West End « Big Red London

October 26, 2012

London Citybreak for Christmas Shopping?

Filed under: Around London Town,West End — Tags: apartments near London West End stores, Christmas shopping citybreak in London, London Christmas, London Christmas shopping, London citybreak December, London citybreak Noveber, Oxford Street London, Regent Street London — admin @ 7:47 pm

Oxford Street, London W1
Christmas Lights 5^th November 2012 until 5 January 2013
Outside Marks & Spencer’s on Oxford Street (near Marble Arch) on 5^th November, Leona Lewis twinkled and Robbie Williams flicked the switch that lit up London’s most famous shopping street for Christmas. As always, Oxford Street was filled with cheering onlookers for this event. The lights will look gorgeous every day until 5 January. Don’t forget Selfridge’s Christmas-themed windows; certainly spectacular. Let the Christmas shopping begin!

Regent Street Christmas Lights, London W1
Christmas Lights 13^th November 2012 until 5 January 2013
On Regent Street, the Christmas lights ceremony begins on Tuesday 13 November at 5.30pm. There will be live music from big names including the soaring voice of operatic tenor Noah Stewart. Olympic and Paralympic athletes will also take to the stage to enjoy the finale: a fireworks display. Regent Street retailers will be marking the event with various in-store activities.

Southbank Centre Christmas Market, London SE1
16 November until 23 December 2012
Between London Eye and Southbank Centre, the wooden huts of this German-style Christmas market include a pocket money priced stall, a kid’s craft stall for card making and elsewhere, lots of great gift ideas for all ages.

Dazzle at National Theatre, Southbank London SE1
5 November 2012 to 6 January 2013
The largest and the longest-running exhibition of contemporary jewellery in Europe. Thousands of pieces for sale from new names as well as established designers mean that you are sure to find original approaches to the craft. Dazzle Specials focuses on the work of silversmiths and printmakers. There is also a section devoted to men’s jewellery and accessories.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2012
23 November 2012 to 6 January 2013
The presence of a giant observation wheel, an illuminated ice rink (it’s the biggest outdoor rink in Britain) and two circuses make Hyde Park Winter Wonderland much more than a shopping experience. Although most events and attractions are ticketed, entry to Santaland and to the Christmas Market, where you will find all manner of seasonal treats on sale, is free.

All our London West End holiday rental apartments are ideal for a citybreak near West End shopping.

Comments Off

October 22, 2012

Gay and Lesbian holiday accommodation in London

Filed under: Around London Town,West End — Tags: gay and lesbian accommodation, gay holiday accommodation, gay holiday company, gay-friendly holiday rentals, lesbian holiday apartments in london, lgbt London — admin @ 5:52 pm

Our gay friendly accommodation in Soho and Covent Garden, is available for short stays of 3 nights, 4 weeks, a month or more! As a gay owned and managed business, we have sought the best locations for you to explore London’s gay scene.

Gay and Lesbian Accommodation in London

Comments Off

October 18, 2012

Visit London Farmers’ Markets

Filed under: Camden & Islington,West End — Tags: Bloomsbury Farmer's Market, buy food, farmers' market near Clerkenwell, London Farmers' Market, London holiday rental apartment, London news, near Clerkenwell, weekly — admin @ 3:28 pm

Staying in a Central London apartment is a great way to experience London like a local. It includes food shopping and cooking in your kitchen, as well as eating restaurant meals. Grocery stores and supermarkets are easy to find near all our holiday rental apartments. London food shops have long opening hours and wide ranges, too.

You should also know that London hosts a number of Farmers’ Markets each week. Everything on sale at London Farmer’s Markets is produced within a 100 mile radius. Much of the produce is organic.

The fruit and vegetables will have been picked just hours before being sold at market. Local produce is used to make all the pies, soups and handmade pasta. Cheeses are made with milk from local herds. Delicious fresh bread and cakes are also made with locally-grown ingredients, where possible.

You might find local honey. There are usually handmade jams and preserves. Then, you can choose from fresh-squeezed juices, flagons of cider and bottles of local wine, as well.

All the meat on sale at London Farmers’ Markets comes from high welfare farms. All the poultry and eggs are either free range or organic.

The Farmers’ Market is a Londoner’s best source of local, seasonal produce. As well as enjoying delicious, wholesome food, you’re likely to find some great gifts to take home, too.

Bloomsbury Farmers’ Market
Torrington Place / Byng Place, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HY
Every Thursday from 0900h until 1400h
A short stroll from REGENT SQUARE, moments from the door of GEORGIANA. Bloomsbury Farmer’s Market is easily accessible on foot if you book a stay in any of our West End apartments.

