Personally I’m not that big on sport; although I am still pretty excited about the Olympics being held in our capital this year. However this is probably for different reasons to most people…

You see, I know exactly what to expect from something this big. We all know how many different events will be taking place in the Olympics, but there are bound to be all kinds of amazing things going on elsewhere in The Big Smoke!

So prepare yourself for some top bands in the streets and all manner of exciting activities for the kids!!!

One of the things that I love most of all about London is the huge amount of bands you can go and see. Whichever part of The Big Smoke you are talking about, there are always plenty of great acts playing live. And it really doesn’t matter what type of music you are into either – Grunge, Folk, Rap, Reggae, Electronica or Jazz!

I wish that all of our major cities had this much culture on offer. Oh well, maybe one day…

We all know about how many amazing sights there are to see in The Big Smoke… or at least we think that we do. You see, the truth is that there is far more to see in London than most of will actually realise. Sure, tens of thousands of visitors will flock to Britain’s capital every single year, but this will normally be to visit the same old things – Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Downing Street, Madame Tussauds, Harrods, Fortnum and Mason, Tower Bridge…. And what these people do not realise is that they are missing out on something else very big indeed!

You see, London has long been recognised as a cool place to make a movie and it has been used by numerous directors over the years. Countless films (from just about every genre you care to mention) have been shot in our Capital in a variety of different locations. But, the best news of all is that movie buffs can do their own tour of the big city! In fact, they can spend an entire weekend (or a whole lot longer!) visiting locales where many of their favourite films were actually made.

There are lots of websites on the Net that will give you detailed information about London based movies. Here are a few of my personal favourites that were filmed in the big city -

‘An American Werewolf in London'(John Landis 1981)

Back in the early eighties, this really was a landmark Horror movie. Not only was it great fun to watch, but it had plenty of eye-popping special effects too!

A great deal of this movie was shot in London and there are many places you will recognise straight away (Piccadilly Circus in particular!). And if you have ever watched, ‘An American Werewolf in London'you will never look at the Underground in quite the same way again… Or if you do, it will be through very nervous eyes!

‘Alfie'(Lewis Gilbert 1966)

This movie managed to be so many different things; it was cool, funny and also extremely poignant. And filming it in the Capital was the automatic (and perfect) choice in the middle of the ‘swinging sixties’.

Of course, if Lewis Gilbert had opted to shoot it in Blackpool hotels with a pool then it would still have retained its ‘Britishness’… but it just wouldn’t have been the same. You see, even though Blackpool was/is one of our ‘cultural hotspots’, it doesn’t have the same ‘hipness'about itself.

‘The Elephant Man'(David Lynch 1980)

Mr Lynch made a damn fine job of documenting the painful life of John Merrick. He captured all of the hurt, frustration and injustice of this man and then successfully translated it to the big screen.

Of course, the story of ‘The Elephant Man'was set in ‘Victorian times’, but this did not stop Lynch from making full use of locations around London. Besides, there are still hundreds of buildings in The Big Smoke that date back to this wonderfully decorative age!

‘The Omen'(Richard Donner 1976)

We all remember that music, don’t we? ‘The Omen'was a superior Horror flick in its day and it was remade again in 2006 (this was actually a reasonably good reworking – quite a rarity in modern cinema…). There are quite a lot of scenes in this movie that were shot in and around our Capital.

But one word of warning: If you are planning on visiting any of these locales with a friend, be sure to check for hidden numbers on his/her scalp before setting off…

‘Villain'(Michael Tuchner 1971)

Richard Burton was absolutely chilling in his role of Vic Dakin, a sadistic East End gangster… so this movie simply had to be made in our Capitol. Well, this may sound like common sense, but some directors would have filmed it somewhere else that ‘looked a bit like London’.

Film makers have employed this tactic many times over the years and it will often be a cheap and cheerful way of doing things. Thank goodness this did not happen with ‘Villain’!!!

‘A Hard Day’s Night'(Richard Lester 1964)

As well as being a really bloody funny film, ‘A Hard Day’s Night'also managed to encapsulate all of that hip Britishness of the 1960s. And much of this was down to it being shot in London.

The Fab Four Our Capitol = Damn Fine Movie. Even Einstein would have told you that!

‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'(Guy Ritchie 1998)

London is still a great location to use when you are making a gangster movie. And Guy Ritchie proved this many times over with his excellent, ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’!

All of the necessary ‘grittiness'is out there on the streets of the Capital… as long as you know how to make use of it. That is why London was also the obvious choice for tough (at the time) TV dramas such as ‘The Sweeney'or ‘Minder’.

The thing about London is that despite the frequently bad weather, clogged and overpriced transport network, miserable looking people and bad driving, millions of people still flock to the capital every year to visit. The fact that London is considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world is a testament to its welcoming nature. It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day minutiae that Londoners grumble about on a Monday to Friday. It’s easier to forget about all the amazing and wonderful things that happen in the city every minute of every day. 2012 is perhaps to be one of London’s biggest years to date from a cultural perspective and it is worthwhile highlighting some of the incredible events to be found around town over the coming months.

The Olympics

Love them or loathe them, the games are coming to London. For the past seven years the UK has invested massively in regenerating an area of the city that most Londoners would rather have forgotten about. East London has been at times considered, trendy, cool, scuzzy, awful, dangerous and sometimes all of the above in one go. The development of the Olympic park at Stratford has encouraged a wealth of investment not only for sports, but also for general commerce. If you are planning on a visit anytime soon, be sure to check out the brand new Westfield Stratford City shopping centre one of the largest inner city shopping centres in Europe and now the world. If shopping’s not your thing though, then take a stroll down to the redeveloped Stratford railway station. Not only have architects transformed what was once a ghetto of a station into a modern wonder, but they have increased efficiency and generally made the station a pleasant place to be, whether or not your catching a train. With a high speed connection to St Pancras International already in place, the station should serve as a fitting welcome for anyone visiting in July for the games. Gatwick hotels and shuttle services are already standing by to welcome and transport passengers and visitors flying in from south of the city.

Which brings us to the Olympic village itself. Possibly one of the most ambitious construction projects to be seen in the city for a long time, the park and surrounding buildings have been completed ahead of time and are available for viewing even now. The main athletics stadium itself is prepped and ready to go and despite not having the instant attention the bird’s nest design warranted in Beijing four years ago, is still quite a sight to behold. Scattered around the stadium are the Velodrome and Aquatics Centres both impressive structures in of themselves. All in all despite the huge (some would say ‘wasteful’) sums of money spent on the games, the finished results are impressive. Whatever happens after the closing ceremonies later this summer, East London will never be the same again.

South of the River

There has been a war. For many years Londoners living south of the river have campaigned tirelessly against their more outwardly extravagant neighbours to the north. Whilst it is true that the city and the west end hold delights and treats of their own, the south rarely gets a mention in the press and seldom a caring thought from those that live north of the river. Yet the south holds treats and delights of its own. From the IMAX cinema and Old Vic Theatre’s both in Waterloo, to the Royal Festival Hall and National Theatre just across the river, the south has much to show off. Venture down to Hammersmith and a quick stroll along the Thames Path can bring you to Putney in one direction and Richmond Park and Kew Gardens in the other. Add to this the wide variety of pubs that cannot be found to the north, and you suddenly realise that the south is a culture all of its own.

The Thames path stretches from the east of the city all the way down past Richmond and Kingston and out to Oxfordshire if you walk far enough. Cycling is common and bikes can be rented – though we would recommend against taking a Boris Bike out as far as Kingston. Richmond is a beautiful area of London to visit. On a sunny day at the top of Richmond hill spectacular views of the river and surrounding countryside can be witnessed for miles around. London isn’t just about impressive architecture and parks. However Richmond park is home to wild deer, and visitors are reminded to be cautious when rambling or hiking in the park. Male stags in particular can be quite protective of the herd.

Whatever you decide to do when coming to London, be assured that the city holds more than enough history, entertainment and culture to keep you going for a lifetime.

