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Home , Brick Lane Market, Fordham Park, O2 Academy Islington, Prospect of Whitby, Rivoli Ballroom, Scala (club)

Goldsmiths’ little book about

Nightlife, arts and culture, shopping, eating and drinking, festivals, carnivals and events We can supply information in alternative formats for people with a visual impairment or dyslexia.

Please contact the International Partnerships and Developments team: tel: +44 (0)20 7919 7702 email: [email protected] visit: www.gold.ac.uk/disability Top student city_2 New Cross_6 South East London_8 East London_12 Nightlife_16 Arts and culture_18 Shopping_20 Eating and drinking_22 Out and about_24 Festivals, carnivals and events_26 2 London > Top student city Top student city

London is an amazing place to be a student. We have world-famous galleries, museums, theatres, festivals and parks for you to explore – many of them for free. Come to Goldsmiths and enjoy living the true London life.

www.gold.ac.uk/student-life 3

London has been voted one of the top student cities in the world, thanks in part to the quality of life, vibrant mix of people, and how well employers rate its graduates.

Goldsmiths is based on a single-site campus within this fantastic city, in , South East London. It’s a vibrant area with plenty to Top tips keep you occupied, but we’re also just minutes Leonara, from the heart of this great global city. There’s BA Social & Cultural Studies so much choice when it comes to things to see and do that the only problem you’ll have is “My favourite place in London has got to be knowing where to get started! That’s why we’ve , Holborn. There’s loads to created this little book about London. Filled do around that area and just walking around with top tips from current students, it will give you’re likely to find something unexpected. you a taste of the exciting, unusual and awe- inspiring things you can do in the capital – from Also, it’s walking distance to the South Bank nightlife to shopping, and from festivals to arts and just a bus ride from New Cross.” and culture. Part of the beauty of London is that it’s ever-changing. We hope you have fun exploring it for yourself. SOUTH TATE tower BANK MODERN bridge (page 18) (page 18)

Goldsmiths is in New Cross, South East London. It’s five miles from Central London, which is just 10 minutes away by train. ANGEL

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DEPTFORD

CAMBERWELL NEW CROSS GATE NEW CROSS GREENWICH PECKHAM

LEWISHAM EAST DULWICH

FOREST HILL GOLDSMITHS olympic CAMPUS stadium 6 London > New Cross New Cross

As a student at Goldsmiths, New Cross will become very familiar to you over the next few years. Here’s your introduction to some of the local attractions.

Around New Cross you’ll find an eclectic mix of When you fancy a cheap breakfast, head to coffee shops, and places to eat. Described local greasy spoon cafés like the New Cross by The New York Times as a hub of creative Café and Delicious – they serve everything talent, the area also has a thriving music and from fry-ups to jacket potatoes. For something arts scene. a bit spicier try Cummin’ Up, a Caribbean take away where you can try jerk chicken or rice and Eating and drinking peas, or ReynA, a Turkish restaurant that has You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to eating good value meal deals. and drinking options in New Cross. The London Particular café is known for incredibly tasty There are also some good pubs in New Cross, brunch, lunch and dinner options, and comes the most popular being the Amersham Arms, highly recommended by the Guardian. New Marquis of Granby, Hobgoblin and New Cross addition Chinwag specialises in bistro-style House. The Amersham is described as “the burgers and amazing coffee, while a few doors nexus of South East London’s live music scene”, along Thailand does what it says on the tin and and holds live events as well as regular comedy serves up Thai cuisine at bargain prices (look and club nights (Whip It, held every Friday, is a out for their midday-7pm happy hour!). If you’re firm favourite among students), while according after a serene spot then head to Café Crema to Grazia UK the New Cross House is London's – as well as offering delicious vegetarian and Best Gastro (when you taste their pizzas vegan food they have a secret garden, complete you’ll know why), but is equally famous locally with quince trees and ducks. for having one of the best gardens around. www.gold.ac.uk/student-life 7

