London Stories

Nights out in London

2010-01-11T12:00:00Z

If you’re tired of doing the same old thing every night of the week, check out these fresh ideas for a fun evening out.

Gentle Nights Out

Stitch & Bitch

What is it: What started as a few friends getting together to knit and natter has transformed into a nationwide movement to get the needles out in public venues. Experts are often on hand to teach newbies the basic skills.

Who goes? Crafty boys and girls.

» Sign up for the newsletter and locations of meetings at stitchandbitchlondon.co.uk

Tea Dances

What is it: They’re a throwback to the ’20s, when it was ”simply darling” to grab a partner and dance to a live band, then take a break for a proper afternoon tea.

Who goes? Those who can’t let go of the good ol’ days – even if they were born in the ’80s

» Finsbury Old Town Hall, Rosebery Ave, EC1R 4RP, (ragrooftheatre.co.uk). £3-£6.

» Royal Opera House, 7 Bow St, WC2E 7AH. £10.

The Book Club

What is it: Probably not like any book club you’ve been to, this brand new venue is actually a renovated Victorian warehouse in Old Street. It’s open during the day for food and drink, and also offers a nightly programme of storytelling, poetry, discussion and all things cultural.

Who goes? Literature lovers who are sick of keeping quiet in the library.

» 100 Leonard St, ECA 4RH Old Street (wearetbc.com).

Alternative Clubs

Bring Stuff

What is it: The people behind Bring Stuff organise social events with random fancy dress themes with the aim of introducing “people who like dressing up, making costumes, dance badly and have fun”.

Who goes? Spontaneous dress-ups enthusiasts.

» Sign up for the mailing list for future events at bringstuff.com.

Bar Surya

What is it: The UK’s first eco-club gives you a good reason to boogie all night long. The club’s owners claim the dance floor actually harnesses dancers’ movements and converts them into usable electricity. Whether the venue actually does anything significant for the green movement is up for debate, but patrons are asked to sign a pledge to work towards curbing climate change.

Who goes? Greenies tired of sitting in the dark to save energy.

» 146 Pentonville Rd, N1 9JL King’s Cross (020 7713 6262). £10 entry, but if you can prove you cycled, took public transport or walked to the club, the cover charge is waived.

Roller Disco

What is it: Part disco, part roller rink, this is the only place that neon leg warmers, alcohol and wheels legitimately go together.

Who goes? Anyone who’s nostalgic for either the disco movement or their childhood roller skates (main image).

» Renaissance Rooms, Miles St, SW8 1SD. Every Thu-Sat. £10-£15.

Take the stage

Spoken Word

What is it: Whether you fancy yourself as a poet performer or just like to listen and watch others, Spoken Word can be a night out with a difference. There’s often a decidedly political slant to the event, but lots of pieces are also comical.

Who goes? Poets against black berets and snapping fingers.

» See applesandsnakes.org for event listings.

Karaoke

What is it: London’s catching up to East Asia’s lead on the karaoke scene, and now boasts several ‘karaoke box’ venues, which means you can rent a private room for you and your friends to belt out songs without judgement.

Who goes? People who want to exercise their vocal cords but aren’t quite drunk enough to do it in public.

» Lucky Voice, 52 Poland St, W1F 7NH Oxford Circus (bars.luckyvoice.com) £20-£125. » Kbox, 7-9 Cranbourn St, WC2H 7AG Leicester Square (k-box.co.uk) £20-£150

Improve your life in 2010

2009-12-31T14:01:00Z

Kick-start those new year resolutions with our guide to making changes to your life in London. WORDS: Tom Sturrock

Jump feet-first into 2010 by making some long-promised improvements to your life.

If you want to travel more, learn to cook, get fit or pick up a language, get cracking and make this year one of accomplishment.

Of course it can be hard to know where to start, so here are some suggestions on how to kick off the year with a sense of direction:

Get fit

Do it because: You’ve over-indulged during the festive season or are sick of sitting at home every night during the London winter.

Get started: Gyms are the obvious solution, and there will be various new year deals on offer to tempt you through the door, but if
you want to actually play sport, your options include touch (in2touch.com/uk), cricket (lastmanstands.com), netball (onenetball.com) and Aussie rules (wildcatsfc.co.uk).

Find love

Do it because: You’re sick of hanging out in pubs with your mates, whingeing about the opposite sex. Or maybe you just want something ‘casual’.

Get started: If you can stomach online dating, check out antipodate.co.uk. Alternatively, the capital is crawling with speed dating firms. The big one is speeddater.co.uk, which also organises a stack of singles events.

Sort out your finances

Do it because: You live beyond your means and are sick of existing on bread and soup for the final week of every pay cycle.

Get started: Cut out unnecessary expenses. If your issues are more deep-seated, you might need cccs.co.uk – a free counselling service that offers money management training. Or rent
out your spare room to a dosser for extra cash on tntcrashpads.com.

Change jobs

Do it because: Maybe you’ve built up enough experience in London to do the job you really want, or perhaps you just need a change.

Get started: Be sure to log on to tntjobs.co.uk for available positions, but if you feel you need some advice, the government has a free service. Check out careersadvice.direct.gov.uk.

Learn to cook

Do it because: You can only subsist on toast and takeaway food for so long. Cooking is a great skill once you know how. It’s fun, healthy, and will save you money.

Get started: There are plenty of cooking courses in London, so your choice depends on whether you’re a novice or can already boil an egg. Go to cookeryschool.co.uk for a broad selection.

See more of London

Do it because: You’re new in town or have been working so hard you barely manage to leave your postcode.

Get started: Get out of your comfort zone and explore a new part of London – maybe the East End, Greenwich, Richmond, Angel, Camden or Hampstead – or that famous landmark
you haven’t yet seen. See tntmagazine.com/london_life for more suggestions.

Learn a language

Do it because: You’re tired of visiting Europe and having to get by with crude sign language, or you think being able to speak Spanish will help you pick up.

Get started: Booking on to a language course is a great way to meet people, fill your evenings and learn something new.

TNT is running five-week Learn The Lingo courses beginning throughout January. See tntmagazine.com/languageschool

Pamper yourself

Do it because: Run down? Tired? Sick of not feeling your best? You need ‘me time’, and the best way to get it is to pay someone else to make you feel better.

Get started: There are literally thousands of options for pampering in London. The Thermal Spa Experience at Spa London’s Bethnal Green outpost doesn’t only have
a Turkish bath, it’s also got a hammam, aroma-infused shower, ice fountain and Kneipp hose to cool the extremities. See spa-london.org.

Travel more

Do it because: The great advantage of living in London is being able to nip across to Paris or Berlin for a weekend. If you haven’t made the most of that, 2010 is the time to start.

Get started: Closer to home, take a road trip to a new part of the UK. Easy city breaks are Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cardiff; regions are Peak District, Lake District and Cornwall. See tntmagazine.com/travel for more ideas.

Be Greener

Do it because: You’re an environmentalist who is desperate to reduce your carbon footprint, or you just want some greenery in your grey apartment block.

