Tea Time in Wonderland

Posts Tagged ‘Trafalgar’

Did you know there is a pub dedicated to Sherlock Homes, a few steps away from Trafalgar Square?

In 1951 was held the Festival of Britain presented a whole part on Sherlock Holmes. Once finished, what to do with this collection? Fortunately, the brewery Whitbread & co (which still exists and owns brands such as Beefeater, Brewers Fayre and Costa Coffee) proves more than happy to buy it.

In 1957, they transform this building, a hotel back then, into a late Victorian pub. Sir Conan Doyle’s family helps to recreate the books atmosphere. Walls are covred in various artefacts, letters, cartoons, replicas… The first floor welcomes a restaurant and shows Holmes’ and Watson’s study -  still an attraction for real fans.

The decoration has now aged but still – it is worth stopping by and having a quick look… Sadly, the critics on the web underline a poor service and quality of food, so it will need to be a symbolic visit.

I love walking by on a Friday evening -  customers overspill on the small square just in front and tend to use the letterbox as an iconic coaster!

Sherlock Holmes pub
10 Northumberland Street
London WC2N 5DB

Are you a true Sherlock Holmes fan? Don’t forget:
- The museum on Baker Street
- The tube station

Is September making you feel blue? Well, fight it, plan a heavy week-end out and pretend the holidays are still on!

- First, get yourself  a free bacon roll today to get in the mood…

- Stop @ Soho square -  Buxton has a pop up there and gives away bottles and water. You can even sit in a deckchair and relax…

- Don’t forget to do your food shopping @ the Real Food Market on Southbank…

- Looking for the perfect shoe? Have a look at Vivienne Westwood’s creations @ Selfridge’s…

- A new conception of theatre with Theatre Souk…

- Morris dancers invade London this week-end -  head for Southbank for an amazing free gig!

- Fight death penalty @ St Martin-in-the-field…

- For a lighter note, cross the street and enjoy the Liberty festival on Trafalgar: music, workshops for kids and a circus show!

- You will feel like writing on the walls with the Nothing is forever exhibition…

- Follow the art trail!

- Forget Portobello market -  there’s a whole film festival going on there with a pop up cinema until September 19th: classic movies and even premieres! Even better it is all free…

- Get your bike out of the garage -  Sunday, the city’s heart is yours with the Skyride! The map’s right here.

- Rediscover Little Venice…

- Look up and gaze at the stars @ Greenwich…

- The Globe has designed a Thames inspired menu…

You will find me in Jermyn street, turned into a garden party on Saturday… and at the Royal opera House, turning into a forest this week-end and there will be free muscical events (get your free ticket from the website!). What is your tip for the week-end?

Trafalgar Square is noticeable from quite a distance. Just find Nelson (usually topped by a few pigeons) and on’t lose sight of the hat. The square is marqued in each corner by 4 columns,  of which are dedicated to military statues. The last one originally remained empty, by lack of funds.

But London explodes with creativity and could not let this opportunity pass – something had to be done, and why not alternate works of art? Last summer, the British could register to spend a whole hour on top. We had the chance to admire, ignore, applaude or hate artists, manifestants, even naked people…

Since then, a boat in a bottle has settled there. Urban life is busy-busy and you have to always keep on the move, my friend. One just cannot stop there and although it has only been a few month, well, it’s time to think of a replacement. sign of the times.

Army style? This one fits quite well with the theme of the square – medals and all.

Greedy? Yes, this is a giant Battenberg. Given that the cake was created for Queen Victoria’s wedding, this represents a crumbling past… but also the tough foundation of our modern civilisation. Tough choice!

Feeling blue? Head for this one. hard to guess this outlines… a male dominated civilisation! Do read the comments on the website – no way some will have a French symbol there!

Ironic? A new style of hero on a horse…

Adventurer? This one’s called It’s never too late and you can’t go back and is meant to evoque glory, conquest and the fragility of the human life…

Musical? Magritte style, I have to warn you: ceci n’est pas un orgue. No, this is an ATM linked to an organ, which will play a variety of notes each time someone takes cash out or checks his account. Yes, you have read correctly and no, I have not been drinking.

So what will it be? I do bet on the elegant horse. What’s yyour favourite?

St Martin-in-the-Fields
Fourth Plinth Project
Trafalgar Square
London WC2N 4JJ
Until october 31, 2010
Free

Will the sun be back this week-end? Are you staying in London or flying to more exotic landscapes?

- Take the kids to a musical -  they get in free!

- Or bring them to Covent Garden: plenty of workshop and activities for the coming two weeks, giant sandpit, face pianitng, juggling…

- The Imperial War Museum welcomes a farm for the week-end…

- Fancy going to a drive-in?

