February Half-Term

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Top Surrey attractions

Whether you have a Harry Potter fan, budding artist, race car driver or garden lover, top Surrey attractions have you covered:

Art Aficionado
The Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village (Compton) — The images of William Orpen and G F Watts are the inspiration behind half-term activities at Watts Gallery — recognized as the 2018 Tourist Destination of the Yearby the Surrey Business Awards. The Gallery is hosting a pop up portrait studio, digital portrait making master classes along with storytelling sessions for various ages.
www.wattsgallery.org.uk ✆ +44 1483 810235
Down Lane, Compton GU3 1DQ


Green Thumb
RHS Garden Wisley (Woking) — Family-friendly trails and activities await at RHS Garden Wisley — the second most visited garden in the UK.  Crafts, planting, storytelling, theatre and walks are offered throughout the week.  Best of all there is no need to book ahead and all activities are included in regular admission.
www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley ✆ +44 1932 857381
Wisley Lane, Wisley GU23 6QB

Potter Fan
Warner Bros. Studio Tour(Leavesden) — Measuring over 530K square feet, the studio complex is one of the world’s largest. The Making of Harry Potter is a self-guided behind-the-scenes exhibition that includes original costumes, props and sets. Learn how props are made through Introducing the Art Department on display during half-term.
 www.wbstudiotour.co.uk ✆ +44 3450 840900
Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LR

Speedster
Brooklands Museum (Weybridge) — Brooklands is considered the birthplace of motorsport and aviation in Britain and winner of the 2019 Tourist Destination of the Year by Surrey Business Awards. Some of the activities on offer over half-term include joining a pit crew, riding in a vintage car up Test Hill or Race Track or touring the Concorde.
www.brooklandsmuseum.com ✆ +44 1932 857381
Brooklands Road, Weybridge KT13 0SL

Enjoy half-term whatever the weather!

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Super Bowl Live

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In case you have the stamina to pull an all-nighter, here are just a few American-like eateries that will broadcast the game live:


Balthazar — Located in Covent Garden, Balthazar is nearly identical to its original New York location.  Tickets include chicken wings, hot dogs, New York cheesecake and even takeaway mini-donuts for the morning.
£70 From 10:30 pm — 4:30 am
www.balthazarlondon.com✆ +44 2033 011155
4-6 Russell Street, London WC2B 5HZ

Bodean‘s BBQ Smokehouse (Multiple)— Famous for its Kansas City barbecue (perfect for Chiefs fans), Bodean’s will include a complimentary beer, nachos, wings and of course their famous barbecue baby back ribs.
£30 From 10 pm
 www.bodeansbbq.com

Hard Rock Cafe (Multiple) — With the Super Bowl taking place in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, it isn’t surprising that the original Hard Rock Cafe in London and its Piccadilly Circus location is hosting a viewing party complete with beer, American fare and cheerleaders.
£50 From 10 pm — 5 am
 www.hardrockcafe.com

These restaurants have thought of nearly everything — except a doctor’s note for school or work for the morning!

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Super Bowl 54

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Where to enjoy game day favorite foods

One of the challenges of living across the pond is watching major US sports events live in the UK.  Super Bowl 54 is no exception with a 6:30 pm Eastern start time means an 11:30 pm kickoff UK time. Even if you can’t stay up to watch the game, you can at least enjoy game day favorite foods:

Guacamole
Lupita (Multiple) — Located close to Embankment, this restaurant is part of the well-known El Farolito chain from Mexico. An authentic Mexican taqueria, they serve made-to-order tableside guacamole.
www.lupita.co.uk


Pretzel
Stein's (Kingston)— This authentic German eatery’s pretzel (or rather ‘bretzel’) is freshly baked, topped with salt and perfectly prepared from an original Bavarian recipe. 
www.stein-s.com ✆ +44 2085 462411
56 High Street, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1HN

Wings
TopGolf (Multiple) — It may surprise you to know that TopGolf originated in the UK in 2000.  And even more surprising that their signature TopGolf Wings rival those found in the US.  The boneless buffalo wings are wings can be ordered boneless and tossed in buffalo sauce.
www.topgolf.com/uk


After an unusual season and roller coaster playoffs, it is hard to know which team will end up on top. Hall of fame quarterback Joe Montana's prediction is probably best : "I guarantee my team will win the Super Bowl!" — especially since he played for both the Chiefs and 49ers during his career.

Next up, where to watch live with other NFL fans!