Get started: It starts at home. Grow your own vegetables in your backyard, or just some herbs on your window sill. If you want a bigger project, see farmgarden.org.uk for a gardening collective in your area.

The TNT 2010 'Must-do in London' list (part 2)

2009-12-29T15:08:00Z

PART 2: London’s must-see list is endless, but here’s what you really shouldn’t miss out on while living in the capital. WORDS: Daniel Landon

Posh shopping

For class, sophistication and style Harrod’s (above) is hard to beat. It’s worth wandering through some of the lesser visited parts of the store to get an idea of the lavish items (and price tags). For an equally elegant store without the crowds, head to Fortnum & Mason. Just over the road is Burlington Arcade, a treasure trove of olde worlde class.

Big Red Bus

The old-school Routemaster buses (they’re the ones with the big opening at the back so you can jump on and off at any time) are a true London icon. Most have been phased out but they still operate on route 9 between Aldwych and Royal Albert Hall, and route 15 between Trafalgar Square and Tower Hill.

Stately Manors

Britain is famous for its grand country estates with magnificent manor houses and manicured grounds. There are such estates in London, including Kenwood House (adjoining the massive and wild forests of Hampstead Heath), Ham House (near Richmond), Chiswick House, and the grand-daddy of them all, Hampton Court Palace.

Great live music

There’s no doubt that London has one of the best live music scenes in the world. The history of venues such as the Brixton Academy or Shepherd’s Bush Empire pretty much guarantees bands and musos there will play to the rafters. Or catch hip up-and-comers at Camden’s uber-cool Barfly and Koko.

High tea

Afternoon tea in the dining room of a posh hotel, waited on by smartly dressed waiters, eating fancy cakes and sandwiches, and sipping tea from fine bone china cups is quintessentially English. It’s about £30 at a five-star hotel but is a decadent, genteel experience. You will not go wrong at The Ritz, Claridge’s, The Dorchester, The Lanesborough or The Berkeley.

Shakespeare’s Globe

Step back in time in modern London at the faithful replica of the famous Globe theatre that existed in Shakespeare’s time. For the most authentic experience stand in the open-air courtyard just in front of the
stage for only £5 and revel in a performance of one of the Bard’s masterpieces.

Park life

Central London’s large public parks are magnificent, and a rare treat when compared to the limited green space in other massive cities. Regent’s Park has a tranquil mix of formal and informal gardens, while just over the road is Primrose Hill. The 180-degree panorama over the city from the top is sublime.

Cutting-edge cool

To hang out with some of the trendiest, edgiest, too-cool-for-school people you will ever see head to the East End, particularly around Shoreditch and Spitalfields and the north end of Brick Lane. Hoxton Square, in particular, is London’s epicentre of cool, with funky bars and shops and avant garde galleries.

Delve into the war

Discover the massive impact that World War II had on London and how the capital was the nerve centre of the fight against the Nazis. The Cabinet War Rooms and the Imperial War Museum are evocative reminders, while the Museum of London explores the horrors of the Blitz.

Tate Modern

Worth a look even if you’re not interested in art. It’s not at all fuddy-duddy, with plenty of modern, out-there and more classic stuff.

Click here for part one of The TNT 2010 'Must-do in London' list

The TNT 2010 'Must-Do in London' list

2009-12-29T14:57:00Z

PART 1: London’s must-see list is endless, but here’s what you really shouldn’t miss out on while living in the capital. WORDS: Daniel Landon

Greenwich

By far this is the best place in London for a day trip. Take the Docklands Light Railway from Bank station, which passes through the gritty East End and gleaming Canary Wharf, then get off at Cutty Sark.

Marvel at the glorious architecture of the National Maritime Museum (above), wander through the park, straddle the prime meridian at the Royal Observatory, and end with a pint of locally-brewed beer at the Greenwich Union pub.

Camden markets

The sights and sounds of goths, punks, weirdos, piercings and offbeat shops makes a maiden visit to the Camden markets an amazing experience. Sure, the second time you drop by it feels dirty and nasty, but it’s the most vibrant part of London. Plus, a walk from Camden Lock (the best of the many markets) along the canal to Regent’s Park is always delightful.

Football – the national sport

The English Premier League is rivalled only by Spain as the richest, most prestigious and most skilful national league in the world. London has five Premier League clubs – Fulham FC is the easiest to obtain tickets for.

Or watch one of the nine lower league clubs, such as Brentford, Charlton Athletic, Leyton Orient, Queen’s Park Rangers, Crystal Palace or AFC Wimbledon.

Get drunk in a ye olde pub

There’s nothing more endearingly English than a great pub. For an atmospheric ye olde worlde feel try: The Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (Fleet St, EC4A 2BU), Ye Olde Mitre Tavern (Ely Crt, EC1N 6SJ), Cittie of Yorke (High Holborn, WC1V 6BN), Lamb and Flag (Rose St, WC2E 9EB) or The Blackfriar (Queen Victoria St, EC4V 4EG).

To make your experience even more English, try a pint of ale – England’s brewing speciality.

The City and St Paul's

The square mile around St Paul’s Cathedral constitutes what’s known as ‘The City’ – it’s the heart of historic London and home to the capital’s banking industry. Take a stroll on a weekday and check out all the suits, and the grand Bank of England as well as Guildhall. Don’t miss the Gherkin and Lloyd’s of London for its bewildering, inside-out design.

West end shows

The West End is the largest theatre district in the world, and there’s something for just about everyone – from Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, such as The Phantom Of The Opera, to dramatic plays, such as The Mousetrap, which has been running since 1952. See officiallondontheatre.co.uk and tkts.co.uk.

Thames cruise

A cruise on the Thames is the best way to see London. Cruising from Hampton Court to Woolwich Arsenal (or vice versa) via central London offers a whole new perspective on familiar sights, and a chance to see new areas you haven’t seen before, such as the Thames Barrier and old Docklands. You can check times at tfl.gov.uk.

Tower of London

It’s easy think of the Tower of London as yet another expensive tourist trap. But you will leave saying, ‘That was awesome.’ The centuries-old buildings are hugely impressive, both inside and out, and ooze a tragic, blood-soaked history. The Tower’s Beefeaters run free tours.

Soho after dark

Discover the flipside to the toursity vibe of central London by wandering through Soho on a Friday or Saturday night. The area (bounded by Regent Street, Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road and Leicester Square)
is traditionally home of London’s red-light district. It’s been cleaned up, though, and has dozens of pubs and clubs.

Top museums

Visit the Natural History Museum, V&A Museum, and the Science Museum. They’re all free to enter and all world-class.

Click here for part two of The TNT 2010 'Must-do in London' list

Christmas Entertainment in London

2009-12-04T14:29:00Z

Don’t miss out on the best of this year’s festive season entertainment in London. WORDS: Elizabeth Eun

Maybe it’s those atmospheric chilly evenings or the promise of a glass of mulled wine in a snug pub afterwards, but nowhere else does Christmas entertainment quite like London.

Treading the boards: Pantos

Chrissie creds:

What could be more fun than men dressed as women, bawdy humour and throwing sweets? Pantomimes are a huge feature of Britain’s unique Christmas charm.

