Best Mum's Day Deals

      , ,   No comments
April 19th & Beyond

What do Mums (Step-Mum, Grandma or other special mother figure) in your life really want? According to a poll of 2,000 Mums commissioned by LEGO Group and Moonpig and conducted by OnePoll, 51% of Mums said they want to spend quality time with their families and 16% said making a new memory is essential. 

 Here's how to give them both without breaking the bank:

Bill's (Multiple) — Bill's is offering a complimentary dessert with purchase of a main meal, including the popular Bill’s Flowerpot (strawberry cheesecake with chocolate soil, fresh strawberries and edible flower) - a perfect Mother's Day choice and eight other desserts to choose from.
www.bills-website.co.uk



Marks & Spencer* (Multiple) — M&S has launched an afternoon tea in 31 of its M&S Cafes. A selection of sandwiches and cakes, scone with clotted cream and jam, strawberries and pot of tea is priced at £12.50 per person (add prosecco or alcohol-free fizz for just £5 more).
www.marksandspencer.com
Image : Marks & Spencer

Morrisons* (Multiple)— Not to be outdone, Morrisons afternoon tea for 2 is usually £12.99 for 2 and is running a special promotion through Mum's Day £10 for 2, including selection of sandwiches, fruit scones, clotted cream, jam and cakes with tea.
www.my.morrisons.com 

Image : Morrisons

National Lottery*  — Each week the National Lottery raises £30 million that supports good causes in the UK. During National Lottery Open Week, get discounted or free entries to 100s of attractions through March 26th.
www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
Screenshot by Author

*BONUS : Even if you are not able to go by on Mum's Day, you can still treat her another day.


Pancake Day Specials & More

      , , , ,   No comments
Tuesday, February 21st and beyond

Pancake Day is back Tuesday, Febuary 21st. Where to find some of the best specials and most unusual pancakes:

Pancake Day Specials
  • Bill's (Multiple) — All you can eat pancakes for just £7.50. Add unlimited hot drinks from £3.50 or bottomless prosecco from £18.50. They are also giving away a chance to win a year’s supply of pancakes to the customer who eats the most pancakes within 90 minutes.
    www.bills-website.co.uk

  • The Breakfast Club (Multiple) — Finish 12 Pancakes In 12 Minutes and it’s on them. Their special Cherry Chocolate and Violet Cheesecake pancake stack are avaialble for £16 until February 28th.
    www.thebreakfastclubcafes.com

  • Christopher's (London) — Their specials include Cinnamon Roll & Choc Chip Pancake with vanilla ice cream (£20) and chocolate sauce, Lotus Biscoff Pancake Stack with lotus biscoff cream, honeycomb ice cream and cookie crumble (£16.50) or custom build-your-own-pancakes. www.christophersgrill.com ✆ +44 2072 404222
    18 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7DD

  • Riding Horse Cafe (Multiple) — Three different varieties of all-you-can-eat pancakes for £18.
    www.ridinghouse.cafe
Pancakes from Around the World Pancake Race
While some of these stacks won't last, you'll still be able to try many of these year-round!

London walks

      , , ,   No comments
Enjoy these while you can

After a generally milder than usual February, colder temperatures are in the forecast later this month. Head out for a walk before it arrives:

10 Bridges of London — Walk 10 km from Vauxhall Bridge to Tower Bridge.  Information for Vauxhall Bridge to Waterloo Bridge in the first link and Blackfrairs Bridge to Tower Bridge in the second one.
www.londonviasurrey.com/10-bridges-of-london-part-i.html www.londonviasurrey.com/10-bridges-of-london-part-ii.html
London Loop — Begins and ends at Waterloo Station with 30 tops for food, free views and photo ops. 
The Line — London's first outdoor sculpture walk along the waterways of East London from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The Greenwich Meridian — one of London’s best kept secrets.
www.londonviasurrey.com/walk-line.html

Portobello Road Market — Culinary and entertainment stops to endure the sensory-filled market walk.
www.londonviasurrey.com/portobello-road-market.html


There really is no better way to see London than by foot!

