Kids Week – Free theatre tickets

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Tickets on sale June 11th

Kids Week is one of my favorite annual promotions where kids 16 and under go free to shows in August with a full price paid adult ticket (they even offer half price tickets for two additional children).  And event better yet it is not limited to a week, but extends throughout the month of August.

Organized by the Society of London Theatre, some of the participating shows offer some unique activities and workshops alongside the productions, including backstage tours, dancing and Q&As. The ‘Kids Go Free’ offer even extends to area hotels and restaurants.

There are 35+ shows to pick from, including theatre favorites:


  • Aladdin
  • Lion King
  • Mamma Mia!
  • Matilda
  • Phantom of the Opera
  • The Play That Goes Wrong
  • Thriller Live
  • Wicked

    • With the added bonus of no booking, postage or transactions fees, tickets sellout fast. For the best selection, pre-pick your show dates and be online Tuesday, January 11th at 10 am when the tickets are released. Good luck!
    www.kidsweek.co.uk

    For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

    Open Garden Squares Weekend

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    125+ gardens across 27 London boroughs

    With support from the London Parks & Gardens Trust, Open Squares Garden Weekend (June 8-9) features 125+ hidden gardens and squares – many of which that are usually closed to the public.
    The gardens range in shape, size and location from rooftops to allotments and from historic buildings to cafés. Beyond the green spaces themselves, there are special activities, including cycle, garden and walking tours, and more are on offer.

    Here are just a few of London’s most famous buildings and attractions that have a garden close by: 1) Barbican, 2) The Gherkin, 3) The Monument, 4) St. Paul's Cathedral, 5) Tate Modern, 6) Tower of London, 7) Victoria & Albert Museum, and 8) Wallace Collection

    A weekend ticket is £10 (12-18, under 12 free), £16 student (with student ID) and £20 for adults. For £4 more, £20 for students and £44 for two adults as part of a joint membership, you can subscribe for an annual membership to London Parks & Gardens Trust.


    Membership benefits include free entry to the Open Garden Squares weekend along with a monthly newsletter, London Landscapes and The London Gardener publications, access to Historic Green Spaces inventory, and discounted member rates for lectures and other events.

    What a wonderful way to support London’s gardens and green spaces! www.opensquares.org
    For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

    Chelsea in Bloom

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    Chelsea Flower Show alternative

    Despite the rain in this week’s forecast, Chelsea will once again be in full bloom. The 14th annual Chelsea in Bloom (May 20-25), coincides with the famed Chelsea Flower Show (May 21-25). Sponsored by Cadogan and the Royal Horticulture Society, this year’s event features a record-breaking 85+ displays.
    Storefronts including retailers and restaurants are creatively covered in flowers and arrangements of all colors, shapes and sizes. Best of all this show is free and open to the public. Award-winning displays are selected by an expert panel of judges along with online voting for a people’s choice award.

    Last year’s Summer of Love theme coincided with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle royal wedding included a double decker bus, cozy bistro seating and a bicycle built for two. Displays utilizing peace signs, Volkswagen buses and 70s color schemes were also popular.

    Beginning on Tuesday, free walking tours leave at 11 am and 3 pm or you can book a rickshaw departing every 30 minutes from 10:30 am-5 pm from Sloan Square. It is also just as easy to do a self-guided one by downloading the online map. If last year is any indication, this year’s Chelsea in Bloom, Under the Sea is sure to impress!


    Bonus : Floral themed drinks, workshops along with complimentary massages and skin analysis will be on offer from floral show participants.
    www.chelseainbloom.co.uk
    For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

    Eltham Palace

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    Medieval meets modern

    Eltham Palace is an art deco mansion on the site of Henry VIII's childhood home. On the one hand, the Palace boasts a Tudor great hall and 19 acres of gardens, including London’s oldest working bridge over a moat. On the other, it is one of the finest examples of art deco architecture and design surviving in Britain today.

    The stunning interiors and furnishings reflect a masterpiece of design, glamour and allure of 1930s fashionable society. The Palace is reflective of the eccentricities and tastes of its millionaire residents, Virginia and Stephen Courtauld, whose family established the Courtauld Institute of Art. It even comes complete with a room dedicated to the family’s pet lemur.


    Beyond its roots as a medieval royal palace, Eltham has entertained many royals, politicians and socialites over the years and boasts state-of-the-art-modern conveniences for its time.

