TIMEOUT.COM/LONDON December 1 ñ 7 2020 No. 2602
Into the unknown Enter Londonís hidden world of sphinxes, sewage and ancient ruins
ILLUSTRATION: DAN EVANS; MEAL KIT: TAKE CUVÉE BY LOIC SALAN; MANK: NETFLIX black and white Cook it yourself ‘Citizen Kane’ is a five-star marvel ‘Mank’, David Fincher’s paean to Right Right there in Useless in the kitchen? Not any restaurants’ fanciest meal kits more. We test some of London PAGE 32 PAGE 42 Inside This issue ofTimeOut This issue 6 in notimeatall City life 22 Exclusive 23 offers Things to Do 32 Food & Drink 36 Love Local 40 Escapes 42 Time In 10 Global briefing Artists Artists Walks. Find something great displaying their works outside for London’s visual creatives are Street S art 12 Hidden London local to you PAGE 24 FEATURES AND REGULARS 3 you canhave afestive day using just 18 An online Xmas 20 London’s best croissants Our intrepid correspondent sees if if sees intrepid correspondent Our Have yourself a merry the internet andhomedeliveries virtual virtual Christmas hh ld bl hi When Wh this bloody PAGE 18 Outers Outers have been pining for this year Lockdown longings: see what Time war is over December 1–72020 PAGE 8
Time Out London Time Time Out LondonDecember 1–72020 Time is doing its annual winter toy appeal Local Buyer’s Club THE THE EDITOR’S ESSENTIALS for disadvantaged children. @timeoutlondon @j_mackertich London Editor Joe Mackertich SUPPORT this And credit to have you Londoners lot: with few the months last coped something about surrounding oneself with top-notch visualculture withtop-notch surrounding oneself about something remember, theatreisaformoflive thatinvolves entertainment small expression andI’mexpression sure not ifanyone’s theirhairsincemid- brushed admirably. we’ve Imean, crazed ofpermanently asort alldeveloped with my (two by girlfriendanddog the way). different beings, Both described meas‘incurious’ and‘aggressively butthere’sdescribed shallow’), tubs of ice cream, periods of sustained bowing and LOUD VOICES)? andLOUDVOICES)? bowing ofsustained oficecream,periods tubs opens up again. What are you most looking forward to? Eating food forwardto? upagain.Whatare you looking opens Eatingfood most October, butwe heldittogether, didn’t we? Now, mewhileI excuse local gallery.local I’m (friendshave person even not arty aparticularly Get involved. your living room? whodon’t Finally to going thetheatre (forthose that does the soul a world of good. Either that or going forapint Eitherthatorgoing aworld thesoul ofgood. that does Chances are,Chances you’re inLondon everything before readingthisjust you didn’t cook yourself? Watchingyou that’s afilmsomewhere didn’t yourself? not cook go backto‘orderinggo rehearsing apint’inmy mirror. bathroom Somewhat unexpectedly,Somewhat I’m toback get my gagging in north London London Hello, facebook.com/timeoutlondon activities wouldgreat. activities be Check out south London with their bus! fresh food to chronically underserved underserved areas of …AND this Be Enriched , serving Three things youThree things have to doinLondon @timeoutlondon 4 children’s rainbow drawings made The V&A opens on Tuesday with a recently announced exhibition of during lockdown. Aww. SEE this timeout.com/news NOT FOR RESALE 020 7813 3000 www.timeout.com London, WC1X 9JY. 77 Wicklow Street, Time Out Digital Ltd Photography Andy Parsons Cover Julio Bruno Time Out Group CEO Minesh Shah MD Global E-commerce Nicki Wymer, Zara Taylor Management Lead), Junior Olokodana (Project Project Management Nicola Foxwell Charlie Liddington, Wayne Mensah (Director), Creative Solutions Emma Myland Hooper, Robyn Eldridge, Nesha Fleischer, James Grant, Banbha O’Hagan, Natalie Reynolds, Juliet Ian Tournes (Director), Advertising Sales MD EMEA Lawrence Horne Commercial Support Katie Mulhern-Bhudia Production, Admin and Sales Dave Faulkner Head of Production Photographer Andy Parsons Ben Rowe Picture Desk Manager Art Director Bryan Mayes Editor International Commissioning Ellie Walker-Arnott International Travel Editor James Manning International Editor Sam Willis Engagement Editor Drink Editor Laura Richards London Digital Director/ Jordan Waller Head of Digital Content George Blew Commercial Copywriter Julia Robinson Commercial Designer Editor Rose Johnstone Global Branded Content Stephen Farmer Global Commercial Editor Andrzej Łukowski Culture Eddy Frankel and (Global Editor) Film Phil de Semlyen (Deputy Editor) (Editor), Alexandra Sims Events Isabelle Aron (Editor) News & City Life Features Kate Lloyd (Editor) Sarah Cohen Deputy Editor Chief Sub Editor Sub Deputy Editor/Chief London Editor Joe Mackertich Caroline McGinn Global Editor-in-Chief [email protected] Circulation [email protected] Advertising 7813 6000, Huw Oliver Katie McCabe Chris Waywell
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How communities thrived this year Locals have always come together on Ridley Road, but throughout this year, Londoners have shown the true power of supporting each other on this Dalston street and beyond
WHETHER IT’S WALKING the same local park has grown stronger this year. This photo (above) Ridley Road’s sense of community has become loop you do every day or getting hooked on shows local seamstress Elvine Ohlala, wearing increasingly important in this Very Weird Year. fancy pastries from the bakery down the road, clothes she made with material from the market. ‘It’s a space that’s become more relevant since Londoners have been getting to know their local The image is part of ‘Ridley Road Stories’, an Covid,’ says Travis. ‘People have said to me that areas in intimate detail in . In some ways, outdoor exhibition by artist collective Future it’s a space where they feel safe and can meet our worlds have become smaller, and as a result, Hackney. The group’s founder, Don Travis, grew people from their own communities.’ During something else happened too. Communities up in the area and wanted to document the road’s the pandemic, Ridley Road locals have come across the city have come together to properly community. ‘Ridley Road is an iconic public together to support each other. ‘There’s a guy support each other. Mutual aid groups have space. There are no Café Neros, no Costas: it’s called Abraham who’s run a food stall there for grown into community-run food banks, people completely independent,’ she explains. ‘It’s a years. Throughout Covid, they’ve had families have ditched big supermarkets to support indie social space that caters for everybody. It has such come to them that can’t afford food, and they’ve shops and, against all odds, Londoners have a diverse range of cultures, particularly African given them food baskets,’ says Travis. ‘To even befriended their neighbours. and Caribbean. I think that is London’s essence – me, that is community. You won’t get that in That kind of community spirit has always a place that welcomes people from everywhere. Sainsbury’s.’ Isabelle Aron
