Kids Week : Free Tickets for Kids

      ,   No comments
Tickets on sale June 10th at 10 am

From July 21 to August 31, Kids Week gives children 17 and under the chance to see top West End shows for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult.  You can also buy half-price tickets for up to two additional children per adult ticket:

Choose from 55 popular productions, including :

  • Back to the Future The Musical*
  • The Choir of Man*
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
  • Hamilton
  • Harry Potter and The Cursed Child*
  • The Great Gatsby
  • Les Miserables
  • The Lion King*
  • Mamma Mia!*
  • Matilda the Musical
  • MJ The Musical*
  • Moulin Rouge!*
  • The Mousetrap*
  • Phantom of the Opera
  • The Play that Goes Wrong*
  • Six*
  • Tina - The Tina Turner Musical
  • Wicked*
  • Witness for the Prosecution

    • *These shows offer exclusive extras, such as workshops in acting, dancing, illusions, musical theatre and singing and special Q&A sessions.

    Due to high demand, it's a good idea to plan ahead. Have a few dates and shows in mind before tickets go live.

    With no booking, postage, or transaction fees, tickets sell out quickly. For the best selection, be ready to book online when sales open on Tuesday, June 10 at 10 a.m. 

    Good luck — and enjoy the show!
    www.officiallondontheatre.com/kids-week

    The Mitre Hotel

          ,   No comments
    A Regal Return

    Just an 8-minute walk from Hampton Court Palace, the newly refurbished The Mitre Hotel is a must-visit. Acquired by the Signet Hotel Group in 2020, the historic 36-room property underwent a £15 million transformation, earning a place in the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

    Built in 1665 by King Charles II to house courtiers, The Mitre has been beautifully restored, blending period elegance with modern comfort. Stylish lounges, bars, and restaurants feature curated art and textiles that add a contemporary twist to classic British charm.

    It is a perfect place to stop in before (or after) a visit to Hampton Court for riverside tea refreshments:
    • Cream Tea — £11: Buttermilk scones with Cornish clotted cream and jam
    • Half Afternoon Tea — £15: Includes crème brûlée cheesecake and a raspberry almond muffin (+£4 for extra)
    • Full Afternoon Tea — £35: Includes all of the above, four types of sandwiches, and two additional desserts
            All served with Twist Tea or specialty coffee.

    Whether you’re a hotel guest or a local, The Mitre is the perfect riverside retreat!

    Belgravia in Bloom

          , , ,   No comments
    Through the seasons

    If you’re not ready for the floral fun to end, head to Belgravia for even more blooms — completely free. While the Chelsea in Bloom and the Chelsea Flower Show wrap up on May 24th, the 10th annual Belgravia in Bloom runs from May 19th to May 26th.  This year's theme 'Through the Seasons' will be featured in 45+ displays.

    Use the map to plan your route: start in Knightsbridge on Motcomb Street, stroll through Eccleston Yards and Elizabeth Street, and finish on Pimlico Road (Sloane Square Station is nearby). Or, reverse the route and end near Victoria Station.

    Whichever way you wander, Belgravia in Bloom is the perfect way to let your floral adventures linger just a little bit longer!
    www.belgraviavillage.com

    Hampton Court Gardens for free

          , ,   No comments
    Mothers Day weekend May 10-11

    Just in time for US Mother’s Day weekend, Hampton Court Palace is offering free entry to its historic gardens on May 10–11.

    Set along the River Thames, the gardens span over 60 acres of formal landscaping and 750 acres of parkland, showcasing centuries of garden design from the Tudor era onward.

    Highlights include:
    • Great Fountain Garden — Created in 1689 for William III and Mary II, featuring 13 fountains along with manicured flower beds and yews.
    • Privy Garden — One of the most accurate reconstructions of a baroque-style garden from 1702.
    • Hampton Court Maze — The UK’s oldest surviving hedge maze built in the 1700s.
    • Wilderness Garden — Once a formal 1680s pleasure garden, now a natural display of spring flowers and daffodils.
    • Rose Garden — Once William III’s kitchen garden, this 1930s addition features classic and hybrid English roses.
    • Great Vine — Planted in 1768 by Capability Brown, it remains the world’s largest grapevine and still produces fruit.

