Time in London.
If you are going to spend time in London, then here is a mad idea to save you money and time. We have build this page so that you just click print and the 70 odd pages is like your own London Guide book, and its free.
The Time in London pages covers all sorts of things to do while you spend time in London England. This page is Sponsored by The The Abbey Court Hotel
London Museums
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a trip to any of London's Museums. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to all these London Museums. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London.
BRITISH MUSEUM
Great Russell Street WC1 (020-7323 8299)
Thur-Fri 10am-8.30pm
Great Court open Thur-Sat 9am-11pm
Not all of the British Museum's galleries stay open till late, but you can usually see areas such as the major exhibitions and the Greek, Roman and Egyptian galleries. Its Great Court bar and restaurant facilities stay open even later
www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
MUSEUM IN DOCKLANDS
No.1 Warehouse, West India Quay, Hertsmere Road, E14 (0870 444 3957)
Weds 6pm-8pm
This offshoot of The Museum of London is housed in a Georgian warehouse. Interactive galleries take you on a journey from Roman times to its 'Sailor Town' heyday and late-night opening sees the bar stay open until 11pm.
www.museumindocklands.org.uk
NATIONAL GALLERY
Trafalgar Square, WC2 (020-7747 2885)
Weds 10am-9pm
View European works from 1250 to 1900. There is also music from Royal College of Music students until 7.30pm and a cash bar in the Sainsbury Wing. There are usually free talks and tours beginning at 6.30pm.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
SAATCHI GALLERY
County Hall, South Bank, London SE1 (020-7928 8195)
Sun-Thur 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm
Media celeb artists, including Tracey Emin, the Chapman Brothers and Damien Hirst, jostle for position with new talent. Open late every night of the week, with last entry at 9,15pm on Friday and Saturday.
www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk
SIR JOHN SOANE'S MUSEUM
13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, WCW (020-7405 2107)
First Tues of every month 6pm-9pm
An eclectic collection of antiquities, from medieval stained glass to 19th-century nails. Highlights include three Canalettos and fragments from the 13th-century Palace of Westminster. Once a month, the museum stays open until 9pm, with the next dates Tues 2 Nov, Tues 7 Dec and Jan 4. The absence of electricity in some rooms means atmospheric candlelit viewings.
www.soane.org
TATE BRITAIN
Millbank, SW1 (020-7887 8888)
First Fri of every month 10am-9pm
The first Friday of the month is designated Late At Tate, with live entertainment, talks and tours. The next event (Tues 5 Nov) includes entertainment from Diesel New Music Awards winners, the Hordes, plus a panel discussion by contemporary artists on the theme 'What does it mean to be young and British?'. There's also half-price combined entry (£4) to the Turner Prize and Gwen and Augustus John exhibitions.
www.tate.org.uk
TATE MODERN
Bankside, SE1 (020-7887 8000)
Fri and Sat 10am-10pm
This vast gallery in a former power station is open late at weekends - so you can do a culture stop on the way to a pub or club. On-site bars and restaurants have late hours too. Head here in a group (minimum 15 people) and you can book a private evening tour of the permanent collection and gallery architecture plus dinner at Caf£ 2 overlooking the Thames for £33.50 a head.
www.tate.org.uk
VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM
Cromwell Road, SW7 (020-7942 2000)
Wed and last Fri of the month 10am-10pm, Runway Rocks Fri 26 Nov, last fashion show 8.30pm (020-7942 2211)
Midweek late-opening is a good way to beat the crowds to popular exhibitions such as Black British Style, while its monthly event Friday Late is a chance to enjoy performance art, music and fashion. This month's event is Runway Rocks, a fashion show featuring Swarovski jewels created by designers such as Johnny Rocket and Elizabeth Galton. Free entry.
www.vam.ac.uk
BRITISH LIBRARY
St Pancras, 96 Euston Road, NW1 (020-7412-7332).
Tues 9.30am-8pm, free.
Home of the UK's literary outpourings with a permanent exhibition of 200 of the nation's most treasured works in the John Ritblat Gallery, literary talks in the bookshop and conference centre and changing displays in the Pearson Gallery. Writer in The Garden - tracing the place of Eden and other gardens in our imagination - begins Fri 5 Nov
www.bl.uk
THE WOMEN'S LIBRARY
London Metropolitan University, Old Castle Street, E1 (020-7320 2222)
Thurs 9.30am-8pm
More than 60,000 books and pamphlets, plus photographs, posters, postcards and recordings. The current exhibition is Iron Ladies: Women in Thatcher's Britain, with related evening tours, films and talks.
www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk
Whether you are coming to London specially to go to a London Museum or planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.uk or telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
London Cinemas
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a trip to any of London's Cinemas, and a short walk to the Multi screen cinema at Whiteleys shopping centre. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to any these London cinema's. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London.
THE GATE
87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 (020-7727 4043)
Late shows Friday and Saturday
www.picturehouses.co.uk
ODEON MARBLE ARCH
Edgware Road, W2
ODEON LEICESTER SQUARE, WC2
ODEON KENSINGTON HIGH STREET, W8 (0871 224 4007)
Late shows usually start just before midnight Friday and Saturday, with a choice of two films.
www.odeon.co.uk
FELTHAM CINEWORLD
Leisure West, Air Park Way, Feltham, Middx (0871 220 8000)
Friday and Saturday late-night shows start around 12.15am. There is a good selection of Bollywood films alongside Hollywood staples. Saturday morning screenings for children at 10am, plus lunchtime 'classic' on Mondays.
www.cineworld.co.uk
BARBICAN SCREEN
Silk Street, EC2 (020 7638 8891)
As part of the Family Film Club, a Saturday matinee for children begins at 11am. Also has classics in the afternoons.
www.barbican.org.uk
ELECTRIC CINEMA
191 Portobello Road, W11 (020 7908 9696).
Saturday children's matinees start at 11am. Plush seats for snoozing parents an added benefits.
www.electriccinema.co.uk
RITZY CINEMA
Coldharbour Lane, SW2 (020 7733 2229).
Regular 10.30am films and Watch With Baby showings.
www.picturehouses.co.uk
CLAPHAM PICTUREHOUSE
76 Venn Street, SW2 (020 7498 3323)
Regular morning screenings for parents with kids.
www.picturehouses.co.uk
PHOENIX CINEMA
East Finchley High Road, N2 (020 8444 6789)
Early shows at 11am.
There's an adult Early Bird session between 11.30am and 1.30pm on Wednesdays, plus parent and baby sessions on other days.
www.phoenix-cinema.co.uk
UCI EMPIRE LEICESTER SQUARE
5-6 Leicester Square, W1 (0870 010 2030).
Early screenings at 11am. Also early and late shows at Greenwich Thefilmworks, Bugsby Way, SE10.
www.uci-cinemas.co.uk
UGC CINEMAS
(0870 777 2775)
You can enjoy pre-noon screenings at Haymarket SW1, Shaftesbury Avenue W1, Staples Corner NW2 and Enfield EN1 cinemas.
www.ugccinemas.co.uk
Whether you are coming to London specially to go to a London cinema or planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central London location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.uk or telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
London Casino's
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a trip to any of London's Casino's. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to all these London Casino's. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London, and only a short walk to our nearest London casino.
COLONY CLUB
24 Hertford Street, W1 (020-7495 5000).
Casino Sun-Fri 2pm-6am, Sat 1pm-4am.
Colony Club's proximity to the Hilton and Metropolitan hotels ensures it gets a steady stream of high-rollers among guests. A sale privee for the serious punters, and the usual tables, plasma screens and lively bar for the rest of us.
www.stanleycasinos.com
THE SPORTSMAN CASINO
Old Quebec Street, W1 (020-7518 0000)
The Sportsman Casino is the oldest London Clubs venue. When it first opened in 1969 it was a destination that attracted real sporting heroes - Muhammed Ali, Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton among them. When it re-opens, later this winter, it will boast a new location and plus refurbishment, with a comfortable sports lounge where you can watch all the major fixtures. Upstairs they're adding a dice table alongside blackjack, punto banco, slots and roulette. Brasserie-style and 'comfort' dishes will be served until 3am under the watchful eye of ex-Landmark Hotel chef, Sascha Mueller. For opening and membership details, visit its website.
www.thesportsmancasino.com
GOLDEN NUGGETT
23-32 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (020-7439 0099)
Casino Sun-Fri 2pm-6am, Sat 2pm-4am.
