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Since September 8th, the most memorable images have been of The Queen smiling. The very last pictures were of that brilliant smile as she received her 15th Prime Minister. In fact, there are probably enough pictures of Queen Elizabeth the Second to fill every wall in Buckingham Palace. Her image has flooded the world’s media for 70 years. We’d like to return the compliment with a snapshot of Her Majesty’s outlook on that world, in her own words:
“I and all my family have always felt that one of our most important duties is to express… the goodwill of our country to our friends abroad, near and far.”
“The most important contact between nations is usually contact between its peoples.”
Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II (1926–2022)
This Autumn, as if to echo those words, London’s events give pride of place to its many communities and “our friends abroad.”
From Africa Fashion Week and Diwali, to the V&A’s ‘Allyu! The Korean Wave’ exhibition. And in contrast, possibly the most British of all tales, The Wind in the Willows Wiltons, adapted for the stage at Wilton’s Music Hall.
On top of that, London has a remarkable range of cuisines from across the world, so this Autumn is a rewarding time for that boutique hotel in London. Please check all venues before attending. Most will be open but some may be closed for a period of mourning following the death of The Queen.
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Africa Fashion
Cromwell Road SW7
Until 16 April 2023
Dynamism and global impact from the African fashion scene, from iconic 20th century statements to contemporary creatives. Photographs, textiles, music and visual arts.
Africa Fashion Week
Freemasons Hall
60 Great Queen Street WC2
8 October 2022
Largest annual African fashion event in Europe. Catwalks, Masterclasses and hybrid events. Exhibition marketplace and Caribbean cuisine.
Black History Month 2022 in London
1 to 31 October
A citywide celebration of Black Communities during October. “Dig deep, look closer, think bigger.”
British Museum: The Shattered Glass of Beirut
Great Russell Street WC1
Until 23 October 2022
Restoration of eight ancient glass vessels after the explosion in Beirut, pieced together by the museum and now on show: Permanent collection of eight million works, among the largest and most comprehensive that exists.
Chinatown Stories
Chinatown
Gerrard Street W1
25 Sept, 30 Oct and 27 Nov
Community led walking tours with trained volunteer History Champions. Visitors are able to discover fascinating stories and characters behind this iconic district. Background to the first ever East and South East Asian heritage month here. Chinatown stories information here.
Diwali
October 24 to 26
Diwali is celebrated between mid-October and mid-November. A colourful celebration symbolising the victory of light and goodness. Expect firecrackers, lamps, flower garlands and candles floating in water as well as the sharing of sweets and food. Below are a few events. The central location of any Blue Orchid Hotel makes city travel more convenient than ever.
Diwali Disco
BOXPARK Wembley
Wembley Park
1 October 6pm - 11pm
All day entertainment followed by Diwali Disco.
Diwali on Trafalgar Square (DOTS)
9 October 12pm - 8pm
Trafalgar Square
A Mayor of London event, partnering the Diwali in London Committee.
Diwali Workshops
29 October 12pm - 1pm and 2pm - 3pm
Marble Hill,
Richmond Road Twickenham TW1
Nutkhut (the people behind the world’s first sustainable sari) presents Diwali at Marble Hill, in association with English Heritage. Make your own Diwali lanterns. Lantern parades to the Thames.
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Hallyu! The Korean Wave
South Kensington
First exhibition about the influence of the Korean Wave. South Korea’s popular culture impacts global creative industries –cinema, drama, music, fandom and fashion.
Marina Abramović
Piccadilly
23 September to 10 December
Abramović is one of the most important performance artists in the world. Live re-performances of iconic works. See one that went viral (The Artist is Present, New York, 2010) here.
Mexico Festival
Various dates in October
The culture and arts of Mexico. Food and performance in the Temperate House at Kew. Includes a Day of the Dead focus.
Milton Avery: American Colourist
Royal Academy
Until 16th October
Harmonious colour, simplified forms. One of North America’s greatest 20th century artists.
My Neighbour Totoro
London Barbican
8 October to 21 January 2023
One of many gifts to the arts to emerge from Japan is the work of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. Now London has the World Premiere of a new stage adaptation of My Neighbour Totoro, from the Royal Shakespeare Company.
PAD London Art + Design 2022
45 Berkeley Square
Berkeley Square
10 to 16 October
Premier art and antique fair. 20th century art, design, photography and collectibles. Annual show with 70 international galleries represented from Europe, Asia and North America. Sister exhibitions in PAD Paris and PAD Monaco. “Authentic and eclectic.”