been found on Ridley Road in Dalston, but it We need to retain that and to document it.’ ‘Ridley Road Stories’. The Red Cross, 92 Dalston Lane. Free. LLOYD KATE BLOOM: IN KONO; YOSHITAKA BAPTISTE: DANE BREITSTEIN; K TOVE FARM: ANDREOU; CHRISTOPHER STORIES: ROAD RIDLEY
Time Out London December 1 – 7 2020 6 City life DO- GOODERS
Four great London causes we BINNEY want to highlighth right now STREET W1
THE STREET THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
Comedian Dane Baptiste remembers his first stand-up gig
CORKS WINE BAR on Binney Street, off Oxford Street, is where I first stood on stage and told jokes. The comedian Kojo Anim ran an amazing comedy night there. My friend was a regular and said to Kojo: Washed Up Cards Fat Macy’s Spitalfields Munch in ‘Dane loves comedy, I want They say ‘When I was They say ‘We get City Farm Marylebone him to have a set.’ Kojo was furloughed, I started Londoners out They say ‘We’re They say ‘We want to like: ‘Cool, he can have five making greetings of temporary creating opportunities empower women at the minutes in two weeks.’ cards with plastic I accommodation for senior citizens to Marylebone Project The night arrived. I was found while beach- and into their own engage with nature.’ with catering skills and trying to be so humble that cleaning on the River homes, through the Emma Pestridge, build their confidence I waited in the queue to Thames. I hope they power of food.’ education through volunteering.’ go in, even though I was spread awareness of Meg Doherty, coordinator Ruhamah Sonson, performing. You don’t want plastic pollution.’ Flora founder Why we love centre team leader to act like you’re better Blathwayt, founder Why we it The farm’s Why we love it This than anybody because if Why we love it Washed love it This campaign group works with a Black audience doesn’t Up Cards is helping catering tackles women supported by like you, you’ll know. I got to clean up the city company loneliness homelessness charity there, and everyone was with cute stationery is a social in older the Marylebone there: my college friends, that proves you can enterprise that Londoners, helping Project to develop my university friends, my make treasure out offers training to help them get outdoors. catering skills. cousin’s friends. I was like, of trash. people earn money for How to helpDonate via How to helpNeed to ‘Why is everyone here? I How to help Buy the a rental deposit. TheBigGive. Pledges feed a crowd? Order its didn’t tell anyone about it, cards on Etsy or join a How to help Buy a Fat made before December food. All profits go back so if I fucked it up, nobody beach clean-up event. Macy’s hamper. will be doubled. into the organisation. would know!’ @ washedupcards www.fatmacys.org www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org munchinmarylebone.org.uk My set was about dogs, dating and the difference between men and women. It went well. A few weeks later, Binney Street became the first place I was paid THE VIEW FROM YOU to do comedy – for a ten-minute set. It changed We want to see snaps of your local shops’ Christmas window displays my life. Being paid to do something you like? My head exploded. I’ve been It’s been a year of cancellations paid more to do comedy but Christmas is coming and shops since, but that feeling all over the city are giving their will never be the same. ■ Interview by Bobby Palmer window displays a seasonal glow- Dane Baptiste’s sketch show up, like this cute twinkling scene at ‘Bamous’ airs on BBC Three soon. Columbia Road’s In Bloom. Want to share a festive window display from your neighbourhood? Use #timeoutlondon on Instagram or email [email protected] Explore more of the city at timeout.com/thingstodo
7 December 1 – 7 2020 Time Out London City life Post-lockdown longings Short days, cold weather and banana bread fatigue. Lockdown has been weird, hasn’t it? Time Out staff share the one thing they can’t wait to do when it lifts
Laura Richards Kate Lloyd Katie McCabe Digital director Features editor Events editor ‘Screw my shit circulation. I want to wrap my ‘I’ll go to Hoxton boxing gym Fighter Fit. ‘It feels odd that I miss doing something deadened paws around a pint in the cold. I’ll be out of shape as I’ve spent Lockdown alone, but I want to sink into the darkness Namely, at Greenwich’s Trafalgar Tavern, 2 eating and lounging, but then I’ll feel of a BFI Southbank screening room. with the lapping Thames to distract me.’ good again. It will be horrible and I’ll love it.’ Watching a film on your own is exhilarating.’ Park Row. 2-4 Rufus St. Belvedere Rd.
Rose Johnstone Isabelle Aron Eddy Frankel Global branded content editor News and city life editor Culture editor ‘There’s nothing like seeing musical theatre ‘I miss going out for dinner: fancy bread ‘I’m getting a big bag of cans and going live, plastic cup of overpriced pinot grigio and butter, the atmosphere, not being at towatch a bunch of men who aren’t very in hand. I’ve got tickets to the poptastic my kitchen table, the lot. I can’t wait to go good at football kick a ball around in the “Six” and I can’t bloody wait.’ to Westerns Laundry, one of my faves.’ cold at Walthamstow FC.’ Lyric Theatre. 34 Drayton Park. Wadham Lodge Sports Ground. SIX THE MUSICAL: JOHAN PERSSON; WESTERNS LAUNDRY: PATRICIA NIVEN; WALTHAMSTOW FC: FC: WALTHAMSTOW NIVEN; PATRICIA LAUNDRY: WESTERNS PERSSON; JOHAN PARSONS MUSICAL: THE ANDY SIX PANDEMIC: FIRST MY AND WALK PARKLAND PERKINS; ANDRZEJ
Time Out London December 1 – 7 2020 8 City life W RD READY-MADE SUNDAY O N T HE Sara Pascoe’s Crouch End STREET The comedian, podcaster and north London local shares her tips for a chilled weekend in N The most ridiculous things we’ve overheard in London this week
‘Don’t you think the concept of putting your bins out is weird?’ ‘Drink that, it will put some hair on your nipples.’