This 'Vegas-style' casino close to Chinatown lacks Monte Carlo's style, but does boast acres of slot machines. All the usual table games, plus electronic roulette.
www.london-clubs.co.uk
LES AMBASSADEURS
5 Hamilton Place, W1 (020-7495 5555)
Casino Sun-Fri 2pm-6am, Sat 2pm-4am (dinner until 3am, Sun 2.30am).
Les Ambassadeurs has views across Hyde Park and an excellent restaurant. It costs £1,000 for lifetime membership. Get in with an existing member and you'll pay a very reasonable £55 for three courses and wine.
www.london-clubs.co.uk
THE MINT CASINO
43-45 Cromwell Road, SW7 (020-7589 4041)
Sun-Fri 1.45pm-6am, Sat 1.45pm-4am.
This Kensington casino has two large gaming areas and offers three-card poker alongside the usual games. Punters can also take advantage of its complimentary buffet and the extensive bar.
www.stanleycasinos.com
PALM BEACH
30 Berkeley Street, W1 (020-7493 6585).
Sun-Fri 12.30pm-6am, Sat 12.30pm-4am
A good glamour choice because of its stunning Art Deco setting in a former Mayfair hotel. Progressive stud poker alongside the usual games. A smarter-than-usual dress code (collared shirt and jacket) means you must dress up.
www.stanleycasinos.com
THE RENDEZVOUS
14 Old Park Lane, W1 (020-7491 8586).
Mon-Fri 2pm-6am, Sat 2pm-4am.
Another London Clubs venue with good sports coverage, online sports betting, dinner and mezze menus, plus high-stakes gaming area.
www.london-clubs.co.uk
RITZ CLUB
150 Piccadilly, W1 (020-7499 1818)
Mon-Fri noon-6am, Sat noon-4am
The place for serious James Bond action. The £1,000 membership is high, and so are the stakes. But the menu is the most lavish of any of the London casinos with full-on Chinese, Lebanese, Thai and Indian options in addition to extensive European choices. Contact membership secretary, Tracey Keymer, for details.
www.theritzclub.com
Whether you are coming to London specially to go to a London Casino or planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not bookThe Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.uk or telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
London Greyhound Tracks
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a trip to any of London's Greyhound tracks. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to all these London nights out. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London.
ROMFORD GREYHOUND STADIUM
Coral Romford Stadioum
London Road, Romford, Essex (01708 762 345)
Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat 6.30pm-10.40pm
Admission from £1.50 weekdays, £4 weekends
Journey to the fringes of Essex for a night at this Coral stadium. Until Mon 29 Nov, groups of six get admission and racecard, fast food, £1 better voucher, two drinks and return admission voucher for £10 (Mon & Wed) and £14 (Fri & Sat) via Lastminute.com
www.lastminute.com
WALTHAMSTOW STADIUM
Chingford Road, E4 (020 -498 3300).
Tues, Thurs & Sat 6.30pm-10.30pm, admission £6 (includes race card).
This classic Thirties track attracted Amy Johnson to its opening night and has featured in countless fashion shoots and films. It also pulls in around £50 million in on-site bets a year (six times that in betting shop stakes) and the restaurant gets booked up weeks in advance. Groups of six get a saver deal (food, two drinks, two bets) for £14.50 a head.
www.wsgreyhound.so.uk
WIMBLEDON STADIUM
GRA Wimbledon Stadium, Plough Lane, SW17, (0870 840 8905)
Tues, Fri & Sat 7.30pm-10.30pm, admission £5.50, child £2.75, under sixes free.
This South London track attracts a cross section of punters and hosts regular special events. If you go in a group of six, you can get entry and racecard, two free drink, fast-food meal and £1 bet for £9 a head.
www.wimbledonstadium.co.uk
Whether you are coming to London specially to go to a London greyhound racing track or planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.uk or telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
London Health Clubs
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a trip to any of London's health club. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to all these London health & leisure facilities.. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London. The hotel is only a 4 minute walk to the Fitness First leisure club.
DAVID LLOYD LEISURE
Typical opening times Mon-Fri 6am-10.30pm, Sat & Sun 7am-11pm (0870 888 3015).
Fifteen clubs in and around London.
www.davidlloydleisure.co.uk
ESPORTA
Typical opening hours Mon-Fri 6.30am-11pm (0870 739 0039)
Sixteen clubs in and around London
www.esporta.com
THE HARBOUR CLUB
Watermeadow Lane, SW6 (020 7371 7700).
Mon-Fri 6.30am-11.30pm, Sat & Sun 8am-11pm
Exclusive health club.
www.harbourclub.co.uk
HOGARTH HEALTH CLUB
Airedale Avenue, W4 (020 8995 4600).
Mon-Fri 6am-11pm (pool closes 10.45pm), Sat & Sun 8am-9pm
Membership from £65 per month with no joining fee
www.hogarthgroup.co.uk
HOLMES PLACE
Typical opening hours
6.30am-10.30pm.
More than 30 clubs in and around London.
www.holmesplace.com
LAMBTON PLACE HEALTH CLUB
Lambton Place, Westbourne Grove, W11 (020 7229 2291)
Mon-Fri 6.15am-11pm, Sat & Sun 8.30am-9pm
Membership from £65 a month with no joining fee.
www.hogarthgroup.co.uk
SLIM JIM'S HEALTH CLUB
1 Finsbury Avenue, Broadgate, EC2 (020 7247 9982)
Mon 6.45pm-Fri 8pm.
The City's only 24-hour gym.
www.slim-jims.co.uk
SPRING HEALTH CLUB
81 Belsize Park Gardens, NW3 (020 7483 6800).
Mon-Fri 6.30am-10pm, Sat & Sun 9am-8pm.
Hampstead branch of this small chain.
www.springhealth.net
SOUTH BANK CLUB
124-30 Wandsworth Road, SW8 (020-7622 6866)
Mon-Fri 6.30am-11pm, Sat & Sun 9am-8pm
Squash a speciality.
www.southbankclub.co.uk
THE THIRD SPACE
13 Sherwood Street, W1 (020 7439 6333).
Mon-Fri 6.30am-11pm, Sat & Sun 8.30am-8.30pm
GP and alternative health therapists on site.
www.thethirdspace.com
LATE NIGHT SPAS
THE SANCTUARY
12 Floral Street, WC2 (0870 770 3350)
Mon & Tue 9.30am-6pm, Wed, Thurs & Fri 9.30am-10pm, Sat & Sun 10am-8pm
Women only and famous among brides-to-be. Late opening in the week for mems.
www.thesanctuary.co.uk
THE PORCHESTER CENTRE
Queensway, W2 (020 7792 3980)
Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10pm-4pm.
Try a late-night Turkish Bath, a Russian steam session or book a beauty treatment. Visit its website for women-only days.
www.courtneys.co.uk
IRONMONGER ROW BATHS
1-11 Ironmonger Row, EC1 (020 7253 4011)
Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm.
A glorious building with Turkish bath, massage and scrub treatments. Visit its website to find out which days are men or women only.
www.aquaterra.org
CLIMBING
THE CASTLE CLIMBING CENTRE
Green Lanes, N4 (020 8211 7000).
Mon-Fri 2pm-10pm, Sat & Sun 10am-7pm.
£4 registration, plus £9-£9.50 if with a member, concs £4.50.
A 200ft castle with challenging climbs.
www.castle-climbing.co.uk
MILE END CLIMBING WALL
Haverfield Road, E3 (020 8980 0289)
Mon-Thurs noon-9.30pm, Fri noon-9pm, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm,
£6, concs £4.10, children £3.30.
