Friday is Rock'n'Roll London Day

Beatles expert Richard Porter adds to our London Christmas Shopping series…

"In Carnaby Street, the 'heart of swinging London' in the 60s, the Christmas lights are themed on the Rolling Stones this year. There’s also a Rolling Stones pop up shop."

The Rolling Stones Pop-Up Shop in Carnaby Street

There's more from Richard on London Christmas shopping next week…

Join the Rock’n'Roll London Walk on Friday at 2pm, meeting at Tottenham Court Road Station (Exit 3) – to book a Private Walk call 020 7642 3978 or email london@walks.com

Something For The Weekend… Walworth

A little something for the weekend…

Here's Isobel…

"I'm on home turf here. This is the Walworth Walk. Distinct from the Lambeth one. More fun I'd say, but I could be biased. 

Find out about England's first giraffes, Chaplin's music hall debut, and the origins of the Surrey County Cricket Club all in two hours. 

There's a café or a pub for lunch. Unless you fancy Thai food, in which case, I'll give you directions.

P.S. Here's another twopenn'orth for the London Christmas Shopping series: Bring your cash to enjoy the artists' Christmas Fair and do your Christmas shopping in one hit."

Saturday 1st December, Chaplin, Cricket and Artists 10.45a.m Kennington Tube.

Isobel

Isobel is an artist, journalist, linguist, prize-winning Blue Badge Guide and London Walks' token aristocrat. One of her ancestors introduced the waltz to this country. You can read about her tips for the best walking shoes HERE. And her recommendation for the best cup of tea in London can be found HERE.

London Christmas Shopping – 25 Days To Go!

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? (!) 

In the run-up to Christmas 2012, The Daily Constitutional will round-up the best of London shopping…

Unique boutiques, markets, one-man and one-woman bands, as well as the finest big London names.

Pollock's Toy Museum is a joy at any time of year. But at Christmas, it really comes into its own.

Benjamin Pollock was the last of the Victorian Toy Theatre printers and this famous London institution takes its name from him. Originally at Monmouth Street, Pollock’s has been at Scala Street W1 since 1969.

Dolls, toy theatres, board games, teddy bears, the shop is a cornucopia of traditional toys.

The museum itself is an eccentric delight with six rooms and three staircases (!) packed with historic toys and games.

If you've forgotten how to keep Christmas in your heart, get along to Pollock's.

Pollock’s Toy Museum

1 Scala Street

London W1T 2HL

Tel: 020 7636 3452

www.pollockstoymuseum.com

Open Monday to Saturday

10.00 am – 5.00 pm

Last entry to museum 4.30pm

Closed Bank Holidays

More London Christmas shopping soon. Do you have your own favourite London shop? Drop us a line to the usual address or leave a comment below.

London Spy: Rolling Stones Special

Five Headlines.

Five Stories.

Five Minutes

The Daily Constitutional's Round Up Of London In The News – A Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary Gig Special.

FINANCIAL TIMES: “Loud, sloppy and vibrant, this was the sound of a band with an apparently insatiable appetite.” MORE. 

THE GUARDIAN: “There's something perversely admirable about the way the self-styled "greatest rock'n'roll band in the world" seem openly intent on celebrating their golden jubilee by making as much money as possible with the absolute minimum of effort.” MORE. 

THE STANDARD: “They have a combined age of 273, but the four Stones remain an extraordinary live proposition and over 150 minutes they embraced their first Top 20 hit, 1963’s Lennon-McCartney penned I Wanna Be Your Man, as eagerly as the new and surprisingly buoyant One More Shot.” MORE. 

DAILY TELEGRAPH: “The Rolling Stones were prevented from finishing their 50th anniversary tour London concert with the signature song “(I can’t get No) Satisfaction” because of a strict curfew.” MORE.

THE INDEPENDENT: “This, of course, is the Stones' own jubilee, their 50th-anniversary celebration, and while it might lack the sheer lavish spectacle of their world-tour stagings, the event's unique cachet is assured partly by the excellence of the set list, which visits beloved corners of the band's catalogue rarely featured in their usual shows, and partly by the presence of a few special guests.” MORE. 

And here’s our own Rock’n’Roll London video…

Join the Rock’n'Roll London Walk on Friday at 2pm, meeting at Tottenham Court Road Station (Exit 3) – to book a Private Walk call 020 7642 3978 or email london@walks.com

In and Around London… Nine London Eyes

Monday is mute on the London Walks Blog (well, almost mute) – because Monday is the day when we post five images captured in and around London by London Walks Guides, London Walkers and Facebook friends. Collated on a theme or an area, if you've got some great shots of our capital and want to join in send your pictures to the usual address.

Hirst eyes outside Tate Modern earlier this year

Olympic eye at The Tower

Battle of Britain eyes, Embankment

French graffiti artist eyes in Rathbone Place W1

Egyptian eyes on the Embankment

Friday is Rock'n'Roll London Day

We’re knee-deep in Rock’n’Roll London anniversaries this year – 60 years of the NME, 50 years of The Stones, 40 years of Ziggy Stardust and more.

But here’s one that didn’t make the papers…

London Walker, Chelsea fan, cabbie, born Londoner and Mod John celebrated his 50th Birthday this week. Happy Birthday John!

To celebrate he joined us – with his wife Julie – on a private Rock’n’Roll London Walk on a wild and wet Wednesday.

So here’s an extra “present” from us: it’s The Who live onstage at the legendary Marquee club in Wardour Street:

And here’s our own Rock’n’Roll London video…

Join the Rock’n'Roll London Walk on Friday at 2pm, meeting at Tottenham Court Road Station (Exit 3) – to book a Private Walk call 020 7642 3978 or email london@walks.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our North American London Walkers & Daily Constitutionalists!

Here’s a shot from Autumnal Kensington…

… where this afternoon at 2.00pm, on the Old Kensington Walk, North Americans can find the sights of old England blended with the sounds of home…  David is leading the walk today.