Here’s our tip for the season: “He’s behind you!”

Do it: Aladdin takes the crown for most performed panto this year, with several versions in town. But with ex-Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson swapping the red cossie for a stint as the genie, New Wimbledon Theatre’s version is likely to be the one on most Christmas lists.

» New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway, SW19 1QG (ambassadortickets.com/wimbledon). Dec 4-Jan 10. £16-£29

Meanwhile, over on the East side, Aladdin is pretty much your last chance to see inside the incredible Hackney Empire before it shuts down for nine months for a major refurb.

» Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, E8 1EJ (hackneyempire.co.uk) Nov 28-Jan 9. £9.50-£22.50

For something a little more grown-up try Sinderfella, an adults-only panto showing in the heart of the West End.

» Leicester Square Theatre, 5 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BX (020 7432 4220). Dec 4-30. £15-£19.50

Into The Hoods: A London Fairytale is an urban fable complete with a soundtrack courtesy of Gorrillaz, Massive Attack, Jay-Z, Basement Jaxx and Kanye. Like a panto, but with street cred.

» Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX (southbankcentre.co.uk). Dec 16-Jan 10. £15 -27.50

Men in Tights: A Night at the Ballet

Chrissie creds: Nothing says Christmas like a delicate winter dreamland peopled by willowy ballerinas.

Do it: Lose yourself in The Nutcracker’s magical world of sugar plum fairies and Tchaikovsky’s brilliant music at this seasonal ballet.

» London Coliseum, St Martin’s Ln, WC2N 4ES Leicester Square (eno.org). Dec 16-Jan 3. £8-£60

Men in tutus performing Swan Lake? Take a swig of edgy with your Christmas sherry as Matthew Bourne turns tradition upside down in his all-male version of the classic ballet.

» Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Ave London, EC1R 4TN Angel (sadlerswells.com). Dec 10-31. £10-£50

All ye faithful: Carol concerts

Chrissie creds: It doesn’t get more Christmassy than carols, and the Brits pour such dedication into their songs about yuletide you’ll want to tralalala along.

Do it: Rug up and enjoy a free carol service in one of London’s most iconic outdoor squares. BYO candles and mince pies.

» Trafalgar Square, SW1, (london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/events/xmas.jsp). Dec 7- 21. Free

If you haven’t yet seen inside London’s extraordinary St Paul’s Cathedral, grab this chance to be awestruck by the interior while getting into the spirit.

» St Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD, (stpauls.co.uk). Dec 3-25. Free

Stray a little from the traditional at the grand Royal Albert Hall. Special events include an evening featuring Rufus and Martha Wainwright, along with guests Boy George and Dawn French.

» Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP High Street Kensington (royalalberthall.com). From Dec 7. £25-£70

Midnight Mass

London has so many gobsmackingly impressive churches you don’t need to be highly religious to get along to midnight mass.

The much-loved St Martin-in-the-Fields and both St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey will hold services on Christmas Eve – an excellent chance to see the interiors of these wonderful buildings.

The weeks before Christmas are also a great time to visit St Martin-in-the-Fields’ atmospheric Café in the Crypt for a mince pie afternoon tea.

■ St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ, (www2.stmartin-in-the-fields.org). Dec 24,11.30pm.

■ Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square, SW1P 3PA, (westminster-abbey.org). Dec 24, 11.30pm.

■ St Paul’s Cathedral, St Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD, (stpauls.co.uk). Dec 24, 11.30pm

Chrissie Lights

What better way to cap off a night of panto, carols or ballet than a rugged-up wander through the winter wonderland of London’s world-renowned Christmas lit streets.

The best lights are usually found around the West End’s shopping district of Oxford and Regent Streets, although your local high street will have a good showing too.

Markets galore

Call them kitsch if you will, but that’s kind of the point with these knick-knack laden stalls.

» Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, SW1X 7RL

» Covent Garden Deluxe Christmas Market, Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 9DD

London's Alternative Spaces

2009-12-04T13:59:00Z

With London property on demand, opening a new venue sometimes means making over an abandoned or under-used one. WORDS: Tom Sturrock

In a place as old as London, where there’s not much room to build from scratch, reinvention is vital to the city’s cultural life.

Restaurants, markets, galleries and theatres squeeze in where they can, which sometimes means inhabiting a subway, stable or old factory.

Here are some highlights from London’s long list of refurbished gems.

P3 gallery

Former life: The cavernous building was part of the University of Westminster’s school of civil engineering, and was used for testing concrete until the 1980s.

Now it is: After some modifications the facility was reopened in 2007 as an arts exhibition space. The sheer size of the venue makes it ideal for a range of installations, from fashion to photography and sculpture.

» Marylebone Rd, NW1 5LS (p3exhibitions.com)

Union Chapel

Former life: It was built as a Victorian gothic-style church, with a 52m-high tower and a then-cutting edge Father Willis organ, which still remains in its original condition.

Now it is: Although it’s still a working church it’s also a live music venue, famed for its distinctive octagonal design.

It remains one of Islington’s most important buildings, thanks to the Union Chapel Project, set up in 1991 to restore and administer it.

» Compton Tce, N1 2UN , (unionchapel.org.uk)

Subway Gallery

Former life: This kiosk, built in a public subway between Edgware Road and Harrow Road in the 1960s, served as a shoe shop, a key-cutter and a chemist.

Now it is: Today, surprised pedestrians will stumble upon a gallery run by local artist Robert Gordon McHarg, who curates monthly shows and occasionally turns the space into
a recording studio.

» Edgware Rd, W2 1DX Edgware Road (subwaygallery.com)

Truman Brewery

Former life: The Black Eagle Brewery was constructed in the early 1700s, and at one stage was the biggest brewery in London and the second-largest in Britain.

Now it is: Production ceased in 1988, but the brewery was revamped as part of an urban renewal scheme and now houses more than 250 businesses, with art galleries, bars and restaurants lending it a cosmopolitan air.

» Brick Ln, E1 6QL, (trumanbrewery.com)

The Tabernacle

Former life: A non-denominational church built in 1887, it is listed as a grade two building and has retained all its original pews.

Now it is: The Tabernacle is one of the hubs of the Notting Hill Carnival as it’s home to the Carnival Village.

While it nominally emphasises African-Caribbean culture, its diverse features include a bar and restaurant, dance studios and gallery space.

» Powis Sq, W11 2AY, (carnivalvillage.org.uk)

Granary Square

Former life: Marked as industrial land, it housed a railway goods yard, as well as transit sheds and facilities for storing coal and grain.

Now it is: In 2011, it will open as a sprawling retail and leisure complex, also designed to host major events. Surrounded by green space, 1000 fountains will be built in the old canal basin and University of the Arts London will move its St Martin’s college there.

» Granary Sq, N1 1FA,(kingscrosscentral.com/granarysquare)

Camden Stables

Former life: The Midland Railway stables and horse hospital was established for the horses pulling barges along the canal, but when the canals ceased operating in the early 1970s,
a bustling market moved in.