      Whether you’re a garden lover, history buff, or just in search of a scenic stroll, the gardens offer a perfect Mother’s Day weekend outing.

      Tip : If you miss this weekend or want to wander the gardens for free, save the July 1-6, September 13-14, October 18-19, November 22-23, and December 26.

      Note : While these open days allow free access to the gardens, a palace admission ticket is still required to visit other areas of the palace.
      www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace ✆ +44 2031 666000
      Hampton Court Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU

    Chelsea in Bloom

          , , , ,   No comments
    Flowers in Fashion

    Chelsea will once again burst into color as the 20th annual Chelsea in Bloom, (May 19–25) transforms the neighborhood with floral artistry. Running alongside the renowned Chelsea Flower Show (May 20–24), this year’s event is sponsored by Cadogan and the Royal Horticulture Society, and features a special partnership with the British Fashion Council for the theme 'Flowers in Fashion'.

    A record-breaking 100+ storefronts—including shops and restaurants—will be adorned with imaginative floral displays in every color, shape, and size. The best part? It’s completely free and open to the public. Winners will be chosen by a panel of expert judges, with a People’s Choice Award decided by online vote.

    Free walking tours depart daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., or hop on a rickshaw departing every 30 minutes from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (except May 19) from Sloane Square. Prefer to explore at your own pace? Download the self-guided map online and enjoy the trail your way.

    Whether you love flowers, fashion, or just great photo ops, Chelsea in Bloom offers a colorful, unforgettable experience!

    Watch this space for Belgravia in Bloom . . .

    Poppies return

          , ,   No comments
    May 6th - November 11th

    One of London’s most iconic public artworks returns this spring. Starting May 6th, 30,000 ceramic poppies from the original Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red will be reinstalled at the Tower of London to mark 80 years since the end of World War II.

    Originally displayed from July to November 2014, the installation commemorated the centenary of Britain’s involvement in World War I. Each of the 888,246 red ceramic poppies represented a British or colonial serviceman killed in the war.
    Most of the poppies were later sold, raising funds for six charities. In recognition of their work, ceramic artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper were awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2015.

    The returning poppies, on loan from the Imperial War Museum’s collection, will remain on display through Remembrance Day, November 11th. A portion of the installation is free to view, while full access requires a Tower of London ticket.

    Though smaller in scale than the original, this powerful tribute is still well worth a visit!
    www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london ✆ +44 333 320 6000
    London, EC3N 4AB

    Vogue : Inventing the Runway

          , ,   No comments
    Lightroom London

    Lightroom London     presents Vogue: Inventing the Runway, an immersive exhibition offering an exclusive opportunity to experience fashion history up close. While high-end fashion shows are typically reserved for the press, buyers, and celebrities, this exhibit gives visitors a front-row seat to some of the most iconic events in fashion. 

    Since 1892, Vogue has been instrumental in shaping the fashion industry, influencing photography, supermodels, and setting trends that define the culture.

    The exhibition showcases the work of legendary photographers such as Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, and Irving Penn. It also features unforgettable video footage from fashion’s most memorable moments, including Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 1999 show, where his No. 13 dress was spray-painted by two robots, and the iconic moment when supermodels Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington lip-synched to George Michael’s 'Freedom' at the close of Versace’s Autumn/Winter 1991 show, and some of the most awe-inspiring and over-the-top 'catwalks'.


    TIP : Be sure to take a look at the dress displayed in the lobby Undercover     by Jun Takahashi Look 57 from the Spring 2024 collection.

    Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast or simply curious about the industry, this exhibit reveals the artistry and innovation behind the legendary catwalk!
    Tickets £25, 15 under 18 (free for under 3) — Closes April 26th

    BONUS : Purchase your ticket directly from Lightroom London and receive 20% off The Moonwalkers : A Journey with Tom Hanks that explores the history of the Apollo missions and the future of spece exploration.
    www.lightroom.uk ✆ +44 300 3034216
    12, Lewis Cubitt Square, London N1C 4DY