Of course it’s impossible to forget the Places of worship Goldsmiths Students’ Union, where you’ll find Goldsmiths has a multi-faith prayer room and things to do most nights of the week, including a Chaplaincy Centre that's open to everyone regular quizzes, gigs, live sports and film nights, regardless of what your beliefs and practices and the fabulous weekly Club Sandwich night, may or may not be. There are lots of local places a Goldsmiths institution! There are also sports of worship, visit www.gold.ac.uk/chaplaincy/ facilities, student media, and clubs and societies local-worship to find out more. that you can join. Green spaces Shopping For a hidden beauty spot, head up the hill behind New Cross is home to a large Sainsbury’s and Goldsmiths to Telegraph Hill Park, renowned as Iceland, but if small independent traders are the perfect setting to watch some of the best more your thing then head to The Allotment, a sunsets in town. And the Goldsmiths College greengrocer with a dazzling array of products, Green is perfect for catching some rays; set or Brockley Market (see page 9). For bargain within the centre of the campus, it gets very fashion why not visit bargain basement busy as soon as the sun’s out. TK Maxx or charity shop Human Relief Foundation? Then finish off your look with New Cross has two train stations, both of a cheap and cheerful haircut at Unique Hair which are on the rail network and London Technique, a barbers that has been in the area Overground, meaning you’re perfectly placed for over 20 years. to explore the rest of London too. 8 London > South East London South East London

New Cross is well connected by bus, train and Overground to the rest of South East London. It’s an area that’s a bit more off the beaten track than a lot of places in the capital – so there’s plenty of opportunity to find local hidden gems.

Deptford Greenwich and Blackheath Deptford is less than a 10-minute walk Greenwich is a 20-minute walk from the from Goldsmiths. There’s a growing artistic Goldsmiths campus. With strong maritime community in the area, with many artists connections and status as a world heritage and makers filling the studios that sit beside site, Greenwich has history and beauty galore. Deptford Creek, the old docks. At Deptford Famous attractions like the and Market you’ll find stalls selling fruit and veg from National Maritime Museum sit side-by-side all corners of the world sitting alongside small with bars, the brilliant Greenwich Market, a art galleries like Bearspace and Utrophia, and theatre, comedy club and restaurants like Jamie performing arts centre The Albany. Look out Oliver's new Italian place. Try the Greenwich for some fantastic murals while you’re shopping Picturehouse for interesting films, or take in along Deptford High Street, which has been views of the and walk along the voted the best in the capital for its diverse foot tunnel underneath the water. From the independent shops. If you fancy sampling top of the 183-acre Greenwich Park, next to some traditional London grub, investigate the Royal Observatory, you’ll get an excellent pie and mash shops Manze’s or Goddard’s. panoramic view of the stunning London Other highlights include the Royal Albert and cityscape, stretching from the London Eye in Dog and Bell pubs, Vietnamese café Panda the west to the Thames Barrier in the east. Panda, The Big Red – a pizzeria inside an old The park is just a short walk away from the Routemaster bus – and The Deptford Project, open space and village-style shops and a café and cinema. restuarants of Blackheath. www.gold.ac.uk/student-life 9

Brockley and Nearby Brockley is home to the award-winning Brockley Market. Located on Lewisham Way and open every Saturday from 10am-2pm, it’s a brilliant place to pick up fresh produce supplied by local farmers, producers and traders, and enjoy street food on the picnic tables nearby. A short bus ride away you’ll find cafés and Top tips coffee shops like Browns of Brockley and The Elena, Brockley Mess, as well as the Brockley Jack BA Anthropology Theatre and the retro , which is “My top three local locations are: the London’s only intact 1950s ballroom and holds regular dance and musical events. , because of the park and collection and friendliness of the En route to Lewisham from the Goldsmiths people; Telegraph Hill Upper Park, because campus you can take in some culture at of its view of London; and New Cross Lewisham Arthouse, or indulge yourself at Learning Centre (great events, book sales, Turkish restaurant Meze Mangal. Lewisham itself opportunities to volunteer, short courses...) has a shopping centre with high street stores, – a friendly space to spend an afternoon as well as a large market selling everything from every now and then.” food and flowers to bric-a-brac. 10 London > South East London South East London continued