The Parkland Walk ‘You don’t need to wash flannels, they 9am Veg out five or six screens so they show all wash themselves.’ The Haberdashery café has loads of of the lesser-known films as well vegan options, from porridge to big the big ones. And you can get a big ‘I’ll drink anything fried breakfasts. The owner has a glass of red wine from the bar and that’s wet.’ sausage dog and when I take my dog fancy popcorn in weird flavours like in they bring biscuits and water for peppercorn and cheddar. ‘Highgate has him, which is adorable. actually become 7pm Have a ruby more alive in 11am Take a leafy stroll I like the tofu curry at Tootoomoo, The [southern part of] Parkland Walk a Thai restaurant where they do lockdown. It was goes from the corner of Finsbury lovely fragrant dishes. They also do dead before.’ Park all the way to Highgate station. incredible (and strong) cocktails. From there you can walk through ‘Apparently Highgate Village and go to the Heath 8pm Get some lols it’s illegal to if you want to take a longer stroll. It’s The King’s Head usually has a suspiciously a lovely, leafy part of north London. comedy club downstairs. It’s a small venue but there’s a fantastic handle a fish.’ 2pm Screen time atmosphere. It’s one of the places In normal times, Crouch End where I first did comedy, so I have a ‘I’d love to marry Picturehouse is fantastic. They have fondness for it. ■ a Tarquin.’ ‘I thought S&M meant sex and magic.’ ‘I can’t wait to get my LONDON MAKERS lips around one of Santa’s yumnuts.’ Struggling to make sense of this year? ‘That fart is East London-based illustrator Jenni well sulphur.’ Sparks’s My First Pandemic zine might help. It’s filled with witty illustrations ‘Her teeth terrify me.’ from her quarantine diary and it comes with a free ‘ Can Fuck Off’ sticker. My First Pandemic zine. £8. www.jennisparks.com Overheard something weird? Tweet us #wordonthestreet @timeoutlondon
9 December 1 – 7 2020 Time Out London City life
Edited by James Manning timeout.com/travel @timeouteverywhere
YOUR WORLD ACCORDING TO TIME OUT
The best stories from our editors around the globe
NYC’s subway is getting a celebrity soundtrack
USA while his followers have suggested WORLDWIDE Come , there will be new voices Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker, London is officially really good telling NYC’s straphangers to stand the Wu-Tang Clan and Larry David. This year hasn’t put the best spin on city life, clear of the closing doors. The MTA Local legends and unsung heroes but before you pack up and move to darkest (New York’s equivalent of TfL) and could also qualify for the pro bono Berkshire, check out the latest annual best cities Instagrammer @NewYorkNico are gig. Seriously, someone at London’s report by Resonance Consultancy. Ranking tracking down iconic New Yorkers transport network needs to get factors as varied as weather, diversity and number to record announcements for the Stephen Fry, David Attenborough of parks, it ranked the world’s top cities to subway and bus networks. Nico’s and Michaela Coel on the blower. live. And who’s that at number one? Only bloody wishlist includes Robert De Niro, Shaye Weaver, Time Out New York London, taking the top spot for the fifth year Jerry Seinfeld and Rosie Perez, www.instagram.com/newyorknico running, with New York and Paris trailing behind. See, you moved here for a reason. James Manning www.bestcities.org LARRY DAVID: S_BUKLEY/SHUTTERSTOCK; ROSIE PEREZ: LEV RADIN/SHUTTERSTOCK; BENCH: OBJECT STUDIO; STUDIO; OBJECT BENCH: RADIN/SHUTTERSTOCK; LEV REED PEREZ: NICOLE ROSIE BY S_BUKLEY/SHUTTERSTOCK; PHOTO DAVID: KING, LARRY LISA BY CAFE MERRIMENT ARCADE: STUDIO; EXPERIENCE CHANGI AIRPORT:
Time Out London December 1 – 7 2020 10 City life
Get the latest from cities worldwide at timeout.com/news
NETHERLANDS Someone finally invented a portable social-distancing bench Damp grass is a real downside of park meets during Lockdown . So kudos to Amsterdam design firm Object Studio, which has come up with the CoronaCrisisKruk: a nifty little portable bench with a handle that’s designed to help you socialise outdoors in a safely distanced way. You can order a customised version online, with profits going to Doctors Without Borders. That’s Christmas sorted, then. Huw Oliver www.object-studio.com/coronacrisiskruk
SINGAPORE The world’s greatest airport is now also a glampsite A night at the airport usually means a flight delay or a long layover. But given Singapore’s travel restrictions, an overnight stay at Changi Airport (regularly named the world’s best) is an appealing way to scratch the old wanderlust. From now until January, Singaporeans can book a luxe tent pitched inside the Jewel Changi airport mall, either surrounded by an artificial jungle or with a view of the world’s biggest indoor waterfall. Beats kipping across a couple of lounge seats with your carry-on as a pillow. Fabian Loo, Time Out Singapore www.changiairport.com
AUSTRALIA Melbourne’s new ‘artcade’ is a thing of beauty Melbourne has lots of shopping arcades. Melbourne has lots of street art. Now a new shopping precinct is finally combining the two. West Side Place is part retail space, part public art gallery, with large-scale, PORTUGAL immersive installations from Porto has a thing for terrifying bridges leading Australian artists. That Last month, the world’s longest suspension includes Reko Rennie’s ginormous footbridge opened in Arouca, just outside Porto. mural honouring the Kamilaroi It runs for a third of a mile over a vertiginous river people, Adnate’s massive portraits canyon… oh, and it’s see-through. Should be paying tribute to Indigenous enough to draw in the adrenaline junkies, right? peoples around the world and one But now the Porto city region has announced a of Rone’s signature artistically similar but even longer bridge, spanning the River dilapidated rooms. They’ll be on Douro in the Torre de Moncorvo district. You can show for six months before the check out the plans online. Though if you have a stores move in. Seriously, why can’t fear of heights, maybe give this one a swerve. JM all shopping centres be this cool? www.ponte516arouca.com. www.cm-moncorvo.pt Nicola Dowse, Time Out Melbourne
11 December 1 – 7 2020 Time Out London London’s secret wonders Use your winter of walks to rediscover your city. Kate Lloyd and Huw Oliver share a guide to London’s weirdest, oldest and most magical bits
it from very low down? Edgy. Cool. Outstandingly So you, right? In that case you should probably know that when tranquil the tide is out, the river Thames Chill spots you’ve probably shrinks, revealing strips of sandy not discovered yet beach running alongside the South Bank and under the Millennium Bridge. From there you can gaze up The giraffes at the centre of London like you’re a Did you know that if you head tiny pathetic mouse. 1 along London Zoo’s perimeter Thames Embankment, SE1. path in Regent’s Park you can see the giraffes for free? Free giraffes, The Wimbledon windmill everybody! Peek through gaps All it takes is a few minutes’ in the hedge to catch forbidden 3 walk on to Wimbledon glimpses of them flaunting their Common to feel like you’re necks and chomping on leaves, interrailing around Europe with you big perv. a load of -year-old Australians. Regent’s Park. That’s thanks to a twee black-and- white windmill that’s been in the The secret beach by park since and that looks ever Millennium Bridge so Dutch. It’s got a museum inside 2 There’s a lot of talk about but you don’t care about that. Go seeing the London skyline from take your Instagrams and begone.
