St James Motoring Spectacle

Pre-Victorian to Formula 1

The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) presents the return of the St James Motoring Spectacle — a free, one-day exhibition on Saturday, October 31st 10 am - 3 pm, as part of London Motor Week.

Marking its third year, the showcase spans automotive history from Pre-Victoria era vehicles to modern Formula 1. Visitors can explore around 50 vintage cars and cycles built before 1905, with many owners dressed in authentic period attire.

Featured return entrants include:

      

View the complete 2026 entry list at Veteran Car Run.

Returning highlights, include:

• British Grand Prix Trophy — The actual trophy recently awarded to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc after his July victory at Silverstone.

• Rolls-Royce — The iconic 1904 model, recognized as the oldest surviving Rolls-Royce in existence.

• Daimler — A British-built production model marking 130 years of domestic automotive heritage.

• Formula 1 — A special commemorative display honoring the centenary of Britain’s inaugural Grand Prix, hosted by the RAC at Brooklands in 1926.

The festivities culminate on Sunday, November 1st, when over 400 veteran cars leave Hyde Park at sunrise for the 2026 RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

Whether you are a car enthusiast or drawn to pre-Victorian times, this unmissable event bridges centuries of motoring heritage!

www.veterancarrun.com/st-jamess-motoring-spectacle
Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5HS

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Pop Art & Popular Culture

Halcyon Gallery until August 30th

After following the colorful trail of Mr. Doodle through the West End, a 14-minute walk to Halcyon Gallery’s Pop Odyssey  is a natural next stop.

The instantly recognizable imagery in both displays makes art feel accessible, engaging and easy to connect with. The gallery exhibit brings together artists and works spanning decades of popular culture, including:

• Stan Lee (1922 - 2018) — a comic-book editor, publisher and writer who helped create Marvel’s superheroes — many of whom have become part of everyday popular culture

• Andy Warhol (1928–1987) — took everyday consumer products, celebrities and mass-media images and turned them into fine art

• Keith Haring (1958–1990) — developed a bold, distinctive style using simple lines, symbols and figures. His work moved beyond galleries into public spaces, connecting with a wider audience

• James McQueen — a contemporary British artist who works under a pseudonym, drawing inspiration from vintage book covers, typography and Pop Art pioneers such as Haring and Warhol — giving familiar images a fresh twist

Alongside artists such as Dominic Harris and Santiago Montoya, the exhibition offers a fun, fresh take on how art and popular culture have influenced each other over the years.

www.halcyongallery.com
29 New Bond Street, London W1S 2TR

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West End Doodle Art Trail

Closes August 30th

British artist Mr. Doodle (real name Sam Cox) is known for his distinctive cartoon-style drawings.  He became famous for covering clothes, furniture, cars, rooms and buildings with faces, characters, monsters and repeated patterns.

He rose to fame online, where his nickname, ‘Mr. Doodle’, became his artistic identity and brought him attention in the art world beginning in 2015. Art of London, a cultural initiative focused on West End, presents Mr. Doodle’s Doodle Discovery, a free public art trail.

Follow the trail:

• 
  Blue Robot (Leicester Square) — Showcases ideas and suggestions shared by the local community

• Orange Fish (Leicester Square) — Pays tribute to the magic of movies and London’s screen scene

• Yellow Flower (Piccadilly Circus) — Inspired by the creativity, drama and excitement of London’s West End

• Pink Shmug (Piccadilly Circus) — Features doodles inspired by London’s art scene of exhibits and galleries

• 
  Red Cyclops (St James Market) — Highlights London’s food scene
  and its delicious discoveries

• Mr. Doodle West End Wall (St James Market) — An entire courtyard wall adjacent to Red Cyclops is covered in hand-drawn black-and-white characters

If you don’t get a chance to visit before the trail closes, there’s also a semi-permanent piece in Leake Street Tunnel. It’s protected by plexiglass, making it about as permanent as graffiti can get on these ever-changing walls.

For more pop art, check out the next post on Pop Odyssey at Halcyon Gallery.

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Kids Week : Free Tickets

Tickets on sale June 9th at 10 am

Kids Week gives children 17 and under the chance to see top West End shows for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult from July 20th – August 31st.  Up to two additional children can attend for half-price with each adult ticket:

Choose from 60 popular productions, including :

Come Alive!  The Greatest Showman*

The Devil Wears Prada*

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child*

Hot Mess A New Musical*

Les Miserables

The Lion King*

Mamma Mia!*

Matilda the Musical*

The Mousetrap*

My Neighbor Totoro*

Phantom of the Opera

The Play that Goes Wrong

Showstopper!  An Improvised Musical

Six

The Tiger Who Went to Tea

Wicked*

Witness for the Prosecution

*These productions also offer free exclusive extras, including acting, dancing, puppetry, singing, and storytelling workshops, as well as special Q&A sessions.

Tickets are in high demand, so it's worth planning ahead.  Have a few preferred show sand dates before tickets go on sale.

