Free Rooftop Views

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7 stops in 1-1/2 hours

The only thing better than London in the sunshine is rooftop views of London in the sunshine.  Start at Waterloo and make seven stops ending with a rooftop drink or lunch:

National Theatre — The Royal National Theatre Garden public terrace on level 3 boasts both London Eye and river views.  
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX

Royal Opera House — Located on the 5th floor, The Piazza Terrace Bar overlooks Covent Garden, London's most famous market.
Opening Hours: Noon — 10 pm  
www.roh.org.uk ✆ +44 2073 044000
Bow Street, London WC2E 9DD

The Post Building — Although only 9 stories up, the rooftop terrace offers uninterrupted views of the City given the lack of tall buildings around it.  To access, look for a sign off New Oxford Street that reads 'Public Roof Terrace'.  You will need to sign-in, provide ID and go through security scanners before proceeding to the rooftop. 
Opening hours: 10 am — 7 pm 
www.postbuilding.com
Museum Street, London WC1A 1PB
One New Change — Take a lift to the 6th floor of the retail and restaurant building to enjoy a stunning unobstructed view of St Paul's Cathedral.  Book a table at Madison, the bar and tapas restaurant with outdoor patio and indoor seating.
Opening Hours : 6 am — Midnight
www.onenewchange.com ✆ +44 2070 028952
One New Change, London EC4M 9AF

Sky Garden — Free access tickets to London's highest public garden are released every Monday.  If you are not able to book a ticket, reserve a table one of the restaurants or bars to be able to access the Garden after you eat or drink.
Opening hours: Weekdays 10 am — 6 pm, Weekends 11 am —  9 pm

The Garden at 120 — The award-winning rooftop 15 stories up at 120 Fenchurch Street is the largest pubic rooftop space with 360-degree London views.  There is no pre-booking required to access the lifts following the security scanners
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10 am —  6:30 pm, Saturdays & Sundays until 5 pm
Tip : Make plans to go now to catch the 85 wisteria trees in bloom.
www.thegardenat120.com
120 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 5BA

The Culpeper — Located close to Brick Lane, Spitalfields and Shoreditch High Street, The Culpeper offers a great view of East London.  In addition to the pub, restaurant and hotel, the 1,400 square foot rooftop includes a working 500 square foot garden where garnishes, herbs and salad used in the dishes are grown – giving 'farm' to table a whole other meaning.  Stop in for an impromptu drink and bar bites or book the Regen Rooftop Set Lunch Menu £35 served 12 pm — 3 pm.  
Tip : Request a table for 2 — 4 along the rooftop entrance wall to benefit from some shade.
Take advantage of these views while the sun is shining!

Belgravia in Bloom

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Into the Wild

If you want to add to your flower fix, head to Belgravia to see more flowers for free. While Chelsea in Bloom and the Chelsea Flower Show finish today, the 8th annual Belgravia in Bloom, runs through Bank Holiday Monday.

While smaller and more compact, there are still 45+ displays to see in one of London most luxurious neighborhoods. Using the map start at Knightsbridge on Montcomb Street, walk to Eccleston Yards, Elizabeth Street and end on Pimlico Road (Sloane Station is close by). Or alternatively start on Pimlico Road and head to Eccleston Yards and Victoria Station will be close by.

Tip : Some of the displays are a bit hidden from the street down a passageway.

The ‘Into the Wild’ theme reflects their partnership with London Wildlife Trust, a charity dedicated to protecting the capital's wildlife and wild spaces and responsible for 36 nature reserves across the nation’s capitol.




Like Chelsea in Bloom, there are free activities, tours, flower-themed menu
items and giveaways to enjoy.
www.belgravialdn.com

While these free blooms will fade, save the date for London Open Gardens weekend June 10-11. The weekend ticketed event features 100+ gardens not normally open to the public.
www.londongardenstrust.org

Flowers in Film

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Chelsea in Bloom

Spring has sprung London and the sun is finally shining just in time for Chelsea in Bloom, London's largest free flower festival featuring 85+ displays. Sponsored by Cadogan and the Royal Horticulture Society, the 'Flowers on Film' show runs until May 28th and coincides with the famed Chelsea Flower Show.
Award-winning storefronts are selected by an expert panel of judges. There is still time to vote for the People’s Champion Award until Midnight Thursday, May 25th.

Visit the Box Office at Sloane Square to book a free rickshaw ride that runs 10:30 am — 5pm daily and official walking tours. Alternatively, use the on-line self-guided map.

