London for (Book) Lovers

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International Literacy Day September 8th

With back to school upon us and in celebration of International Literacy Day September 8th, London boasts some of the biggest and most unique bookstores.

Waterstones is the largest bookstore chain in the UK and its Piccadilly location is considered the biggest bookstore in Europe. Foyles, which was purchased by Waterstones, flagship store in Charing Cross Road was recognized by Guinness Book of Records for the number of titles on display and its 30 miles worth of shelf space.

Some relatively smaller, but equally impressive shops include:

Hatchards — Located next to Fortnum & Mason, Hatchards is the UK’s oldest book shop and holds three Royal Warrants and considered a bookseller to the Royal Households. While it too is owned by Waterstones, its Piccadilly location covering four floors with 100,000 books definitely does not feel like the run-of-the-mill bookshop.
www.hatchards.co.uk ✆ +44 2074 399921
187 Piccadilly, London W1J9LE


Daunt Books — The two-story Edwardian style branch in Marylebone was originally established in 1910 and is considered one of the first custom-built bookshops in the world. James Daunt founded Daunt Books in 1990 and is known for specializing in travel books — all neatly organized geographically by country. Additionally, Daunt is an executive of Waterstones and more recently Barnes & Noble. If there is even a touch of the charm similar to the Marleboyne location, book lovers are in for a treat.
www.dauntbooks.co.uk ✆ +44 2072 242295
83-84 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4QW

Word On the Water — Located canal side near King’s Cross railway station, a 1920s Dutch barge has been repurposed into a charming floating bookstore also known as The London Book Barge. Operating since 2011, they were cleverly open up as an outdoor market throughout the pandemic by only selling selections from their exterior shelves and continuing their tradition of treating passer-bys with live music performance and poetry slams.
www.wordonthewater.co.uk✆ +44 7976 886982
York Way, Granary Square, London N1C 4LW

The Notting Hill Book Shop — This independent book shop made famous by Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in the film Notting Hill was known for its travel books. In fact, the back part of the store is still called The Travel Book Company as featured in the film. The iconic blue exterior matches the Hugh Grant’s famous blue door, which is a quick 2 minute walk away at 280 Westbourne Park Road. It is hard that 23 years later fans still flock there!
www.thenottinghillbookshop.co.uk ✆ +44 2072 295260
13 Blenheim Crescent, London W11 2EE

Books for Cooks — Not nearly as famous as its Notting Hill neighbor, the sheer volume and variety of cookbooks is overwhelming at Books for Cooks. Tucked in the back of the store is an on-site test kitchen where recipes are put to the test Tuesday – Saturday. They offer a reasonably priced three-course meals, usually featuring recipes from Books for Cooks own cookbook. The tables fill up by noon, so arrive by 11:45 am to guarantee a seat and food is served until it is gone.
www.booksforcooks.com ✆ +44 2072 211992
4 Blenheim Crescent, London W11 1NN

While technically not a book shop, you can’t mention books without mentioning the British Library . . .

British Library — Since the British Library receives a copy of every publication produced in the UK and Ireland, it houses a staggering 150 million items. To put this in context, if you were to take out five items every day, it would take you over 80,000 years to view them all! Reserve a free tour that covers the history of the Library and its collections (including the King's Library, which once belonged to King George III) along with how items are stored and delivered to researchers. Visits include a stop in the book handling room and possibly the viewing platform to see researchers at work and ends in the Treasures Gallery where such notable items as the Beatles Manuscripts, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Notebook, the Magna Carta, and the first edition of The Times are displayed.
www.bl.uk ✆ +44 3303 331144
96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB

Bookworms can also checkout, nearly 250 other book shops in London: londonbookshops.org/map.html

All for the love of books!

Celebrate Harry Potter’s Birthday

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July 31st

July 31st marks the birthday of the fictional character Harry Potter. Along with events that take place in the movie on this date, it also happens to be the birthday of author J. K. Rowling.

