London ND

British Sunday Roast

Question of the week: "Can you recommend a place that serves a tasty British Sunday Roast?”

"Conway Hall is very near one of London's top Sunday Roast spots! The Anchor and Hope (on the Cut) is renowned for serving up incredible food and outstanding Sunday lunches. There is only one sitting on a Sunday (at 2pm) and you will need to book. However it is fairly pricey, so for a cheaper local roast head down to the Dog House in Kennington, a great pub for a relaxed Sunday afternoon."- Heather

* Photo by tomylee, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

New Annual Celebrations?

"Just to follow up on Miss Alice's recommendation to commemorate the Great Fire of London, I would suggest visiting The Monument, located on the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill. Only about sixty metres from the place where the fire started back in 1666, you can climb the 311 steps up to the top of the Monument where you can enjoy great panoramic views of the city!"- Christina

* Photo by Thamer Al-Hassan, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

New Annual Celebrations?

Question of the week: Guy Fawkes Day has just passed reminding us all of his failed plot! In your opinion, which historical event deserves an annual day of commemoration in the UK?

"I think you could make that case that Remembrance Day (11th November) should be a public holiday, although it is already an annual day of commemoration, and sometimes two : a two minute silence is traditionally held at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, whilst wreaths are laid and services held on the nearest Sunday. Originally the anniversary of the end of the First World War (Armistice Day) Remembrance Day now commemorates the memory of those who have been affected in all conflicts.

If you wanted something London-based, then maybe the anniversary of the Great Fire of London should be celebrated each September – the accidental fire has had so much impact on the architecture of our City, although I guess fireworks and bonfires would be pretty inappropriate."- Miss Alice

* Photo by jon smith, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

New Annual Celebrations?

Question of the week: Guy Fawkes Day has just passed reminding us all of his failed plot! In your opinion, which historical event deserves an annual day of commemoration in the UK?

"Just as Armistice Day (11th November) and VE Day (8th May) are poignant landmarks in British history, commemorating the end of some of the bloodiest periods that contemporary records will reflect, Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo (18th June) marks the welcome closure to one of the more violent and prolonged stretches of attrition that made much of Europe and its surrounding environs a battleground for over a decade – technically lasting longer than either of the 20th century’s World Wars.

Wherever your sympathies lie, it’s undeniable that the end of the Napoleonic era had a considerable effect on the world, be that in simple terms such as the threat to young men’s lives or to more subjective terms such as the arts & culture in general. With so many casualties amassed on both sides and with such a landmark shift in near-global politics attributed to it, it seems a pity that this date may pale into eventual insignificance.

For those less inclined to commemorate the Napoleonic Wars in particular, you may note it’s also the date that the Americans officially declared “war” on the British (which arguably has yet to be resolved) alongside being the date seminal rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix burnt his Fender Stratocaster onstage at Monterey."- Hal

* Photo by Simon D. Gardner, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

New Annual Celebrations?

Question of the week: Guy Fawkes Day has just passed reminding us all of his failed plot! In your opinion, which historical event deserves an annual day of commemoration in the UK?

"Would it not be nice if we could celebrate William Shakespeare by having an annual day of rememberance? All offices/businesses should close and England can join in a national celebration of one of Britain's greatest treasures! It's not very common to have a day dedicated to a literary figure, but there's no harm in acknowledging the massive impact Shakespeare had and continues to have on literature, culture and universal truths."- Christina

* Photo by Lincolnian (Brian), used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

House or Museum?

Question of the week: Can you suggest a house-turned-museum based in London?

"The Georgian home of Charles Dickens in Holborn is a biased recommendation! 'Oliver Twist' was one of those books I read countless times as a child and luckily enough, this house-turned-museum is where Dickens wrote the book from start to finish. Although Dickens only lived at this residence for two years or so as he then moved on to homes that more closely reflected his increasing wealth, it is the only one still standing. The museum displays paintings, manuscripts, and orginal furniture--and of couse, a persevering sense of literary creativity."- Christina

* Photo by NezTez, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

House or Museum?

Question of the week: Can you suggest a house-turned-museum based in London?

"Top of my list to visit is Two Temple Place. It’s just down the road, looks absolutely stunning, and I’ve never been there – because it only opened to the public this past weekend!

It used to be William Waldorf Astor’s London home, and the building itself is ornate, luxurious, and beautiful. It’s now going to host exhibitions of world-class art from regional British collections, and they begin with an exhibition on east-London arts and crafts star William Morris. Which makes this a two-for-one. The William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow is lending the art and objects for this exhibition as they’re currently closed for refurbishment, and they are also one of my favourite houses-turned-museums: William Morris’ own.

I know I’ll be paying this house a visit as soon as I get back to London – if you beat me to it, let me know what you thought. "- Miss Alice

* Photo by ramseyarnaoot, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

House or Museum?

Question of the week: Can you suggest a house-turned-museum based in London?

"I recommend the Freud Museum in West Hampstead. It's the house he spent his last years in and much to the annoyance of Freud museums elsewhere they have managed to hold on to most of his personal possessions, including (most importantly) his famous couch!"- Jamie

* Photo by Pitel, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

House or Museum?

Question of the week: Can you suggest a house-turned-museum based in London?