Convenient Top Theatre Eats

      , , ,   No comments
Less than a 5 minute walk away

There is nothing worse than feeling rushed to get to the theatre.  Luckily, some of the top shows, including Back to the Future (Adelphi Theatre), Frozen (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Mamma Mia (Novello Theatre), The Play that Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre) and Six (Vaudeville Theatre) happen to be a 5 minute (or less) walk away from some of the bestWest End dining experiences:

Christopher's Grill — Enjoy pre- and/or post-theatre drinks Tuesday to Thursdays 11 am - 12 am, Friday & Saturday 11 am - 1:30 am and Sunday 11 am - 5 pm at this stylish art deco restaurant known for its martini bar.
www.christophersgrill.com ✆ +44 2072 404222
18 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7DD

Clos Maggiore — One of London's most romantic restaurants serves a reasonably priced pre-theatre dinner Monday - Sunday from 5 - 6 pm.  Two courses for £32.50 or 3 for courses £39.50 (both include a glass of bubbles).  Except for Mamma Mia and The Play that Goes Wrong*

The Crusting Pipe — Located in the heart of Covent Garden, the restaurant serves afternoon tea 2:30 - 5 pm for £29. Request a window table to watch 'live' performances.
www.davy.co.uk/wine-bar/crusting-pipe ✆ +44 2078 361415
27 The Market Building, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RD


Inamo Covent Garden — London's only interactive restaurant where guests control their dining experience through digital projections on the table surface, including changing tablecloths, ordering, watching the chefs and playing retro games. Sushi & Asian Tapas Afternoon Tea starts at £22.95 start time is Monday 4 - 5:30 pm, Tuesday - Friday, Sunday Noon - 5:30 pm and Saturday 4 - 4:30 pm.  Except for Back to the Future and Six*
www.inamo-restaurant.com ✆ +44 2074 840500
11-14 Hanover Place, London WC2E 9JP

One Aldwych — Located across the street from the Lyceum Theatre, One Aldwych's Charlie & the Chocolate Factory Tea is one of the sweetest afternoon teas priced at £52 with service Wednesday - Friday 12 pm – 3 pm Saturday & Sunday (plus school and bank holidays) 12 pm – 4 pm.
www.onealdwych.com ✆ +44 2073 0010008
1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ

Rules — One of London's oldest and most famous restaurants is open Tuesday - Saturday Noon - 11 pm (last orders) and Sunday Noon to 10 pm (last orders). Charlie Chaplin, Charles Dickens, Clark Gable, Laurence Olivier and HG Wells are just some of the famous actors and authors who have dined here.
www.rules.co.uk ✆ +44 2074 071002 
35 Maiden Lane, London WC2E 7LB
The Savoy — This iconic hotel was the first luxury hotel in Britain.  Famous guests include Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne.  Afternon tea is service Noon to 4 pm Mondays and Tuesdays, Noon - 6 pm Wednesday - Sunday is £65 weekdays / £70 weekends.  Except for Back to the Future*
www.thesavoylondon.com ✆ +44 2078 361415
The Strand London WC2R 0EZ

Spring — Located in Somerset House, a popular filming location with its exterior featured in popular Hollywood films.  Pre-theatre Scratch Menu is served Tuesday - Saturday bettween 5:30 - 6:30 pm Three courses for £30 cleverly made using ingredients that are overlooked.

Bonus : There is still time to take advantage of The Offical London Theatre Sale until February 10th.  *And you can enjoy these restaurants if you are willing to walk a few extra minutes.

The Official London Theatre Sale

        No comments
Tickets start at £10/seat for over 40 shows until February 10

The Offical London Theatre Sale is one of London's longest-running theatre promotions.  Tickets to top shows cost £10, £20, £30, £40 and £50 depending on the show and there are no booking fees.  Here are just some of the featured comedies, musicals and plays and what to look (and listen) for:

  • Back to the Future (£30, £40 and £50) — Checkout the movie-themed bar before the show begins or during the interval / intermission.

