British Holiday Traditions, Part II

      No comments
Eat, Drink & Be Merry

Drink . . .
Mulled Wine is a popular Christmas time beverage made with red wine and spices. The Romans were the first to heat wine in the 2nd century to combat the cold winters. As the Romans conquered Europe, the popularity of mulled wine grew, including the addition of spices for added health benefits and flowers to make the wine taste better.

It is not surprising that interest in the beverage spread in colder climates, such as Austria, Germany (glühwein) and Scandinavian countries (glögg).  Mulled wine became synonymous with Christmas when Charles Dickens mentioned 'Smoking Bishop', a popular mulled wine at the time, in his classic A Christmas Carol.

Today, mulled wine is served warm at outdoor markets and pubs throughout the holiday season. Two places to enjoy mulled wine complete with holiday shopping, include:

The Crusting Pipe (Covent Garden) — Located close to Jubilee Market, the only market in London that is owned by traders. Monday features antiques; Tuesday to Thursday is a general market; and Saturday and Sunday arts and crafts items are sold by 200+ vendors.
www.davy.co.uk/wine-bar/crusting-pipe ✆ +44 2078 361415
27 The Market, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RD

OXO Tower Restaurant (South Bank) — Housed below the
rooftop restaurant with views of the River Thames, are 25+ contemporary designers selling art, ceramics, fashion, photography and other gift items.
www.oxotower.co.uk ✆ +44 2078 033888
Barge House Street, London SE1 9PH

If Pimm's is a sign of summertime, no winter season is complete without mulled wine.

Next post, how to Be Merry this holiday . . .

For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

British Holiday Traditions, Part I

      No comments
Eat, Drink & Be Merry

Eat . . .
Afternoon Tea is one of Britain's most popular and time-honored traditions. Introduced in the early 19th century, afternoon tea was intended to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner when dinner customarily started at 8 pm.

Today, afternoon tea is usually associated with a special occasion.  It generally consists of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam (interestingly, a 20th century addition) and cake.

In London there is no shortage of afternoon teas to indulge in — a perfect way to kick off the holiday season. Some of my favorite places have put a festive twist on their afternoon — making it even better to re-visit one you love or try a new one altogether.


Biscuiteers 		description here
Brown's Hotel

Hotel Cafe Royal
Hotel One Aldwych — Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

The Ritz
Sanderson Hotel — Mad Hatter’s Tea Party


The Savoy
Watch this space for what you can Drink only this time of year . . .

For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

RCA Mini Masterpieces

        No comments
1,800+ postcards to pick from

Established in 1994, the Royal College of Art (RCA) Stewarts RCA Secrets exhibition is one of the most popular art events of the year attracting both novice and serious art collectors. The exhibit will feature over 1,800 original postcard-sized pieces priced at £60 each by established and emerging artists. Postcards range from traditional drawing, painting and photography to even embroidery and sculpture. All proceeds of the annual sale benefit the RCA.

The ‘secret’ is part of the fun and intrigue. The postcards are displayed anonymously, and the artist’s is not revealed until the postcard is sold. Past contributors include David Bowie, Manolo Blahnik, David Hockney, Orla Kiely, Stella McCartney, Yoko Ono, *Grayson Perry and *Paul Smith (*confirmed for 2018).

The free exhibit opens November 30th (online viewing on November 29th) and runs until December 3rd. Purchases can be made on a first come first serve basis beginning on December 1st. The maximum number is four, but additional ones may be purchased on December 3rd, the final day of the exhibition. Online registration is required to view postcards online or to make a purchase.

Exhibition
November 30 : Noon – 7 pm
December 2, 3 : 10 am – 6 pm
December 1 : Noon – 6 pm

Collection
December 6 : 4 – 8 pm

Here’s your chance to purchase a masterpiece by an internationally known or an up-and-coming artist at a bargain price!
www.london.secret.rca.ac.uk
Senior Common Room, Darwin Building, Jay Mews, Kensington London SW7 2EU

For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

London's Best Holiday Windows

        No comments
5 displays in 50 minutes

Black Friday, the day after US Thanksgiving holiday (fourth Thursday of the month), is considered one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Since 2010, it has gained popularity in the UK.