Now it is: The Stables Market is probably the most famous feature of Camden Town, and traces of its past are still visible in the lovingly maintained railway arches, which were spared in a fire that gutted other venues in 2008.

» Chalk Farm Rd, NW1, (stablesmarket.com)

Roundhouse

Former life: It was built in 1847 as a turntable engine shed, or roundhouse, for the London and Birmingham Railway Company, before later serving as a gin store. It was converted
into a theatre in the 1960s, and hosted gigs by The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix, but closed in 1983.

Now it is: Reopened in 2006, it now houses studios and is also a performance space.

» Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8EH, (roundhouse.org.uk)

New Year's Eve clubbing in London

2009-11-27T16:09:00Z

Party into 2010 at one of these mega New Year’s Eve clubbing events WORDS: Natasha Vuckovic

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and London, the clubbing capital of the world, is getting ready to welcome 2010 with its usual mass of riotous parties. Get ready to kiss 2009 goodbye in pure hedonistic style.

Cocoon NYE

The party: The godfather of techno (that’s Sven Väth, in case you were wondering) brings his pleasure-seeking party to London for its first-ever New Year’s Eve shindig in the capital.

The line-up: Sven Väth, Cassy, Andre Galluzzi, Yousef, Matt Tolfrey.

The place: Matter, The O2, Peninsula Sq, SE10 0DX North Greenwich (020 7549 6686). 9pm-7am.

The damage: From £40.

Get Loaded in the Dark

The party: Summer festival Get Loaded In The Park gets ready to party in dark winter, with this all-mighty event in one of south London’s finest venues. Early-bird tickets
were snapped up in October, so you know it’s going to be good.

The line-up: Simian Mobile Disco, Annie Mac, Chase & Status, Hervé, Golden Silvers.

The place: Brixton Academy, Stockwell Rd, SW9 9SL Brixton (020 7771 3000). 8.30pm-6am.

The damage: From £30.

Good Times NYE

The party: A mash-up of soulful house and hip-hop as dance music stalwart Norman Jay rings in the New Year with his Good Times party.

The line-up: Norman Jay, Russell Jay, Loud Minority DJs.

The place: Hearn Street Car Park (don’t worry, it’s indoors), Hearn St, EC2 3LS, Barbican (normanjay.com). 9pm-5.30am.

The damage: From £20.

Ministry of Sound Live

The party: It’s a giant venue, the line-up is mammoth and the production is phenomenal, with pyrotechnics and an aerial walkway where artists perform above the crowd.

The line-up: Deadmau5, Eric Prydz, Calvin Harris, Justice, Plump DJs.

The place: The O2 Arena, Peninsula Sq, SE10 0DX, North Greenwich (020 8463 2000). 9pm-6am.

The damage: From £55.

The Gallery’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular

The party: The Gallery is all about massive DJs, storming tunes and a big trance sound. Come and play with four rooms of music in one of the world’s best-known clubs.

The line-up: Sander van Doorn, Judge Jules, Tall Paul, Riley and Durrant, Tania von Pear, Gareth Harding.

The place: Ministry Of Sound, Gaunt St, SE1 6DP Elephant & Castle (0870 060 0010). 9pm-8am.

The damage: From £40.

DFA vs Horse Meat Disco

The party: With an eclectic crowd, expect cool retro tunes and a non-stop, just-gotta-dance vibe. Ooh, yeah.

The line-up: Horse Meat Disco DJs, Holy Ghost, Jacques Renault, Warm DJs.

The place: Cargo, Rivington St, EC2A 3AY, Old Street (020 7739 3440). 9pm-5am.

The damage: From £35 adv.

Ring in the New Year

Check out these other New Year’s Eve options.

TNT’s Circus Party

Trapeze your way into the New Year under TNT’s Big Top. Tickets cost £12 (or £20 on the door) and include an arrival drink,
a DJ set and other great entertainment.

See tntmagazine.com/nye.

Off with a bang

At the stroke of midnight, the skies above the Houses of Parliament are lit up in a magnificent display of fireworks.

It gets busy, so get there early.

At the boozer

Your local pub will most likely put on a NYE bash.

You’ll probably have to pay for entry, but sometimes there’s nothing better than partying close to home.

Bond, James Bond

Make like a secret agent at the Bond Ball. Kensington Close Hotel, Wrights Ln, W8 5SP Kensington High Street (020 8989 6712). £44.

House part-ay

Skip the entry fee, queues and transport nightmares and have a DIY NYE.

The streets of Soho, London

2009-11-13T12:53:00Z

Between Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus sits one of London’s most colourful, controversial and storied neighbourhoods WORDS: Tom Sturrock

”When the respectable Londoner wants to feel devilish, he goes to Soho, where every street is a song,” wrote author Thomas Burke.

And in its various incarnations, Soho has kept an eclectic beat – over the years it has been many different things to an ever-changing cast of characters.

How it began

In the 1500s the Lord Mayor of London would go out to inspect the city’s water supply while hunting – soho, like tally-ho, was a hunting call, indicating the quarry had been sighted.

After the Great Fire of London in 1666 gutted the city, many of the displaced thousands moved west, and Soho was born, attracting hard-working artisans and craft trades.

“It’s not surprising the more colourful visitors such as Casanova and Mozart, took up in Soho,” London historian Richard Tames says. “That’s where they’d gravitate.”

See: The first civic buildings, Golden Square and Soho Square, on Rathbone Street.

Centre of style

In the swinging ’60s, London’s influence on fashion and popular culture was huge, and Carnaby Street was the place to head if you wanted flared pants and floral shirts. It was a global hub of male fashion.

“A big part of it was that it got pedestrianised very early, and that really altered the nature of the shopping experience,” Tames says.

See: The grand Soho mural on the corner of Carnaby and Broadwick Streets.

Listen to the music

In the 1950s, Soho was at the heart of London’s music scene, with the first all-night jazz sessions on Meard Street.

Rock music took over Soho in the ’60s, with the Rolling Stones jamming at venues in the area and Jimi Hendrix playing his last live gig at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club.

“You had the Musicians Union headquarters on Archer Street. Session musicians would hang around all day,” Tames says.

“If anyone wanted a trombonist or a pianist at short notice, they could go down and take their pick.”

See: Ronnie Scott’s has moved from Gerrard Street to Frith Street, but is open every night.

Literary landmarks

Cafés and dining rooms in Soho were popular among writers, such as Karl Marx, Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens and William Blake.

The area features in fiction – Sherlock Holmes is a Soho regular and Mr Hyde’s apartment is amid the maelstrom of excess and debauchery.

“Soho had the feel,” Tames says, “of an area of transformation that was also slightly forbidden.”

See: The French House pub on Dean Street, where writer Dylan Thomas got so drunk he lost the manuscript for Under Milk Wood.

Out and about

In the days when homosexuality was frowned upon, the permissive air of Soho ensured it had a reputation as the heartland of gay culture in London. It remained discreet though – so-called Molly

Houses sprang up around the area, where gay men could go and meet other men.

“The Golden Lion on Romilly Street was the place for men to go if they wanted to pick up a sailor or a guardsman,” says Tames.

See: Old Compton Street is the pink precinct.