Four ways to party in Potter style:

The Making of Harry Potter — Opened in 2012, Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden located 20 miles outside of London is a behind the scenes permanent exhibit complete with authentic costumes, sets and props.  A shuttle bus runs between Watford Junction station and the Studio Tour.
From £49.95
www.wbstudiotour.co.uk ✆ +44 2034 277777
Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LR


Platform 9-3/4 — Located at Kings Cross Station as featured in the movie, the site also features the first Harry Potter Shop in the world.  Take a photo with Hogwarts scarf or purchase a professional one they take.
Free
www.kingscross.co.uk/harry-potters-platform-9-34 ✆ +44 2078 331137
Kings Cross Station, London N1 9AP



Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — While North American productions have been reduced to a single play, London will maintain the original two-part format of the most awarded play in history.
 From £15 / part
www.uk.harrypottertheplay.com ✆ +44 3303 334410
Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 5AY
Tip : Friday Forty — Every Friday 40 tickets are released for every performance the following week for £40 (£20 per part).  The TodayTix lottery closes at 1 pm on Friday and winners are notified by 5 pm. www.todaytix.com

Inamo - Soho — To create a bit of your own magic, book a 5 pm afternoon tea at Inamo - Soho (a 7 min walk from the theatre) between the two parts.  Considered London's only interactive restaurant guests control their dining experience, the digital projections on your table surface can be changed with a swipe of a finger, including selecting a tablecloth, ordering, watching the chefs and playing retro games.
 From £22.95 / person
www.inamo-restaurant.com/promos/afternoontea ✆ +44 2078 517051
134-136 Wardour St, London W1F 8ZP

Garden, Glamour & Buckingham

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Day out for £35

Chelsea and Belgravia are among the most exclusive neighborhoods in London. Itinerary for an affordable day out, including afternoon tea close to Buckingham Palace:

11 am — Chelsea
Chelsea Physic Garden — Originally established in 1673 to grow plants as medicine, this garden is one of the oldest in Britain. Its rock garden is the oldest in Europe and also boasts one of the largest fruiting olive trees in Britain. It was open to the general public for the first time in 1983.
Tickets start at £12, students and under 15’s £10
www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk ✆ +44 2073 52564
66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS
Walk to Saatchi Gallery (13 minutes)

12:30 pm — Belgravia
Saatchi Gallery — This year marks Tiffany’s 150th anniversary in London. The new Tiffany & Co. exhibition ‘Vision & Virtuosity’ covers 185 years of craftsmanship, heritage and innovation and features 400 objects. The rooms include their famous window displays, an opportunity to try on a classic Tiffany ring, pose with a cab on NY’s 5th Avenue and sit in a signature Tiffany blue box.
Complimentary tickets can be reserved through the Tiffany & Co. App until August 19th
www.saatchigallery.com ✆ +44 2078 113070
Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, London SW34RY
Walk to The English Rose Café & Tea Shop (19 minutes)

3:30 pm — Buckingham
The English Rose Café & Tea Shop — This independent family run café on Lower Grosvenor Place and Trip Advisor Hall of Fame honoree serves Afternoon Tea for 2 £38 (£19 for each additional person). The tea consists of finger sandwiches, cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam, and a pot of tea.
Afternoon Tea for 2 £38
www.theenglishrosecafe.co.uk ✆ +44 2079 766280
4 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EJ

Who says a posh has to come at a high price?

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Kids go free in August

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Tickets on sale June 14th

Kids Week promotion returns where kids 17 and under go free to shows in August with a full price paid adult ticket (plus half-price tickets for two additional children). There are 45+ musicals, plays, comedies and children's shows, including:

  • Come from Away
  • Dear Evan Hansen
  • Frozen
  • Jersey Boys
  • Kinky Boots
  • The Lion King
  • The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe
  • Mamma Mia!
  • Les Misérables
  • Matilda
  • The Mousetrap
  • Phantom of the Opera
  • The Play That Goes Wrong
  • Six
  • The Tiger Who Came to Tea
  • Wicked

    • For the best selection, pre-pick your show dates and be online Tuesday, June 14th at 10 am when the tickets are released.
    www.kidsweek.co.uk

    For more: Download the London via Surrey Book App

    Surrey Artists Open Studios

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    For over 20 years, Surrey artists open their studios for 16 days in June as part of Surrey Artists Open Studios (SAOS). This year there are over 270 artists in 170 studios participating. Some of the unique taster workshops, include:

    Make your own mini mushroom
    (June 11, 12, 17-19, 24-26) — FREE
    www.theottershawpotter.wixsite.com/ioanna ✆ +44 7709 949819
    The Ottershaw Potter, 21a Brox Road, Ottershaw KT16HG

    Make a mosaic pot stand or wall hanging
    (June 11, 16, 1:30 am – 12:30 pm) — £30
    www.heartandhomestudios.com ✆ +44 7947 011822
    Reigate Heath, Reigate RH2 8AB
    Heat press a wine cooler
    Soapstone Miniatures
    (June 17, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm) — FREE
    www.artmatters-richmondfellowship.org.uk ✆ +44 1737 766212
    Art Matters Earlswood Road, Redhill RH16HE

    Photos: SAOS — www.surreyopenstudios.org.uk

    It is never too late to unleash your inner artist!