Park Nights 2022 Standing on The Corner
13 October
Standing on The Corner performance. An earth-based Art Ensemble inspired by and consisting of all people of Africa diaspora
Slavery and the Bank Exhibition
Bank of England
Until 28th April 2023
Explores the history of transatlantic slavery through its connections with the Bank of England and the City. 300 years, 12 million African people.
The World Reimagined
Until 31 October
City of London, Westminster and Camden
Art trails consisting of artist-designed sculptural globes until the end of October. Bringing to life the reality and impact of the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans. Map here.
Yayoi Kusami’s Infinity Rooms
Bankside
Until June 2023
This highly popular show continues into next year. Kusami continues to impress.
The 66th BFI London Film Festival
5 to 16 October
More than 300 international films, including documentaries and shorts;164 feature films from around the world.
London Literature Festival
Southbank Centre
20 to 30 October
International authors, poets and speakers. Talks, workshops, readings. Malorie Blackman, Graham Norton and Nick Cave. Karl Ove Knausgård and Nobel prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah.
https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/festivals-series/london-literature-festival
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The Wind in the Willows Wilton’s
Wilton’s Music Hall
Grace’s Alley E1
24 November to 31 December
An adaptation of a uniquely British book, The Wind in the Willows, in a grand old British music hall. Adapted for the stage by British children’s writer Piers Torday, whose book The Dark Wild won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize (2014). The story is now set in modern–day London and there’s a message about the natural world here, but it never overwhelms the magic of the original. Songs, puppets and Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad. Wilton’s is near Tower Hill Tube or Fenchurch St. Station.
Ages 5+
Follow this link to the website booking page and use the discount code: BLUE15
ON THE STREETS
2 October
Starts in Greenwich, ends on The Mall. The halfway point is Tower Bridge. Which happens to be right by Tower Suites by Blue Orchid. The Mall is also close to its Wellington and Rochester hotels.
Halloween
31 October
Wander through the streets and sights of London. Some of the most haunted places in Britain include:
The Tower of London
More than 10 ghosts said to be spotted here, including Anne Boleyn (seen staring out of her prison window from the courtyard, among other sightings).
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Catherine Street WC2
Illustrious theatre, and one of the most ghostly. Two different clowns and the unnerving Man in Grey are on the menu. Also home to The Lane, for afternoon tea, dining etc.
50 Berkeley Square (one of the most haunted houses in London)
Mayfair W1
The haunt of a recluse, one Mr Meyers, who locked himself inside the attic after he was jilted by his fiancée. A male Miss Havisham, he only left his rooms to wander around at night by candlelight. Reports of his ghost.
Bank Underground Station
Princes Street EC3
From the late 19th century onwards there have been reports of a tall figure in black walking the tunnels. Now named The Black Nun.
The Clink Prison Museum
Southwark
1 Clink Street SE1
A former prison in Southwark dating back to 1144. Ghostly apparitions, most famously a woman trying to remove the shackles from her limbs.
The London Tombs
2 - 4 Tooley Street SE1
Part of the London Bridge Experience, these parts of the tour are optional and only open to those over the age of 11. This was once a plague pit. Shadowy figures and “Emily” who has been seen lurking by the tombs.
Fireworks in London
These dates are confirmed at the time of writing, but be assured, if you are in London around 5 November you only need to look up to see fireworks aplenty. Especially from the top of the Skyline London restaurant and bar. Perfect for a central hotel London.
Wimbledon Park Fireworks
4 - 5 Nov
Also a sister show in nearby Morden Park. Funfair rides too.
Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival
5 Nov
Described as the “Glastonbury of Fireworks’. Includes a Bier festival, funfair and street food and dining. Ice Disco too.
Battersea Park Fireworks
5 to 6 Nov
Famous display. Big bonfire and handy for nearby Battersea Power Station food and drinks mecca.
Chiswick Park Fireworks
3 Nov
Live music and food stalls, plus fire performers. Free to enter but book tickets in advance.
Harrow Fireworks Byron Park
5 November 2022
Destination City
City of London
Various Venues
Free
October 15
A free cultural and entertainment spectacle featuring theatre, games and performance with over 100 artists. Family friendly highlights include a mass treasure hunt, a “maze” of adventures featuring 16 doors (one of which you can find at the Skyline London), three carnival inspired fairs and street theatre. Major event from the City of London Corporation, the Square Mile as a leading leisure hub with iconic public spaces, secret hideaways and subterranean adventures. Click here for a map to find a Golden Key.