With no booking, postage, or transaction fees, tickets sell out fast.  For the best selection, be ready to book online when sales open on Tuesday, June 9th at 10 a.m. 

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

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Last Chance — London Box Office Sale

Tickets starting at £7 / seat

Just before the popular Kids Week promotion kicks off on Monday, there are discounted London Box Office tickets starting as little as £7.  Top award-winning shows include:

• The Devil Wears Prada (£24) — starring Vanessa Williams, WhatsOnStage Award winner for Best New Musical and Best Performer
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (£29) — nine Olivier Awards, the most in the history of the awards
• Kinky Boots (£15) — winner of three Olivier Awards returns to West End
• Matilda The Musical (£24) — seven Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical
• Mousetrap (£20) — Olivier Award for Special Recognition to celebrate its theatrical legacy as the world's longest running play
• My Neighbour Totoro (£18) — six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards for puppetry, set design and direction
• Oh, Mary! (£35) — two-time Tony Award winner transfer from Broadway to the West End
• The Play That Goes Wrong (£24) — Olivier Award winner for Best New Comedy
• Showstopper!  The Improvised Musical (£20) — winner of Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family Show — first completely unscripted, improvised show to be nominated and win
• Titanique (£20) — winner of two Olivier Awards, including Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play
• War Horse (£30) — winner of two Olivier Awards, including Best Set Design and Best Theatre Choreographer

Book now before the sale ends Sunday!
www.londonboxoffice.co.uk

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Queen Elizabeth II : Her Life in Style, Part II

Although most of Her Majesty's life has been in the public eye, even her off-duty outfits make a distinct fashion statement.

Off-Duty & Ready-to-Wear
Practical countryside attire included suede jackets, tweed skirts, knitwear, and headscarves — balanced function with understated elegance.

British Fashion on the Global Stage
Throughout her 70-year reign, the Queen’s overseas tours showcased British design while honoring host nations:

• Cherry Blossom Evening Dress (1975, Japan) — Draped sleeves inspired by kimonos, embroidered with sakura (spring blossoms).
• Evening Dress (2011, Ireland) — Silk gown adorned with shamrocks and a crystal harp.
• Pink Peonies Evening Dress (1986, China) — Featuring beadwork forming peonies and vertical motifs.

Eveningwear: The Glamour of the Monarchy
As head of state, the Queen’s gowns for banquets and receptions were both elegant and highly visible, designed to stand out on camera. 

Two Dresses & Headpieces — In her final three decades, in-house designer Angela Kelly modernized Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe with more modern tailoring and brighter colors. She designed the evening dress for the 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony, along with an identical version worn by a stunt double who parachuted after meeting James Bond (Daniel Craig).

 

     

Queen Elizabeth II: A Fashion Legacy
Queen Elizabeth II’s style has long inspired contemporary designers. In 2018, she presented the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to Richard Quinn during London Fashion Week. His collection playfully referenced her signature off-duty look through the use of silk scarves.

 
After the Queen’s death on September 8, 2022, many designers honored her at London Fashion Week later that month. Among the most striking tributes — one that still resonates today — was Jonathan Anderson’s simple black T-shirt dress, printed with the words:

'HER MAJESTY The Queen 1926–2022 Thank you.'

Through fashion, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style shows the remarkable legacy the Queen built that will continue to influence designers and royal style for generations to come.
www.royalcollection.org.uk ✆ +44 3031 237334
Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA

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Queen Elizabeth II : Her Life in Style, Part I

The exhibition Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at Buckingham Palace opened on April 10 and is already sold out through its scheduled closing on October 18.  If you missed it — or want a reason to sign up in case an extension is announced — here’s a glimpse of the largest exhibition ever dedicated to Her Majesty’s fashion, featuring more than 200 garments and accessories, including many previously unseen archival pieces:

Childhood: The Beginning of British Couture
The Royal Christening Robe (1841) — Commissioned by Queen Victoria, this robe has been worn by royal babies for over 130 years.

Dresses & Bloomers (1935) — Simple cotton pieces, often in Liberty prints, formed part of the young princesses’ wardrobe.

Princess Elizabeth: Fashion Forward
Wedding Dress, Train & Veil (1947)
Ceremonial & Military: The Role of Duty
Coronation Dress (1953)
Both designed by Norman Hartnell, who created many of the Queen’s most important garments over four decades. 

   

Tailoring & Daywear: Style & Function
Skirt suits defined Queen Elizabeth II's 1950s wardrobe; from the 1960s onward, she favored day dresses with coordinating coats and accessories in bright, signature colors.

 

Millinery & Accessories: The Finishing Touch
Coordinated hats, coats, dresses, and suits highlight her polished, instantly recognizable style.

Queen Elizabeth II : Her Life in Style, Part II will trace looks from Off-Duty & Ready-to-Wear to Queen Elizabeth II: A Fashion Legacy.
www.royalcollection.org.uk ✆ +44 3031 237334
Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA

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Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition

Best 300 images from around the world

Somerset House is hosting the 19th annual Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition through May 4th.