Dens of iniquity

At one point there were about 200 sex shops and strip clubs in Soho. The sex trade in the 1960s was a licence to print money, and the vice squad often turned a blind eye.

“In Soho, the ’60s were already happening in the ’50s – that’s where artistic, bohemian and homosexual elements were drawn,” Tames says.

“If you knew the right places, you could drink 24 hours a day.”
See: Oscar Wilde took rent boys to restaurants in Rupert Sreet, while Brewer Street is now the centre of the diminished sex trade.

» Covent Garden And Soho: The Illustrated A-Z Historical Guide by Richard Tames is out now

London's best museums

2009-11-06T16:40:00Z

If you’ve been in London for a while and haven’t yet spent a couple of days wandering around its biggest and best museums, you’re missing out WORDS Tom Sturrock

So with winter loitering with intent just around the corner, set aside a rainy afternoon for a spot of museum-going. Here are the Big Five to check out straight off the bat:

Natural History Museum

Overview: Exhibits aside, the building housing the museum is breathtaking, with its ornate Victorian frontage and cavernous entrance hall. So take a few minutes to check out the architecture before immersing yourself in this meticulous catalogue of the natural world.
Must-see: Everyone’s got their favourite animals, and the mammals section makes sure none of them go unaccounted for.
Special attractions: The new Darwin Centre opened in September, and the state-of-the art Cocoon building is the hottest ticket in town.
» Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD Tube: South Kensington (nhm.ac.uk). Daily, 10am-5.30pm

Imperial War Museum

Overview: The museum’s emphasis is on the two world wars, and if you need to brush up your European history this is the perfect place to start, providing a crash course in the origins of both great wars. Or, if you just like guns, tanks and fighter planes, you’ll also go home satisfied.
Must-see: The Secret War exhibition focuses on the world of espionage, featuring bottles of invisible ink and an Enigma cipher machine.
Special attractions: The Holocaust Exhibition looks at the way Nazis tried to exterminate the Jews. Grim stuff, and it stays with you.
» Lambeth Rd, SE1 6HZ Tube: Lambeth North (london.iwm.org.uk). Daily, 10am-6pm

British Museum

Overview: The building itself is spectacular, with a colossal opaque dome at its centre. You know it’s a serious museum when you stumble across the Rosetta Stone in the foyer. The ideal spot for a lazy stroll through antiquity.
Must-see: In Assyria in 720BC, King Sargon’s citadel was guarded by a pair of giant human-headed winged bull statues. Now they’re here. Awesome.
Special attractions: Moctezuma: Aztec Ruler is currently exhibiting, and spectacularly sketches the last days of Aztec civilisation in the 1500s.
» Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG Tube: Tottenham Court Road (britishmuseum.org). Sat-Wed, 10am-5.30pm; Thu-Fri, 10am-8.30pm

Victoria & Albert Museum

Overview: The world’s largest museum of arts and design fuses everyday quirkiness with the truly arcane. For example, in a retrospective on women’s fashion, medieval corsetry appears alongside a J-Lo style velour tracksuit.
Must-see: The V&A’s sculpture collection is incredible – one of the current highlights is the gallery of dazzling Buddhist pieces.
Special attractions: The Maharaja exhibition brings together pieces from India’s Royal Court, and there’s some serious bling on show.
» Cromwell Rd, SW7 2RL Tube: South Kensington (vam.ac.uk). Daily, 10am-5.45pm (Fri, till 10pm)

Science Museum

Overview: Remember when you were little and you were really interested in how stuff worked? The Science Museum taps into that child-like curiosity, ensuring you’ll spend hours marvelling at the ingenuity of your fellow man.
Must-see: The Energy Hall will get petrolheads revved up, with industrial engines that could easily be from a mad inventor’s workshop.
Special attractions: Cosmos & Culture is on currently, examining how astronomy changed our view of the universe and ourselves.
» Exhibition Rd, SW7 2DD Tube: South Kensington (sciencemuseum.org.uk). Daily, 10am-6pm

London's smaller, niche museums

Cartoon Museum
Fun yet poignant comic art.
» Little Russell St, WC1A 2HH Tube: Tottenham Court Road (cartoonmuseum.org)

Royal Air Force Museum
Over 100 planes on show.
» Colindale, NW9 5LL Tube: Colindale (rafmuseum.org.uk)

Museum Of London
Centuries of fascinating and quirky history brought to life.
» London Wall, EC2Y 5HN Tube: Barbican (museumoflondon.org.uk)

London Transport Museum
The story of the world’s most famous trains and buses
» Wellington St, WC2E 7BB Tube: Covent Garden (ltmuseum.co.uk)

Museum Of London Docklands
London’s proud (and murky) maritime heritage
» Hertsmere Rd, E14 4AL Tube: Canary Wharf (museumindocklands.org.uk)

The Elgin Marbles

The Elgin Marbles in the British Museum are classical Greek sculptures, originally part of the Parthenon in Athens but acquired (ahem) by the Brits in 1812. Ever since then, the Greeks have been trying to get them back to Athens.

Lesley Fitton, the museum’s Keeper of the Greek and Roman Department, insists the Marbles serve a broader audience in the UK: ”You have to question whether every antiquity should go back to where it was found, because that would fragment the great collections wherever they exist: in London, New York, Paris.”

Bonfire Night in London

2009-10-30T10:06:00Z

Guy Fawkes Night is approaching. Why is it such a big occasion? WORDS Natasha Vuckovic

It’s that time of year again when London’s skies are lit up with fireworks displays in celebration of Guy Fawkes Night. Taking place every year on November 5 – although the fireworks tend to linger throughout the month – the annual festivities have been going for a mammoth 404 years.

So who was Guy Fawkes and why the massive party? He’s got a night named after him, so he’s got to be some sort of hero, right?

Gunpowder and treason
No, actually. Back in 1605, there were 13 blokes who wanted to blow up King James I and the Houses of Parliament in a bid to start an uprising so Catholics could seize power. Guy Fawkes was one of them.

On November 5, Fawkes was busted by guards in the cellar of the House of Lords with 36 barrels of gunpowder ready to ignite and blow the place to bits as the aristocracy gathered upstairs for the state opening of parliament.

He was tortured and executed for his part in the Gunpowder Plot, however there are a stack of conspiracy theories suggesting Fawkes and his comrades were framed by the King’s men in a bid to make Catholics out as enemies.

Going out with a bang
While Fawkes met his grizzly end, the people of England celebrated the King’s fortunate escape by lighting bonfires, burning effigies of Fawkes and setting off fireworks – a tradition that continues to this day.

Also known as Bonfire Night, November 5 is an occasion when London’s councils put on a stack of impressive fireworks displays in parks around the capital. Many also have fairground rides, food and drink and family attractions. This year most of the big events are being held between November 5-7.

Households throughout the city also celebrate Guy Fawkes with their own fireworks nights. In fact, investing in a pair of earplugs might be a good idea, especially if you’ve got neighbours with cracker-mad kids.