Throughout London it is possible to hear the very best songs, which range from classical, rock and roll to rhythm and blues. You will find superb indoor arenas such as the Royal Albert Hall and O2 Arena in order to stage top-class concert events. Live shows in London are nicely organized and appeal to top worldwide performers.
Thronged with locations to visit for leisure, wining and dining, go through the city by initially drinking down a few tantalizing drinks at one of many bars much like the Taman Gang. Whether following work, drinks of the bar’s unique beverages or even pre-clubbing drinks, this perfect bar or some of the others within the city, is more than willing to welcome you open armed through their entrance doors. In the event that drinks are not your type of deal, have pleasure in a calming night of fine dining at any of the enchanting dining establishments within the city.
If dining at a fine establishment is not exactly what you have in mind when considering London nightlife, enjoy the range of entertainment possibilities. No matter if your choice of a perfect evening consists of the of socializing with close friends in a karaoke bar, or being at one of the numerous concert events, the best evening celebration will be to hit one of several London clubs, and dancing the night away.

Wear your dancing shoes, and get on the dance floor, while grooving the night away, since the music from the DJ’s turntable spins the club uncontrollable. What far better way to help to make your evening rewarding than having a good time with family members at the best evening sights in London? Take to the streets, and revel in the folly of London nightlife.
London’s nightlife provides something to offer to each kinds of individuals such as the ones who like the night party as well as others who desire the peace and quiet more than beverages and interactions. Various clubs in London possess their own points which make them unique and different from the rest.

Pop-up restaurants are what really started this craze. Restaurants based in foodie’s own flats were the beginning, advertised on their own gourmet blogs, and serving only five or six people on a randomly specified evening. Unable (and unwilling) to hire a space, they still wanted to create exciting restaurant standard food. This concept quickly spread to the professionals, and restauranteurs started opening pop-up eateries in old factories or shops for a few days or a few weeks. This has spread across the country, and so from Oxfork in Oxford to the Disappearing Dining Club in London, everyone can tuck in!

Retailers were also quick to jump on the pop-up band wagon, and pop-up shops can now be found in other shops (a slightly confusing concept, to be sure) as well as in more random venues. Christian Louboutin is currently curating the ultimate pop-up shoe shop inside Selfridges.

One of the most exciting ideas of the pop-up revolution is the pop-up arts venue. Pop-up cinemas, theatres, galleries and gig spaces are appearing all over. You can watch a play in the back of a van, see some cinema in an underground tunnel, enjoy some art at an abandoned shop or listen to your favourite band at a secret warehouse location. A lot of the locations used would otherwise languish unused, so the pop-up scene is keeping the space alive and vibrant. The low-cost of the venues also allows the underground arts scene to flourish.

Pop-up London: what’s not to love?

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Everyone is so delighted that this summer’s Olympic Games are to be held in London, aren’t they? All the people who live outside the capital are just thrilled that all their hard-earned taxes are going to be used to build fancy houses for the athletes and a huge white elephant of a stadium. And those of us who care more about the arts than a few people running and chucking stuff are really losing out this year.

Sure, the government and the Olympics organisers are making a token gesture with the “Cultural Olympiad”; a series of events (specially commissioned plays, operas and art exhibitions) but it is a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of public money that is being poured into the sporting side of the event. Obviously the government can’t take funds away from the NHS, out schools or ensuring that rural areas get the diesel fuel they need, so where do you think they got most of the millions of pounds that have already been spent on the Games? That’s right; the arts budget.

Since 2005 when it was announced that London had won the right to host the 2012 Games, investment in sports has risen by nearly 30% - at the same time that investment in the UK arts scene has dropped by over 10%. And it is only likely to get worse for cultural institutions this summer. Unable to rely on government funds they need to get visitors through the door and bums on seats. Unfortunately, a study has suggested that those tourists in the city for the Olympics are not likely to have much spare time for a trip to the National or to take in a play, so galleries and theatres are going to lose out there too. It’s going to be a tough year for us culture vultures, and the sight of a few blokes running round and round in circles for hours is hardly likely to make up for it!

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Londoners are going to have a brand new and very exclusive bar to enjoy by November, when one of New York’s hottest venues opens its first UK venue. If you’re a fan of all things bubbly and French, then the classy champagne bar Flute will definitely be right up your street. And you can guarantee that the expensive wine list and strict dress policy will attract more than its fair share of celebrities too! In fact, if your name doesn’t regularly appear in the pages of Hello or Heat magazine, then I wouldn’t even try getting in for the first few weeks – unless you can do a more convincing job than Chantelle and fool them into thinking you’re in an up-and-coming girl band!