- Or a vampire picnic?

- Treat yourself to a fab breakfast -  my favourite is the Modern Pantry’s…

- get yourself some very iconic stamps…

- Are you a Bruce Springsteen fan? This exhibition is for you.

- Jazz your week-end up! (and it’s free, even better)

- Remember Charing Cross’ story? The monument is now fully renovated…

- Ooooh, a brand new sushi place, very design… Looks gorgeous!

- Or this way for jerk chicken and salsa demos!

- If you fancy a roof terrace and haven’t tried the Vista @ Trafalgar yet -  the entry is free on Sundays and Mondays (usually is a fiver but is said to be soooo worth it)

Pssst, heads up!
- Take the kids to the Lego challenge on August 17-18…
- The Savoy will reopen in October and is open for reservations -  could you resist a dinner or afternoon tea there?

Eeny meeny miny mo…

- Have a cocktail @ the London zoo! The occasion to try a silent disco too…

- Grab a Boris’ bike and join the London mass cycle ride!

- Too hot? Stop for a pint @ the Beer festival!

- Remember being a teenager? Why not check out this retro games arcade @ Leicester Square for a trip in the past?

- Come and have an afternoon tea at the lovely Phoenix garden!

- Plan a posh picnic (so trendy this year! Even Carluccio’s does propose a picnic set) @ the National Theater for one of their outside representations…

- Love frozen yogurt? Yu-foria proposes two limited editions this week: mango/passionfruit @ their Soho shop anf pistachio @ the Covent Garden one. Mmmmmmh!

- even more outdoor cinema, @ Islington this time: a classic movie and a cocktail pleeeeeaaaase!

- We all know the tube can be sooooo boring. Click here to see where you could find fun art posters to make your trip a bit better!

- This way for pics of the Doors!

- DJ and free concerts @ the Little London Field festival…

- Fancy catching a movie? Time Out has listed the best snacks to go with your movie…

- Buckingham Palace is open to the public for the summer with a pics exhibition of the Queen’s past year…

- Design deckchairs are back in the royal parks, horray!

- How fab, free shows for kids!

- Don’t forget rto check out the Scoop! Free theater on Thursdays to Sundays…

- Celebrate Asian culture with the London Mela: food court, fusion music and bollywood moves!

Pssst, plan ahead! Get up early on the 10th and 11th to win some free theater tickets… Join the freeze flash mob @ Big Ben next Wednesday…

Come and join me… @ the Trafalgar maze on Friday -  60ies themed! And @ the Thames underwater Victorian fair on Saturday…

Oh well, I have tried and tried but my thoughts keeps strolling from my work files but they do keep straying towards the week-end…

- Fancy a free haircut on Friday? Check this way…

- The Natural History Museum will stay open late. Jazz? Glass of wine on the Darwin center terrasse? Night walk in the wildlife garden?

- Party @ the V&A Summer Camp. Bombay Sapphire will have a design cardboard bar with stylised cardboard glasses (but real cocktails). A great way to enjoy their late evening.

- You can even go on to the Serpentine pavillion and sleepover… Midnight feast, films and even breakfast in the morning…

- I really must try to find a free Saturday morning and do this guided tour of the Somerset House!

- The extraordinary Chilly Gonzales will be @ the field day on Saturday…

- Latin fever @ the Carnaval del pueblo!

- Even more music with the Croydon festival…

- A classic, but have you done it yet? Buckingham Palace is open for the summer….

- Have a spooky evening…

- Saturday, head for Brick Lane: free cocktails, demo of Urban Art and even a tattoo session! You might also decide to stay around and go bowling in this fab diner… Perfect for Sunday’s festival: bowling but British, music and dancing!

- It’s open air cinema season! A whole programme @ the Somerset House… Act crazy for Mamma Mia and choose funky colours… The Wapping Project proposes a barbecue with your movie…

- You already knew routemasters could ne recycled as veggie restaurants (the root-master is my favourite). Well, one of those goes around, proposing German food!

- Oooooh, as soon as I’m on holiday, I am going to book myself one of those fab afternoon teas… Now, chocolate or pink? (vegan and gluten free versions are proposed)

-What about the kids? Little ones will love the teddies picnic @ Covent Garden on Saturday… Teenagers will much prefer to go to the underage festival!

- Give! Exchange!

Pssst, heads up for next week! There will be a maze @ Trafalgar (with dragons and Chinese cooking on Tuesday). And Selfridge’s is to open their Xmas shop too…

Hey, anyone has a great address for a roof terrasse for cocktails?

So hard to choose, isn’t it? Should you relax in the garden with a glass of Pimms, while the man of the house is working on the barbie? Or stroll around London, enjoying the sun in the parks or drinking a cocktail on a terrasse? Can’t believe how much is going on this week-end!

