Things to Do in Greenwich London in Two Days
James Clark lived in London for many years, but never really spent much time in Greenwich, apart from the odd night at The George & Dragon on Blackheath Hill. So…
London Music Gigs Round-Up
Summer’s fading but the beat goes on. There are some fantastic shows to take you into the autumn, so London Begins at 40 music editor Robert Spellman has compiled an…
Chumbe Island : Tourism and Conservation in Harmony
Mark Bibby Jackson chats with Sibylle Riedmiller, Director at Chumbe Island, Tanzania about the great success of the award-winning project over the past 30 years, as well as its uncertain future. One…
Where Do Essential Oils Come From?
Kim Brookes is the founder of innovative natural scent jewellery brand Perfino, she explains where essential oils come from and why they are so expensive. The best essential oils are…
Two London Guidebooks for 2021
Mark Bibby Jackson takes a look at a couple of London guidebooks released earlier this year that make navigating the myriad streets of London slightly easier. Like London buses just…
The Elixir of Love, Waterperry Gardens
Mark Bibby Jackson visits Waterperry Gardens near Oxford for a performance of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love set in the most spectacular setting. Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love started the…
The Dilly Hotel London and Madhu’s Restaurant
James Clark checks into The Dilly London and finds an elegant hotel with excellent service, as well as an Indian restaurant with a Kenyan twist. A hotel has dominated no…
A Tour of Lord’s Cricket Ground
As The Hundred fever grips the country, Mark Bibby Jackson goes on a tour of Lord’s cricket ground which brings back strong childhood memories. London was my home for more…
French Dining at The Great House Lavenham
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise revisit The Great House Hotel and Restaurant in Lavenham to experience the wonderful French cuisine as well as pop in on the Little Hall Museum…
London’s Supper Club Openings, August 2021
London Begins at 40’s food critic James Clark gives his round up of London’s Supper Club Openings for August. Don’t you just love this time of year? It’s when London’s…
The Dilly Hotel London and Madhu’s Restaurant
James Clark checks into The Dilly London and finds an elegant hotel with excellent service, as well as an Indian restaurant with a Kenyan twist. A hotel has dominated no…
Changing Tides of Isle of Wight Restaurants and Pubs
On his annual pilgrimage Mark Bibby Jackson revisits some familiar Isle of Wight restaurants to discover a clear tidal shift. For decades the Isle of Wight has been one of…
August Art in the City: Blake, Beckett and Binet
In the absence of new exhibitions this month London Begins at 40’s art columnist Irene Caswell roundups the ‘last chance to see’ fabulous summer shows to ensure you don’t miss…
Isère France : Nowhere More Natural
With a variety of exceptional landscapes from valleys, forests, lakes, plateaus, high peaks and glaciers which range from the banks of the Rhône to the imposing 4,000m Pic Lory in…
Music Album Releases in July
London Begins at 40 music critic, Robert Spellman, casts his eye across some of the latest music album releases in July, so you can enjoy music in the comfort of…
L’amico Fritz at Holland Park Opera
Julia Bright watches the delightful L’amico Fritz by Pietro Mascagni at the Holland Park Opera, one of this season’s four productions. L’amico Fritz is a far cry from Cavalleria Rusticana…
Relaxing at Potton Hall Spa & Cottages
Eileen Wise checks into Potton Hall Country Spa & Cottages and spends a delightful time being pampered with her sister. The flags of Zambia and St. George flutter in the…
Poaching African Wildlife : The Other Covid Pandemic
Mark Bibby Jackson looks into several initiatives aimed to confront the worrying increase in poaching African wildlife, a by-product of Covid. With the global death toll from Covid breaking the…
Tech-savvy YOTEL London Gets Thumbs Up
James Clark checks out the brand new YOTEL London in Clerkenwell and is pleased with what he finds. If someone had said to me a year ago that a brand…
Luxuriating in AIRE Ancient Baths London
Mark Bibby Jackson checks into the recently opened AIRE Ancient Baths London and emerges two hours later feeling like a completely different man. There will be a time when international…
Luxuriating in AIRE Ancient Baths London
Mark Bibby Jackson checks into the recently opened AIRE Ancient Baths London and emerges two hours later feeling like a completely different man. There will be a time when international…
London Live Music in July, August
As the doors finally creak open to the capital’s music spaces, London Begins at 40’s music columnist Robert Spellman offers a selection of London live music in July and August…
Discover the Benefits of Forest Bathing UK
Irene Caswell takes the short trip to West Sussex to discover the health benefits of forest bathing and discovers there is much more to the practice than tree hugging. Over…
New Chapter for Riverside Radio
Julia Bright tells the story of popular community Riverside Radio, which has become a vital part of life in south west London. Riverside Radio is an award-winning digital community radio…