Get cracking
If you’re keen to set off a few crackers of your own, you’re in luck – because this is one of the only times of the year when you can actually buy fireworks. You’re legally allowed buy them from a registered seller between October 15 and November 10 for Guy Fawkes night (you can also legally buy them between December 26 and 31 for New Year and during Diwali and Chinese New Year).

If you reckon the shop you’re buying them from is dodgy, your council’s Trading Standards office will have a list of registered sellers. There’s also a stack of online sellers.

You can let fireworks off until midnight on Bonfire Night or until 11pm on other nights, but you can’t set them off in the street or in a public place. So rug up in your winter woolies and get ready to watch as London lights up.

Fireworks displays across London

Wood green

Stalls, music and beer. What more do you want?
» Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 Wood Green. Nov 7, 7.30pm. £4 donation

Battersea
Love is this year’s theme at Battersea Park’s celebration.
» Battersea Park, Albert Bridge Rd, SW11 Battersea Park (wandsworth.gov.uk). Nov 7, 8pm. £6

Lambeth
Lambeth Council is putting on three fireworks displays.
» Clapham Common, SW4 Clapham North; Brockwell Park, SE24 Brixton; and Streatham Common, SW16 Streatham (lambeth.gov.uk). Nov 5, 7.30pm. Free

Crystal Palace
An early show for little kids and a late show for big ones.
» Crystal Palace Park, Crystal Palace Station Rd, SE19 Crystal Palace (crystalpalacefireworks.co.uk). Nov 5, 7pm. £5

Lord Mayor’s Show, central London
The big one. You’ll be able to see it from miles around.
» Victoria Embankment, SW1 Temple (lordmayorsshow.org). Nov 14, 5pm. Free

Wimbledon
Includes stalls which are open until 10pm.
» Wimbledon Park, Home Park Rd, SW19 Southfields (merton.gov.uk/fireworks). Nov 5, 8.15pm, £7

DIY Bonfire Night

Avoid the crowds by stocking up with your own crackers and celebrating at home.

Food for thought
If you’re doing the bonfire thing then use it to cook up a feast. Wrap some potatoes and corn on the cob in foil and roast in the embers, or get the marshmallows out for some sweet treats.

Warm up
Keep the cold at bay with some mulled wine. Whack a bottle of red, some sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and an orange on the hob, heat up and enjoy.

Play it safe
Follow the Fireworks Code. Light fireworks at arm’s length, never return to a lit firework, keep any pets indoors and read instructions using a torch – never a naked flame.

Pagans in London

2009-10-26T13:21:00Z

Halloween marks the most important date on the calendar for London’s pagan community WORDS Trevor Paddenburg

Forget the tomato-sauce stained bandages for the Halloween party at your local pub. And don’t bother buying a broomstick and trying your luck at trick or treating. For London’s pagan community, Halloween – on October 31 – is serious business. After all, it’s the most important of eight festivals on the pagan calendar, dedicated to honouring the dead and celebrating the afterlife.

So, don’t be surprised if you stumble on a coven of witches, or a ritual with drumming and dancing Druids during your jog across Hampstead Heath this weekend.

So what’s paganism all about?
Pagan is actually a broad term given to anyone who follows nature-based religions or spiritual paths. Wicca and witchcraft, shamanism, Druids, voodoo and Odinism all form part of the pagan community.

It sounds sinister, right? Apparently not. “A common misconception is that paganism is all about worshipping the devil. It’s not,” a spokeswoman for the Pagan Federation of Great Britain tells TNT.

“While paganism covers a wide range of groups, at its core is the respect and worship of nature, the worship of a variety of deities, including female goddesses, and sometimes the use of spells and rituals,” she says.

The Pagan Federation of Great Britain estimates the number of pagans in the UK to be between 50,000 and 200,000. There’s even a pagan association within the Metropolitan Police.

Will I need a broomstick?
It’s not all dancing around bubbling cauldrons and moon-lit rituals. The South East London Folklore Society meets regularly to chat about fairies and folklore over a pint.

The Atlantis Bookshop (theatlantisbookshop.com), which claims to be London’s oldest occult book store serving pagans’ literary needs since 1922, is a fascinating place for browsing.

And earlier this month, the Pagan Federation of London held a conference with talks on ‘Spells And How They Work’, a ‘Shamanic Journey Workshop’ and ‘Who On Earth Is That Imaginary Friend Your Child Talks About?’ The federation holds debates, talks and courses at its headquarters, as well as festivals and rituals at woods and forest reserves around London to celebrate significant dates – such as Halloween – on the pagan calendar. The rituals are “friendly and informal, catering for both beginners and experienced pagans”.

What’s it like at a pagan event?
Aussie Michael Shorthill, who lives in Fulham, says he and a mate went to a seminar at the London Dark Arts Society, a group part of the pagan federation. “It was a pretty diverse crowd with a few strange characters, but overall it was an interesting night,” the 26-year-old says.

“I was half expecting people to be casting crazy spells or running around naked, but it was actually a big discussion about pagan art, with a guest speaker, and then a Q&A with the audience afterwards.

“I’m really into art and sketching so I liked hearing about it all. Then we went for a pint.”

How can I get involved?
There are loads of groups listed under the Pagan Federation of London. Hern’s Tribe members camp out in forests and perform outdoor tribal rituals, while the Tribe of Avalon is dedicated to “celebrating the energies of the ancient goddesses of the British Isles”.

Pagan Pathfinders meets weekly for spiritual development and to “participate more fully in the ecstasy of the cosmic dance”, while Avalonia runs workshops and courses on Wicca and magic. And the Children of Artemis caters to the needs of London’s witches and run the annual Witchfest festival.

TNT Halloween Party

Where: The Grand Union Kennington, Kennington Rd, SE11 6SF. Waterloo/ Lambeth North.
When: Sat, Oct 31, 7pm-1am.
Why: Cos the best-dressed reveller wins a nine-day tour of Egypt for two from On The Go.
How much: Entry is £6 – less than a set of fangs from a fancy dress store.
What’s included: A free drink, DJs, drink specials and great entertainment.
To book: See tntmagazine.com/halloween

Fright night in London

It’s your last night alive before zombies take over the world! Er, that’s the story at Village Underground’s The End Of The World – Zombie Attack party.
» Hollywell Ln, EC2A3PQ Tube: Old Street (theendoftheworld.co.uk). Oct 31, 8pm. £15.

Overdose on the occult at the London Ghost Festival, with guided walks and haunted venue tours.

Quaff your quota of cocktails at Notting Hill Arts Club’s Halloween Scream V.
» Oct 31, from 6pm. Tube: Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JQ Notting Hill Gate. £10.

Face your phobias at the Grant Museum of Zoology’s Witches and Lizards night, exploring superstitions about the animal kingdom.
» University College London, Gower St, WC1E 6BT Tube: Euston Square. Oct 31, from 5.30pm. £3.

Short courses in London

2009-10-23T09:29:00Z

Knowledge is power, they say – so get along to one of London’s short courses and learn a new skill WORDS Daniel Landon

For travellers

Fed up with your photos not doing justice to the places you visit? To get the best results you need to know how to compose a photo and what all the settings on your camera do. This is where Nigel Wilson Workshops (courses from £60) come in. Under Wilson’s expert tutelage you can learn a range of new photography skills, including using a basic digital camera.