Housed in a old pipe works near Mile End Tube, this centre has recently installed a new overhanging summit.
www.mileendwall.org.uk
WESTWAY SPORTS CENTRE
1 Crowthorne Road, W10 (020-8969 0992)
Mon-Wed & Fri 10.30am-10pm, Thurs 8am-10.30pm, Sat & Sun 10am-8pm
£1.50/£1 registration then £6-£7.50, child £4-£5.
This large complex, under Paddington's Westway, houses the largest climbing wall in the UK. The centre's early opening on Thursday means you can try a pre-breakfast clamber.
www.westway.org/sports
URBAN GOLF
33 Great Pulteney Street, W1 (020 7434 4300).
Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun noon-10.30pm.
You can play some of the best courses in the world in the heart of Soho at Urban Golf. The 6,000 sq.ft. venue has state-of-the-art golf simulators featuring 50 golf courses, including St. Andrews and Pebble Beach. You can turn up alone or in a group and get coaching from resident golf pros. There's no membership or dress code and, unlike the stuffier clubs, women can both play and have a drink at the bar. It's £30 per simulator for an hour (for two people) or £35 for a half-hour lesson from a pro.
www.urbangolf.co.uk
Whether you are coming to London specially to go to a London health club or leisure facility, or planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.uk or telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
London Ten-Pin Bowling
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a trip to any of London's Bowling clubs, and it is a great night out. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to all these London bowling alleys. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London.
ACTON MEGABOWL
Royale Leisure Park, Western Avenue, Park Royal, W3 (0871 550 1010).
Mon-Thurs noon-11.30pm, Fri noon-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-11.30pm, £9.45 two games £3 third game, child £6.45/£2.
With 28 bowling lanes, US pool tables, FX simulator, arcade games and bar.
www.megabowl.co.uk
AIRPORT BOWL
Bath Road, Harlington, Middx (0870 062 8888)
Mon-Thurs 10am-midnight, Fri 10am-3am, Sat 8am-3am, Sun 8am-midnight.
Shoe hire £1, bowling £2.20-£3.75, child £1.95
More than 30 leagues play at this centre and there's an on-site pro shop.
www.airport-bowl.co.uk
HOLLYWOOD BOWL FINCHLEY
Great Northern Leisure Park, Finchley High Road, N12 (020 8446 6667)
10am-11.30pm.
Bowling £3-£4.20, child £2.25-£3.30, (inc admission/shoe hire).
With 26 lanes, this is a popular group destination.
www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk
ROWANS BOWL
10 Stroud Green Road, N4 (020 8800 1950).
Sun-Thurs 10.30am-12.30am, Fri-Sat 10.30am-2.30am.
Admission £1-3, shoe hire £1. Bowling £2.50-£3.50, child £2-3.
Snacks and buffet meals, plus pool tables and DJs.
www.rowans.co.uk
Whether you are coming to London specially to go to a London Bowling alley or planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.uk or telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
London Pool & Snooker Clubs
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a trip to any of London's Pool or Snooker clubs. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to all these clubs. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London.
ACTON SNOOKER CLUB
3 East Acton Arcade, W3 (020 8743 8284)
Mon-Sun open 24 hours.
Membership £10 one year/£15 two years. Snooker £3.90, pool £4.90
Snooker, plus pool tables (one US-style), licensed bar, lounge and food.
www.londonsnooker.co.uk
CENTRE POINT SNOOKER CLUB
Centre Point Subway, New Oxford Street, WC1 (020 7240 6886)
Mon-Sat 11am-6am, Sun 3pm-3am.
Membership £30 a year. Pool/snooker £4.50.
Annual membership is higher than usual, but you can't beat the location. There's food and a licensed bar.
HACKNEY SNOOKER CLUB
151-153 Goldsmiths Row, E2 (020 7739 7365).
Mon-Sun 10am-3am.
Membership £4, students free. Snooker/pool £2.80-£3.50.
Take along an ID card if you're a student and they'll waive the membership fee. Licensed bar and snacks.
KING'S CROSS SNOOKER & POOL CLUB
275-277 Pentonville Road, N1 (020 7278 7079).
Mon-Sun 24 hours.
Membership £10 a year. Snooker £3.65-£4.45, pool £1.
Eighteen snooker tables, four pool tables and licensed bar.
www.londonsnooker.co.uk
Whether you are coming to London specially to go to a London Snooker club or planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.uk or telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
London Skating Rinks
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a trip to any of London's skating rinks. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to all these London rinks. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London. A superb way to spend time in the city.
Somerset House, The Strand, WC2 (0870 166 0423)
Thurs 25 Nov-Sun 30 Jan.
£9.50-£11, child £6, family ticket £27, 10am-10pm.
www.somerset-house.org.uk
Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey (0870 060 1778)
Sat 4 Dec-Sun 16 Jan
£9, child £6, concs £8, family ticket £28, 10am-10pm.
www.hamptoncourticerink.co.uk
Royal Botannic Gardens, Kew, Richmond (0870 4000 797).
Sat 27 Nov-Sun 9 Jan.
£9, child £7, concs £8, family ticket £28, 10am-10pm
www.kewgardensicerink.com
Alexandra palace Ice Rink, Alexandra Park, N22 (020 8365 4386)
Mon-Fri 11am-5.30pm, Sat & Sun 10.pm-11pm
Call for session prices.
www.alexandrapalace.com
Friday night skate
This mass inline skating (rollerblading) event attracts both the flash and the wobbly, marshalled around the parks and streets of London by the volunteers who organise the sessions. They usually start at 8pm and routes vary. Visit www.thefns.com to find out more. If you need to learn how to manage your wheels, sign up for a course with Citiskate. They run evening lesions across central and west London, including a warm and dry indoor class in Spitalfields. Expect to pay around £125 for a four-week beginner course. Private lesions also available. Visit www.citiskate.co.uk.
Whether you are coming to London specially to go to a London Skating rink or planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.uk or telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
Walking Tours of London
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning to walk around London. The central London hotel is superbly located for walking around this wonderful city. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a walk around London and all its history. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London.
LONDON WALKS. Pub walks, literary rambles and the ghoulish haunts of Jack The Ripper are among options offered by The Original London Walks. www.walks.com.
GHOST TOURS. For mass hysteria, a group can try one of these tours. You can choose from ghosts, graveyards, Sweeney Todd or Jack The Ripper. Other options available. Pre-booking essential. www.discovery-walks.com.
WILDLIFE SPOTTING. These take place at unusual times in autumn and spring if there's something special to see - for instance, moth or bat-spotting walks at dusk and deer watching at dawn. www.wildlondon.org.uk or www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
BIRD WATCHING. The London Wetlands Centre at Barnes offers the best bird watching in town. The centre doesn't open until 9.30am unless there's a specific bird-watching event, but you can walk along the Thames for free and catch the birds wake-up calls. www.wwt.org.uk
Whether you are coming to London specially to walk around London, or planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.uk or telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
London Restaurants
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a visit to any of London's Restaurants. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to all these London Restaurants. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London. Remember London is the restaurant capital of the world
THE AVENUE
7-9 St James's Street, SW1 (020-7321 2111).
Mon-Thurs noon-midnight, Fri & Sat noon-12.45am, Sun noon-10pm. Approx £35 per person.
The large and busy dining room is dominated by a long bar, which serves decent cocktails. The food ranges from modernist dishes like a Vietnamese prawn and papaya salad, to comfort-food specials like salt beef with bubble and squeak or salmon fishcakes with a dill butter sauce. Service is slick and the atmosphere lively.
BOISDALE
13 Ecclestone Street, SW1 (020-7730 6922).
Mon-Sat noon-11pm. Bar open until 1.30am Fri-Sat. Approx £45 per person.