Included in Blue Orchid Hotel’s giveaways for the day with code ‘GOLDEN KEY’, are Cento restaurant kids eat free, free coffee at Simply Fresh to Go, and a free bucket of beer of jug of Pimms at The Skyline London. Make the most of this vibrant event and enjoy 10% off your stay at Tower Suites on 15th October with code ‘GOLDENKEY10’ (T&C’s apply).
Diwali on Trafalgar Square (DOTS)
9 October 12pm - 8pm
Trafalgar Square
Diwali comes to the heart of London for its annual bright lights, food and entertainment festival.
Southall Carnival of Lights
Uxbridge Road Southall
14 November 6pm
A secular celebration inspired by Diwali, the South Asian festival of light which signifies hope over despair. Illuminated floats, dancers and live performances take over the streets for the Southall Carnival of Lights. This night carnival includes a parade of paper lanterns, fire performers and illuminated umbrellas. With Emergency Exit Arts and Nutkhut, and Circus Flambe. Starts and ends in Southall Park, grand finale via Park Avenue, Avenue Road and Boyd Avenue.
FOOD and DRINK
28°-50° Oxford Circus
Market Place, Great Portland Street W1
Seasonal food. Classics from the grill, seafood and vegetarian options. Formerly in Covent Garden, recent move to Oxford Circus.
Al Fresco Covent Garden
Iconic pedestrianised Piazza for drinking and dining. Terraces and scenic views offer 500 seats, including surrounding streets.
Alto by San Carlo
400 Oxford Street W1
Seasonal Italian dishes at Selfridges.
Aqua Kyoto
5th Floor
240 Regent Street (entrance Argyll St) W1
Fresh produce, contemporary Japanese cuisine.
Arros QD
64 Eastcastle Street, W1
A terrace tucked behind Oxford St. Signature Valencian paella cooked over wood fire by Michelin starred chef Quique Dacosta.
Bar Douro London Bridge
Arch 35B 85B Southwark Bridge Road SE1
Wine bar and restaurant, Portuguese sharing plates. Locally sourced ingredients, specialist products from Portugal. White port and tonic in Flat Iron Square.
Cento Alla Torre
100 Minories EC3
Artisanal pasta, authentic Italian food, views over the Tower of London. The best local produce.
Ceviche Soho
17 Frith Street W1
Peruvian cuisine. Much more than ceviche. Michelin Guide listed.
Din Tai Fung
400 Oxford St/Duke Street W1
Taiwanese food. Xiao Long Bao dumplings (exactly 18 folds) made in front of your eyes.
Hawksmoor Air Street
5a Air Street W1
Market fish and prime cuts of matured beef and said to be one of the most sustainable restaurants in the country. Overlooking Regent Street.
Fleets
44 - 46 Ludgate Hill EC4
A stone’s throw from St Paul’s Cathedral. Open early till late, global dining menu, craft beers and cocktails.
Gloria
54 - 56 Great Eastern Street EC2
70’s Capri–style, all–day Trattoria in Shoreditch. Sunny, Bel Paese feel.
The Good Egg
Kingly Court W1
Middle Eastern–inspired food. Fresh daily, high quality, ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients. Vegan and veggie options. The Good Egg works with the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA), finding like–minded suppliers. Sourcing, society and environment are their bywords. Highest rating from the SRA.
Leadenhall Market
Gracechurch Street EC3
Historic, picturesque, near The Monument: pubs, restaurants and cafes
Leicester Square Kitchen
31–36 Leicester Square WC2
Mexican and Peruvian small plates, entrees and specialities. Wines and cocktails.
Toklas Restaurant
1 Surrey Street WC2
European menu, natural flavours and open fire grilling. Menu changes daily, fresh seasonal produce. Also a bakery and grocery shop. Jay Rayner: “The menu is simply a set of great ingredients, presented to the very best of their advantage...”
Vegan Brasserie
1 Vane Street SW1
One of London’s latest vegan restaurants, located within the Wellington hotel London. Carefully sourced plant–based ingredients. For vegans, flexitarians, health conscious foodies. Excellent location for Buckingham Palace.
All are within easy reach of the best hotel in London.
Contact us at
hello@centrallondonalliance.com