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Peckham and Camberwell ingredients. It’s also worth exploring nearby Up-and coming Peckham is just a short bus ride streets like Choumert Road and Bellenden from Goldsmiths. The Bussey Building holds Grove, where you’ll find pubs, eateries and some of the best club nights and music events quirky shops. At the bottom of in South East London – drinks are reasonable Rye Lane is Peckham Rye Park, one of the and the spacious venue (a former warehouse) many green spaces in this part of London. makes it a great place for a night out. Across the road you’ll find the ever-popularBar Story, set Heading back towards Camberwell look out underneath the railway arches of Peckham Rye for Persepolis, a store selling Iranian foodstuffs Station. During the summer months, the top including an incredible array of dried herbs. On level of the multi-storey car park off Rye Lane the same stretch of road is the South London is home to pop-up Frank’s Café and Campari Gallery (along with No. 67, the café next door), Bar, part of the Bold Tendencies sculpture described as “one of the most elegant art project. The views from 10 storeys up are pretty spaces in London” by the Guardian. Exhibitions unmissable! Downstairs you’ll find thePeckham are free, as are many of their events. Plex cinema, offering ridiculously good value tickets for the latest releases (top tip: they In Camberwell you’ll find a dizzying selection accept the Orange Wednesdays offer). Rye of shops, restaurants and pubs – top picks Lane has a selection of high street stores along include Sophocles Bakery, FM Mangal, Falafel, with lots of independent butchers, fishmongers Caravaggio, Hermit’s Cave, Stormbird and and grocers – it’s a great place to stock up on The Tiger. www.gold.ac.uk/student-life 11

East Dulwich and Herne Hill East Dulwich is down the road from Peckham Rye Park, and Lordship Lane is at its heart – it’s where you’ll find coffee shops, restaurants and fancy cocktail bars. North Cross Road Market is worth a visit too – open six days a week, it specialises in vintage and homemade stalls. Head to Herne Hill for Oxfam Books or to enjoy Top tips the delights of Brockwell Park, including the Leon, historic Brockwell Lido – perfect for outdoor BA Design swimming, whatever the weather. “Having only lived in London for a few Other areas to investigate months now, South London really stands The rest of South East London is within easy out. To mention a particular place I recently reach on the London Overground, so why found Bar Story in Peckham as the place to not explore places like Forest Hill, Sydenham be. Drinking beer while sitting around the and Crystal Palace? The Horniman Museum in campfire and listening to the sound of the Forest Hill is a gem for all South Londoners overground trains right above your head with an eclectic collection that includes an feels like freedom.” aquarium, 8,000 musical instruments and even a stuffed walrus. 12 London > East London East London

The sights and delights of ***caption East London are amazingly or quote in well-connected from New Cross: you can get there on the London Overground in under 15 minutes. From the nightlife of Shoreditch and Dalston to the curry houses of , there’s plenty to keep you occupied.

Whitechapel and Brick Lane Today Brick Lane and the surrounding area is A short walk from Overground home to a thriving Bangladeshi community station you’ll findWhitechapel Gallery, and is well known for exceptional Anglo-Indian a cornerstone of one of the most vibrant cuisine, with a wide variety of curry houses to contemporary art quarters in the world. It has choose from. Other food options include Brick played a central role in London’s cultural scene Lane Beigel Bake (open 24 hours a day, seven and has brought art to the people since it was days a week, it’s famous for its warm salt beef founded in 1901. Alongside premiering works bagels), and Pho and Poppies of on from master artists such as Picasso, Pollock, nearby roads, offering South East Asian street Rothko, Kahlo and Freud, the gallery supports food and fish and chips respectively. up-and-coming East End artistic talent. If music and culture is your thing, you won’t Just around the corner is famous Brick Lane. be disappointed at Rough Trade East. A Named after the brick and tile manufacture major retailer located within the Old Truman that took place in the 15th century, the French Brewery, it boasts a wide variety of music, gigs Huguenots were the first of many immigrant and literature not for the faint hearted. Live communities to find a home here. The clothing music venue 93 Feet East, just across the road, and brewing industries superseded brick and specialises in experimental electronic music and tile, and the famous was has a large courtyard that plays host to frequent established in the 1600s. BBQs in the summer months. www.gold.ac.uk/student-life 13