very high up, but what about seeing Windmill Rd, W19. PARSONS ANDY
Time Out London December 1 – 7 2020 12 Secret London
MAKE A DAY OF IT
St Dunstan- in-the-East Practically in the shadow of the Walkie Talkie and next to a Premier Inn, you’ll find a peaceful, ancient place that just doesn’t seem to fit in… Since it was bombed-out during the war, the picturesque ruins of medieval church St Dunstan- in-the-East have been overrun by nature, creating an idyllic spot in the City’s most business area. Leaves and vines now cling to the Grade I-listed stone arches. Spend a morning reading a book here – we recommend something set in London in WWII, like ‘The Night Watch’ or ‘The End of the Affair’ – before popping across Tower Bridge for a takeaway mulled wine from The Vault 1894 (SE1 2UP). St Dunstan’s Hill, EC3R 5DD.
Crystal Palace’s Egyptian Terrace 4Sure, Crystal Palace’s wonky dinosaurs are cool but they’re also attention hogs: ‘Oh wah, my body’s not anatomically correct: come laugh at me!’ Shut up, dino. True stans of the park will tell you the best bit is at the other end, where you’ll find six sphinxes guarding a grand staircase to nowhere. They’re the remains of the original Crystal Palace, which burned down in and they are eerie af. Upper Terrace, Crystal Palace Parade, SE19.
Severndroog Castle Its name sounds like 5 something out of Redwall and it kind of looks that way too: a triangular gothic folly, surrounded by woodland, at the top of Shooter’s St Dunstan-in-the-East Hill above Woolwich. It was
13 December 1 – 7 2020 Time Out London Secret London
The Wimbledon windmill
Crystal Palace’s Egyptian Terrace
built in the eighteenth century by a grieving widow as a tribute to her later husband’s greatest escapade: destroying a band of pirates in their Indian fortress of Suvarnadurg (rendered in English as ‘Severndroog’). Nowadays, it’s a great excuse to do a hill walk. Castle Wood, SE18. Oliver Cromwell’s secret island EXPERT’S PICK 6Wander down the river in Kew, past Legends Boxing Club Lordship and The Greyhound pub and you’ll Lane’s wine come across an island. This wooded palm spot is rumoured to be a place ‘In the centre of the where Oliver Cromwell once took mini-roundabout refuge via a secret tunnel from the that connects riverbank. There’s not much fact to Lordship Lane back that yarn up. But that doesn’t to East Dulwich take away from how magical this Road there is a little lump looks. magnificent jubaea Kew Bridge. chilensis, otherwise known as a Chilean The Spriggan Severndroog Castle wine palm (the sap Finsbury’s Parkland Walk can be turned into 7was nice to walk down even a type of wine). before the Spriggran arrived. This These palms are disused railway track is overgrown getting your wife executed for Highbury River Walk endangered in their with ivy and is very pretty. Then an treason. What do you get up to when Duck down a snick by busy natural habitat, a arts officer decided to turn it into a the beheading happens? Quick bev? 9Canonbury Road and you’ll small area in central sculpture walk and commissioned Trip to Ye Olde Nando’s? Apparently, suddenly land at a riverside so Chile, and are rarely just one artwork – a fairy bodyguard King Henry VIII stood at this spot in tranquil it feels like ‘The Animals of seen in the UK. crawling out of the wall by Crouch Pembroke Lodge Gardens to watch Farthing Wood’. This km nature But despite being End Station – before they gave up. a rocket fired from the Tower of path has been around since the surrounded by cars, Florence Rd, N4 3EY. London to let him know the deed seventeenth century; that’s when this one is thriving. was done. Fair play. It remains one the New River was created: a canal I love it.’ King Henry’s Mound of the best spots in the city for seeing that doubled the water supply to a Wes Shaw, head of Okay, so let’s say you’re the panoramic views of the skyline. city that faced major shortages. horticulture at
8king of England and you’re Queen’s Rd, TW10 5HX. 52 Canonbury Rd, N1 2HS. the Horniman MANSFIELD/ALAMY CHRIS CASTLE: NOPPAWAN09/SHUTTERSTOCK; WINDMILL: TRAVELS/SHUTTERSTOCK: CK Time Out London December 1 – 7 2020 14 Secret London
Stretcher railings Bits of Old London Bridge In plain sight From afar, they look a bit Chances are you’ve perched in Quirks of London’s streets, 3like, y’know, some pretty 5one of the two stone alcoves in parks and landmarks conventional railings. Your steel Viccy Park at some point or another, bars. Your mesh. Decent job there. giving little thought as to how they But the fencing around several got there. That would be totally fair Lombard St’s old signs estates in Peckham, Brixton, Oval enough. But it is weird to think they Imagine the pressure. In fact, and Deptford were originally EXPERT’S once stood on the old London Bridge 1imagine the freedom. ‘Logos’ stretchers used to carry wounded PICK (the one that kept ‘falling down’), aren’t a thing yet, and you’ve got to during the Blitz, You’ll can spot before they were plonked in east come up with an image to front your them by the kinks in the frame, Aerials on London around years ago for business on London’s banking street. which served as feet to rest them on. the Admiralty Victorian goths to simply hang and There were once signs here. Multiple locations. ‘On a roof in chill and look a bit dejected in. Only four remain: a grasshopper, an Whitehall is Victoria Park, E9. anchor, a cat and a crown. Fake houses near a network of Lombard St, EC3V 9LJ. Hyde Park short-wave radio 4Tall, graceful and faced aerials used for Pickering Place with white stucco, they may make communications Back in , Texas was a look like any other posh London by the government 2fledgling republic taken townhouses – but two buildings department which seriously enough for Britain to let on upmarket terrace Leinster runs the Royal Navy. MAKE A it open a full-on embassy off St Gardens are, in fact, impostors: These little-noticed James’s Street. It was pretty hard five-foot-thick façades with no agas aerials have to find, mind. Today, you’ll spot a or ‘cinema rooms’ behind them at been in place for DAY OF IT sign commemorating the site in all. When the first Underground decades, probably Pickering Place, also the spot where line was dug, the houses were since the Cold War.’ London’s last duel took place. Bring demolished to allow smoke from Dr Elizabeth The smallest police your Beyblades along and continue trains out. The District and Circle Bruton, a curator station in the UK the tradition. lines still use the tracks. at the Science Stealthily secreted inside Pickering Place, SW1A 1EA. 23 and 24 Leinster Gardens, W2 3BH. Museum the base of a street light, this is Britain’s smallest police station, built before WWII so the Met could keep an eye on troublemaking protesters in Trafalgar Square. Given the obvious Tardis associations, it’s tempting to imagine it’s perception-smashingly massive on the inside. In reality, it’s just one very small room (now literally a broom cupboard), only ever intended to hold a single police officer. Case of the hunger pangs? Grab a vegan cake and Greek coffee from Black Box (WC2H 7JA), just around the corner, or if you’re after something heftier, try the sizzling meat dishes at Café TPT (W1D 6PN). Once you’re home, dig into Dorian Lynskey’s epic history of the protest song, ‘33 Revolutions Per Minute’. Trafalgar Square, WC1N 5NJ.
Police station, Trafalgar Square ANDY PARSONS ANDY
15 December 1 – 7 2020 Time Out London Secret London
to be a ‘palladium’ – an object in town: Tothill in Westminster, Wisdom of protecting the city’s wellbeing. the White Mound at the Tower It’s doing a bit of a shit job at the of London, Parliament Hill on the ancients moment if that’s the case. Hampstead Heath and Penton in MAKE A Really, really, really, really, 111 Cannon St. EC4N 5AR. Pentonville. Crawl these humps really, really old stuff and think about what London could The tomb of the have been like if the Romans hadn’t DAY OF IT unknown London girl invaded. (Probably quite bad, tbh.) The fossils at 4 The bottom of a skyscraper Multiple locations. St Paul’s Cathedral might not be the first spot you’d Roman walls 1 Don’t think you have to run look for a Roman burial ground, but A very old statue If there’s one thing that off to the Jurassic Coast whenever that’s where you’ll find the tomb of a One place you’re probably not really got Romans off, it was building walls. When those you’ve got a thirst for palaeontology. teenager who died between AD 6expecting to see an ancient London’s paved streets are actually and . Her body was found when artefact is just around the corner lads weren’t fighting Asterix, home to a host of preserved an IRA bomb exploded on St Mary from a Victoria’s Secret. But that’s they were encircling cities prehistoric creatures. Take the steps Axe in and reburied in a shiny where you’ll find the lion goddess in brick. Londinium was no at the main entrance to St Paul’s box when the Gherkin was built. Sekhmet, dating from BC. exception. You’re probably Cathedral. Trapped in the polished 30 St Mary Axe, EC3A 8BF. The Ancient Egyptian knick-knack aware that back in AD 200 the flagstones, right by the door, you’ll sits perched above Sotheby’s. In original boundaries of this city find ancient cephalopods. Druidic mounds the s its buyer never collected were marked and protected St Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD. Fancy vibing with our Celtic it and now it’s the auction house’s by 85,000 tons of Kentish ragstone but did you know you 5ancestors? Well, rumour has mascot. Cute rich people larks! The site of London’s it there are four druidic mounds 34-35 New Bond St, W1A 2AA. can still see bits of that big first coffee house ol’ wall now? In fact, you can walk a 3.5km route from Tower 2Back in the s the only way to get a caffeine hit in London was Hill to Barbican (via Aldgate with a trip to a little nook behind London’s Roman wall and Bishopsgate) to view its Leadenhall Market. There you’d find remains dotted through the London’s OG coffee house, selling City. And if you do decide to do sweet, sweet juice made from beans that, can we recommend a few imported from Turkey. Find the stop-offs? Black Sheep Coffee plaque marking the spot and nail a (EC3R 8DR) for a jolt of caffeine thermos of filter to pay tribute to our to power you through your stroll, most buzzing ancestors. Birley Sandwiches (EC2M 1JJ) St Michael’s Alley,EC3V 9DS. to pick up a snack to eat at the finish line: some Roman fort The London Stone ruins at 3 Noble Street. Buried away on the side of Multiple locations. Search for 3 a building on Cannon Street ‘London Wall Walk’ and you’ll find you’ll find a big lump of rock that a Google Map of them all. a) is very old, and b) apparently has occult significance. Believed to have been in the city since , the London Stone was once thought
St Michael’s Alley (site of London’s first coffee house)
Time Out London December 1 – 7 2020 16 Secret London
MAKE A DAY OF IT