Think single malts, cigars, jazz and pretty decent, resolutely Scottish cookery. This is a very clubby sort of place and has a loyal following. The back bar is home to an amazing range of Scottish whiskies. The Aberdeen Angus steaks are very good indeed. There s a 'fresh fish of the day' and for nostalgic ex-pat Jocks, MacSween's haggis is on offer. Highland hospitality makes its way to Victoria.
CAF£ BOHEME
13-18 Old Compton Street, W1 (020-77334 0623). Mon-Sat 8am-3.30am, Sun 8am-10.30pm. Approx £20 per person.
This place is more brasserie than caf£ and always seems packed with music loud enough to set the tone. The menu centres on familiar French favourites - moules, bourguignon, omelettes - and service has a Continental efficiency to it. The clientele is eclectic, ranging from Soho chefs who have finished their evening to clubbers just starting out.
EAGLE BAR DINER
3-5 Rathbone Place, W1 (020-7637 1418)
Mon-Wed noon-11pm, Thurs-Fri non-1am, Sat 10am-1pm, Sun 11am-6pm. Approx £18 per person.
As you walk in there's a large bar area to the left and the diner seating lies to the right with raised booths. The food is 'superior-diner' - good burgers (including ones made from emu), Caesar salads, hash browns, shakes and malts. Service is slick and this is a comfortable place - beware the Martinis which can prove dangerous.
HAKKASAN
8 Hanway Place, W1 (020-7907 1888)
Mon-Sat noon-12.30am, Sun noon-11pm. Approx £60 per person.
It is encouraging that Hakkasan ' which may well be London's finest Chinese restaurant - stays open so late. The food is very good indeed, delivering a sophisticated balance of different flavours and textures. Hakkasan is expensive. It looks impeccably smart and it's always busy. The bar is full of fashionable people and stays open until 1.30am Thurs-Sat. Booking ahead is a wise move.
HARD ROCK CAF£
150 Old Park Lane, W1 (020-7629 0382)
Mon-Sat 8am-1am, Sun 8am-11.30pm. Approx £25 per person.
Since the Seventies, the original Hard Rock Caf£ has been belting out loud music and hustling burgers to successive generations of tourists. The burgers have always been sound, the service snappy and the atmosphere lively. By the end of the evening the camera-toting pilgrims have given way to people fuelling up for a night out.
HARLEM
79 Westbourne Grove, W2 (020-7985 0900).
Mon-Sat 10.30am-2am, Sun 10.30am-midnight. Approx £30 per person.
78 Westbourne Grove has plenty of history as a late-night venue, before being reborn as Harlem it was called Angelo's and had a louche reputation as a drinking club. The food is now soul food, the atmosphere is likely and the bar stays open until 2am except on Sunday. This may be the place of reacquaint yourself with shrimp hushpuppies and gumbo.
JOE ALLEN
13 Exeter Street, WC2 (020-7836 0651).
Mon-Fri noon-12.45am, Sat 11.30am-11.30pm, Sun 11.30am-11.30pm. Approx £30 per person.
Joe Allen is hidden away in a basement where the dark brown d£cor only adds to the rather old-fashioned vibe. For a long while it has been a haunt of actors and agents and the menu has no surprises ' there's chopped liver, steaks, salads, and even a burger (although as it is never mentioned on the menu, you must know about it before asking for it).
PJ'S GRILL
30 Wellington Street, WC2 (020-7240 7529).
Mon-Sat noon-midnight, Sun 11am-4.30pm. Approx £25 per person.
PJ's is not only a near neighbour to Joe Allen, it also shares many of the same values. Named after an American polo player or some such, it has a straightforward menu that runs from French classic dishes to American stalwarts. Expect good steaks, good chips, sweet puds and slick service, all in the sort of dining room you would expect to see in a low-budget American film.
QUAGLINO'S
16 Bury Street, SW1 (020-7930 6767).
Mon-Thurs noon-midnight, Fri & Sat noon-1am. Bar open until 2am, Sun noon-11pm. Approx £45 per person.
Quag's is all about glamour and the cavernous dining room is theatrical in the extreme. This is the place for giant, multi-tiered, platters of fruits de mer; for staples like fish and chips; and for aged Scottish steaks. There's a pacey wine list and the service just about keeps up with the incredibly high volume of customers.
RANOUSH
43 Edgware Road, W2 (020-7723 5929).
Mon-Sun 9am-3am. Approx £12 per person.
At the back there's a juice bar and at the front there is a long counter offering various mezze and kebabs. There's a tricky system here that may have developed due to the unreliability of late-night diners - you start by paying and then take your receipt to the men behind the various stations who will swap it for the item concerned. No alcohol, but lots of fun, and impressively busy, however late.
SHISH
2-6 Station Road, NW2 (020-8208 9290).
Mon-Sun noon-11.30pm, bar open 5pm-midnight. Approx £20 per person.
Shish is pretty sharp. A glass frontage shows the counter curving its way around the room. The deal here is kebabs, but kebabs that have been civilised. To start with there are various mezze, and then the kebabs range from king prawn shish to chicken with apricot and ginger. Service is friendly and the breads are good.
YAS
7 Hammersmith Road, W14 (020-7603 9148).
Mon-Sun noon-4.30am daily. Approx £25 per person.
Yas is a busy Iranian restaurant so you can take it as read that thee will be good juices and teas (plus it has a drinks licence) fabulous hot breads, those baskets of very fresh green herbs, well-cooked kebabs and delicious stews - check out the excellent specials at the weekend.
ZERODEGREES
29-31 Montpelier Vale, SE3 (020-8852 5619)
Mon-Sat noon-midnight, Sun noon-11.30pm. Approx £15 per person.
Zerodegrees is a cheerful amalgamation of several different styles of establishment. The food is pizzas, pastas, moules and snacks. The bar is thriving, loud and leery. There is a micro-brewery on site, offering five or six beers from US style bitters to a very popular fruit beer.
Whether you are coming to London specially to go to a London Restaurant and planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.uk or telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
THE REAL DEAL: 24-HOUR DINING
BAR ITALIA
22 Frith Street, W1 (020-7437 4520).
Mon-Thur 6am-5am, Thurs-Sun open 24 hours.
The Bar Italia is a Soho institution, for over half a century it has dispenses small cups of strong coffee. When eating, the best bets are the paninis and the pizzas. The best time to visit is any time that an Italian football match is showing on the television at the end of the bar.
BRICK LANE BEIGEL BAKE
159 Brick Lane, E1 (020-7729 0616).
Mon-Sun, 24 hours. Approx £3 per person.
The Beigal Bake is a bakery not a restaurant, but in the small hours it is busy enough to make many an eatery jealous. Beigels are traditional, substantial and chewy - try smoked salmon and cream cheese. And take a bag of freshly baked beigels home for breakfast.
SOMINE
131 Kingsland High Street, E8 (020-7254 7384).
Mon-Sun, 24 hours. Approx £5 per person.
This small Turkish caf£ offers a welcome pit-stop and the menu which is chalked up on the wall - features stews and stuffed breads. Drink tea and reflect upon your evening out. Homely, and home-cooked food.
TINSELTOWN
44-46 St John Street, EC1 (020-7689 2424).
Mon-Sun, 24 huors. Approx £12 per person.
This is a lively, basement restaurant that is a welcome haunt for clubbers and cabbies alike. As well as burgers and dinner dishes, it is noted for serious milkshakes that incorporate chocolate bars. It also provides internet access, if moonlight surfing is your thing.
VINGT-QUATRE
325 Fulham Road, SW10 (020-7376 7224).
Mon-Sun 24 hours. Approx £30 per person.
This site has always been home to a late-night establishment and here you get a Chelsea take on stylish sleaze. Not so much a greasy spoon as a silver one. Decent salads and steaks, full of locals on the last lap home after a serious night out, with a smattering of staff relaxing after finishing work at Chelsea's smarter eateries.
Whether you are coming to London specially to go to a wonderful London restaurant and planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.uk or telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
London Chinese Restaurants
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a visit to any of London's Chinese Restaurants. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to all these London Chinese restaurants. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London.
