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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When I first heard that theatre director Nicholas Kent was going to be putting on a production this autumn about this year’s city centre riots, my first thought was “too soon”. My second thought was that any play that tries to capture the anger and disaffection of working class kids is going to feel about as real as those authentic Hermes bags you get sold when on holiday in Spain. Turns out was wring on both counts as the play “The Riots” which opened this week at the tiny Tricycle Theatre has been putting bums on seats and been getting rave reviews in the press. No mean feat for any new production, especially one dealing with such a sensitive and controversial subject.

For the play’s writer, Gillian Slovo, the production has been a real labour of love. She witnessed some of the worst violence near her London home and feels that the government have attempted to sweep the riots and their consequences under the carpet by refusing to hold a public inquiry, a decision I hadn’t even heard about until I read a review of “The Riots” in a daily newspaper. It does seem a bit wrong that the only in-depth analysis of such a significant series of events will be made on stage rather than in the courts or in parliament….

Slovo actually hired a team of researchers to help ensure that the play was as real as possible, interviewing dozens of people affected by the riots as well as many of those convicted of being involved in some of the violent incidents. It is this attention to detail which stops the play from seeming voyeuristic or opportunistic; instead, you get a real sense of someone trying to make sense of the events of this summer through characters and dialogue that feels spontaneous and alive. A theatrical event can hardly replace a genuine inquiry into the causes of the riots, but people affected may find some sort of closure by listening to the words of those who took part, as spoken by actors. And those who took part may think twice about similar behaviour in the future if they could understand that their actions had consequences.

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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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People say that all there is to see in Great Britain is in London. I know there are many things available in London but I disagree with the above statement, the UK is blessed with many beautiful locations outside London. Tourism in UK is not like pole dancing classes. The first tourist attraction on this list is my personal favourite; the Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum. This centre opened in 1902 and has been described as Britain’s finest civic art collection. This museum contains internationally important examples of European armour, Scottish archaeology and artefacts. The Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh is also a popular tourist destination in Scotland. It is known as the first museum in the world to bed dedicated to childhood history. It is also known as the world’s noisiest museum and contains toys and many children related artefacts.

The National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh is also a beauty to behold. It houses one of the works of painting great; Vincent Van Gogh. It is widely used for exhibitions and concerts. The Museum of Transport in Glasgow is known to mirror the glory days of river Clyde. This museum interprets the transport history of the city of Scotland. It boasts a show room of cars through the ages. The Aberdeen Art Gallery Museum houses one of the most important provincial art collections in the UK. This gallery is also known to host a lively programm e of special exhibitions. Burrell Collection in Glasgow is an award winning museum that is situated in a beautiful location right in the middle of Glasgow. It houses over 8,000 artefacts. Another beautiful thing about these museums is that admission into them is totally free.

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The pubs and bars of London remain open till midnight. If you just want a few drinks for cheap and if you are not looking for anything special then you can walk down the street and you will spot a local bar or pub.

But after midnight if you want to look for those special clubs which are quite popular, then you have to search a bit. However, you may not find them even after a lot of searching because they are mainly situated in hidden places that not everyone can find. If you want to go to these places then you have to find someone who is a regular clubber and knows these places. Only he can take you to these joints.

If you want to visit the classy clubs then you can find them very easily. But to get an entry there you have to pay an entry fees which can be quite high. You will have to stick to the proper dress code or else you will be denied entry. It is quite difficult to enter these exclusive clubs but once you enter you will have a memorable experience and can get lucky enough to spot some celebrities.

In the western part of London there are the famous clubs in areas like Mayfair, Soho and Notting Hill. To the north of London there is Camden and to the south there is Brixton. They are all quite popular and expensive.

Thus in London there is a club for everyone, you can select one according to your budget - just like there are many types of pantene shampoos but you choose one according to a particular pantene review and price.

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There is lots to do in London and loads of cultural places to go to whether it be art galleries, craft fairs, space museums, wax works or getting a look at London from above via the famous London eye Ferris wheel.As well as great places to see and go there are also some really high tech and high class beauty services on offer.

So whether it^’s a day visiting the sight and sounds of the city you want or some pampering in a spa it’s all there.Health spa’s have a lot of services to offer from mud baths (more exotic than it sounds I’m sure) to laser hair removal Bournemouth for that ready for the beach look that you don’t just need if you live in a seaside town like that. One needs to look good when you reach for that ultra mini outfit to get set for clubbing later on so a good spa treatment comes in handy in the city too.

If you fancy going along the Thames on a canal boat you can see the sight of London along the way. You might also want to get down to seen the Tate modern art gallery which can be a whole day trip in itself with something for all the family form interactive displays and computer screen games for the kids to hands on exhibits and tours for the adults as well as fill documentaries of famous artists with comfy seats to watch them in the hallways you may not even notice the time go by. So check out London for some great culture if your in town and most of all have fun.

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Film lover? Head to Portobello Road and the Electric Cinema. Ten times better then a night out at the local Odeon you will be guaranteed a fun evening. For only £30 you can hire one of the Electric’s sofas at the back of the cinema for two people. This let’s you and your date enjoy the film in maximum comfort with your legs stretched out and no fear of being told off for kicking the person’s seat in front of you. Interestingly this is cheaper then buying two standard seats at a cinema in the west end. After a visit to the Electric you’ll never want to put up with people munching popcorn beside you again.

Art critic? The National Gallery is open till 9pm on Wednesday nights so if you’re planning on meeting during the week this is an ideal option for a cultural evening out with lots to talk about afterward. They even serve wine whilst you’re walking around admiring the latest exhibition so it’s no wonder that it is one of London’s top galleries to go to. Best of all it’s free so you can afford to spend a bit more on dinner later.

So remember the next time you want to organise a night out for someone special but can’t afford Gorgon Ramsey’s latest gastronomic experience, take a deep breath and don’t panic. There are loads of cool places to go in London that are deceptively inexpensive.

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