Once the fuss has died down and the door staff have started allowing “normal” people through the door, then Flute has got to be worth checking out, if only for its reputation in Manhattan, the home of some of the best bars in the world. It already won a host of New York nightlife awards and is rumoured to be appearing in the next series of ’Sex and the City'– a sure fire sign that any bar or restaurant has made it in New York. If it’s good enough for Carrie Bradshaw then it’s good enough for me!

The only problem is that most of their delicious “menu” is way out of my price range. Champagnes and sparkling wines start at £9 a glass. A glass! You can get two bottles of cheap Cava for less than that at my local supermarket and I have to pay for next year’s caravan insurance. Still, I guess you’re paying for the fabulous décor, the ambience and the slim chance that you might find yourself nursing an expensive glass of Prosecco next to someone who once had a walk-on part in EastEnders…

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The Fashion & Textile Museum in London is a remarkable place, I cam image those studying design, fashion and visual merchandising frequent it often form inspiration. However it can be just as enjoyable to all that visit it as they take a journey through fashions from decades long gone by, incorporating jewellery and all elements of textile.

The London fashion and Textile Museum was founded by the iconic British fashion designer Zandra Rhodes and has become a showcase of changing exhibitions and source of knowledge for fashion students as previously mentioned. For example between May and October 2011 the museum exhibited ‘Tommy Nutter: Rebel on the Row’ a tailor whom opened a shop on Savile Row in London in 1969. Past exhibitions have included; ‘Swedish Fashion: Exploring a new identity’ as well as ‘Undercover: the evolution of underwear’. The exhibitions are fun and informative and always full of suprising facts aboutn the subject matter. In additional to these exhibitions, the museum also runs workshops and seminars, from quilt making to tailoring inspirations, there is always something to catch the imagination running.

The museum can be found in South London - Bermondsey and is open seven days a week, morning to the early evening. It is an absolute must see for fashion enthusiasts and historians alike, housed in a charming building the Fashion and Textile museum is a real gem in London’s crown and a true delight to your visual senses, go and have a look for yourself, you won’t be disappointed!

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The place is designed to cater for small groups​and couples ideally, but larger groups may be​accommodated

There was a time when an expensive, upmarket, elaborate vegan restaurant would have had no place in London. In fact, it would probably have got lost amongst all the others and been labelled progressive and a waste of time. But now, thanks to an elevated understanding of food and culture, London is ready for something new and alternative. And it’s a good thing, because Saf Kensington is proving to be different enough to cause quite a stir.

Saf Kensington inhabits the entire first floor of its building in the Whole Foods Market. Situated on the high street in Kensington, it’s the perfect place to be and within convenient distance of various shops and other facilities.

The one reservation some guests have had is about the privacy. In close proximity to such a busy area, it’s unsurprising that noise has been somewhat of an issue for some customers who were looking for a more serene sit down meal. This is obviously not something easily sorted, but who knows what you’ll make of it when you’re there, right? The only way to really know is to book yourself a place and enjoy some raw vegan food and see for yourself what the fuss is about.

In terms of atmosphere, the restaurant is certainly not equivalent to the décor on some Cheap Flights that come in and out of London. In fact, it’s elegant and classy and minimalist: all the things which make eating a pleasant and comfortable experience for all, no matter what their taste.

Who will Saf Kensington suit? Well, anyone who is passing and looking for an intimate space. The place is designed to cater for small groups and couples ideally, but larger groups may be accommodated – give them a ring and see what they say.

In terms of food, the seasonal menu is actually rather daring. But don’t worry, it’s also very affordable at just £10 per head. This is perfect for those who want to see what the fuss is all about before they go in for a larger course which can be quite expensive.

What’s on offer in Saf Kensington? Well, a fair bit. Everything from starters for between £6 and £9, and mains along the lines of risotto. Desserts are naturally also available.

And now onto drink: Saf doesn’t muck about. They serve some great wine, botanical cocktails, and scotch too, as well as some stunning creations which are completely their own devices!

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