Even before this tradition crossed the pond, London has had a long history of some of the best window displays in the world. So while everyone is nabbing deals inside, get into the holiday spirit outside at five of the very best . . .

Harrods — Harrods is a British retail institution known throughout the world. Luxury merchandise is featured in 330 departments covering seven floors at its London store — the largest department store in the UK.
Walk 4 minutes to Harvey Nichols
www.harrods.com ✆ +44 2077 301234
87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1X 7XL

Harvey Nichols — Established in 1831, Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge is an eight-story high-end department store featuring hundreds of beauty, clothing, food and wine brands.
Walk 24 minutes to Selfridges
www.harveynichols.com ✆ +44 2072 355000
109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ

Selfridges — Voted as one of the top department stores in the world, the Oxford Street flagship store includes beauty and food halls, shoe gallery, restaurants, spa and even an in-store psychics.
Walk 12 minutes to Liberty
www.selfridges.com ✆ +44 2077 301234
87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1X 7XL

Liberty — Since 1875, Liberty has been best-known for its in-house collection of print fabrics. Today, Liberty continues to collaborate with designers and has expanded its eclectic offerings beyond fashion to include cosmetics, home decor and jewellery*.
Walk 10 minutes to Fortnum & Mason
www.libertylondon.com ✆ +44 2077 341234
Regent St, Carnaby, London W1B 5AH, UK

Fortnum & Mason — Founded in 1707, Fortnum & Mason located in Piccadilly is considered to be London's oldest department store. Fortnum's signature, luxury picnic hampers, which made their debut in Victorian times at Royal Ascot and Henley Regatta, are still popular today. 
www.fortnumandmason.com ✆ +44 2077 348040
181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER

. . . all without spending a single pence!

For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

Poppies are back

        No comments
Display ends November 18th

One of the most viewed London public artworks, the Tower of London poppies are back. In July - November 2014, the Tower of London featured a public art installation, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Britain’s involvement in World War I. Each of the 888,246 ceramic red poppies represented serviceman killed during the War.
The majority of the poppies from the installation were sold benefiting six charities. The ceramic artist Paul Cummins and conceptual designer Tom Piper received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in honor of this civil achievement in 2015.

Two segments of the installation, The Wave and Weeping Window, will be on tour until Remembrance Day November 18th to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the end of the War. These installations will then enter the permanent collection of the Imperial War Museum (IWM).

A visit to IWM London to see Weeping Window and/or IWM Manchester to see The Wave before they are removed is well worth it!
For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

Seasonal Shopping in Surrey

      ,   No comments
High Street alternatives

Now that Halloween is over, the true holiday shopping season has begun. Mark your diary for some of the best off the High Street shopping Surrey — all with onsite free parking:

Squires Garden Centre (Multiple) November 8th — Shopping Evening 5 - 8:30 pm : Free glass of welcome Prosecco, live music, curry dinner in cafe from 6 - 8 pm and 15% off everything in the store. Given how early this event is they have promised no Christmas music.
www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk

Garson's Farm (Multiple) November 14th and 28th — Late Night Members Shopping Event 5:30 pm - 8 pm : Welcome bubbly, holiday activities, samples and 10% off all purchases.
www.garsons.co.uk

AWS Gift Fayre (Cobham) November 18th — AWS 28th Gift Faye 10 am - 4 pm: One of Surrey’s longest running gift fayres featuring 120 stalls with all proceeds benefiting local charities takes places at ACS Cobham International School.
www.awsurrey.org
Portsmouth Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1BL

Priory Farm (Redhill) November 24th and 25th — Christmas Food Festival 10 am - 4 pm, Saturday and 10:30 am - 4 pm Sunday : With free samples from all exhibitors - it is a chance to try before you buy (if you have recovered from Thanksgiving!).
www.prioryfarm.co.uk ✆ +44 1737 823304
Sandy Lane, South Nutfield, Redhill, Surrey RH1 4EJ

Best of all you’ll have the satisfaction of having holiday shopping completed before December 1st!

