero cost. (Photo: “London Calling” © Copyright Colin Smith) Museums and Art Galleries with free access For those eager to know, meet and live culture, London has a number of museums and art galleries with free access. One of these wonders is the National Gallery, this museum identifies the city because it contains one of the most important collections of Western art history, among which there are Botticelli, Velasquez, Degas and Manet. The National Gallery is located in Trafalgar Square and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 10am to 21h. Another unmissable museums in London is the British Museum, the oldest in the world and also with free access. It is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is in Great Russell Street. For those interested in modern and contemporary art, Tate Modern is a place not to be missed if you are in London. Located in a former factory in the heart of the city, is open Sunday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10am to 22hrs. There you will find works of the greatest artists of modern and contemporary art, including Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock and Joseph Beuys, among many others. Other museums and galleries that you can visit at no cost are:...
Global Kids Fashion Week in London
For a time to this part it is becoming clear that fashion has extended its reach and interest to the world of children, perhaps in a process that began back in the late last century. A kind of infantilization of casual or sport clothing that reached all age segments of the urban middle classes. Commentators observe a tendency of the fact that adults dress like children in some ways, something with very suggestive sociological and psychological implications of the phenomenon that in recent years has directly become the target of a large number of designers and clothing brands, as evidenced both by the disturbing appearance of model children (the most famous of which is perhaps Romeo Beckham) and the fact that the estimated value of the luxury garment industry for children in the UK only is over 500 million pounds. Within this process the first Global Kids Fashion week strongly emphasizes this trend (http://eu.alexandalexa.com/global-kids-fashion-week) taking place in an extremely disconcerting scenario for the event happens to take place in the headquarters of the Unified Masonic Grand Lodge of London, located in the central and distinctly theatrical Covent Garden, also famous for its market. The event, which has the support of the Victoria & Albert Museum of decorative arts, design and fashion (probably the most important of its kind in the world) and the Museum of Childhood and provides a comprehensive program of walkways, performances, exhibitions, lectures, conferences and other activities focused on children´s world luxury fashion . The list of designers participating in the event gives us a rough idea of the magnitude of it, it includes artists and...
The City of London Gin Distillery
The City of London Distillery, also known as COLD, is one of the hottest new spots to visit in London this 2013. The distillery opened its doors in November of 2012, and is the first operational distillery within the city limits for over 200 years. The distillery’s owner, Jonathan Clark, has set up a venue where the story of gin can be told and where visitors can learn about the process – and of course, sample the products offered by Master Distiller Jamie Baxter. The bar and distillery is now producing its own brand of gin and vodka, and folks are arriving in droves to find out more. Once upon a time, gin was the drink of the masses. In 18th century England, gin was cheap and free-flowing, thanks to the nearly 1700 distilleries scattered throughout London. So prevalent was gin in London’s social structure that William Hogarth created two works of art to show the unfortunate consequences of the liquor on the lower classes. Fortunately for us, COLD is once again giving gin the respect it deserves. Using more than a little clever planning, the whole distillery has been installed in a basement on the historic Bride Lane. Tucked safely behind bomb proof glass, a set of hand-made German copper stills are lined up, gleaming brightly. The distilling process purifies the base alcohol (brought in from elsewhere). The distilled alcohol may then be bottled as vodka or passed along for further processing. The copper in the stills acts as a catalyst which helps to remove some of the sulphides throughout the process. To make gin, the distillery dilutes the...
Rugby. Six Nations in London
Are you ready? The RBS Six Nations 2013 is about to start, the tournament will see the national rugby team of England, Wales, France, Ireland, Scotland and Italy face off to win the trophy, possibly avoiding the wooden spoon, given to the team that comes last in the tournament. On February 2, Wales hosts Ireland in Cardiff, the next day it´s up to Italy, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome against France. Just to remember that Wales is the current title holder, winning each of its matches played during the 2012 Championship, but England is one of team that can win the tournament this year. They will play against Scotland on February 2, with France on the 23 and on March 10 against Italy, all the internal matches will be played at the fantastic Twickenham Stadium in London, the home of England rugby. If you are a planning a game trip to this city don´t miss it please. With 82,000 spectators, Twickenham is one of the most important dedicated rugby stadiums in the world and has become an interesting destination for fans around the planet. People can experience the emotions of a game of course, but they have also a chance to know something more about the history of this place by the stadium tour, only one information: the first match was played here in 1909. With some help from the official guides imagine how many stories you can discover. Unmissable is also the World Rugby Museum, you will find there a collection of over 25,000 memorabilia, including tickets, books, match programmes, and objects from other rugby unions....
Jane Birkin live in concert in London
When we think about the 60s at this point in the 21st century, we get a lump in our throat that gets bigger and bigger all the time -a lump of nostalgia that makes our eyes teary remembering such great years that changed global culture forever, years that revolutionized music, politics, sexuality, literature, film and so many other ways of living in and confronting reality. Of course, each country had its different view of the 60s. In Berlin, rock´n´roll was taking its first steps to psychedelia and the political sound of Krautrock, full of experimentation and cosmic visions, especially protesting against the Berlin Wall. In Paris, the ´ye ye´ music and the songs by the famous Serge Gainsbourg invaded the radio stations. Of course, stars such as Françoise Hardy, Anna Karina and France Gall hypnotized the fans with they lyrical beauty whilst divos such as Jacques Dutronc impulsed the new beat and go-go sound, with a rocking spirit but “en français, s´il vous plaît”. London, however, was a whole different story. Back then, the city known as ´Swinging London´ was an endless rock´n´roll party, with fashion, beat sounds, experimentation and drugs everywhere in the British capital. of course, the Rolling Stones were at the head in the battle of the bands, with Pink Floyd and Cream not far behind, as well as the constant appearance of The Beatles during their last few years and a certain Jimi Hendrix, who was starting to become a talking point outside his native USA. During those romantic years, the beautiful London-born Jane Birkin met the great Serge Gainsbourg and they began a story...
Afternoon Tea in London
Possibly one of the most charming aspects of being in London is the opportunity to participate in a traditional London tea time. Far from being the pastime of old ladies and their cats, afternoon tea is undergoing something of a revolution throughout London’s boutique tea rooms, bakeries and hotels. Certainly, you’ll find the typical touristy offerings at some of the big chain hotels; but if you’re willing to get off the beaten path a little, you’re bound for a real treat – and at a mere pittance. Bea’s of Bloomsbury Find it at: 44 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8NW If you’re looking for a stellar tea selection, look no further. Bea’s of Bloomsbury sources its selection from Jing, who supplies the restaurants of such culinary stars as Heston Blumenthal. But the delights don’t end with the tea selection. If you stop in for a Sweet Afternoon Tea at this bakery, you’ll be treated to multi-tiered plates, loaded with mini meringues, mini Belgian Blondie cakes, mini Valrhona brownies, and (perhaps best of all) signature Bea’s cupcakes. Bookings are a mere £12 per person, and reservations must be made by email at: tea@beasofbloomsbury.com. Bake-a-Boo Find it at: 86 Mill Lane, West Hampstead NW6 1NL Bake-a-Boo is the stuff of little girls’ tea party dreams. From the powder-pink exterior to the tea-time offerings, this spot corners the market on cute. If you show up for afternoon tea, you’ll be treated to tea and traditional cream and scones, along with mini brownies, teapot-shaped biscuits, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Make sure you book by phone 24 hours in advance at: 020 7435 1666. The fare...