Free to enter, the Awards  attracted 430,000 submissions from 200 countries. This year’s exhibition explores the themes of:

• Absence — photos of lost memories, unseen identities, gaps in history, and empty landscapes;

• Humans in the Stories — both individuality and collectivity, and how being part of a group shapes who someone is; and

• Conflicted Territories — looks at places marked by conflict and division, showing how people and wildlife adapt to life shaped by competition for land and resources.

The show spans architecture, documentary, portraiture, sport, still life, and wildlife highlighting core photographic elements — color, composition, light, shadow, shape, texture and tone that bring images to life.

Some standout images include Study on Flying by María Fernanda García Freire, Waving Squirrel by Stan Bouman;, Fairy Mushroom Sporulations by Benjamin Pawlica, and Buzkashi by Todd Anthony.

Ticket Prices:
Adult: £18
Student: £12

Opening Hours:
10 am – 7 pm

Advance booking is recommended.

Sony World Photography Awards
✆ +44 3333 202836 Strand, London WC2R 1LA

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Mother’s Day : Treats for Every Sense

Under £50
Mother’s Day Sunday, March 15th is the perfect time to treat Mum and the mother figures in your life to something memorable. Here are options to delight every sense:

SEE
Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition — For a visual treat, book tickets to the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition. The 19th annual exhibit April 17—May 4 will feature a selection of images from over 430,000 entries from 200+ countries submitted.
Standard tickets £18
BONUS : Use promo code MOTHERS26 for 2 for £30
www.www.worldphoto.org ✆ +44 2073 060055

Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA

SMELL
The Perfume Studio — For a truly unique gift, purchase a voucher for a bespoke fragrance experience at The Perfume Studio. After an introduction to perfume blends created by their Master Perfumer, you’ll sample, test and combine them to design your own signature scent to take home. The fragrance formulas are officially registered to make it possible to order in the future — a thoughtful and personal keepsake.
Starting from £49
www.theperfumestudio.com

TASTE

EL&N Floral Afternoon Tea — Treat Mum to afternoon tea at EL&N's Lowndes location.  The floral afternoon tea includes savoury bites, delicate cakes, and scones complete with unlimited EL&N tea or barista-made house coffee.
Afternoon Tea for 2 for £44.99
Tip : Request one of the Insta-worthy booths downstairs
www.elnlondon.co.uk✆ +44 2073 060055

Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA

TOUCH

LEGO Store — For something playful, visit a LEGO store this weekend where kids can build a pink LEGO rose to take home as a handmade Mother’s Day gift. Workshops run Saturday 14 March (10am–12pm) and Sunday 15 March (12–2pm).
£13
Note : First come, first served basis, while stocks last.

www.lego.com/en-gb

 Screenshot by Author

TodayTix — Gift an unforgettable afternoon or evening with tickets to hit musicals like Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Six, and Wicked . Use the TodayTix app to locate and book discounted tickets.
As low as £17
www.todaytix.com

However you celebrate, the best gift is simply spending time together!

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Best of 2025, Part II

Top 10 posts — Part II

Best of the best of 2025

5. Mitre Hotel — Beautifully refurbished riverside retreat 8-minute walk from Hampton Court
www.londonviasurrey.com/2025/06/the-mitre-hotel.html

4. See it Live — Book top theatre tickets for £10, £20, £30, £40, £50 & £60
www.londonviasurrey.com/2025/01/see-it-live-in-2025.html

3. Poppies return — One of London's most iconic public artworks returns
www.londonviasurrey.com/2025/04/poppies-return.html

2. Chelsea in Bloom — 20th annual event with record-breaking 100+ displays
www.londonviasurrey.com/2025/04/chelsea-in-bloom.html

1. Kids Week — Free tickets for kids
www.londonviasurrey.com/2025/06/kids-week-free-tickets-for-kids.html

It is not too early to start planning for 2026!

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Best of 2025

Top 10 posts — Part I

Time limited events were particularly popular this past year— one still runs until January 2nd :

10. Vogue : Inventing the Runway — Front row runway seats at some of the best fashion shows in history
www.londonviasurrey.com/2025/03/vogue-inventing-runway.html

9. Van Gogh All-Nighter — Night-time tickets for final weekend of Van Gogh : Poets & Lovers exhibition
www.londonviasurrey.com/2025/01/van-gogh-all-nighter.html

8. Hampton Court Gardens for free — Just in time for US Mother's Day weekend
www.londonviasurrey.com/2025/05/hampton-court-gardens-for-free.html

7. Paddington Bear — Where to find this beloved British icon
www.londonviasurrey.com/2025/02/paddington-bear.html

6. Selfridges & Disney : A Most Magical Christmas — Light show and window displays until January 2nd
www.londonviasurrey.com/2025/11/selfridges-disney-most-magical-christmas.html

Best of 2025 — Part II will feature the best of the best from 2025.

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