With the longer daylight hours, it is possible to start at Sloane Square after work and make your way to Bluebird Chelsea Cafe for a drink and bite to eat on their patio (Tip : Ask for a table with a heat lamp) on one side of King’s Road before heading back the other. It is much easier easier to take photos with less people and the shops closed — not to mention seeing the displays from across the street for a different perspective.

Bonus : Scroll down the What’s On tab for information of giveaways, limited
flower-themed menu items, giveaways and more.

Last but not least, following the event the flowers will be donated to Confetti Club, a non-profit that repurposes used flowers into biodegradable, dried petal confetti with all proceeds benefiting Cancer Research UK.




Simply love how well-thought out every last detail of this show is!
www.chelseainbloom.co.uk

Coronation Treats, Tipples & Teas

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What to buy and where to go

All indications thus far is King Charles III's Coronation will be a more subdued affair than Queen Elizabeth's celebration in 1953. Here's what you need to make the most of the long Bank Holiday weekend:

What to buy . . . to enjoy with your Coronation Big lunch: 
Keepsake Biscuit Tin of Treats 
Biscuiteers — King Charles III Coronation Biscuit Tin for £58 (or a single King Charles III Biscuit for £7.95)

Cartwright & Butler  — King Charles III Coronation : English Breakfast Tea Bags in a green tin for £8 or Tea & Biscuit Collection in a gold tin for £25
www.cartwrightandbutler.co.uk

Emma Bridgewater  — Fill a 3 Cheers for King Charles III Shallow Tin for £7.70,  originally £11 and and 30% off other royal collection items
www.emmabridgewater.co.uk

Fortnam & Mason  — Musical Coronation Biscuit Tin for £35
www.fortnumandmason.com

M&S  — Coronation All Butter Shortbread Tin for £6
www.marksandspencer.com
Street Party Tipples 
Silent Pool — Coronation Gin £45

Highclere Castle Gin  — King Charles Cocktail made with Highclere Castle Gin £34.99
www.highclerecastlegin.com

Where to go . . . for a Coronation-themed afternoon tea: 
Biscuiteers — £45 per person until May 31st BONUS : 10% off shopping in store with afternoon tea booking

Grosvenor House  — £62.50 per person until May 10th
www.marriott.com/jw-marriott-grosvenor-house-london

Rubens at the Palace  — £70 per person until August 1st
www.rubenshotel.com

While the Coronation only lasts over the Bank Holiday weekend – these treats, tipples and teas will last just a bit longer!

Official Coronation Celebrations

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What's Happening & How to Watch

While Charles III succeeded Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022 following her passing, the official moment he will be crowned king will take place during the upcoming Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6th at 11 am.

Following the Service, King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Concert will take part in a Coronation Procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. Instead of a 5-mile route during Queen Elizabeth II 1953 Procession, the route will be shortened to 1.3 miles and well-wishers with a spot on the route have a chance to see the King and Queen Consort twice.

On Sunday, May 7th, the people of Britain will take part in the Coronation Big Lunch. The King and Queen have released an official Coronation quiche recipe made with spinach, broad beans, cheese and tarragon as the signature Coronation dish.

That evening there will be a Coronation Concert held at Windsor Castle including performances by Andrea Bocelli, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie.

Coronation coverage will be available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Additionally, more than 55+ locations in the UK will put up big screens for people to watch.

With an additional Bank Holiday on Monday, May 8th, there is no excuse not to celebrate!

Next post, Coronation Treats, Tipples & Teas what to buy and where to go . . .

Egg-tra special Easter treats

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Some of London’s top afternoon tea spots are offering special Easter-inspired tea menus:

TĪNG’s — From £65 per person

Rosewood London  — From £90 per person
www.rosewoodhotels.com

Claridge's  — From £95 per person
www.claridges.co.uk

The Dorchester Hotel  — From £125 per person
www.dorchestercollection.com

There is still time to pickup or order Easter treats:

Monty Bo Jangles  — Pretzel Parade Easter Egg £9.99
www.montybojangles.com

Daylesford — Handpainted Chocolate Asparagus Spears £18

Krispy Kreme  — Hoppy Easter Dozen £21.95
www.krispykreme.co.uk

Hummingbird Bakery  — Easter Cupcake Selection Box from £21.95
www.hummingbirdbakery.com

Biscuiteers  — Easter Egg Hunt Biscuit Tin £48
www.biscuiteers

Claridge’s  — Limited Edition Easter Egg £65
www.claridges.co.uk

WIth something for every budget — there is no eggs-cuses not to celebrate!

Best Mum's Day Deals

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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.