CRISPY DUCK
27 Wardour Street, W1 (020-7287 6578).
Mon-Sun noon-4am. Approx £12 per person.
Formerly Hung's, this has always been much the same - serving food very late in a warren of dining rooms over several floors. Brits should stick to the simple dishes - duck rice or ho fun noodles with various meats. Don't be offended by the brusque staff here.
DRAGON INN
12 Gerrard Street, W1 (020-7494 0870).
Mon-Sun 11am-2am. Approx £12 per person.
The convention is that dim sum is not usually served later than 5pm, but this place is an exception, so tuck in! A practical rather than gracious place to eat.
HK DINER
22 Wardour Street, W1 (020-7434 9544).
Mon-Sun 11am-4am. Approx £14 per person.
A very lively Chinese caf£ with a comprehensive menu including congee - the soothing rice porridge that is excellent for lining the stomach - plus everything from noodle dishes to steamed crab served with Sao Sing wine. Try the 'pearl' milkshakes - they come in lurid flavours and contain a handful of pea-sized balls of tapioca.
MR KONG
21 Lisle Street, WC2 (020-7437 7341).
Mon-Sun noon-2.45am. Approx £20 per person.
Mr Kong is the most serious of the late-night options in Chinatown, which may be why Soho's chefs often end up there after a few post-shift refreshments. There are stunning dishes here - the razor clams with garlic, fried duck with bitter melon and deep-fried oysters.
NEW DIAMOND
23 Lisle Street, WC2 (020-7437 2517).
Mon-Sun noon-3am. Approx £20 per person.
A busy restaurant, the long menu stretches from old-style favourites to ambitious choices such as fried, crispy spring pigeon. It's not too cramped for late-night Lisle Street.
Whether you are coming to London specially to go to a London Chinese Restaurant and planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.ukor telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
London Breakfast Restaurants
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a trip to any of these London restaurants for breakfast. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to all these special breakfast restaurants. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London.
The FOX & ANCHOR
115 Charterhouse Street, EC1 (020 7253 5075).
Mon-Thur 7am-7pm, Fri 7am-8pm.
Meat, fish, fruit and veg and flower markets all have historic by-laws that allow their pubs to open at curious hours to service the needs of market workers. After a night's work in Smithfield market, generations of porters, pitchers and butchers would stream into the Fox & Anchor at the crack of dawn, white coats often streaked with blood, for a pint of porter and a hearty breakfast.
There are few white coats among the customers these days, none blood-stained, with most customers in suits and on their way to the office. They come in such numbers that it's advisable to book in advance. All the fries: sausage, egg, lean bacon rashers, black pudding, fried toast, baked beans and tomatoes. All of this, of course, should be wolfed down with a pint of Guinness. It has been serving breakfasts like this since 1898, and the lunches are pretty hearty too. The pub doesn't appear to have changed much for hundreds of years. Take a look at the old snugs at the back. They're a relatively recent addition.
THE HOPE & SIR LOIN
94 Cowcross Street, EC1 (020 7253 8525).
Mon-Fri 7am-10.30am, and noon-2pm.
Many of us conceive that a sirloin is a choice cut of beef, but the word's origins are much more colourful. It is said that James I, when dining at Houghton Tower in 1617, was so enamoured of the beef laid out before him that he knighted it. 'Arise, Sir Loin', I hear him call. But there are other accounts of such extemporaneous ceremonies attributed to King Henry VIII and to Charles II. Perhaps it was a joke of the times. Perhaps they were all barking mad.
No matter. The word made flesh lives on in excellent form during lunch in the Sir Loin restaurant above this pub in Smithfield. But it's the breakfasts that will win you over: a colossal plate includes double egg, double sausage, double bacon, kidneys, liver, black pudding, mushrooms, baked beans and fried bread. Such a breakfast might be considered fine if you're humping carcasses around for several hours afterwards, but if you're sitting behind a desk fiddling with e-mails, you might want to consider the cholesterol intake. Try the hot beef sandwiches available in the pub at lunchtime it's remarkable. Booking is advisable for early morning breakfasts in the restaurant.
THE MARKET PORTER
9 Stoney Street, SE1 (020 7407 2495)
Mon-Fri 6am-8.30am and 11am-11pm, Sat noon-11pm, Sun noon-10.30pm.
True 'free houses' are rare beasts in London these days and the Market Porter is one of the better examples of what a free house should be doing; providing an ever-changing range of up to eight real ales. This is a top-quality traditional pub that every borough would be proud to have.
THE MOON & SIXPENCE
183 Wardour Street, W1 (020 7734 0037)
Mon-Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 11am-10.30pm
The forward thinking Wetherspoons chain of pubs and bars have been challenging tradition by opening nearly all of their pubs and bars at 10am for the past year or so and they now have alcohol licences to suit.
A fried breakfast is as good as it gets ' better than many greasy spoons ' and then there are all their lovely beers to choose from. There are too many pubs throughout London to list here, but you can find your nearest branch by visiting their website at www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk.
THE ROYAL OAK
73 Columbia Road, E2 020 7739 8204).
Mon-Sat 1pm-11pm, Sun 8am-10.30pm.
On Sunday mornings Columbia Road comes into full bloom with the ever-popular flower market, which throngs the streets for miles around. This ordinary-looking local becomes the focus for early risers and those in need of a sharpener to clear their heads following a large Saturday night.
THE COCK TAVERN
East Poultry Avenue, Central Markets, EC1 (020 7248 2918)
Mon-Fri 6am-4pm.
Deep in the bowels of Smithfield market proper is what the white-coated workers would call their 'office bar'.
They come here after a hard night's humping and the staggeringly good value English breakfast.
THE PAKENHAM ARMS
1 Pakenham Street, WC1 (020 7837 6933).
Mon-Fri 9am-1am, Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 9am-10.30pm.
Office workers and postmen from the nearby Mount Pleasant sorting office like to pop in to this traditional boozer for breakfast and a pint early in the morning.
It opens at 9am every day, and doesn't close until 1am. Sunday night is early doors for the Pakenham: last orders at 10.30pm.
BANK
1 Kingsway, WC2 (020 7379 9797).
Breakfast Mon-Fri 7am-10.30am.
Approx £16 per person.
A large, bustling brasserie, Bank draws breakfasters out of the neighbouring legal offices. It offers a genuine sort of breakfast - two courses and for the first course such domestic delicacies as Rice Krispies. Then onwards to the mighty full English, or perhaps fishcakes with a poached egg appeals?
THE BRASSERIE ONE LOMBARD STREET
1 Lombard Street, EC3 (0870 780 8147).
Breakfast Mon-Fri 7.30am-11am.
Approx £15 per person.
The large, high-ceilinged Brasserie at the front of One Lombard Street does a good trade in City breakfasts, and chef Herbert Berger has a good grasp of the importance of choosing his ingredients carefully. The full breakfast rounds up all the usual suspects.
INN THE PARK
St. James's Park, SW1 (020 7451 9999).
Breakfast Mon-Fri 8am-11am, Sat & Sun 9am-11am.
Approx £8 per person.
A bold and beautiful new restaurant in St James's Park serving British produce and deserving to be commended for it. Great views of the park can be enjoyed as you choose boiled eggs, or the Great British breakfast with all the trimmings. The menu is resolutely British - even the French toast has been renamed Poor Knights of Windsor (that's eggy bread to you and I).
PERDONI-S
18-20 Kennington Road, SE1 (020 7928 6846).
Breakfast from 7am-6.30pm.
Approx £6 per person.
Rush to Perdoni-s straightaway, as it represents a dying breed - genuine cafes are very few and far between and every week we lose another one. Proper fried breakfast, properly served up and properly cheap.
SMITHS OF SMITHFIELD
67-77 Charterhouse Street, EC1 (020 7251 7950)
Breakfast Mon-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 9.30am-5pm.
Approx £7 per person.