The streets around Brick Lane are home to Top 5 vintage shops in East London quirky clothing and homeware shops, and 1. Absolute Vintage Spitalfields. The traders market, which is open An iconic shop that’s regularly featured every day except Saturday, is a complete in magazines and newspapers as a treasure trove. You’ll also find independent shopping highlight. shops and restaurants alongside more well- 2. Spitalfields Market known high street names. Market stalls selling vintage clothes as well as art and jewellery. Set your alarm early one Sunday and head to 3. Beyond Retro Columbia Road Flower Market. Open from A vintage legend, with a rock‘n’roll heart 8am-3pm, this market has an international beneath its innovative and ethically- reputation, and the sights and sounds – conscious exterior. The original Brick Lane including the persuasive patter of the local shop kickstarted a brand that now has stores traders – are truly unique. Make sure you check as far afield as Sweden. out the shops that line the road itself too. 4. Sunday Upmarket A weekly undercover market where vintage finds sit alongside whoopie pies. 5. Rokit A goldmine of vintage treasures, covering eras from the 40s to the 80s. 14 London > East London East London continued

Shoreditch and Hoxton If you’re looking for something slightly more Roughly describing the area in and nearby sedate, try The Book Club. A relaxed hangout the triangle of Shoreditch High Street, Great that offers food, drink and ping pong, it also Eastern Street and Old Street, Shoreditch has hosts an eclectic programme of creative events received a lot of attention in recent years for – from literary salons to life drawing. Heading its transformation from a neglected part of towards Hoxton, The Love Shake is a diner-style the capital to a nightlife hotspot. While a lot of venue complete with cosy booths and kitsch the scenesters have moved north to up-and- Americana. It stays open until 2:30am every coming Dalston (see page 15), Shoreditch still night of the week, serving up classic shakes, attracts a young and trendy crowd, who flock coffee refills and proper hotdogs, as well as to the area’s many music and arts venues. regular speakeasy nights.

Perennial favourites include cavernous Cargo Close to Shoreditch High Steet Overground and XOYO, a two-floor club that features station you’ll findBoxpark . Billed as the world’s global names alongside emerging acts. A short first pop-up mall, Boxpark is a retail space made walk away is The Old Blue Last, described as from shipping containers – each container is a “the cradle of British music’s future”. A pub separate shop! Well-known brands like Nike and with a colourful history (it’s rumoured that Vans sit alongside rising stars, and you can grab Shakespeare frequented the illicit theatre that some street food while you shop. once stood in its place), it hosts bands and DJs every night of the week. www.gold.ac.uk/student-life 15

Dalston Over the last couple of years, Dalston has become the place of the moment – this creative area with a gritty edge has even been touted by Italian Vogue! From jazz clubs like Vortex to experimental music venues like Café Oto, via cultural community space Passing Clouds, there’s something for every possible taste.

Dalston is truly a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ kind of place – pop-up venues arrive and disappear as quickly as you hear about them, and no two nights out in the area are ever the same. The wonderfully-named Tina, We Salute You embodies this ethos – the walls are whitewashed and redesigned by a local artist every two months, so it’s constantly a new experience. Wherever you end up going, keep your eyes peeled for Gilbert and George – the artists regularly dine at Mangal II. 16 London > Nightlife Nightlife

If you fancy sampling the late night delights beyond South East and East London, you’re in for a treat. London plays host to some of the biggest clubbing and music venues in the world, and has nightlife to cater for any taste or musical preference you can possibly think of.