Islington Farmers’ Market
Chapel Market, Angel Islington, London N1 NPZ
Every Sunday from 1000h until 1400h
Walk through the elegant Georgian squares between BETSEY (or any of our Clerkenwell holiday rental apartments) and Islington Farmer’s Market.

Comments Off

February 1, 2012

A head for fashion

Filed under: West End — Tags: london fashion week — admin @ 4:20 pm

Headonism is a British Fashion Council initiative curated by Stephen Jones, celebrating the new wave of London milliners. It showcases emerging London milliners within an installation that will be located this February in the East Wing of Somerset House. It was launched during the BFC’s 25 year celebrations by Mayor of London Boris Johnson. Headonism is supported by Royal Ascot.

The exhibition features these milliners:

Comments Off

London Fashion Week at Somerset House

Filed under: West End — Tags: day tickets to London Fashion week., London Fashion Week. Somerset House London Fashion week, where to stay in London — admin @ 3:21 pm

100 designer brands are set to showcase their autumn/winter collections at the Exhibition at London Fashion Week, February 17th – 21st 2012. The Exhibition is housed under one roof in the neo-classical surrounds of Somerset House.

Opening Times
Womenswear: Friday 17th February – Monday 20th February 2012 | 10.00 – 19.00
Tuesday 21st February 2012 | 10.00 – 18.00

Menswear: Wednesday 22nd February 2012 | 10.00 – 18.00

List of Exhibiting Designers for AW12
New this season: search by exhibitor location

For enquiries please contact:
Lucia Heath
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7759 1977
lucia.heath@britishfashioncouncil.com

Exhibition Information Hotline during LFW: +44 (0) 870 112 9088

Comments Off

November 22, 2011

Gin Palace at The Star at Night

Filed under: West End — Tags: gin palace, oliver twist gin, soho bars, thestaratnight — admin @ 5:11 pm

The Gin Palace Celebration

The Star at Night has been a favourite haunt for a while. ( years in fact!) On Friday 25th November they celebrate a well earned Birthday with a Gin Palace knees up.

Although the Star has actually been up and running since 1933, (and is one of the oldest cafe bars in Soho), the cocktail specialists opened just 9 years ago this month.

Rumour has it that there will be the world premier of a new London Gin, called Oliver Twist. I have it on good authority that the rumour is true! So if you fancy a Nancy, (or a Bill) style “oom pah pah” knees up on Friday, roll along to The Star at Night for Gin cocktails, or better still book a table!

http://www.thestaratnight.com

Comments Off

December 4, 2010

The London Christmas Experience – Marks and Stencils

Filed under: Around London Town,West End — admin @ 2:57 pm

Until Wed Dec 22 at 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR. Full details & map

Just in time for the festive season, this pop-up shop in Berwick Street, W1, features the work of that legendary alumnus of Bristol Cathedral School, Banksy.

Appropriately enough, its title, Marks and Stencils, echoes the name of that bastion of the British High Street, Marks and Spencers. So, if you like your ‘street art’ more high street than back street, this is for you.

We have lastminute availability in MANDY, our STUDIO on Rupert Street, from 11th to 15th November. Just 2 minutes from Berwick Street, Regents Street and a short walk to Covent Garden.

Comments Off

October 13, 2010

Rita Says ‘Separate Spaces’

Filed under: West End — Tags: A&D Gallery, art, Chiltern Street, London, Rita Says, unsafe sculpture — admin @ 5:53 pm

Rita Says’ Separate Spaces brought out goodness from all sorts of introverts at A&D Gallery during this intimate encounter with ‘other’. The show is an illuminating response to gender and transgender issues and to perceived alienation.

Sweeping sketches serve as technical preparation for what is to come. Elegant ideas scrawled on foolscap, swirling around framed photo-collages, show a slice of Rita Says before the unsafe sculptures. Knife-thrower coils of tungsten-tipped saw blades drew blood from the hands that made them, no doubt. Here, Thea Porter’s leggy blonde, dancing in her gaudies, seems oblivious, out of place but Rita Says she lived in Thea Porter’s house and the painting is of a night they shared. Tension and fragile boundaries are universal , of course, and so it is that the sculpture transcends any original motivation, to include us all.

How unsettling is it to sit in Rita Says’ chair, with a sharp knife pointing straight at your head, held away by a single, taut line? Is this intimidation? You have until 19 October to find out.

On Friday 16th October, Rita Says/Pete Jones’ performance will take place (in a closed gallery) viewable from outside 51 Chiltern Street, London W1U 6LY, at 8.30pm.

Comments Off