London, A Guide for Curious Wanderers : Review
“London is the world’s greatest playground for the curious wanderer,” so starts Jack Chesher in his book London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers. By the end of reading his wonderfully…
London Shopfronts : a Review
Mark Bibby Jackson reviews London Shopfronts with illustrations by Joel Holland and words by Rosie Hewitson, as well as a foreword by Asma Khan published by Prestel. London Shopfronts I…
The Other House in Swinging South Kensington
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise check in at The Other House South Kensington to discover a new way to stay in Town. Back in the 1960s, it wasn’t just Carnaby…
Best Chinese Restaurants in London
With Chinese New Year fast approaching, we select our sample of the best Chinese restaurants in London to see in the Year of the Rabbit, as well as one just…
Murderous Things To Do in Essex
Thinking of things to do in Essex this weekend? Mark Bibby Jackson takes the short trip to Essex to land in a bit of a pickle as he is charged…
Room2 Chiswick : Net Zero Hometel
Mark Bibby Jackson chats with Melisa Gooding, Sustainability Specialist, Lamington Group that owns the net zero room2 Chiswick hometel in London. Can you briefly explain how the room2 brand came…
David Remfry: Watercolour
Neil Hennessy-Vass takes a look at the new exhibition of David Remfry: Watercolour now showing at the Royal Watercolour Society in London. David Remfry is in his 80th year, I…
Nigel Homer, London Tour Guide
London Begins at 40 talks with Niger Homer a London tour guide with ToursByLocals, he explains the benefits of being shown the highlights of the capital by an expert. Tell…
A Walk On the Streets London’s East End
Mark Bibby Jackson experiences street life in London’s East End discovering arguably the best samosas in London. The East End of London has always been one of my favourite parts…
London Music Gigs Round-Up
Summer’s fading but the beat goes on. There are some fantastic shows to take you into the autumn, so London Begins at 40 music editor Robert Spellman has compiled an…
The Dilly Hotel London and Madhu’s Restaurant
James Clark checks into The Dilly London and finds an elegant hotel with excellent service, as well as an Indian restaurant with a Kenyan twist. A hotel has dominated no….
Music Album Releases in July
London Begins at 40 music critic, Robert Spellman, casts his eye across some of the latest music album releases in July, so you can enjoy music in the comfort of…
L’amico Fritz at Holland Park Opera
Julia Bright watches the delightful L’amico Fritz by Pietro Mascagni at the Holland Park Opera, one of this season’s four productions. L’amico Fritz is a far cry from Cavalleria Rusticana,…
New Chapter for Riverside Radio
Julia Bright tells the story of popular community Riverside Radio, which has become a vital part of life in south west London. Riverside Radio is an award-winning digital community radio…
London Voices – Jianhui Yan
Continuing our London Voices series where we ask Londoners what makes them love London, Irene Caswell speaks to Jianhui Yan. Jianhui has lived and worked in London for 18 years,…
Art in the City: Bellotto, Taeuber-Arp and Emin
In the second of her regular arts columns, Irene Caswell takes a look at the new July art exhibitions in London, as well as one coming to a close. Summer…
Future of London Cinema Post Covid
London Begins at 40 editor Mark Bibby Jackson chats with Stuart Brown, BFI Head of Programme and Acquisitions, on the future of London cinema post Covid, and why he is…
Tinseltown at The Athenaeum Hotel London
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise spend a night at The Athenaeum Hotel London, and enjoy the rich history, wonderful cuisine and green credentials of one of the capital’s most star-studded…
Taking the 6.15 Steam Express from Victoria
James Clark steps back in time aboard the Sunset Steam Express with Steam Dreams from London Victoria. Let’s face it, catching a train from London Victoria station during rush hour…
Bookish Break at the University Arms Cambridge
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise take a mini-break at the University Arms Cambridge, just an hour’s train ride from London, visiting the Fitzwilliam Museum and Kettle’s Yard. It’s a bibliophile’s…
London Restaurant Openings June 2021
In the first of a regular column James Clark takes a bite-size look at some of the recent London restaurant openings. It’s an exciting time in the city as doors…
Art in the City: Rubens, Nero and Diana
Welcome to Art in the City, the first in a new monthly culture column where Irene Caswell will be offering a quick round-up of the best exhibitions and other art-related…
Three Castles on a 1066 Country Day Trip
We are all seeking fresh ideas for day trips from London, but sometimes it turns out that what you are looking for has been around for centuries, as Mark Bibby…
David Hockney: The Bearable Lightness of Being
Mark Bibby Jackson visits The Arrival of Spring by David Hockney, and is struck by how wonderfully light the exhibition is, compared with the all-enveloping darkness that has preceded it….