If you’re going off the beaten track, how you handle tricky situations can mean the difference between a few bruises and something worse. Life Systems runs excellent, hands-on courses (from £175) on what to do if the worst happens – from a car crash to terrorism.

For foodies

To impress and fatten your friends, learn how to make a scrumptious cake at the Cookery School, or get down and dirty with a hunk of dead animal, and tell a rump from a rack, by taking a butchery course with The Ginger Pig.

A pint of traditional English ale is about as different from a lager (such as Stella Artois or Foster’s) as it is from a glass of sherry. You can discover the difference at the perfectly named Beer Academy.

Vinopolis is London’s homage to wine. It runs hugely fun wine tasting nights and longer courses if you want to get really serious about your tipple.

For life and love

Let’s face it: most people who are single want a) a partner, b) more sex, or c) both. And those already in relationships want a) a smoother relationship, b) more sex, or c) both. Fortunately, help is at hand. For tips on how to flirt, girls-only courses run by Vodka And Chocolates and hosted by Aussie Sue Ostler, are great value and provide killer advice. Unless you’re already a god or goddess in the sack, you might want to check out sexandrelationshipcourses.com.

To help you cope with ups and downs, life coaching can be invaluable. An ex-TNT staffer found Aspiring Change (founded by an Aussie) a massive help during some tough times.

And if you want to boost your personal awareness and develop practical skills to deal with the threat of physical harm, the people at Personal Safety Training have you covered.

For performers and arty types

There are loads of places in London where you can learn to dance properly. Pineapple Studios is one of the best, while Dance Attic is fun and great value. For pole dancing, hula hoop or burlesque try Pole Stars.

Begin your journey towards an Oscar by taking an acting class at the City Academy. A one-day introductory course is £59.

If you fancy your skills on the decks then head to the Subbass DJ Academy.

For painting and drawing, check out the Islington Arts Factory. To put some lead in you pencil try Dr Sketchy (drsketchylondon.co.uk), where “beautiful burlesque performers and rippling hunks of man-flesh” are available for you to draw.

Teach English overseas

Teaching English overseas is a great way to combine work and travel – whether it’s in Japan, Italy, Thailand or just about anywhere else. To help you on your way, TNT is hosting introductory courses in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL).

The weekend-long courses will be run by International TEFL Training’s experienced staff, and those who complete the course will get a TEFL certificate that’s recognised in non-English speaking countries worldwide.

The courses will run from 9am to 6pm on October 24-25, at the TNT offices in Earl’s Court. The cost is £130 (normally £200) and there’s a limit of 20 places.

Walking in London

2009-09-25T15:16:00Z

As a Londoner, if you go down to the woods today you’ll be in for a big surprise. You won’t find a teddy bears’ picnic, but rather some great places to go for an out-of-the-way walk.

Though it’s a big, congested city of about eight million people, London has far more parks and woodland than most people realise, and numerous fantastic walking trails.

Here, then, are some of the best places for a ramble.

In case you’re wondering, rambling is the catch-all British term for going for a walk. It means anything from a hardcore trek to a meander through the suburbs.

Jubilee Greenway

This brand new 60km route links all nine central London venues for the 2012 Olympics, and the numerous attractions, parks and views along the way. There is an excellent website, jubileegreenway.org.uk, that breaks the route into 12 easily doable chunks.

Green Chain

The Green Chain walk covers 65km (divided into 10 different sections) across south-east London, from Thamesmead all the way to Crystal Palace Park.

It’s not one continuous path, but rather a series of routes passing through some suburbia as well as marshes, woodland and delightful parks such as Plumstead Common and Oxleas Wood and Meadows.

Woodland

For a real sense of diving deep into the forested countryside, take a visit to one of London’s many woodland areas.

Epping Forest (Epping New Rd, IG10 Epping; cityoflondon.gov.uk/openspaces) is a massive expanse where you could easily spend a whole day rambling.

Highgate Wood (Muswell Hill Rd, NW10 Highgate) is easily accessible, as is the adjacent Queen’s Wood.

Selsdon Wood Nature Reserve (Old Farleigh Rd, CR2 East Croydon then bus 409) and Sydenham Hill Woods (Crescent Wood Rd, SE26 Sydenham Hill) are both worth a look. See wildlondon.org for more.

The Thames

Stately manors, ye olde pubs, flash new apartments, parks and gardens, gleaming offices and boats – the 107km of the Thames Path that runs through London has it all.

You can walk to pretty much any point on the river, and pick a path.

The prime sections are from Hampton Court to Richmond, along Southbank from Westminster Bridge to London Bridge, and from Greenwich to the Thames Barrier.

London loop and capital ring

The London Outer Orbital Path (known as the London Loop) is to ramblers what the M25 is to motorists.

It’s a 240km route around the outskirts of the capital, much of which passes through the Green Belt, the large swathe of open space that is off-limits to development to contain urban sprawl.

There are many Tube stations along the path: Northwood and Uxbridge (Metropolitan line); High Barnet (Northern), Cockfosters and Hatton Cross (Piccadilly); Chigwell (Central); and Upminster Bridge (District).

Meanwhile, the Capital Ring is a 125km orbital route threading together parks, open spaces and quiet streets, passing through Ealing, Wimbledon, Hackney and Highgate, also incorporating the Green Chain walk.

» For Green Chain, Thames Path, London Loop and Capital Ring see walklondon.org.uk

Join some ramblers

Metropolitan Walkers, for people aged 20 to 40, arranges numerous walks across London each week as well as weekends away.

See metropolitan-walkers.org.uk.

The Ramblers Association is the main body in Britain to cater for walkers, and has loads of useful information. See ramblers.org.uk.

The Inner London Ramblers group lists some great walks in the city, described in detail, at innerlondonramblers.org.uk.

Open House London

2009-09-15T11:00:00Z

London Open House lets visitors take a peek at spectacular London buildings usually closed to the public
Words: Daniel Landon

London has no shortage of amazing buildings and this weekend the doors are flung open to the homes, offices, clubs and sites normally off-limits to the public.

Hundreds of places will be accessible during Open House – the annual showcase of excellence in architecture and design – but to make things easy, we’ve selected the best.
Entry to every building is free, but each has different entry arrangements – some need to be pre-booked – so check out the excellent openhouse.org.uk/london.

The City

One of the most amazing offices in the capital is the groundbreaking Lloyd’s of London, EC3M 7HA. Its inside-out design was truly revolutionary.

Discover the stately HQ of the people trying to save us from economic meltdown at the Bank of England, EC2R 8AH.

Take a trip to the top of Tower 42, EC2N 1HQ, the City’s tallest building.

For a super fancy new office block it’s hard to pass up 201 Bishopsgate and The Broadgate Tower, EC2M 3AB.

Central London

Tower over the heart of the West End and Oxford Street from the top of Centre Point, WC1A 1DU.

Be taken back to the regal trappings of the period when Britain ruled the world at the Foreign Office and India Office, SW1A 2AH.

