London offers so many attractions, choosing what to do on a visit can seem challenging. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely stroll along its historic neighborhoods, a riveting game of football at the Olympic Stadium or a unique cabaret in Bloomsbury, the city never fails to disappoint. Here are some of its current happenings going on this year that can’t be missed:
One of the most interesting things to do if blessed with sunny or dry London weather, and a great way to learn about the city’s past and present, is to participate in one of the many two-hour outings organized by London Walks. This long-established, award-winning organization offers many diverse themes, ranging from the Beatles and the Blitz to ghosts, famous writers and Jack the Ripper, as well as leisurely rambles around intriguing districts such as Mayfair, Piccadilly and Westminster.
The Chelsea: Ancient Riverside Village walk is led by Stephanie Tickner, a guide with 20 years of experience, and starts right outside Sloane Square tube station. Sixty years ago, Chelsea was a working-class area, and is now one of the most expensive residential areas of London. The walk features current and former homes of well-known figures such as American actors Vivian Leigh and Laurence Olivier, writers Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker, and singer Mick Jagger. You’ll also get a glimpse of quaint pubs, the area’s famous annual flower show and the Saatchi Gallery.
When finished, head for some well-earned rest at the tranquil Chelsea Physic Garden, established in the 17th century, and the second oldest botanical gardens in England. Pick up a nice bottle of wine on the way and relax with a picnic under the shade of oaks, elms and sycamores; see the largest grapefruit tree in England; or visit the herb section for refreshing inhalations.
Football being the most popular sport in England, the capital city hosts several top teams battling each other for trophies in the nation’s premier league. One of the oldest is West Ham United, which has enjoyed a loyal following during an impressive 112-year history. Playing in traditional claret and blue, the Hammers have moved recently to the plush Olympic Stadium, so you’ll have a chance to see this modern venue and join in singing the club’s enduring anthem “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles.” Buy tickets in advance.
For children, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers a Harry Potter experience which consists of two sound stages and a back-lot. Families will learn about a host of visual and special effects techniques and see the Creature Effects Department responsible for more than 200 mythical beings over 10 years of filming, including goblins, elves and an 18-foot animatronic spider.
London’s West End is bristling with theatrical offerings as well with musicals productions, hard-hitting dramas, who-done-it murder mysteries and slapstick comedies. Among the latter is The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre, a fast-moving show by the Mischief Theatre Company focusing on the hilarious mishaps of an amateur theatrical company attempting to stage a 1920s murder mystery. Miscues and falling props, including walls and ceilings, create eye-watering laughter.
Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre has also attracted strong reviews and is based on the 2005 British-American film of the same name. The true story focuses on a struggling English Midlands shoe company that, with the aid of a drag Queen, turns to cross-gender footwear for survival. It features some excellent songs, a strong storyline and impressive acting. People, Places and Things at the Wyndham Theatre in Convent Garden is a performance of a very different kind. A hard-hitting drama, it focuses on the experiences of an addicted actress in a drug rehabilitation clinic. Be prepared for creative visual tricks.
For something completely different head to the London Cabaret Club in Bloomsbury and its dynamic dinner show entitled The Best of British Pop. A multi-talented cast, with a surround of vivid wall videos, takes the audience on a trip along musical nostalgia lane, with several different singers performing hits from artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, The Eurythmics, The Human League, James Blunt, Adele and of course, the late David Bowie. Well-executed choreography ranges from military-style maneuvers to ballet, ballroom dancing and exotic, bare-topped fire-breathers. If you order a VIP table you’ll be seated very close to the performers as they enter and exit the stage. A disco follows the stage show, lasting until the early morning hours.
