London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Bye-bye Jubilee, hello Olympic Games. What a year for the Union Jack, flags flying in the breeze from Oxford Street to Covent Garden, decoarting everything from pubs to bikes… This week-end, our ideas for London include a few green ones, just in case you cannot take any more blue, white and red.

Take the little ones along:
* How about a kids special open air movie? It’s free!

* Make a detour via the Science Museum to introduce them to classical music.

A little touch of green:
* Go green and visit places usually closed to the public during the Open Garden Square week-end.

* Loved the ceramic flowers at the Somerset House? Go and see these new artistic blooms.

* Be green at this eco-friendly fair in Regent’s Park.

* Marvel at David Nash’s natural sculptures at Kew Gardens. Amazing.

Out of the ordinary:
* Try a biscuit-astic festival.

* On Thursday,  join the Puma creative factory exhibition at Boxpark. 12 artists have imagined a design for the new First round sneakers.

* It does not come cheap but if you ever dreamt of sleeping with the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum (without the kids), here is your chance.

* Do you love to ride your bike through London? Ever thought of  joining the World Naked Bike Ride?

* Rainy week-end? Go and see the best anime movies at the BFI.

* Did you know Joseph Grimaldi’s grave is musical?

Are you a big screen fan? Rejoyce. This summer, cinemas are taking the scene over. You’ll find them on the roofs (Queen of Hoxton), parks (Nomad Cinema) and… canals with the Floating Cinema. With or without an umbrella, London’s outdoors are to be enjoyed by all means.

A few more ideas for the week-end:

* Knit your way round the tube. Grannies rock!

* Wow, Waterloo really is turning foodie these days.

* The new Serpentine pavillion opens this Friday -  it is all about emotions, a travel and a secret garden.

* The favourite trend for the summer? The beach.  Even The Goring Hotel has adopted the concept.

* Join The Big Feastival for 3 days of music and gourmet dishes. All profits will support Jamie Olivers and Prince Charles’ charities. Top cooks and restaurant pop-ups are on the program – think Taste of London with a fun twist. Even better – kids under 12 go free.

* Free cakes at St Martins Courtyard Summer Fête.

* Pac-Man your way through the tube…

* Enjoy a guided tour in one of London’s most beautiful Victorian cemetaries, Kensal Green.

* An Arab festival is to enchant London throughout July.

* Look up! Billboards turn artistic.

* See London in black and white.

* Have you seen Nemo?

* Always trying for a balanced diet? Well, Purl has just added a salad bar to their famous cocktails.

* An elegant airy architecture is building up at the Barbican Curve.

* Fly away.

Pssst: Love urban games? Quick, register for the Search Party, it’s free!