That global sovereignty came from an all-powerful navy – check out the grand state rooms of the former Admiralty Buildings at 26 Whitehall, SW1A 2WH.

Once upon a time gentlemen’s clubs were exclusive places for upper-class blokes to recline in deep leather couches, sip whisky and plot world domination – nothing to do with strippers of course. The Reform Club, SW1Y 5EW, is one of the finest of these institutions.

For a touch of 1920s glamour have a good look around the five-star Grosvenor House hotel on Park Lane, W1K 7TN.

West London

The Hurlingham Club, SW6 3PR, is a lavish, posh and beautiful private members’ club with a magnificent clubhouse, 42 acres of manicured grounds, croquet lawns and a cricket field.

An acre and a half of beautiful gardens in the middle of Kensington – on a rooftop. Cool. The Roof Gardens and Babylon Restaurant, W8 5SA, are just off High Street Kensington.

Trellick Tower, W10 5UT might look ugly, but it’s a remarkable piece of architecture. It was designed by a bloke called Erno Goldfinger, and is a much sought-after place to live.

North London

One of the swankiest homes you’ll ever see – it’s spread over four floors and overlooks Highgate Cemetery – is 85 Swains Lane, N6 6PJ.

Anyone who likes subterranean shenanigans and war history will enjoy the Underground Bunker in Dollis Hill, NW2 7DZ. It was used by Winston Churchill during World War II.

Find out where the first TV broadcast was made by visiting the Theatre and Television Studios at Alexandra Palace, N22 7AY.

South London

Most of us climbed in trees as kids. The folks at the Tree House, SW2 5DJ, live in one.

Enormous slabs of concrete and giant blocks of grey – yes, it must be what’s known as ‘brutalist’ architecture. Great examples of it are the National Theatre, SE1 9PX, and its Studios, SE1 8LL.

See how spectacular someone’s back shed can get at the Garden Pavilion, SW4 0NH.

East London

Have a peek at Europe’s biggest construction project, the 2012 Olympic Park, E10 5JY, and find out where billions of taxpayers’ pounds are going. There’s also an Olympic Park Viewing Gallery, E15 1QN.

If an army marches on its stomach it’s easy to see how Britain helped to win two world wars when you tour the Station Officers Mess at the magnificent Royal Artillery Barracks, SE18 4BB.

The Devonport Mausoleum, SE10 9NF, built in 1750 and restored a decade ago, should make for some ghoulish viewing.

See openhouse.org.uk/london

London's train stations

2009-09-07T11:52:00Z

They’re busy and crowded, but necessary to travellers and commuters alike. Here’s TNT’s guide to London’s train stations WORDS Daniel Landon

London’s big mainline train stations may not be places you’d want to hang out in, but most of us end up passing through them reasonably often. Here’s the lowdown on the rail hubs that keep Londoners moving.

St Pancras

With its majestic arched glass roof and impressive Gothic-style hotel out the front, St Pancras (above) is possibly the most beautiful station in the world. It was a bit grotty until an £800 million redevelopment, finished in 2007, to make it the Eurostar terminus for Britain’s first high-speed cross-channel train services.
Destinations: France, Belgium and the continent; the East Midlands; Ashford in Kent; Thameslink to Brighton, Gatwick, Luton and Bedford.
Fun fact: When it opened in 1868 it was the largest enclosed space in the world.

King’s Cross

Historically one of the seediest parts of London, the area around King’s Cross is now undergoing a massive redevelopment project. The station itself has only 11 platforms.
Destinations: Edinburgh and eastern Scotland; north-east England; North London; Cambridge; Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
Fun fact: There’s a plaque to mark Platform 93⁄4, from which the Hogwarts Express departs in the Harry Potter books.

Liverpool Street

Liverpool Street is a run-of-the-mill station in the heart of the City. It’s also the terminus for the hideously over-priced Stansted Express. The standard one-way fare is £18, and there’s no cheaper train option. Take a bus.
Destinations: Essex; East Anglia; Cambridge.
Fun fact: It was built in 1874 on the site of the world’s first lunatic asylum.

Waterloo

London’s busiest and biggest station attracts a better class of commuter – Waterloo services the well-heeled suburbs of south-west London and genteel south-west England.
Destinations: Hampshire; Dorset; Devon; south-west London.
Fun fact: Waterloo was the Eurostar terminus until 2007 – pity the French arriving at a station named after their most humiliating battlefield defeat. Kinda like if the Japanese made American planes land at ‘Pearl Harbor’ airport in Tokyo.

Charing Cross

Unless you’re commuting south of the river, there are almost no interesting destinations served by Charing Cross. But it’s got a futuristic office building on top.
Destinations: South-east London; Kent.
Fun fact: It’s named after the Eleanor Cross – a 13th-century monument erected by King Edward I to his wife Eleanor.

Victoria

An incredible 115 million people pass through Victoria annually – but it’s actually the second busiest station (behind Waterloo) in London.
Destinations: Sussex; Surrey; Kent; Gatwick Airport; South London
Fun fact: A regular Southern train can take you to Gatwick, saving you a fiver on the Express.

Paddington

Every teddy bear’s favourite station, Paddington was designed by the genius British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who also devised the super-quick Great Western line to Bristol.
Destinations: Oxford; western England; Wales.
Fun fact: The Heathrow Connect service (£7.40) is cheaper than the Heathrow Express (£16.50).

Euston

Set amid a concrete jungle, Euston is London’s ugliest station. A £1 billion redevelopment of the local area and station is planned – it needs it.
Destinations: The West Midlands; north-west England; North Wales; western Scotland.
Fun fact: The original station was fronted by a magnificent Doric arch, but it was demolished amid much outcry in 1962.

Fenchurch Street

It’s on the Monopoly board – but if you need to use Fenchurch Street, you’ve pretty much hit rock bottom of London commuting.
Destinations: Deepest, darkest Essex.

London Bridge

Opened in 1836, London Bridge is London’s oldest station. Platforms 1-6 and 8-16 are split into different buildings (7 doesn’t exist).
Destinations: South London; Sussex; Kent; Thameslink to Brighton and Bedford.

Marylebone

Tucked behind the posh Landmark Hotel, the six-platform Marylebone (pronounced mar-lee-bone) is charming and unhurried.
Destinations: Birmingham; the Cotswolds; north-west London.

Why are train fares so expensive?

Although 80 per cent of rail users are satisfied with UK train services (according to the watchdog Passenger Focus), only 40 per cent think fares are good value for money.

There are two broad reasons fares are so pricey. First, huge underinvestment in railways – anyone for motorways? – since World War II until this decade has left a huge bill to bring the network up to scratch.

Second, British railways are operated by private companies, and like any business they want to make a profit. Last January, with inflation at 1 per cent and the economy going into recession, fares rose 6-7 per cent on average. Ouch.

“The drive to extract premiums from some parts of the network will result in further above-inflation fare increases,” the Parliamentary Transport Select Committee said in 2006.

But cheaper fares can be found with a little planning. Travel off peak, and book as far in advance as you can.