Wowee, It’s The Weekend And Here’s How To Spend It
Whether you fancy running around London’s weird and wonderful museum scene, belting your heart out to ABBA classics, or munching through the city’s finest afternoon teas, the weekend is brimming with endless opportunities and a splash of fun. Here’s to another wild and wacky weekend ahead!
Enjoy A Lunch At Cinnamon Kitchen And Self-Guided Tour Of Battersea Power Station
If we were writing this just five years ago, this would be a whole other story, but Battersea Power Station has since become an ever-transforming London must-see destination, boasting exceptional views along the Thames, one of the city’s most loved buildings and plenty of foodie destinations simply awaiting your discovery. This weekend, why not explore the very best Battersea Power Station has to offer with an indulgent three course lunch or nine dish sharing supper at contemporary Indian, Cinnamon Kitchen, before fleeting around the Power Station on a self-guided audio tour.
The Indytute, London’s finest gifting experience platform, has created an experience like no other. Uncover the Power Station’s rich history as you visit the Learning Hub and wander around the site discovering the heritage of the site, led by an audio mobile app with narration from renowned broadcaster and journalist Johnathan Freedland. As for food, you’ll be feasting on real Indian delights at Cinnamon Kitchen including their railway style veg cake, spiced chicken gnocchi and the star of the show, their signature toffee pudding with garam masala ice cream. Or, opt for then in dish sharing supper and enjoy their glorious mango sour cocktails and banana leaf sea bass. Yum.
Where: Cinnamon Kitchen, 4 Arches Lane, Nine Elms, Battersea, SW11 8AB
Website: www.indytute.com
Catch Tom French’s Final Exhibition, Transcend
Surrealist artist, Tom French tragically passed away on Christmas Day 2019, after losing his battle with cancer. In his final months, Tom poured his heart and soul into his final body of work, and it’s effortlessly captivating. This month, uncover his final work at the retrospective, Transcend, at Unit London. The body of work combines photo realism and monochromatic masterpieces.
Running until Saturday 29th February
Where: 3 Hanover Square, W1D 1HD
Website: www.theunitldn.com
Enjoy A Free Rum Courtesy Of Charles Merser & Co.
When there’s free booze involved, you know we’re gonna be writing home about it. This weekend’s freebee comes courtesy of Charles Merser & Co. as they open up their four-storey townhouse for a day of free rum tasting and tours.
Those venturing down, you’ll need your magnifying glass at the ready as the building is rather discreet, only found by the The Post & Hound sign on Essex Street. It references back to when olden times when Londoners were illiterate and could only find their way by means of symbols. Once you have managed to find your way, you’ll be thrusted into traditions of bygone year and, of course, enjoying a tipple or two of rum.
Saturday 1st February
Where: 44 Essex Street, Temple, WC2R 3J
Website: www.charlesmerser.com
Catch A Film At The Berkeley’s Rooftop Winter Cinema
Indoor cinemas are so last decade. We’re all about the rooftop cinemas, The Berkeley’s winter edition in particular. This weekend, why not catch Zac Efron and Hugh Jackman in action on the big screen in one of The Berkeley’s The Greatest Showman. After all, it is the greatest show.
Every Wednesday – Sunday until the 15th of February
Where: Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL
Website: www.the-berkeley.co.uk
Explore the Light Festival at Battersea Power Station
In a city of twinkling lights and fairytales, it’s often easy to fall down a rabbit hole of snapping up the same shots for the ‘gram over and over again. But, fear not, because we’ve found the perfect spot that’s bursting with a’plenty of lights that’ll dazzle your followers away. This weekend see Battersea Power Station light up in their winter Light Festival. Four glorious installations commissioned by Light Art Collection, the curious minds behind the Amsterdam Light Festival, will come to life and you’d be a fool to not capture this rather large floating head…
Running until Sunday 16th February
Where: Circus West Village at Battersea Power Station
Website: www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk
Take A Chance On The Mamma Mia Immersive Restaurant
Mamma Mia, here we go again…
Love it or hate it, we all know the words to pretty much every ABBA song, and whether or not we admit it we find it impossible to stop ourselves crooning into our hairbrush every time Dancing Queen comes on the radio. So it’s no wonder that the Mamma Mia film franchise has become so lucrative. Seriously, every day there seems to be another Mamma Mia pop-up to add to the diary and for the hardcore fans, the ultimate Mamma Mia inspired feast has made a beeline for The O2!
Romantic and humorous stories told through dialogue and ABBA songs will unfold throughout the evening while fans (and loved ones who are being dragged along) dig into a Greek feast – we’re sure it’ll be oozing with cheesy goodness and lathered in olive oil, yum! End the evening with a groove on the dance floor like a real dancing queen as the main floor is transformed into a 1970s disco.