For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

Half-Term Haunted Happenings

      ,   No comments
Halloween family fun

Claremont Landscape Garden (Esher) — Covering nearly 50 acres, Claremont is one of the oldest English landscape gardens with an original 18th century layout. Once enjoyed by royalty, including Queen Victoria, the Garden is on the Register of Historic Parks and described as the "the noblest of any in Europe". Unlike formal gardens of the past, these 'pleasure grounds' were designed to be natural, but in essence were made up of a series of planned views and vistas. Features include a turf amphitheatre, serpentine lake, stone grotto and thatched cottage complete with a kids play area and updated cafe. On October 26th Claremont will offer Spooky Walks around their garden for an additional £1 / child from 5 - 7 pm.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claremont-landscape-garden ✆ +44 1372 467806
Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9JG

Edible Cinema (London) — Intrigued by the idea of seeing and tasting a film at the same time? When you get to your cinema seat, there will be a tray of small numbered boxes that are to be opened at specific times during the film. The menu is based on an interpretation of what is happening on the screen. The team behind the creative menu includes experimental chefs, food designers and mixologists. Past films include Grosse Point Blank, Trading Places, and When Harry Met Sally. This year's Halloween screening is Silence of the Lambs on October 31 at Curzon Cinema, Mayfair in London. Tickets are £37.50 and includes bite-sized canapés and mini Conker Spirit and Fentimans cocktails.
www.curzoncinemas.com

The Ivy (Multiple) — The original location of The Ivy, West Street has been popular with celebrities and theatre* patrons for over 100 years. The Ivy Collection now features modern British dishes in upmarket brasseries and cafes in London and Surrey.  The Ivy in Cobham, Wimbledon and Marlow Garden in London will feature a special menu during Halloweek October 24-31 beginning at 4 pm.  Dishes include Tombstone Tartare Steak through the Heart' and 'Chocolate Skull' dessert along with Halloween-inspired cocktails and kid-friendly non-alcoholic juice. Halloween night will include some special Trick-or-Treats for the kids.
www.ivycollection.com

The Lightbox (Woking) — Located in Woking, The Lightbox is an award-winning museum designed by the same architects as the London Eye.  In addition to three permanent collections, The Lightbox hosts 20 temporary exhibitions a year, Past exhibitions include Gertrude Jekyll, Pablo Picasso, Auguste Renoir, William Turner and Andy Warhol. General admission is free and main and upper gallery exhibitions admission is £5 for a day or £7.50 for a year. A variety of Halloween-themed drop-in art and craft workshops will be offered for children ages 4-12 years old October 23-26.
www.thelightbox.org.uk ✆ +44 1483 737800
Chobham Road, Woking, Surrey GU21 4AA

Skywalk Adventure (Esher) — Located at Sandown Sports Club, Skywalk Adventure features two treetop adventure courses, including bridges, swinging logs, tightropes and zip wires landing into nets. The minimum age is 8 years and minimum height is 1.3 metres tall. There is an on-site cafe with hot pots, salads, sandwiches, snacks and wraps along with a fully stocked bar. They will be open extended hours October 25 - 31 as part of their SPOOKtacular Skywalk experience complete with supernatural sightings.  For a less Scary Skywalk adventure, they will be open as usual during the daytime. Admission is £15 for kids and £20 for adults for both courses (over 40% off regular prices). Booking by October 22 for discounted prices.
www.skywalkadventure.co.uk ✆ +44 1372 701107
Sandown Sports, More Lane, Esher, Surrey KT10 8AN

For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App