The ground floor canteen at John Torode's restaurant is famous for being Jamie Oliver's favourite breakfast venue. Good, authentic breakfasts, reasonably priced. Bacon, egg, beans, sausage, mushrooms, black pudding, tomatoes, bubble and toast £6.50. A bacon sandwich that verges on greatness.
THE CRESCENT RESTAURANT
Nikko Montcalm Hotel, 36-40 Great Cumberland Place, W1 (020 7402 4288).
Breakfast Mon-Fri 7am-10am, Sat & Sun 7.30am-10.30am.
Approx £20 per person.
This hotel restaurant offers an authentic Japanese breakfast - grilled fish with miso, gohan (steamed rice), miso soup with spring onion and tofu, dried seaweed and a soft egg accompanied by a slice of melon and Japanese tea. The place to make any Japanese businessman feel at home.
THE PROVIDORES & TAPA ROOM
109 Marylebone High Street, W1 (020 7935 6175).
Breakfast Mon-Fri 9am-11.30am, Sat & Sun 10am-3pm.
Approx £12 per person.
London's leading fusion restaurant serves a very interesting breakfast. Try the brown rice, apple and miso porridge, or the Turkish eggs (two poached eggs, yoghurt and hot chilli). For the more classically minded there is Stornoway black pudding.
POWER BREAKFASTS
THE CINNAMON CLUB
The Old Westminster Library, Great Smith Street, SW1 (020 7222 2555).
Breakfast Mon-Fri 7.30am-9.30am.
Approx £20 per person.
Perhaps due to the proximity of the Lords and Ladies of the Upper House (many of them have their offices just across the street) there is a full English on offer for power breakfasters. But in addition you can also have Bombay-spiced vegetables served with a cumin pao, a pukka kedgeree or spicy scrambled eggs.
MENU AT THE CONNAUGHT
The Connaught, 16 Carlos Place, W1 (020 7592 1222).
Breakfast Mon-Fri 7am-10am, Sat & Sun 7.30am-10am.
Approx £20 per person.
Angela Hartnett's Michelin-starred restaurant is already finding favour with the power breakfasters. The standard offering is a Continental breakfast well suited to eating during your meeting. More serious trenchers can call for a bagel with smoked salmon, and all in the grand setting of the Connaught.
THE GRAND DIVAN
Simpsons-in-The-Strand, 100 Strand, WC2 (020 7836 9112).
Breakfast Mon-Fri 7.15am-10.30am.
Approx £17 per person.
Not content with a mega fry-up entitled The Seven Deadly Sins, Simpsons pushes the envelope to offer the 10 Deadly Sins. If you like your power-brekkie a little less artery-threatening there's also the Healthy Breakfast, which also works out cheaper.
THE WOLSELEY
160 Piccadilly, W1 (020 7499 6996).
Breakfast Mon-Fri 7am-11.30am, Sat & Sun 9am-11.30am.
Approx £15 per person.
The Wolseley is hot. Every morning this chic restaurant delights serried ranks of power breakfasters with Manx kippers, omelette complet and full English - there's even the option of two boiled eggs with caviar (£18). The Wolseley is getting nearly as popular for breakfast as it is for lunch.
Whether you are coming to London specially to go to a London breakfast restaurant and planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.uk or telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
London Lunch Restaurants
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a trip to any of these London restaurants for that special lunch. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to all these wonderful lunchtime restaurants. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London.
BANQUETTE
The Savoy, Strand, WC2 (020 7592 1600).
Open all afternoon.
Approx £25 per person.
This first-floor resto aims to be the accessible face of the Savoy, although it is served by the same Marcus Wareing-run kitchen as The Grill Room downstairs. The room is laid out like a diner, only smarter. The menu offers simple dishes like pickled sardines on toasted sourdough, Eggs Benedict, fishcakes and even Shepherd's Pie. It's a good spot for a late lunch.
RULES
35 Maiden Lane, WC2 (020 7836 5314).
Open all afternoon.
Approx £30 per person.
Rules is London's oldest restaurant which makes the enlightened attitude to mealtimes remarkable. Sit down at 4 o'clock and you can still go through the card - smoked salmon, Dover sole, gave in season (from the owner's estate in the High Pennines), steak and kidney pie, puddings and a whole Stilton cheese. This is a lunch place to be reckoned with.
LA BRASSERIE
272 Brompton Road, SW3 (020 7581 3089).
Open all afternoon.
Approx £20 per person.
The Brasserie opened in 1972 and doesn't look as if it has changed much since. This is a comfortable, old-fashioned sort of place. Cast your mind back a couple of decades, think French and you'll get the idea. It serves classic Bourgeois French dishes, steak tartare, Boeuf Bourguignon and good frites. The Gallic waiters are extremely so and the kitchen offers steady rather than great cooking.
MELA
152-156 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (020 7836 8635).
Open all afternoon.
Approx £12 per person.
Mela is a surprising place on several levels: even for an Indian restaurant, it is agreeable laid-back, the cooking is agreeably homely and the prices are low - there is a set lunch option priced around the £4 mark (particularly good value when you consider the West End location). Also the breads are stunning, and look out for the handkerchief breads called roomalis.
YAUATCHA
15 Broadwick Street, W1 (020 7494 8888).
Open all afternoon.
Approx £18 per person.
In this new building by Richard Rogers, Hakkasan's creator, wunderkind Alan Yau has created a sophisticated take on a Dim Sum restaurant. The elegant dining room and superb Dim Sum would be enough, but the realistic prices are a bonus, and the venison puffs are well worth travelling for. There's slightly less booking pressure when the main lunch rush as abated.
ZILLI FISH
36-40 Brewer Street, W1 (020 7734 8649).
Open all afternoon.
Approx £25 per person.
Zilli Fish has long been a favourite of 'meeja' types (probably for those lunches that start at noon and end at 6 o'clock), but the lobster with spaghetti and sound fish dishes are available all afternoon. So you can start a late lunch at 4 o'clock, with the only conundrum in deciding whether to return to your office afterwards or not.
Whether you are spending time in London specially to go to a London great lunch restaurant and planning to see more of London's attractions, The The Abbey Court Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book The Abbey Court Hotel when you plan your trip to London town? You can book online or email to make a reservation on info@abbeycourthotel.co.ukor telephone on 0044(0)207 221 7518.
London Bars
The Abbey Court Hotel is a great place to stay if you are planning a trip to any of these London bars. It is a very straight forward journey by underground from Bayswater or Queensway underground stations to all of London's Attractions, we can highly recommend a visit to all these different bars. The The Abbey Court hotel is superbly located in central London.
THE KING'S HEAD
115 Upper Street, N1 (020-7226 0364).
Mon-Thurs 11am-1am, Fri & Sat 11am-2am, Sun noon-1am.
Very fine and very Victorian, this superbly unmucked-about-with hostelry is a fixture in Islington's ever-changing pub scene. The lofty ground-floor bar has regular live music and a pleasant, slightly studenty feel. Drinks are served until midnight. To the rear, what is claimed to be London's first pub-theatre puts on performances of some note.
THE RELIANCE
336 Old Street, EC1 (020-7729 6888).
Mon-Thurs noon-11pm, Fri noon-2am, Sat 6pm-2am.
A trip to the late-night playground that is Shoreditch would not be complete without visiting The Reliance. This is a warm, welcoming and attractive pub with exposed brickwork and polished wood. There's usually at least three real ales available and a good assortment of quality continental beers and a wide-ranging wine list. It has also built up a reputation for serving good, hearty food.
THE WHITE HORSE
94 Brixton Hill, SW2 (020-8678 6666).
Mon-Wed 5pm-midnight, Thur & Fri noon-3am, Sat noon-3am, Sun noon-midnight.
The White Horse is fast becoming one of South London's most influential DJ-driven music venues. Spinsters are the decks most nights, offering an eclectic range of house, hip-hop, downbeat, breakbeat, funk and Latin. There's a decent cocktail list and an excellent menu.