Big clubs Unique It might not always be sunny in London, but For an experience that’s unique to London, take a step inside Victoria’s Pacha and you can check out Proud Camden in the Stables Market, get a taste of Ibiza in the heart of the city. Pacha placed between Chalk Farm and Camden Town plays host to the same big-name DJs that you’re tube stations. Art gallery by day and buzzing likely to hear on the white isle. It’s not cheap, but hotspot at night, it hosts everything from urban as an authentic Ibiza experience you wouldn’t RnB to folk to live experimental electronica and expect it to be! alternative rock.

Any clubber worth their salt will know the name Also worth checking out is Brixton. From the . It’s been synonymous with small independent bars of Brixton Village and the industry since its opening in 1991, and the surrounding streets to slightly more well-known Elephant and Castle club still hosts the biggest venues like Dogstar and Plan B, the whole area names and album launches every weekend. is relatively free from big name chains, and so Local to Ministry is Corsica Studios, a large guarantees a night out that’s a bit different. independent arts organisation which holds regular club nights and live music events. If it’s an LGBT night you’re after, then you’re almost spoilt for choice in the capital. The Other big names include superclub in biggest of them all is , dubbed ‘The Farringdon, and Cable, an atmospheric venue World’s Most Famous Gay ’, located set under the arches of London Bridge. under the arches of Charing Cross. www.gold.ac.uk/student-life 17

Student nights for guessing the musical themes there) on A lot of venues around the capital hold student a Saturday night. If the cheese gets a bit nights mid-week, where you’ll find discounted too much for you, then pop into the smaller admission and drinks prices. If you’re after a Academy 2 for old school indie. cheap night out in the heart of Soho, then look no further than Moonlighting on Greek Street. Something for everyone With special offers on Monday, Wednesday and To get an idea of everything that’s going on Thursday nights, it’s a great place to go for a in London on any given night, check listings casual night out. A short walk away you’ll find sites or pick up a free copy of Time Out from the University of London Union on Malet Street. the Students’ Union. As a Goldsmiths student you automatically have access, and can take advantage of the cheap food and drink offers as well as their weekly club night.

Just a short trip from the hipster mecca of Top 5 listings sites Hoxton and Shoreditch is the slightly more www.timeout.com/london commercial Islington near Angel londonist.com tube station. Friday nights see the nationally- www.spoonfed.co.uk chained indie disco Propaganda in the well- london.lecool.com aired venue, with Club de Fromage (no prizes www.dontpaniconline.com/events/london 18 London > Arts and culture Arts and culture

From art and design to music and history, London really does have it all.

London is home to around 240 museums, over Try the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for half 100 theatres, and an ever-growing number of price and discount last minute tickets. There are famous and up-and-coming galleries, not to also smaller theatres and performance spaces mention a huge selection of live music venues. dotted throughout London if you want to watch something that’s a bit less mainstream. Goldsmiths is just a 5-minute train journey from London’s South Bank, where you’ll find Head towards Trafalgar Square and you’ll find major arts venues including Tate Modern, the National Gallery and National Portrait Shakespeare’s Globe, BFI Southbank, the Gallery, displaying classic and modern Southbank Centre (including the Royal Festival masterpieces, while nearby Covent Garden is Hall, Poetry Library and Hayward Gallery), home to the Royal Opera House and London and the National Theatre. They’re among Transport Museum. Sticking with the London the biggest names in the cultural arena, and theme, the Museum of London in Barbican host some of the most famous exhibitions, and the Museum of London Docklands tell the performers and festivals in the world. story of the world’s greatest city. In Holborn the British Museum holds one of the largest On the other side of the Thames, London’s West collections in the world of artefacts cataloguing End is home to the capital’s Theatreland. From human history, while the nearby Sir John frivolous musicals to hard-hitting plays, and Soane’s Museum is worth a visit for the oddities from side-splitting comedy to contemporary on display in the eccentric architect’s house dance, this is where you’ll be entertained. (look out for the sarcophagus of Seti I). www.gold.ac.uk/student-life 19