  • The Book of Morman (£30, £40 and £50) — Listen carefully throughout the show the character Nabulungi is referred to by different names.  Names are often changed to reflect the audience, British choices include 'Brexit', 'Meghan Markle', 'Natwest' and 'Nectar Card'.

  • Frozen (£20, £30, £40 and £50) — When you enter the foyer, keep an eye out for display cases with Elsa's and Anna's dresses along with Frozen merchandise strategically placed just behind them.

  • Jersey Boys (£10, £20, £30, £40 and £50) — Trafalger Theatre's 630 seat auditorium recently completed a muti-million pound restoration back to its original 1930s art deco design.

  • The Lion King (£40 and £50) — See how many of the 232 puppets used in each performance you can count.

  • Mamma Mia! (£20, £30, £40 and £50) — If you are an ABBA fan, ABBA Voyage featuring the Swedish band as digital avatars is playing at a purpose-built arena at Queen Elizabeth Park.

  • Matilda The Musical (£30 and £50) — There is a good chance you will go home with some confetti (annually 12 million pieces are used).

  • The Mousetrap (£10, £20, £30, £40 and £50) — The longest running theatre production still features one of its original cast members and props.  The pre-recorded voice of the newsreader is of the late Deryck Guyler and the clock above the fireplace in the main hall is from opening night.

  • The Play that Goes Wrong (£30 and £40) — Be on the look out for special guest appearance signage before you enter the theatre — just the beginning of the silliness.

  • Six (£30 and £40) — Since the pop concert type musical is only 80 minutes and has no interval, it is one of the few you can have dinner after the show.

  • Wicked (£20, £30, £40 and £50) — The production uses 250 pounds of dry ice to create the fog.  The song "Defying Gravity" has been played by NASA to wake up astronauts in space.
The list of shows changes as some sellout and new ones are added.  Book now on-line or in-person at the TKTS booth at Leicester Square since some sell out quickly!

Best of 2022, Part II

      , , , , ,   No comments
Top 10 posts — Part II

The best of the best from 2022

5. Kids go free in August— Tickets on sale June 14th
www.londonviasurrey.com/2022/06/kids-go-free-in-august.html

4. Best shows and seats from £10 — best ways to get budget-friendly West End tickets
www.londonviasurrey.com/2022/04/best-shows-and-seats-from-10.html

3. London Loop — 2 hour and 15 minute loop from Waterloo Station
www.londonviasurrey.com/2022/04/london-loop.html

2. London for (Book) Lovers — London boasts some of the biggest and most unique bookstores
www.londonviasurrey.com/2022/08/london-for-book-lovers.html

1. Quintessential English afternoon tea — For less than 30 quid and conveniently located by some of London's most popular landmarks
www.londonviasurrey.com/2022/09/quintessential-english-afternoon-tea.html
Loads to do inside (and out) for 2023!

Best of 2022

      , , , , ,   No comments
Top 10 posts — Part I

With covid at bay, posts about about large-scale celebrations and other days out got the most attention:

10. Egg-straordinary Easter Hunts— At a castle or palace that also happens to be a popular filming location
www.londonviasurrey.com/2022/03/egg-straordinary-easter-hunts.html
9. Teas fit for a Queen — Celebrate 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign with a Platinum Jubilee Tea
www.londonviasurrey.com/2022/05/teas-fit-for-queen.html

8. Garden, Glamour & Buckingham — Day out for £35
www.londonviasurrey.com/2022/07/garden-glamour-buckingham.html

7. Last minute Valentine's gifts — . . . that aren't flowers
www.londonviasurrey.com/2022/02/last-minute-valentines-gifts.html

6. Celebrate Chinese New Year— Starting January 31st
www.londonviasurrey.com/2022/01/celebrate-chinese-new-year.html




Best of 2022 — Part II will feature the best of the best from 2022.