‘The Cathedral of Sewage’ You can understand why Joseph Balzagette might have been a little shitted off. He was an urban-planning god, but almost all his works were out of sight. (They were sewers.) So when he did get to design anything above ground, he ran properly wild. In an otherwise not-that- scenic patch of Bromley-by- Bow, the still-functioning Abbey Mills Pumping Station is his masterpiece. It’s ridiculously ornate and topped with a grand cupola that makes you think of St Petersburg. See it on the east London section of the Capital Ring Walk, which runs right past. The Nunnery Gallery’s café (181 Bow Rd, E3 2SJ) does decent flat whites, and if it’s more like dinner time, order a kebab from Sultan Sofrasi (73 Parnell Rd, E3 2RU). When you get in, whack on ‘Batman Begins’: the Arkham Asylum EXPERT’S scene should feel familiar. PICK Abbey Mills Pumping Station, E15 2RW. London’s whaling secrets ‘In Greenwich, there Abbey Mills Pumping Station are the remains of the wharves where whaling ships would come back from the Bunhill burial ground. Originally Arctic and offload. The Hardy Tree Weird and dark named ‘bone hill’ after thousands At low tide around As though ghosts are rising Grim stuff, gross stuff and a lot of skeletons were transferred here these areas you 4from beneath the surface of of graveyards to be honest from the charnel house of old St can sometimes see the earth, overlapping headstones Paul’s in the sixteenth century, this fragments of whale encircle an ash tree in the yard of eerie cemetery near Old Street may bones in the mud St Pancras Old Church. Expanding Hyde Park Dog Cemetery have been used as a plague pit too. of the foreshore. nineteenth-century railway lines Some died of gluttony, others Look out for William Blake. In Barnet, there is meant that remains from a swathe 1fell beneath the wheels. A 38 City Rd, EC1Y 2BG. a hidden example of the graveyard had to be exhumed. certain Balu was even poisoned. of a whalebone Tasked with relocating the stones? This fenced-off Victorian canine St George’s Nature arch – the lower Architect’s assistant Thomas Hardy. graveyard in the back garden of the Study Museum jawbones of a huge Saint Pancras Gardens, NW1 0PS. park’s Victoria Lodge brims with 3‘A temple of nature in the least blue whale, set sorry tales. They hadn’t quite nailed romantic centre of the metropolis’ into the ground to London’s biggest dog names back then – see ‘Scum’, – that’s how the former guardians of form a gateway into potted plant ‘Freeky’ and ‘King of Pussies’. this building in Shadwell described Whalebones Park. 5Your cheeseplant has nothing Hyde Park, W2 2NB. the mini-museum it once housed. Most people don’t on Highgate Cemetery’s comically Children, unused to seeing wildlife, even notice them.’ enormous cedar of Lebanon. A huge Bunhill Fields would come here to goggle at newts. Richard C Sabin, circle of mausoleums creates the Ever thought that the City The boarded-up structure is now principal curator, impression of a pot enclosing this 2practically stinks of death covered in wire, bent into Biblical mammals at the tree, which predates the rest of the and decay? Could be all the musty snippets; unclear why, exactly. Natural History graveyard by a century. ■
WALL: ANDY PARSONS; COFFEE HOUSE: MS BRETHERTON/ALAMY; JACK TAYLOR/GETTY JACK BRETHERTON/ALAMY; MS HOUSE: COFFEE PARSONS; ANDY WALL: old bankers – or maybe the ancient 14 Cannon Street Rd, E1 0BH. Museum Highgate Cemetery, N6 6PJ.
17 December 1 – 7 2020 Time Out London TEST- DRIVING DIGITAL CHRISTMAS
In , you could easily have all your festive fun at home via a computer screen. But should you? Andrzej Łukowski finds out what works and what doesn’t. Illustration Dan Evans
The virtual office brisk trade: as Nason points out, Christmas party there is something a little depressing Of all the things definitely not – not to mention impractical – about happening this Christmas, the a bunch of workmates just getting traditional office Christmas party tanked up over Zoom, so many is the one definitely not happening companies have been opting for the most. However, there would something more wholesome. now appear to be an almost endless How Christmassy is it? It’s more like number of Zoom-based digital a bonding session than a party. But Market’s Botanique Workshop (from The digital pantomime alternatives. I rope Phil our it’s all very pleasant, and , botaniqueworkshop.com) does The London pantomime season, Film editor into a guided I have no regrets the a wreath-making set that requires such as it is, will limp on, but it’s chocolate-tasting next day, which is a relatively little skill, but quite a lot of limited in scale and won’t be for all. courtesy of Notting significant step up on time and patience: it’s mindful, baby. So why not try a digital alternative? Hill chocolatier every actual Time But we make a genuinely gorgeous- Comedy troupe Sleeping Trees (, Melt ( per Out Christmas looking wreath. Hurrah! And the www.thesleepingtrees.co.uk) person, www. shindig. mince-pie kit sold by Poster Bakes have become a fringe fixture meltchocolates. ( , posterbakes.com) is ultra- at Theatre and BAC with com). You get nine The Christmas unintimidating (the instructions their zany DIY pantos. This year slabs of chocolate craft kits suggest using a wine bottle if you they’ve gone digital with the pre- delivered, then a There is a percent don’t have a rolling pin), makes a recorded ‘The Legend of Moby Dick gloriously sardonic accurate argument that very fancy pie and raises money for Whittington’, an inspired hour- -minute masterclass says I could have just ordered a good cause, with all profits going to long mash-up of ‘Dick Whittington’ from company CEO Andrew Nason, a pre-made wreath and mince The Connection at St Martin’s. and ‘Moby Dick’. who frames the story of chocolate as pies. But a key point of Christmas How Christmassy is it? Spending five How Christmassy is it? It’s really a sort of tragic descent from Aztec is that we are all going to have hours assembling a wreath certainly good fun – but without any audience Eden to Swiss milk-chocolate hell. a horrifying amount of time on reminds you that Christmas is or interaction it feels more like a These sessions have been doing a our hands. So kits it is. Exmouth around the corner, yes. sketch show than a panto.