South Kensington contains some big name museums like the Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum and Natural History Museum – all of which are free of charge. Also in the area is the Royal Albert Hall, London’s famous concert hall that hosts the annual Proms. Other famous music venues include Camden’s Roundhouse (a Grade II-listed former railway engine shed) and the O2 arena in Greenwich. Top tips Michelle, BA Politics South London Art Map (SLAM) “The Victoria and Albert Museum always has Pick up a free copy of the South London pretty cool and rather relevant exhibitions Art Map from one of the contemporary on. It can be helpful for many courses but art galleries across Bankside, Deptford is even worth a visit ‘just because’. I’ve seen or Peckham, and you’ll get a sense of the the Private Eye exhibition there, as well as diversity and spirit of the area’s art scene. the famous Wizard of Oz ruby slipper, and The organisation also runs Last Fridays Marilyn Monroe’s most famous dress in the (regular late night openings of galleries) and Hollywood collection. It also has the most ‘pay what you like’ art tours. You can find out amazing restaurant, with a beautiful ceiling.” more at www.southlondonartmap.com. 20 London > Shopping Shopping

From hot-off-the-catwalk fashions to vintage finds, and from high street names to local markets, London is hard to beat when it comes to shopping.

London’s West End has probably the largest Camden is another shopping hub. This concentration of shops in the capital. Oxford bohemian area features a huge variety of shops Street features high street names like Topshop, and market stalls nestling around Camden Lock, Topman and H&M, as well as Selfridges, recently selling everything from crafts to retro furniture. voted best department store in the world. Check out Camden stalwart Cyberdog for Bond Street is designer heaven, while Regent futuristic fashion and clubwear, and the recently Street (hop on a 453 bus from the Goldsmiths redeveloped Stables Market (one-time horse campus to take you all the way) features a hospital) for food on the go. mixture of high end and affordable fashion and lifestyle stores. Head to Carnaby Street and the West London is home to the shopping districts surrounding roads for independent boutiques, of Knightsbridge, Kensington and Sloane concept stores, and of course to experience the Square – stores here tend to be at the pricier charm of Liberty, described as “one of the last end of the shopping spectrum, but upmarket great emporiums for innovative and eclectic Harvey Nichols and Harrods are still must- design”. Wander the streets of nearby Soho sees. In Notting Hill, boasts and you’ll findBerwick Street Market (one of the world’s largest antiques market, where London’s oldest, dating back to 1778) and iconic you can also pick up second hand clothes and independent bookseller Foyles, while a short factory seconds for bargain prices. Visit nearby walk away is Covent Garden – where you’ll find Shepherd’s Bush to experience Westfield the famous undercover market, an array of shopping centre; you can get there relatively fashion and gift shops, and a huge Apple store. easily from New Cross on the Overground. www.gold.ac.uk/student-life 21

Part of the same chain is Westfield Stratford Where food shopping is concerned, all tastes City. Easy to get to from New Cross on the are catered for. There are world food sections Jubilee line, it offers the expansive choice you'd in most large supermarkets, and you'll also be expect from a large indoor shopping mall, and able to get imported and authentic cooking is in the same area as the Olympic Park, which products at one of the many specialist stores in was home to the 2012 Games. London.

Another London market you’ll want to try is There are lots of Asian supermarkets in central Brixton Market. Stalls line Electric Avenue, London's Chinatown, and New Cross itself is Pope’s Road and Brixton Station Road most home to Yip Oriental Store. A short bus ride days of the week, while every second Saturday to Elephant and Castle will take you to the of the month there’s a special makers’ market larger Longdan Express Oriental Supermarket, where you can find original artwork and design. with an extensive frozen foods section, while in Croydon you'll find the hugeWing Yip Also South of the river (just) you’ll find superstore. characterful . Just a few minutes away from London Bridge station, And of course don’t forget all of the other the market – which specialises in food and shopping opportunities on your doorstep in drink – captures the capital’s diverse culinary the rest of South East London and East London history. The full market is open every Thursday (see pages 6-15). to Saturday. 22 London > Eating and drinking Eating and drinking

There’s no shortage of eating ***caption and drinking opportunities or quote in in one of the world’s culinary Scala capitals...