    Limited Edition Jubilee-Inspired Treats

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    Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with keepsakes and consumables for every taste (and budget):

    • PG Tips — Inspired by Her Majesty's beloved dogs, PG Tips has released packs of its 240 pyramid tea bags in boxes covered Corgis. £3.99
       www.pgtips.co.uk
    • Cadbury — Cadbury has released a version of its Dairy Milk Bar in specially designed Platinum Jubilee packaging. £4.23
       www.cadburygiftsdirect.co.uk
    • Walkers — Walkers Platinum Jubilee Shortbread Tin featuring images of the Queen Elizabeth on the outside includes Union Jack shortbread inside. £12
       www.walkersshortbread.com
    • Krispe Kreme — Krispy Kreme’s Platinum Jubilee Dozen includes three of four different doughnuts (Celebration Crown, Jubilee Joy, Platinum Sprinkles, Original Glazed) until June 5. £15.95 (double the fun with a second box for £8.95)
       www.krispykreme.co.uk
    • Dunoon — Unlike most English tea cups, the Dunoon’s Platinum Jubilee Skye Shape Mug  doesn’t need refilling for a cuppa of tea (or coffee). £29.56
       www.dunoonmugs.co.uk
    • Snowdina — The Platinum Jubilee Celebration Hamper includes three of their best cheddars, a fig and apple chutney a box of biscuits and crackers along with a full-sized bottle of champagne. £70
       www.snowdoniacheese.co.uk
    • Daylesford — Daylesford’s Jubilee Picnic Hamper 12 savory and sweet treats are packed in a practical soft-sided cooler that can be used time and time again. £90
       www.daylesford.com
    • Liberty — The Windsor Ribbon Jubilee Suitcase Hamper is filled with biscuits, cake, tea and a commemorative mug all packaged in a classic Liberty Windsor Ribbon print keepsake suitcase. £110
       www.libertylondon.com
    • Fortnum & Mason — The Jubilee Tea Party Hamper comes complete with favorite and new creations of preserves, biscuits, teas and even a tea towel. £150
      TIP : Always pick a hamper (the price of a Fortnum’s hamper is always less than purchasing the items individually)
      www.fortnumandmason.com
    Get them while you can!

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    Teas fit for a Queen

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    Celebrate 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign with a Platinum Jubilee Tea

    . . . For the fashionable
    The Berkeley : Prêt-à-Portea Platinum Jubilee Edition — Their traditional Prêt-à-Portea will feature three additional creations, the Queen’s summer hat, a favorite Launer London handbag made from a cake and a crown iced biscuit.
    Starts at £79 per person; Until June 12
    www.the-berkeley.co.uk ✆ +44 2071 078866
    Wilton Place, London SW1X 7RL

    . . . For the traditional
    Fortnum & Mason : Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea — Afternoon tea in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon includes a swan shaped pastry (since Queen Elizabeth II is owner of all the swans in England), eggs Drumkilbo (a favorite dish of the late Queen Mother) and a crown jewel-inspired mousse.
    £70 per person, Until August 31
    www.fortnumandmason.com ✆ +44 2077 348040
    181 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1A 1ER

    . . . For the historian
    JW Marriott Grosvenor House : Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea — The limited edition pastries include a Valrhona Chocolate Biscuit Cake (the Queen’s tea cake favorite), Platinum Lemon Possett (a Buckingham Palace menu staple) and Great Room Ice Sphere that commemorates the Great Room at Grosvenor House where then Princess Elizabeth learned to to ice skate in 1933.
    £62.50 per person, Until August 31
    www.parkroom.co.uk ✆ +44 2074 996363
    86-90 Park Lane, London W1K 7TN

    . . . For the non-acrophobe
     Searcys at The Gherkin : Jubilee Afternoon Tea
    — The coronation chicken rillettes was originally created in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and fruity Dundee Cake (Scottish fruit cake made with sultanas, currants, fruit peels and almonds) – two of Queen’s favorites are served 39 floors up.
    £55 per person, until June 25
    TIP : Request a table on the left hand side for views of Tower Bridge     www.searcysatthegherkin.co.uk ✆ +44 3301 070816
    30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8EP

    . . . For the kids (and kids at heart)
    The Biscuiteers : Jubilee Afternoon Tea (Multiple) — The Jubilee-themed (corgi and crown) signature hand-iced biscuits were designed in collaboration with Buckingham Palace.
    £45 per person
    www.biscuiteers.com

    So many teas — so little time!

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