- Thursday, rush to Trafalgar square, it’s Canada day! Cirque du soleil, music, hockey tournament..,

- Were you wondering how pop-ups could be even more suprising? Well… This one proposes thai sauce crickets amd white chocolate scorpions every Thursday in July. For free. No worry, they also do propose more conventional dishes (though you will have to pay).  Nice place to take adventurous friends (and if they do like insects, there is a range at Fortnum and Mason’s and Selfridges)

- Like to travel through time? Then you’ll love this retro evening -  a drive-in! The cars are already there, you just need to snuggle and order some popcorn from the waitresses skating around….

- The Tate Modern is such a sweetie – litterally! – for the festival of architecture…

- Talk to strangers (and have a free meal)!

- have a look at the disused Aldwych tube station, reopened for a very limited time…

- Photo amateurs will love this discovery day of Shoreditch…

- Kensal Green, one of the beautiful Victorian cemeteries of London proposes guided tours of its catacombs…

- Are you a quick swimmer? Well, splash and see whether you can win this race! Your prefer a gentle swim? Head for the city’s lidos.

- Take your Eisntein Juniors to the Science Museum’s new exhibition -  Who am I?

- Last year, the British Museum celebrated India, this year it’s Africa’s turn…

- Too hot… Thanks God for the beer festival!

- Or have your pint with a pinch of blues…

- have a different Sunday and celebrate American style…

You’ll find me… picking strawberries and raspberries… Having yummy food with delicious friends @ Jamie’s Italian… And picnicking @ Kew Gardens (they also have a cute photo exhibition).

How about you?

Have you seen it yet, this ship in a bottle intriguing passers-by on Trafalgar Square?

The Fourth Plinth is to be our new symbol of contemporory art. Last year, it had welcomed hundreds of simple people, like you and me. each chosen one could spend an hour up there, doint whatever they wanted. Some were artists, other comics, other represented a cause and came with banners, other braved the crowd sitting entirely naked. Some were amazing, other entirely boring. But hey, it was new. Art belonged to us. And it was real. We made it.

Later on, Sir Keith, a RAF hero, briefly had his statue there.

Now we have the world biggest boat in a bottle. Think about it, 5×2.8m! A thirtiest of the original! The opening of the bottle was large enough for people to crawl in and work inside.  This, by the way, represents the ship Victory.  Nelson -  the guy looking over the place from this huge column – died on it on October 21, 1805.  Not knowing his fleet would shortly win the battle. Everything was minutiously repeated: the 280 canons, the 37 sails (only 31 are up as on the day), even the message sent by the flags (Engage the ennemy closely).

Art steps in on one point -  the fabric used on the sails, which reminds us of African patterns. The artist, Yinka Shonibore (a previous Turner prize winner) was born in London then spent his childhood in Nigeria. An occasion to add a little of his influences in the sculpture but also draw a parallel with the British Colonial empire extansion at the time.

A lovely way to put history not in a nutshell but in a bottle for once. I’ll drink to it!

Pssst: the bottle is not made of glass but of perpex, a synthetic plastic. But if you love boats do go to Greenwich to see the toy boat exhibition! Or take the kids to the Golden Hind on South Bank.

A bank holiday week-end, 3 days of freedom – doesn’t it make you wanna dance?

- Well, how lucky, there is a tea dance @ Spitafield Friday afternoon…

- Don’t forget the V&A late night opening, dress up to it!

- Celebrations definitely are in order with the Greenwich beer and jazz festival… Unless you’d prefer a free cocktail?

- It’s that time of the year again, the famous Chelsea Flower Show is open! Harvey Nichols even has dedidated a floral afternoon tea to it…

- Alternatively, Kew gardens also is in summer mode…

- Wanna play the culture card? Well, the Natural History Museum new exhibition on abyss fish certainly looks amazing… So does Exposed @ the Tate – paparazzi pics or paused ones, cctv or real camera and of course classics like Cartier-Bresson or Lee Miller.

- Marilyn Monroe fan? Stop @ Harrod’s to see three of her dresses on show…

- Of course, there’s plenty of events linked to Sex and the City II these days…

- Kids in tow? Why not try the animation film festival? They could also meet sheep @ the Spitafield fam wool festival. Or have a picnic @ Alexandra Palace!

- Gourmet will rush to the Hampton Court food festival…

What are your plans? I’ll celebrate the week-end with friends with a bubble tea @ Chinatown. I will anticipate a very hot summer with Pimm’s sorbet.  Oh, and I need a closer look @ the Trafalgar Square boat, didn’t get a chance to see it yet!