Award-winning Unusual For some award-winning cafés, take a bus If it’s a refreshing cocktail you’re after, then the ride to Brixton Village. As a former victor in Ice Bar just off the West End’s Regent Street Time Out Magazine’s ‘Best Eating and Drinking is, quite literally, the coolest bar in town. The Destination’ category, it has a great reputation, room is made of ice. The bar is made of ice. The and for good reason – the authentic flavours glasses are, in fact, made of ice. You get the can take you from Chicago to Shanghai in a idea. You get a new experience every year, as of courses. the bar is redesigned every autumn.

Hearty Historic After that hearty meal to get you going in a Hop on the Overground and head to (mid to late) morning? The Breakfast Club, with for historic drinking. The Grade II-listed cafés in Hoxton, Angel, Shoreditch and Soho, Prospect of stands at the site of the offers an egg-cellent range of brunches from oldest riverside tavern, which was once a 9am until 5pm (so it’ll still be open even when meeting place for smugglers and pirates (look you wake up after an especially late night!). out for the noose that hangs ominously over the Everything from a full English breakfast to river). The and the Captain American pancakes to seven (count them) egg Kidd hold similar sailor-related claims to fame, dishes are on the menu – we’d recommend the and offer fantastic views of the Thames to boot. ‘When Haloumi Met Salad’ wrap, if only for the tenuous name. www.gold.ac.uk/student-life 23

Authentic Bar Italia on Frith Street has been part of the Soho scene for over 50 years. A family-run business that has been passed on through three generations, it offers some of the best coffee in the area in a truly iconic setting. Order a drink, pull up a chair, and enjoy the people-watching opportunities of the area. Top tips Sporty Laura, MA Journalism If you’re looking for a place to watch the match “I’m a big fan of the Nell Gwynn Tavern on the – whether that match happens to be football, Strand. A charming pub without the musty rugby, skiing, curling, or caber-tossing – then smell, a jukebox in the corner, traditional decor the Famous Three Kings in West Kensington and a friendly, intimate setting – and one of the is a difficult one to top. Even if you pop in and best pints of Guinness I’ve had in the whole of your game isn’t on, the bar staff will happily take London. Brixton Village is also great. You can your requests for that vital handball encounter peruse the random selection in the nearby over on Eurosport 2, and with the tube station markets too – fruit and veg, carpets, some guy located right next door, you won’t get lost on blasting out CDs from a boombox – anything the way home amidst your celebrations. you probably never wanted!” 24 London > Out and about Out and about

Venture outside and explore the green spaces, walking tours and unexpected street performers that you’ll encounter along your travels.

London may be one of the biggest (and in our course our very own and opinion, greatest) urban metropolises in the Hilly Fields, just a stone’s throw from the world, but it’s also home to some of the most Goldsmiths campus. green and pleasant lands of any major city. For those dedicated to exercise in the great An hour-long walk from Westminster to outdoors, then a dip in one of London’s Kensington High Street will take you past refreshing lidos might be just the trick. As well royal parks for the entire journey as you as the one at Brockwell Park (see page 11), you travel through St James’ Park (look out for may also like to try the lidos in London Fields, the pelicans on the lake), Green Park, Hampstead Heath and Tooting Bec. Do be Buckingham Palace Gardens, Hyde Park warned – the water will be less than warm even and Kensington Gardens. in the height of summer!