THE WINDMILL
22 Blenheim Gardens, SW2 (020-8671 0700).
Mon-Sat 11am-midnight, Sun noon-midnight.
The Windmill is an unpretentious, attitude-free pub in a particularly unglamorous part of Brixton. You'll find something happening every night - it might be comedy acts, punk bands, acoustic folk or a full-on disco. It's pretty much pot luck on the entertainment front, but you can put up anything for a late licence.
THE EAST DULWICH TAVERN
1 Lordship Lane, SE22 (020-8693 1316).
Mon-Wed 11am-11pm, Thur-Sat 11am-midnight, Sun 11am-10.30pm.
This former workaday boozer was given a bit of a facelift recently and is looking the better for it. A contemporary clutter-free interior now prevails and there's a popular restaurant upstairs in what used to be the comedy club. You can still catch the sporting action on TVs at the back.
DE HEMS
11 Macclesfield Street, W1 (020-7437 2494).
Mon-Sat noon-midnight, Sun noon-10.30pm.
De Hems claims to be London's only Dutch pub. Does anyone doubt it? It looks Dutch. See its gable. It behaves Dutch. Proost. It's Dutch all right. The De Hems used to be called the Macclesfield and you'll find it on the edge of Chinatown. A few more yards down the street and it could have been London's only Chinese pub, but a Dutch sailor called de Hems took it over in the Twenties - so it's Dutch Old Masters. 'Orangjeboom Gezondheid' declares the mirror behind the bar - a friendly greeting, apparently. It is a very friendly pub this one.
The noise level rises as the evening goes on, courtesy of a music licence. The ceiling is a subtle shade of nicotine, thought the ceiling fans do their best and in the summer the doors fold right back. They call the upstairs bar 't'Oude Trefpunt', the old meeting place, and on the first Thursday of every month, many Dutchies living in London meet there. Orangjeboom means orange tree, the symbol of the Orangjeboom Brewery in Breda, near Rotterdam. There's a huge Orangjeboom pump on the bar pouring out prime Dutch ale and they now do draught Witte Raaf - one of the wheat beers the Dutch and Belgians like so much.
THE CASTLE
65 Camberwell Church Street, SE5 (020-7277 2601).
Mon-Thur noon-midnight, Fri & Sat noon-2am, Sun noon-10.30pm.
Very smartly done-out gastropub with top-quality grub and a seriously good drinks offering. This is a public for the discerning drinker and mature diner rather than a kids' hangout. But you can let your hair down in the upstairs room, where you can watch major sporting events or hold your own private party. One of the best pubs in South-East London.
THE BLACK LION
274 Kilburn High Road, NW6 (020-7624 1424).
Mon-Thur 11am-11pm, Fri & Sat 11am-midnight, Sun noon-10.30pm.
With the careful restoration of the pub complete, the wonderfully ornate glided ceiling and friezes make for a breathtaking spectacle of interior design. Floors are sanded, chairs are comfortable and the lofty ceilings give the place a spacious feel. A neatly partitioned-off restaurant area is serving some deeply ambitious modern British dishes, but the pubby bit remains every inch a locals' local.
THE WARWICK ARMS
160 Warwick Road, W14 (02-7603 3560)
Mon-Sat noon-midnight, Sun noon-11.30pm.
This is a nice little find on a pretty desolate stretch of the Warwick Road, opposite Homebase. Although this pub was refurbished recently, it still manages to exude olde worlde charm - plenty of bric-a-brac and curious objets d'art. The recent introduction of an Indian food menu beings an interesting flavour to this traditional pub. Fuller's ales are served.
THE CLAPHAM NORTH
409 Clapham Road, SW9 (020-7274 2472).
Mon-Thur 11am-midnight, Fri & Sat 11am-2am, Sun noon-midnight.
A recent transformation from the old Bedford Arms is attracting new customers to this contemporary pub in Clapham North. That and no-nonsense food, a sensible drinks list, occasional live jazz music and plasma-screen TVs.
THE BEDFORD
77 Bedford Hill, SW12 (020-8673 1756).
Mon-Thur 11am-11pm, Fri & Sat 11am-2am, Sun noon-10.30pm.
Late licences in function rooms. The Bedford is a multi-faceted, honest-to-goodness, traditional community pub in the heart of Bohemian Balham.
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Apollo Victoria
17 Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LL
Box Office 0171 416 6070
Nearest Tube: Victoria
Nearest Train: Victoria
Buses: Victoria Bus Station
Nearest Parking: MasterPark at Rochester Row
The Apollo was orginally built as a 'super-cinema' and called the New Victoria Cine-Variety Theatre, when it opened in 1930. This strikingly art deco cinema was designed, as were all super-cinemas of the period, with facilities for stage shows that would precede the cinema films.
The cinema closed in 1975, then reopened for live entertainment in 1981 under it's present name. The opening show was a Shirley Bassey concert. Other productions included "The Sound of Music" with Petula Clark in 1981, "Camelot" with Richard Harris in 1982, "Dash" with Wayne Sleep in 1983 and "Fiddler on the Roof" with Topol also in 1983.
1,262 seats where removed to accomodate a roller-skating track and much of the auditorium was painted black for the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Starlight Express" which opened on 27 March 1984 and played for 7,406 performances up to 12 January 2002. After it closed the theatre was refurbished and the interior was once again returned to its former glory and the musical "Bombay Dreams" opened on 19 June 2002.
Adelphi Theatre
The Strand
London, WC2
Tube: Charing Cross Road
Box Office: 0870 403 0303
*The current structure of the Adelphi Theatre opened in 1930. Due to the nature of the auditorium, some seats are classified as 'restricted view' or 'side view'. The seating plan provided is a guide only - seating layout is subject to change dependent on production/staging requirements.
Transport: Nearest underground stations are Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) and Charing Cross/Embankment (District, Circle, Northern and Bakerloo lines)
Parking: Nearest NCP car parks are in Drury Lane and Upper St Martin's Lane.
The £8.00 daily congestion charge for central London applies from 7.00am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. The charge does not apply at weekends.
Please call the box office direct on +44 (0) 20 7344 0055 to arrange seats for the disabled.
Children: No babes in arms will be admitted. Young children are admitted but not encouraged unless the accompanying adult is confident that the child can sit, unaided in their own seat and be attentive to the performance so as not to distract other members of the audience. Accompanying adults will be asked to remove noisy infants.
Aldwych Theatre
Aldwych, London, WC2B 4DF
Tel: 0870 4000 805
When the area between Wellington Street, Strand and Fleet Street was reconstructed in the last years of the nineteenth century much of London's old theatreland was wiped out. The new streets of Aldwych and Kingsway were constructed and plans were made for the building of two theatres with identical facades along the Aldwych, one on the corner of Catherine Street, the other on the corner of Drury Lane. Between the two theatres there was to be a magnificent hotel, The Waldorf.
The Waldorf Theatre, now The Strand, opened in May 1905 and the Aldwych Theatre was completed shortly afterwards in December the same year. It was built by Seymour Hicks in association with American impresario Charles Frohman, to a design by W.G.R. Sprague with a seating capacity of 1,092. This has been increased today to 1200.
Not far off its centenary, the theatre is today once again owned by an American, James Nederlander, and operated by Michael Codron Plays.
Dominion Theatre
Tottenham Court Road, W1P OAG
Tel: 0870 169 0116
The Dominion Theatre is located on Tottenham Court Road close to St. Giles Circus. Built in 1929 by architects William and TR Millburn the Dominion Theatre in London once boasted an impressive capacity of almost three thousand. This capacity has been reduced to just over two thousand with just the stalls and the front circle now in use. The theatre is now a grade II listed building. Upon opening, the Dominion was known for its productions of stage musicals. In 1930 the Dominion began showing some of the early movies to feature spoken word. In between showing talkies the Dominion also staged opera, dance and variety shows.