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Best of 2019 — Part II

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Top 10 posts — Part II

The best of the best from 2019


5. 4 Top Wimbledon Tips— Four top tips on getting to see Wimbledon champions
www.londonviasurrey.com/2019/07/4-top-wimbledon-tips.html

4. St Paul's Lit Up — Best views of one of London's most famous landmarks
www.londonviasurrey.com/2019/10/st-pauls-cathedral-lit-up.html

3. Seven Sisters Cliffs — UK natural wonder
www.londonviasurrey.com/2019/02/seven-sisters-cliffs.html

2. Hamilton tickets starting at £20 — While the release of £20 tickets caused quite a stir, tickets for £37.50 are available on select dates through May 2020
www.londonviasurrey.com/2019/02/hamilton-tickets-starting-at-20.html

1. Chelsea in Bloom — Free record-breaking display that coincides with the famed Chelsea Flower Show
www.londonviasurrey.com/2019/05/chelsea-in-bloom.html

It is not too early to mark your diary with things to do in London and Surrey in 2020!

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Best of 2019

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Top 10 posts — Part I

This year's top 10 could not be more eclectic — ranging from architecture and art to sports and theatre. What was your favorite?

10. Downton Abbey Returns — Three years in the making, Downton Abbey finally hits the big screen.
www.londonviasurrey.com/2019/09/downton-abbey-returns.html

9. MLB Bound — London Stadium hosts the first Major League Baseball (MLB) games in Europe
www.londonviasurrey.com/2019/06/mlb-london-bound.html

8. Eltham Palace — An art deco mansion on the site of Henry VIII's childhood home
www.londonviasurrey.com/2019/05/eltham-palace.html


7. London's Modern Architecture — 30 buildings in 3-/12 hours
www.londonviasurrey.com/2019/04/londons-modern-architecture.html


6. Walk the Line  — London’s first sculpture walk along the waterways of East London
www.londonviasurrey.com/2019/03/walk-line.html


Best of 2019 — Part II will feature the best of the best from 2019.

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Give the Gift of Theatre

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Tickets starting at £10/seat for over 50 shows January 1 -  February 13

If you are looking for the perfect gift, look no further than the 'Get into London Theatre' New Year Sale.  They will once again offer top London shows starting as little as £10/seat. Gift giving guide, for the . . .
. . . jokester:
  • The Comedy about a Bank Robbery
  • Dick Whittington
  • The Play that Goes Wrong
  • Potted Panto
. . . music lover:
  • Girl From the North Country
  • Thriller Live!
  • Tina - The Tina Turner Musical
. . . theatre connoisseur:
  • Come From Away
  • The Phantom of the Opera
. . . young theatre goer:
  • The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
  • The Tiger Who Came to Tea
. . . whole family:
  • Disney's The Lion King
  • Matilda The Musical
  • Wicked
or pick from 40 other shows.  BONUS : No booking, postage or transactions fees!
www.getintolondontheatre.co.uk

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Mayflower & Brunel River Walk & Boat Trip

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While the origin of the Pilgrim’s first Thanksgiving is not entirely clear, the epic Mayflower voyage from England to America in 1620 is well-documented. Located in the London Borough of Southwark, the Brunel Museum is less than 300 feet from the docking point of the Mayflower ship.

The Museum is hosting a number of activities in conjunction with Fantastic Feats : The Building of London that celebrates the city's architecture, invention and engineering, including:

Mayflower & Brunel River Walk – 10:45 am November 17th and 18th
Meet at Rotherhithe tube station for a guided walk to the Brunel Museum before descending below into the Grand Entrance Hall. This walking tour goes through the historic village of Rotherhithe. Highlights include a mortuary, a palace, pilgrim’s and pirate’s pubs and a tomb. The Hall is the world’s first underground theatre and half the size of Shakespeare’s Globe.
Cost: £10 per person (£8 seniors)

Brunel’s London Boat Trip — 10:30 am Daily until November 18th
Meet at Embankment tube station for the guided boat trip under three Brunel bridges (Hungerford, Blackfriars and Tower Bridge) on the river before descending into the Thames Tunnel – one of the oldest tunnels in the oldest undergrounds in the world. The Tunnel is Brunel’s first project and considered one of London’s great wonders of the Victorian age.
Cost: £10 per person (£8 seniors) plus transport (Zone 2 rail journey and £5 for the riverboat)


Even if you are not able to get by this weekend — you can visit the Brunel Museum year-round or get lunch or a pint at the famous Mayflower Pub, located at the original docking point of the Mayflower ship.

Fun Fact #1: The Mayflower is the only pub licensed to sell US and UK stamps
Fun Fact #2: If you can prove a family connection to The Mayflower 1620 voyage you can request to sign The Mayflower Descendants Book
www.brunel-museum.org.uk ✆ +44 2072 313840
Railway Avenue Rotherhithe, London, SE16 4LF

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