It’s not just central and West London with If you like your sporting activity to be of the grassy spaces to brag about, either. You’ll find spectator variety, then you won’t have to go picnic spots spread right across the capital, far to find some action. Football fans are well from Islington’s Highbury Fields, sprawling catered for, with Premier League clubs like Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill (with Arsenal and Chelsea just a tube ride away. For some of the finest views of London), SW19’s that grass roots Football League experience, Wimbledon Common, Victoria Park and ’s stadium is just a 30-minute walk or London Fields in trendy East London, and of short bus ride up from the Goldsmiths campus. www.gold.ac.uk/student-life 25

Other sports attractions include Twickenham Stadium for rugby, and Lord's Cricket Ground, while the monthly Critical Mass sees cyclists, skateboarders and users of other self-propelled transport ride en masse through the city. And don't miss annual events like the world famous London Marathon (which takes place every Top tips April), the Wimbledon tennis championships, or Joanna, the Boat Race, one of the oldest sporting events MA Photography in the world (2014 will see the 160th annual race & Urban Cultures take place!). “Greenwich Park is a perfect picnic spot and For some eye-catching sights on the street, take a great place to relax when overwhelmed a stroll around Covent Garden’s Piazza, where by fast city life. Plus the view is absolutely you can wander among jugglers, magicians, amazing.” opera singers, fire-breathers, plate-spinners and many other strange and talented individuals that would otherwise be gracing our screens on ITV on a Saturday night. 26 London > Festivals, carnivals and events Festivals, carnivals and events

From the Caribbean to the country, and from music to film, there are a whole host of exciting festivals and events that take place every year in London.

It’s almost half a century old, but with more day-long experience, and in 2013 includes the than a million attendees each year the Notting likes of John Cooper Clarke, Tim Burgess, Bat Hill Carnival shows no signs of retirement. The For Lashes and Animal Collective. Victoria Park August bank holiday weekend sees North West also hosts the annual “kaleidoscopic circus of London show off its Caribbean flair with the delights” that is Lovebox. sights, sounds and smells of the West Indies. Our tip: wear comfortable shoes! The high-profileWireless Festival (which, unsurprisingly, actually includes quite a lot of For a festival with a more relaxed feel – but wires) has this year moved from its original still retaining all that community strength – the home in Hyde Park over to that ever-developing Lambeth Country Show takes place in nearby Olympic Park in Stratford to avoid any pesky Herne Hill (see page 11) in July. As well as two curfew problems. With line-ups including live stages showcasing music and performance, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Calvin the Brockwell Park event includes a funfair, a Harris and Rita Ora, the chart-topping names farm, organised sports and food from around don’t come much bigger than this – and as the world. Goldsmiths alumna Katy B is on the bill in 2013, it can’t get much better! For a music festival without the usual mud, sweat, mud, tears, mud and unusable toilets, With Goldsmiths’ art heritage, it’s no surprise Field Day in Victoria Park takes some beating. that London’s leading contemporary visual art It crams the acts of a three-day event into a festival takes place in the area in the form of www.gold.ac.uk/student-life 27

Deptford X. As well as displaying some amazing works from local artists, the million-plus attendees since the festival’s 1998 debut have taken in several hidden gems, including the Old Police Station and Hatch Space galleries.

As if one festival wasn’t enough for you, the New Cross and Deptford Free Film Festival also takes place in a variety of venues around the campus. From bike-powered screenings of James Bond in Fordham Park to locally-made short films showing in Goldsmiths’ own cinema, there’s something for all tastes – and, as it’s free, all budgets. For the big screen on a big scale, the BFI London Film Festival – now over half a century old – includes open talks with Hollywood luminaries and silver screen legends, masterclasses with award-winning production staff, and exhibitions of legendary cinema props and costumes. We’re still hoping that the Flux Capacitor will make it in there one year! We hope you enjoy exploring London for yourself! The information in this Guide was correct in April 2013. The College does not intend to create any contractual or other legal relation with applicants, accepted students, their advisers or any other person. Nor is it responsible or liable for the accuracy or reliability of any of the information in third party publications or websites referred to in this publication. The inclusion of a company, organisation or service in this publication does not imply recommendation or endorsement from Goldsmiths, or affiliation with the College.

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