Due to the large capacity offered by the Dominion major concerts were performed here including Shirley Maclaine and Judy Garland shows. During the fifties and sixties both -the Sound of Music- and -South Pacific- enjoyed lengthy stays at the Dominion. Singing sensation Cliff Richard made his theatre debut at the Dominion in the musical -Time- by David Clarke. -Grand Hotel- and Bernadette transferred from Broadway to the Dominion but failed to make a significant impact. The Tangerine Dream album 'Logos' was recorded at the Dominion Theatre and as a result there is a track on the Album called Dominion. The Dominion Theatre still shows movie premiers today though recent stage hits have included Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'We Will Rock You'. Sharon D Clarke won an Olivier award in 2003 for he supporting role in 'We Will Rock You'. Grease enjoyed a lengthy stay at the Dominion from 1993 until 1996.
Her Majesty's Theatre
Haymarket, SW1Y 4QL
Tel: 020 7494 5400
Her Majestys Theatre is actually the fourth theatre to occupy this site, with the first theatre opening in 1705.
The current theatre was designed by C J Phipps and opened on 28 April 1897. Renovation of the dome and the building's exterior took place in 1992 and in 1994 the interior was renovated. The theatre is currently owned by Really Useful Theatres.
The theatre changes it's name to either Her Majesty's Theatre or His Majesty's Theatre according to the monarch on the British throne.
Transport / Accessibility
Nearest Underground: Piccadilly Circus
Nearest Rail: Charing Cross
Bus Routes: 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 22B, 38, 53, 88, 94, 159
Wheelchair Access: Yes
London Palladium
Argyll Street , W1A 3AB
Tel: 020 7494 5570
The History of The London Palladium
There has been a place of entertainment on the site of the London Palladium Theatre since 1870.
The first hall was called 'The Corinthian Bazaar', then 'Hengler's Circus.' Later, a skating rink was fitted on the site of Hengler's Circus known as the National Skating Palace which held The Skating World Championship in 1898.
The Palladium, designed by Frank Matcham, opened on Boxing Day 1910 and began a tradition of presenting variety and West End Pantomimes. Originally named The Palladium, the theatre became The London Palladium in 1934.
In 1931 a group of six comedians formed what became to be known as the 'Crazy Gang' and occupied the London Palladium until 1939.
In the 1950s, The London Palladium became a household name with the weekly live television variety show 'Sunday Night at The London Palladium'. In its heyday 28 million viewers tuned into the show which always opened with the Tiller Girls and closed with all the acts waving goodbye from the famous revolving stage.
The Beatles' first major television appearance was on "Sunday Night at the London Palladium" in 1963 sparking what was later called "Beatlemania".
In the late 1980s the venue was once again the setting for the popular ITV variety show,'Live From the Palladium' compared by Jimmy Tarbuck.
From the 1980's the London Palladium became synonymous with large scale musicals such as 'The King and I', 'Singing in the Rain' the Opera North/Royal Shakespeare Company's production of 'Show Boat', 'Oliver!' and the current show - 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'.
In 2000 the theatre was acquired by Andrew Lloyd Webber 's Really Useful Theatre Company.
The Architecture of The London Palladium
The London Palladium Theatre is one of London's largest theatres, boasting 2,286 seats. Designed in 1910 by Frank Matcham, the Palladium has been described as a 'gigantic and opulent palace'.
Now a Grade II Listed building, the lavish auditorium incorporates parts of the former circus building and Matcham retained Owen Lewis' original 1868 frontage
Lyceum Theatre
Wellington St, London, WC2E 7DA
Tel: 0870 243 9000
This grand, Grade II listed theatre has a capacity of 2000 and a rather turbulent history.
A few theatres have previously inhabited this site, including one which was famed for being the first in London to be lit by gas and which hosted the premiere of Mozart's opera 'Cosi Fan Tutti'.
Another previous theatre, designed by Samuel Beazley, opened in 1834 on 4th July. This building was unique in that it had a balcony overhanging the circle. It was here that Henry Irving made his mark as a formidable actor when, in 1874, he took on the leading role in 'Hamlet'. Following a fire in the theatre, and the subsequent implementation of strict fire regulations, the majority of Beazley's building had to be demolished due to lack of funding.
The current building, opened in 1904, still retains Beazley's formidable original portico and facade. Doubt over the future of the building struck in 1939 when plans for a road extension and roundabout meant that the building had to be demolished. As a result the theatre closed in the same year with a landmark performance of 'Hamlet' directed by Sir John Gielgud. Fortunately plans for its demolition collapsed and, after the war, the theatre was subsequently leased by Mecca as a ballroom and then years later as a pop venue - U2, Bob Marley, The Who and Culture Club have all played here.
Further years of uncertainty followed, ending in 1996 when the theatre finally reopened with 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and became the successful venue for large scale musicals that it is today.
Prince of Wales Theatre
Old Compton Street, W1V 6HS
Tube Leicester sq / Tottenham Ct Rd
Tel: 0870 850 9191
The first theatre on this site was The Prince's Theatre which was designed by C J Phipps. This theatre was opened in January 1884 and was demolished in 1937 to make way for the larger present theatre. On 17 June 1937 the foundation stone of the current theatre was laid by Gracie Fields, and the theatre, now named The Prince of Wales, was opened on 27 October 1937.
There has been a Theatre on the site of The Prince's Theatre since 1884. The architect for the original building was C J Phipps.
From 1932 the theatre developed a popular reputation for daring and risqu£ revues. In 1937 The Prince of Wales' Theatre was demolished and the current Prince of Wales theatre was built. The architect Robert Cromie was commissioned to taylor the theatre specifically to house these successful revue shows. Changes included a large stalls bar, complete with dance floor.
During the 1950s the theatre was home to variety. But in 1959 the trend changed with the staging of The World of Suzie Wong, which enjoyed a long run.
Funny Girl transferred from Broadway in 1966 with the young Barbara Streisand in the leading role of Fanny Brice. Two other Broadway hits followed, Sweet Charity and Promises, Promises. The show that smashed all previous records was Andrew Lloyd Webber's Aspects of Love (1989).
The Prince of Wales closed for renovation in July 2003. The theatre was reopened by the Prince of Wales in 2004 when he attended a Gala performance of Mamma Mia!
The Prince of Wales is owned and managed by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres Limited.
Queen's Theatre
Shaftesbury Ave, W1V 8BA
Tel: 020 7494 5040
The Queen's Theatre opened in 1907.
Among the many celebrities who brought fame and glamour to the Queen's in the 20s and 30s were Fred and Adele Astaire in Stop Flirting, Tallulah Bankhead in Conchita, Jack Hawkins in Sunshine Sisters, and Gertrude Lawrence and Douglas Fairbanks Junior in Moonlight in Silver.
The Queen's theatre staged a Gielgud season in 1937-38. Presenting four plays - Richard II, The Merchant of Venice, The School for Scandal and Three Sisters.
In 1940 the theatre was hit by a bomb. A large part of the theatre was destroyed and the Queen's was dark for almost 2 decades, until 1969 when the theatre was rebuilt.
The 1960s saw Noel Coward's final West End appearance. The National Theatre made its Shaftesbury Avenue debut in 1966 with a cast that included Laurence Olivier, Frank Finlay and Maggie Smith. This was followed by the first European production of Neil Simon's New York comedy The Odd Couple and Peter Ustinov's play Halfway up a Tree, directed by John Gielgud, both of which ran for more than 400 performances.
Musicals were well received at the Queen's Theatre including Stop the World I Want to Get Off, which had a good run before moving to Broadway, Marlene Dietrich's stunning cabaret seasons and The Card produced by Cameron Mackintosh.
In 2004 Les Miserables transferred from The Palace Theatre where it had run for more than 18 years to the Queen's Theatre. It is a wonderful opportunity for every department in Les Mis£rables to create the show afresh at the Queen's theatre using revolutionary technology, said Mackintosh.
The costumes were moved from one venue to another by walking them down the road, followed by a television crew. A smaller stage at the Queen's meant changes had to be made to the set. The designer, John Napier designed a large, mirrored flat to fly in upstage, giving the illusion of added depth.
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