EFG London Jazz Festival Preview
The EFG London Jazz Festival is a highlight in the UK capital’s music calendar, explains Robert Spellman. Out of the November gloom comes the EFG London Jazz Festival for 2023…
Raindance Film Festival 2023
The largest independent UK film festival, The Raindance Festival returns to London for its 31st edition in October. Whereas the BFI London Film Festival is the biggest show in town, Raindance…
A Walk On the Streets London’s East End
Mark Bibby Jackson experiences street life in London’s East End discovering arguably the best samosas in London. The East End of London has always been one of my favourite parts…
Sky-high Cocktails at Hyatt Place London City East
On his visit to London’s East End, Mark Bibby Jackson stays at the Hyatt Place London City East, and discovers a wonderful new hotel with breath-taking views and excellent cocktails…
Is God Is a Revenger’s Tragedy?
The Royal Court’s ambitious and refreshing new programme has continued with Aleshea Harris’ revenge drama Is God Is at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs. Fast and furious from the off, Aleshea Harris’…
The Marylebone Hotel: a Capital Base
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise use the Marylebone Hotel London to examine the surrounding area including The Wallace Collection and the oldest existing bookshop. Is it mar-li-bone or mar-li-bun? Or…
Sailing a Wherry Boat on the Norfolk Broads
Mark Bibby Jackson chills out while sailing a traditional wherry boat on the Norfolk Broads, a short drive from London. I am not a natural sailor. I was scarred for…
Chelsea Flower Show 2021, London, UK
The environment and sustainability was supposed to be the focus for the 2020 Chelsea Flower Show as this famous Royal Horticultural Society event shows that it moves with the times…
RA Summer Exhibition 2024
British artist and Royal Academician Ann Christopher, will oversee the 256th RA Summer Exhibition. Since its inception in 1769, the The Royal Academy‘s Summer Exhibition has been the largest open submission…
Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt, Wyndham’s Theatre
Julia Bright reviews Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt play currently showing at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London. Leopoldstadt is, in Tom Stoppard’s own words, “all about being Jewish” – this means…
London Restaurant Autumn Openings
London Begins at 40’s food critic James Clark gives his round up of London restaurant Autumn openings including the finest Italian cuisine and freshest seafood. I don’t know about you…
Carousel, Regent’s Park Open-Air Theatre
Julia Bright reviews Regent’s Park Open-Air Theatre’s production of Carousel which has been transposed to the North of England. Good gracious. Carousel set in a northern England seaside town and…
The Clarendon Hotel in Blackheath
James Clark books into the Clarendon Hotel in Blackheath as his base for exploring the things to do in Greenwich, and discovers a most friendly gem. If it’s all about…
Art in the City: Dancing, Sailing and Making Waves
London Begins at 40 arts columnist Irene Caswell takes a look at the London art openings in September. The cooler temperatures and shortening days signify a move into autumn which…
Once Upon a Time in Nazi Occupied Tunisia
Mark Bibby Jackson reviews Josh Azouz’s tragi-comedy Once Upon a Time in Nazi Occupied Tunisia at the Almeida. From the off as we are greeted with a character buried up…
Things to Do in Greenwich 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
