Sunday, September 07, 2008

Free walks around East London

Newham Council have developed four free local audio walking tours around east London.

http://www.newham.com/page/attractions/walk_green_street_walk_royal_docks_walk_stratford_walk_three_mills/386,10,0,0,0.html

Perhaps worth doing before it gets too much like a building site out there, what with the olympic developments going on.

Free Aboriginal artist exhibition

The October Gallery is holding an exhibition this month from the 11th of September to 11th of October.

SAMANTHA HOBSON: Our life ... is land ... is culture At 27, Samantha Hobson is one of a handful of young celebrated Aboriginal artists exhibiting widely both in her native Australia and overseas.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Fitzroy House open for visits

Fitzrovia dates back to the 18th century and has been for many years well known for its writers and artists. From H.G. Wells and George Orwell, to Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf - its inhabitants have left an indelible mark.

Although it is well known that the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw resided in Fitzroy Square, it is a lesser-known fact that he also lived with his mother on the 1st floor of 37 Fitzroy Street from 1881-1882.

75 years later, writer and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard made 37 Fitzroy Street his London base. Ron Hubbard wrote many of his best-known works whilst in London.

With a number of New York Times Bestellers and the Guinness Book of World Records Title for most published author, he is one of the most prolific writers of his time.

However, Ron Hubbard cannot be so simply categorised. Whilst first and foremost a writer, he worked as a professional in over two dozen fields including photography, horticulture, sea captaining, music making and exploration.

All this was in addition to his work in the humanitarian fields of drug rehabilitation, criminal reform and education.

You are welcome to visit Fitzroy House.

It is open to the public by appointment daily. info@fitzroyhouse.org, www.fitzroyhouse.org

Monday, June 30, 2008

Bodies under streets and wheels in the air

Thought these two recent announcements might be worth sharing.

Firstly, the Museum of London and the Times news have worked together to create a map showing places in central London where there are skeletons still buried.

Its a fascinating map and you can zoom into certain areas. No signs of any body parts, though the article claims that some of the bones will be put on display soon as part of the Wellcome Collection.

Not sure if that is the same collection that resides in the Science Museum, but the exhibition opens in late July and runs until September.

Another recent announcement is the opening of the big ferris wheel in Greenwich.

Unfortunately its only open over the summer, and unfortunately like the London Eye, its not free. However, apparently its been put up to provide tourists with something to do while the Cutty Sark is being renovated.

A couple of ideas for things to do over the summer, then......

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Jack the Ripper files to go on public display

For those interested in Jack the Ripper, the police files and related pieces of evidence are to go on public display from May 2008 at the Museum in Docklands.

More about it here.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Upcoming Events

This time of year, I receive lots of emails from people asking me for tips on what to do in London over the christmas / new year period.

Here's a website which might be of use. It's called Upcoming.

Simply go to it and search for London, England (under "where?").

Thursday, December 06, 2007

London's winter fair

This weekend, the annual Bankside Frost Fair is happening down alongside the Thames near Shakespeare's Globe. 400 years since it was first held, its really worth checking out and of course its free.

Its been running for the past 5 years and seems to get busier every year. Last year they had reindeers for the kids - wonder what the special attraction will be this year.

here's more about it

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Great museum - shame it isn't free

It was great to see that the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden has finally re-opened.

I remember visiting it many years ago and if its as good now as it was back then, its definitely a great day out especially if you have kids, big or small.

Unfortunately, its £8 for adults to enter, though kids are free.

Most of London's other major museums are free (Museum of London, British Museum and so on), though some do invite entry fee "donations". Its a shame that they all aren't.

But I'll probably try to make time to visit the new-look Transport Museum anyway as it does look quite good.