    It is hard to think of another building in London that is such a study in contrast – a truly unique and unusual place to visit!

    www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/eltham-palace-and-gardens/
    Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, London SE9 5QE

    For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

    London's Modern Architecture

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    30 buildings in 3-1/2 hours

    London is made up of a stunning array of buildings — ranging from 17th century to present day and everything in between. Insider London’s comprehensive walking tour covers London’s hidden architectural wonders and its most iconic buildings.


    The tour goes through three architectural hotspots and covers thirty buildings, skyscrapers and developments — all in 3½ hours. Learn how the city has been planned and built and get a glimpse of what is in store for London’s skyline.


    Highlights include:
    1) London’s tallest and most cutting edge skyscrapers
    2) the latest addition to Tate Modern
    3) the controversial eco-building loved by some but also named the “Worst New Building”
    4) futuristic walkways intended to cover all of London
    5) the influence of Roman London, St Paul’s Cathedral and WWII on London’s current layout, and St. Paul’s

    Instead of looking down or straight ahead, you’ll quickly find it is worth looking up!

    www.insider-london.co.uk/tours/modern-architecture-tour/
    ✆ +44 2071 831055 3rd Floor, 207 Regent Street, London, W1B 3HH

    For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

    Living Lush

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    Bigger and better than ever

    From humble beginnings in 1995 with their first store located in the small seaside town of Poole, UK, Lush Cosmetics now boasts 900+ stores worldwide. The company is known for ‘fresh handmade cosmetics’ that are 100% vegetarian and cruelty-free.

    Despite the growth and popularity of the brand, Lush has maintained their no frills packaging and try before you buy sales approach. It is probably not surprising that the company also endorses a Pay-It-Forward scheme that invites staff to give away products to customers at their discretion.

    To keep ardent fans (also known as ‘Lushies’) wanting more, Lush offers a customizable bath bomb subscription service and incentivizes customers to recycle used black pots (for every five empty pots returned, customers can claim a free Fresh Face Mask). Not to mention, true to their ‘fresh’ slogan, all their products have a limited shelf life.

    If trying out products in their oversized sinks and labs is not enough, you book in-store and after hour parties at their various store locations. Adult gatherings can include skincare consultation and massage, foot or arm treatment. While kids parties involve interactive activities, such as a scavenger hunt, trying a face mask and making your own bath bomb. Of course, there will be time and money (included in the cost / person) to spend on the shop floor at the end of the event. You’ll head home refreshed, revived and ready to replicate part of your experience at home.

    Exactly 20 years to the day, the flagship Oxford Street store was opened in 2015. At the time, it was the biggest Lush store in the world, complete with hair lab, listening booths and dedicated party area. Not to be outdone, the Lush Liverpool store opened last month is now the largest and its expanded offerings include an in-store florist, perfume library, salon and spa — along with exclusive products not available in other stores or online.

    If history is any indication of what the future will bring — my guess is Lush will only get bigger and better with time!
    www.lush.com
    For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

    Sony World Photography Exhibition

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    800+ images from around the world

    Somerset House will once again host the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition April 18 - May 6. The 12th annual display will include over 800 award winning, shortlisted and commended images selected by photographers in four categories (professional, open, youth and student).

    The Awards are free to enter and drew a record-breaking 327,000 entries from around the globe. The images cover a diverse range of categories including architecture, culture, documentary, landscape, portraiture, sports, street photography, travel and wildlife. The judging is done by industry experts with the goal of recognizing the best in contemporary photography. 

    Beyond the $30,000 total prize fund, photographers have had their works featured in major publications and gone on to be represented by major galleries and institutions.

    Some of my favorite images from 2018 included the large scale, expressive Horsestyle by German photographer Wiebke Haas and the humorous Like Owner, Like Dog piece by Norway photographer Krister Soerboe. US photographer Wenjie Qiao managed to capture the 'once-in-a-lifetime' Solar Eclipse Sequence while Megan Johnson's poignant image Still earned her 'Youth Photographer of the Year' honors.

    Advance booking is recommended since a limited number of day tickets will be available to purchase at the venue.

    Ticket Prices:
    Weekday ticket (Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays) £10
    Weekend ticket (including bank holidays) £14
    Concession ticket £8
    Lunchtime weekday ticket offer (Monday to Friday, 12 to 2pm) £5

    Opening Hours:
    Monday to Friday 10am to 9pm (last admission 8pm)
    Weekends 10am to 8pm (last admission 7pm)

    After visiting the exhibition, if you think you have what it takes – submissions for the 2020 Sony World Photography Awards opens June 1, 2019.
    www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/2019-sony-world-photography-awards-exhibition
    ✆ +44 2073 060055 Strand, London WC2R 1LA

    For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App