It's our weekly London roundup starting with a few headlines that caught the eye in London this week, click the links for the full stories…
CROSSRAIL: Dig Beneath The City Begins – Evening Standard
FOOD: A London Win in Best Breakfast Awards – the Independent
TRAVEL: London Beats NYC & Paris As Most-Visited City - Daily Telegraph
ARCHITECTURE: David Adjaye Retrospective Opens in Munich – Wallpaper
MUSEUMS: The Smithsonian Set For London? – Mashable
CULTURE: The Save Denmark Street Campaign Continues – The Independent
ARCHITECTURE: Save The Coronet Theatre – South London Press
PROPERTY: JFK's London Home to Become London's Priciest Property - Daily Mirror
SHOPPING/GIFTS: London Sticker Book! Time Out
And finally, this from
the Get West London website, featuring the sign from the Wonky Teapot cafe… at
least we HOPE it says wonky…
Read the full story
HERE.
Weather Quote Of the
week:
We picked this one up
in the Evening Standard following an abortive "snow storm" earlier
this week, Tweeted by BBC Radio 1 producer Derek Knight…
It's
valiantly trying to snow in London, but it's melting as soon as it hits
the cynicism.
— Derek Knight (@delrico) January
29, 2015
Smart Walking
Now this one we LOVE:
it's best to learn while walking as opposed to sitting…
"Students feel
freer to talk when they are outdoors than when they are in the classroom. It is
noticeable how much easier it is for individual students to express their views
on these walking seminars, particularly when the class is split into smaller
groups."
See? Walking makes you
smarter (esp London Walks, natch). Read the full story in Medical News Today
HERE.
Ladies, Here's Where
You're Going Wrong
Some
advice on how to walk in high heels… written by a man, of course.
"Many girls learn just
by, at best, putting a pair of their mother’s on and tottering around their
houses; others, at worst, decide they’ll use their first time out clubbing to
learn.
It often takes an
outsider to point out a social group’s flaws and so I hope my guide will be of
some assistant in quelling the gaggle of girls who tend to look more elephant
than elegant."
Read more in The Daily
Mail HERE.
Not So Smart Phones
And here's one from The Ministry of Doh: don't text while walking…
"Beyond the
thoughtlessness of walking texters, there are the safety problems. According to
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted pedestrians are
involved in thousands of accidents and even fatalities each year."
Dearie me. The full
story – the fool story? – can be found in the Houston Chronicle.
London House Prices Hit New High – Evening Standard 29/1/15
London Property Boom Loses Steam – City A.M 30/1/15
Looking Ahead…
Valentines at the Grant 14th February 6.30pm to 9pm
Grant Museum of Zoology, Rockefeller Building, University College London, University Street, WC1E 6DE Price: £5
They've always got something imaginative and fun at the Grant Museum for Valentine's Day and this year is no exception. Here's what they are up to this year…
"Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it, so where better to do it yourself than at the Grant Museum of Zoology.
Whether you’re looking for love or seeking to impress your Valentine date, join us for a special late opening. Discover the Museum after-dark, enjoy a drink and uncover how seduction is done in the animal world with our Valentines themed specimen labels.
There is no need to book just drop in any time between 6.30pm and 9pm, tickets are sold on the door and cost £5, which includes a free glass of wine."
Our weekly slot in which we point you in the direction of
other happenings and events in our great city. A new exhibition, a gig, a
museum, a pop-up-shop – the best of London within a few minutes of a London Walks walking tour.
The largest Elvis exhibition outside of the US is currently in residence at the O2 – nice to see the space vacated by the much-missed British Music Experience being used for a musical exhibition.
From his car to his rhinestone-encrusted Vegas suits to his army uniforms, Elvis will NOT be leaving the building until August, but booking is essential for this display comprising more than 300 pieces from the King's Graceland home.
As is always the key with the best of such exhibitions, the music is never very far away. The strongest section of the exhibition is the Vegas "comeback" concert special of 1968, where we see not only Elvis's chair and guitar as used in that TV special…
… but are treated to the joyful sight and sound of a man hitting his stride and getting back to the thing he does – and loves – best after a long period making terrible movies in Hollywood. If you'd forgotten why he is the King, then head out to North Greenwich. We'll never be able to make up for the disappointment of Elvis neglecting to ever play live here in the UK, but this is the closest we'll ever get.
www.elvisattheo2.com
From his car to his rhinestone-encrusted Vegas suits to his army uniforms, Elvis will NOT be leaving the building until August, but booking is essential for this display comprising more than 300 pieces from the King's Graceland home.
As is always the key with the best of such exhibitions, the music is never very far away. The strongest section of the exhibition is the Vegas "comeback" concert special of 1968, where we see not only Elvis's chair and guitar as used in that TV special…
… but are treated to the joyful sight and sound of a man hitting his stride and getting back to the thing he does – and loves – best after a long period making terrible movies in Hollywood. If you'd forgotten why he is the King, then head out to North Greenwich. We'll never be able to make up for the disappointment of Elvis neglecting to ever play live here in the UK, but this is the closest we'll ever get.
www.elvisattheo2.com
Seen In London This Week
St Paul's in a giant ball bearing…
(As posted on Instagram earlier this week)
Last Word…
DC Editor Adam writes…
Hungry in Soho? Well take this tip from London Walker Susan –who divides her
time between Connecticut and NYC and told me a great story about seeing Paul
Simon live at a fundraiser in a local school hall with Harry Connick Jr on the
same bill.
Susan pointed out Bar
Bruno on the corner of Wardour and Peter Streets…
… and sang its praises.
"Quiet, great price and a MOUND of pasta. I didn't want to stop eating it."
Thanks Susan – as I
said to you on Friday, these recommendations ALWAYS sound better coming from
our London Walkers.
Have a great week all!
A London Walk costs £9 – £7 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com.