Time Out London December 1 – 7 2020 18 Plan more festive fun at timeout.com/christmas
Minecraft and dinosaurs for ten minutes, which is more substantial than the usual grotto bants. How Christmassy is it? If you believe in Santa, very. Obviously you don’t get a present, but it’s worth remembering that all grotto presents are terrible anyway. The booze, delivered Mulled wine is one of those things I’ve always had down as a bit of a faff, but Shop Cuvée (, www.shopcuvee.com) sends me a cracking, punchy bottle that requires zero faffing around with bits: just heat until it’s hot enough, and boom! East London brewery Signature Brew (, www.signaturebrew.co.uk) is doing something called a Pub in a Box – it’s basically some beers, but they’re very nice beers, and it comes with an endearingly crappily photographed music quiz to do on Zoom. How Christmassy is it? I’d probably file this all under ‘winter drinks’ rather than say it embodies the magic of Christmas per se. The Christmas lunch DIY box To this Pole, it would seem that a lot of the truisms about Christmas Day being stressful stem from the English insistence on cooking an enormous, esoteric kind of poultry for lunch, for no obvious symbolic or religious reason. But can the new generation of meal kits take the stress out of lunch? The short answer is ‘yes’. Jun Tanaka’s Fitzrovia restaurant The Ninth ( for two, www.theninthlondon.com) does a fine example, with a turkey ballotine forming the heart of a box that puts a classy spin on the trad lunch, eg belle de fontenay potatoes instead A jolly of roasties. It would be a slight The tree in the post How Christmassy is it? This is the exaggeration to call it stress-free Even knowing that London- Scottish most Christmassy my flat has ever but I fundamentally cook a damn based Pines and Needles (www. looked, and probably ever will. good Christmas dinner in about an pinesandneedles.com) is going to Saint hour. If you don’t have a masochistic deliver me a decorated tree doesn’t A Zoom call from Santa desire to pit yourself against a two- prepare me for the gloriousness Nick duly I’m actually unclear what Tier stone goose, it’s a terrific shout. of the reality. The company does restrictions mean for grottos. But How Christmassy is it? If you everything, and the tree is about dials in clearly there’s going to be no sitting subscribe to the idea Christmas a trillion times classier than the on Santa’s lap (if that sort of thing is lunch is ‘supposed’ to be hard then manky old artificial number that still allowed in , idk). However, it’s not very Christmassy at all – and lurks threateningly in my garage. there is now a burgeoning trade in that’s a good thing. Yeah, it’s a touch spenny (about Zoom calls from Father Christmas. for a six-footer), but given I plump for Underbelly’s Santa at THE WINNERS I work in the same room as the Home ( for up to six, www. Fun as it all is, a lot of this stuff has tree and am now essentially flat- santaathomeofficial.com), which some pretty heavy ‘let’s make the bound until I can get that sweet, raises money for charities, and a best of this horrible year’ vibes. sweet Oxford vaccine into my jolly Scottish Saint Nick duly dials However, the tree and the lunch box veins, I would call it a sensational in to chat with my wide-eyed two- feel like actual game-changers – investment. year-old and five-year-old about God bless them, every one! ■
19 December 1 – 7 2020 Time Out London TO A SPOTTER’S GUIDE London croissants
This Christmas won’t come with as
BEST many parties, but IN SHOW you still deserve the hangover breakfasts. AuxA PiPains dPde Papy Photography CaravanCara an For my money, London’s greatest croissant. Exceptional Pastry art. Masterpieces of flour. More width than some of balance between crispy outer layer and velvet-soft interior. Andy Parsons the others on this list, and a darn sight more crunchy, but Three thumbs up. Joseph Mackertich certainly worth a look. Kate Lloyd 279 Gray’s Inn Rd, WC1X 8QF. Multiple venues.
The Dusty Knuckle FlorFlor JoleneJolene Is there a fluffier croissant in London than Dusty They might be petite, but these little guys pack a punch: This bakery mills its own flour on site, giving an earthiness Knuckle’s? I doubt it. The air pockets in these babies are they’re so rich with butter they’re almost juicy. Decent flake to its pastries. Break them apart and you’ll find a delicate major. But this isn’t a case of size over substance. KL and colour on them too. KL spider’s web of pastry layers. Alexandra Sims Abbot St Car Park, E8 3DP. 1 Bedale St, SE1 9AL. 21 Newington Green, N16 9PU.
Little Bread Pedlar PophamsPophams Pret Oh boy: LBP’s croissants are fluffy, flaky, buttery and soft. Flakes like a bastard, tastes sweet and creamy. However, Sure, this might seem like a rogue choice but Pret’s offering Pillowy soft, in fact. Like sinking your teeth into a big, I cry a little when the bakery burns them slightly, which is not without its charms. A bit raw for most folk? Maybe. buttery ball of cotton wool. Alex Plim does happen occasionally. Still brilliant. Caroline McGinn But some people are into that. Perverts. KL Unit 4-6 Spa Business Park, SE16 3FJ. Multiple venues. Multiple venues.
Get more dough at timeout.com/bakeries
Time Out London December 1 – 7 2020 20 No home. And no one to turn to.
Will you help us be there for young people at risk?
Homeless at just 16, Jen* would walk the dangerous streets at night, trying to snatch a =;lbm|;vvѴ;;rbm7oou-vķ0|o[;m|oo scared to close her eyes. Jen’s nightmare ended when she found safety and a chance to turn her life around with a room at Centrepoint. Please give £20 [;u-;-uo=1ubvbvķ7;l-m7=ououv;u b1;v this Christmas _-vm; ;u0;;m]u;-|;u+;|b|Ľv0;1ol;_-u7;u |_-m; ;u|ou-bv;|_;=m7v;m;;7$_bv to help give a Christmas, we must be there to keep young young person people like Jen safe from harm. We cannot fail a hot meal and a them now. But we need your help. +ou]b[1oѴ70;|_;|umbm]robm|=ou-mo|_;u safe place to sleep homeless young person.