Running until 31st May 2020
Where: The O2, Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0DX
Website: www.mammamiatheparty.com
Watch Miss Americana In Cinema
With a net worth of over $360 million, Taylor Swift is one of the highest-paid celebrities, but do we really know her story? Uncover Taylor Swifts story in her brand new Netflix documentary Miss Americana: Taylor Swift. Of course, it’s incredibly easy to cosy up on the sofa in your PJs and a tub of ice cream, but why not venture out and catch the doc on the big screen. The Prince Charles Cinema is the only cinema in the city to screen the doc so shake, shake, shake it off The Handbook and over to their website to nab up a ticket.
Friday 31st January – Thursday 6th February
Where: The Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BY
Website: www.princecharlescinema.com
Explore One Of London’s Weird And Wonderful Museums
We’ve all heard of the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and so on, but how about delving a little deeper and exploring some of London’s museums that are off the beaten track? We’ve cobbled together ten of London’s wackiest museums for you to explore here.
Website: Weird Museums This Way...
Keep On The Veganuary Bandwagon At Plant Powered EXPO
Congratulations! You’ve made it through 31 days of Veganuary! If you fancy keeping up the plant-based way of living, or fancy learning more about it, Plant Powered EXPO is a weekend dedicated to the PB lifestyle. Find everything from cookery classes to fast food vegan demos, expert panels to vegan art exhibitions too.
Saturday 1st – Sunday 2nd February
Where: Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX
Website: www.plantpoweredexpo.co.uk
Groove It Up At London Remixed Festival
Dance to the groove of the beat this weekend as Remixed Festival takes over the community art hub Rich Mix in Shoreditch. Bust a move to remixed sounds such as Latin Grooves, Afrobeats, Tropical Bass, Vintage-Remix, Desert Remix, Acoustic Soundclash and Reggae-Dub.
Friday 31st January – 1st February
Where: Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA
Website: www.globallocal.co.uk
Watch Rags On The Stage
From the glorious songwriters, Charles Strouse and Stephen Schwartz, who brought us Wicked and Annie comes a rags to riches story celebrating an inspirational journey of Jewish immigrants who embark on a new life in America.
Running until Saturday 8th February
Where: Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4 3JP
Website: www.londontheatredirect.com
Perfect Your Cross Stitch At One Of London’s Best Activity Cafés
From perfecting your pottery making skills, nailing your crochet, or even just beating your boyf at a game of Battleships, we’ve weaved together a few of our favourite activity cafés you should explore this weekend.
Website: Get Your Sewing On This Way...
Bag Yourself A Vintage Number At Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair
Browse 50+ traders, cherry-picked for their excellent design eye, and plethora of choice including womenswear, menswear and accessories hailing from the Victorian era through to the 1990s at the Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair. They will offer up on trend pieces as well as unique cuts and patterns that will be snapped up by design teams searching for new season inspiration. Whether you’re looking for a one-off special piece, or designer labels for less, this is where you’ll find your new season wardrobe with labels like Dior, YSL, Biba and Ossie Clark making a regular appearance on the rails at the fair.
Sunday 2nd February
Where: Freemasons Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5AZ
Website: www.eventbrite.com
Try One Of London’s Tempting Afternoon Teas
Tea, glorious tea. Is it worth waiting for?
Of course, it blooming is! This Spring, enjoy a brew of the food stuff and munch your way through these 20 tempting afternoon tea offerings adorning London. Here’s our definitive list of the best.
Website: Afternoon Teas This Way...
Explore The Project Zero Outdoor Installation In Carnaby
After their huge zero waste Christmas lights installation, it’s clear that Carnaby is well and truly on board the sustainability bus, and they’ve just gone one step further. This January, Carnaby has been working with their ocean conservation charity partner, Project Zero, bringing together an ocean-themed art installation. Designed by the legendary Boy George, poet Billy Collins and contemporary artists Mr. Brainwash, Bradley Theodore, Henry Hudson and Zaria Forman, Carnaby has been splashed with a new oceanic lease of life thanks to a 84.5m long and 11.55m high work of art highlighting the distressing environmental impact on the ocean, and the ongoing campaign in with Project Zero. Until Friday 31st, you can also view the original artwork in person at the Project Zero Gallery at 1 Marshall Street.
Running until Friday 31st February
Where: Project Zero Gallery, 1 Marshall Street, Carnaby
Website: www.carnaby.co.uk
BOOK NOW: Venetian Carnival at Eight Bank
Cinderella, you shall go to the masked ball.
World famous for its elaborate masks, the Venetian Carnival offers a chance to indulge and celebrate before the beginning of Lent. Centuries later and the festival has since become renowned for its embellished masks and outlandish outfits. And, the tradition is flying the nest and landing at Eight Bank for one big party.
On the 19th of February, doll up in your finest mask and indulge in an evening of bespoke cocktails and live music. Eight Bank are offering The Handbook users exclusive access into the member’s club, providing 30 lucky readers tickets. Book by emailing bank@eightmembersclub.co.uk
Expect elaborate masks and exceptional cocktails.
Where: 1 Change Alley, Bank, EC3V 3ND
Website: www.eightclub.co.uk