"18 Folgate Street in Spitalfields (near Liverpool Street) is a time capsule of Georgian life. Each room of the house has been designed to look as though its occupants have just left so there is a lot of atmosphere!"- Heather

* Photo by Mallix, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Halloween

Question of the week: "How do you like to celebrate Halloween in London?”

"I’ve had my eye on the Ham House out in Surrey. I realize it’s a bit far, but it’s nothing a short, weekend trip couldn’t handle. This one hour tour of what is one of England’s oldest and spookiest houses is followed by a reception with drinks and canapés. Since I scare easily, a relaxing, canapé filled follow-up doesn’t sound too intimidating—the unexplained and scary have to be balanced with something refreshing! Booking is essential, and the price is a bit steep, but then again, when will you have the chance to navigate a house that is allegedly haunted by the Duchess of Lauderdale and her spaniel? "- Christina

* Photo by ricoeurian, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Halloween

Question of the week: How do you like to celebrate Halloween in London?

"Being in the British Isles, there’s thankfully no end of relevant acts that one can indulge in to commemorate the Festival of the Parentalia. Given that it’s probably a little too much bother to hitch a ride to your nearest Neolithic stone circle, don some animal skins and see the Samhain through like a good old fashioned Celt, I find you can do worse than to invest in some moderately priced makeup & prosthetics and brush up on your ‘zombie with severe wounds’ special effects tutorials. Charles Fox (http://www.charlesfox.co.uk/) of Covent Garden are particularly adept at providing what’s needed, they come in great use for some materials & advice for much the same whilst I studied at Drama School. Once you, and some other willing friends, have reached a point of expertise at appearing to be undead, select a number of pubs in line with each other and see which of them ‘get the joke’ when you walk at death’s pace towards the bar, moaning “graaains... fermented graaaiiins...”. Works a treat, if not a little tricky."- Hal

* Photo by sunface13, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Halloween

Question of the week: How do you like to celebrate Halloween in London?

"I love exploring some of London's eerie and mysterious venues at Halloween. This year(until the 25th only) there is the Minotaur, an atmospheric 'resto-gallery' at the Old Vic Tunnels, a collaboration between artists and culinary experts themed on depictions of the mythical bull-headed creature. I also love going one of the food markets around town (Borough market or Lower Marsh) in search of the perfect pumkin for some crafty carving. Fortnum and Mason even have a pumkin carving competition on the 28th October!"- Heather

* Photo by renecunningham, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Halloween

Question of the week: How do you like to celebrate Halloween in London?

"I've never been a great fan of Halloween, but the "Halloween Screamings" at the Round Chapel look quite fun this year. They're showing The Exorcist at 7:30 on Friday, 28th October. I may go along."- Jamie

* Photo by Hourman, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Halloween

Question of the week: How do you like to celebrate Halloween in London?

"It’s no secret that I love Halloween, but how I celebrate varies a lot, year to year: gigs, fancy dress nights out, seasonal film showings, ghost walks, or bat watching. There are so many historical horror stories embedded in London’s past that ghost walks and graveyard tours have to be high on the list."- Miss Alice

* Photo by V O N, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London Calling

Question of the week: When traveling outside the UK, what do you miss about London the most?

"When away from London, I miss the ability of being able to switch from the dense urban sprawl of the West End to the rich & verdant rural landscapes of Hampstead, and its surrounding areas, within a few simple minutes on the tube. Additionally, though England’s capital hasn’t historically been credited for maintaining much of a 24 hour society, that’s certainly changing. Whether you choose to take that as meaning you can still find a bite to eat in the small hours or taking the opportunity to do something breathtaking such as walking through the City of London at 1am or crossing one of many of London’s bridges late at night."- Hal

* Photo by pic fix, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London Calling

Question of the week: When traveling outside the UK, what do you miss about London the most?

"I could say the transport system, but I really enjoy getting to know public transport systems in new cities, so I’ll say “how easy it is to eat out”. I’m sure it’s at least as much a function of familiarity as it is the range of restaurants on offer, but I very rarely feel that being vegetarian limits my dining choices in London, but it can make eating out on holiday a bit of a logistics nightmare, especially if I’m somewhere where I don’t speak the local language. "- Miss Alice

* Photo by modenadude, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London Calling

Question of the week: When traveling outside the UK, what do you miss about London the most?

"What I miss about London is how a mere walk on the street can spur intrigue because of some historical fact posted on a wall, or a sign, or a plaque. Every garden has a story, practically each building is entrenched in history, and even benches have engraved memorials to someone or something. I guess what is mesmerising about the history is not so much how extensive it is (considering other, older countries), but rather, how the history is engraved into the city itself, in a modern and commemorative way. Since history, literature, and quotes are constantly around you, it’s hard not to learn something new every single day."- Christina

* Photo by Steve Hunnisett, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London Calling

Question of the week: When traveling outside the UK, what do you miss about London the most?

"I spend a lot of time on the Southbank and love the way that you always stumble across an unexpected street performance, fair or festival. There is always such a sense of vibrancy, creativity and movement. So, when I travel I miss being able to wonder out of my front door into such a dynamic space. Of course there are many places you can visit that are full of creative activity around the world but the Southbank has something very special. More generally, I miss the cultural diversity of London, which is often made so accesible through food, exhibitions, markets, festivals and events.

I have also found I miss the coffee - once you have tasted Monmouth Coffee in Covent Garden, it is hard to find a match elsewhere!"- Heather

* Photo by swh, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.