CALL: 0800 055 79 47 VISIT: centrepoint.org.uk/help
*We use models and change the names of the young people we work with to protect their identity; however all stories are true and as told by the young person. © Centrepoint 2020. Centrepoint Soho, operating as Centrepoint, is a charity registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales under number 292411 whose registered office is at Central House, 25 Camperdown Street, London, E1 8DZ and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 01929421. NAP2021M-01W TIMEOUT.COM/OFFERS LOND N FOR LESS
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Time Out London December 1 – 7 2020 22 Things to Do Things to do in London
Edited by Katie McCabe and Alexandra Sims timeout.com/thingstodo @timeoutlondon
Kew Gardens’ Christmas trail is the flashing neon light at the end of the long, dark tunnel we call . Treat your weary lockdown eyes to its laser-filled finale reflected in the Palm House Pond. Turn to p for more. JEFF EDEN/RBG KEW EDEN/RBG JEFF
23 December 1 – 7 2020 Time Out London Things to Do Art to see this weekend We cracked The Crystal Maze C ‘Artemisia’ Revenge is a dish best served cold, without leaving the house as the ancient proverb goes, and Baroque superstar Artemisia Gentileschi serves it near freezing, The Crystal Once my team have over and over again. Delicious. Her Maze: Dome dialled in, we’re joined paintings stand up against the greats from Home live by maze master of her era, full of violence, anger, No matter how Eldritch Musky, who ambition and skill. much we’ve introduces us to this National Gallery. Until Jan 24 2021. £20, wished it wasn’t virtual incarnation booking essential. the case this year, with a dose of Richard there are certain O’Brien-style sarcasm. C Bruce Nauman things that just It’s this continuation Obscene, violent, vulgar, intense don’t translate to of elements from the and somehow totally mundane: the virtual world. real game that really American artist Bruce Nauman’s art Gigs aren’t the helps to shake off the is a horrifying exploration of life’s same if you’re reality of being sat on absurdity. Since the s, he’s been not surrounded your sofa. doing simple, repetitive, ridiculous by head-banging, With Musky egging things with videos, installations and and no matter how us on, we make neons. It’s so easy to feel like , much you crank up our way through with its isolation and boredom and your subwoofer for the classic Aztec, creeping authoritarianism, is an the latest Boiler Room set, your bedroom Medieval, Future and Industrial zones, and solve outlier. But Nauman’s art is saying will never feel like a sweaty Corsica Studios mental, skill, physical and mystery challenges to don’t worry, life has always been this on a Saturday night. collect virtual crystals. We throw ourselves into strange, and it always will be. So you’d be forgiven for thinking that creating bizarre puzzles and treasure hunts around our Tate Modern. Until Feb 21 2021. £13, booking an online version of ‘The Crystal Maze Live flats, while keeping up the tradition of screaming essential. Experience’, based on the ’90s TV show, would unhelpful advice at our teammates through our be nigh-on impossible. This is, after all, the Zoom windows. The creators have even found a C Chiharu Shiota escape game that requires bomber-jacket-clad way to recreate the dome of flying golden tickets Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota teams to sprint through the old Trocadero on that doesn’t involve you having to lob old sweet creates giant installations out Shaftesbury Avenue, collecting crystals. But wrappers into a Dyson Airblade. of hanging threads, leaving you where there’s a will there’s always a way. We working-from-home hermits are swept up to encounter a dreamy world of ‘Dome from Home’ takes place on Zoom, but in the maze delirium quicker than you can say fabric and colour. This beautiful this is not the nightmare of squares from the ‘START THE FANS, PLEASE!’ ■ Alexandra Sims installation features ships made of video-chat fatigue days of Lockdown 1. Ongoing. £15pp. www.the-crystal-maze.com strings suspended from the ceiling – viewing it is like stumbling on to some ultra-psychedelic sky marina. König London. Until Dec 19. Free, by appointment. Antony Gormley’s string-theory- Art trails inspired ‘Quantum Cloud’, the lonely Life drawing C Edmund de Waal figure of Laura Ford’s ‘Bird Boy’ and It stings the heart, this installation by Artists Walk Joanna Rajkowska’s huge replica Wild Life Drawing Online: Edmund de Waal. The ceramicist and In lieu of public spaces to display of a blackbird egg are some of the Seals author has lined the walls of his room their work, London’s artists are sculptures set against a backdrop Need a dose of calm after a fraught within a room in the British Museum turning their windows into galleries. of reed beds and ecology parks lockdown? You could do worse than with books by writers in exile. It’s Wisteria-covered bay windows (and the odd industrial estate). staring into the dark, soppy eyes of a shelf after shelf of stories written by in Finchley have been filled with Even if you don’t like art, you might blubbery seal pup. These sketching people far from home, thinking of watercolours, Pop art decorates a spot an estuary-living seal. classes have live animals as models, home, and it’s brutally affecting. Hackney council block and ceramics Plan your route at www.the-line.org. and this session will be virtually British Museum. Until Jan 12 2021. Free, peek from sashes in Crouch End. You visiting a Cornish seal sanctuary booking essential. can see the transformed houses by that rescues and rehabilitates lost, following one of the interactive maps abandoned and malnourished baby N Trulee Hall on the Artists Walk website. ones. After learning the basics of how Here are just a few things you’ll find at Various locations. Until Dec 14. Free. to sketch live animals, you’ll spend an Trulee Hall’s multimedia fun house www.artistswalk.org hour drawing the seals from life over of the ‘erotic grotesque’: glory holes, Zoom while sanctuary director Jana discordant music, nightmarish The Line Sirova tells you all about the flubbery serpents and a psychosexual opera Just like the waterways it follows, animals. Like most charities, the exploring gender and sexuality. It’s a the art lining this three-mile trail sanctuary is struggling this year, mix of video, sculpture and painting from Stratford to Greenwich ebbs so percent of your ticket will go and it’s all as weird as can be. and flows from view, with works towards caring for the pups. Zabludowicz Collection. Until Mar 14 2021. Free, disappearing each year and new Dec 5. £10. Book online at Trulee Hall booking essential. installations arriving in their place. www.wildlifedrawing.eventcube.io
C Central N North S South E East W West Streaming Outdoors CRYSTAL MAZE: THE CRYSTAL MAZE LIVE EXPERIENCE; TRULEE HALL: ‘TONGUES DUEL THE CORN WHORES’ PHOTO MIKE MASSARO MIKE PHOTO WHORES’ CORN THE DUEL ‘TONGUES HALL: TRULEE EXPERIENCE; LIVE MAZE CRYSTAL THE MAZE: CRYSTAL
Time Out London December 1 – 7 2020 24 Things to Do
Everyman Cinema Broadgate and Online film all the titles will be available to watch online. See UK premieres like the festivals first Egyptian film to be awarded the Cannes Short Film Palme d’Or: THREE OF THE BEST Together! 2020 Disability ‘I Am Afraid to Forget Your Face’, Film Festival or documentary feature ‘Some It’s not a film’s star rating that’s Kind of Heaven’, following retired important at this festival, but its Americans living off-grid in a vast Outdoor markets ‘D rating’. This celebration of films retirement home in Florida. by Deaf/Disabled filmmakers Until Dec 7. Prices vary. has gone virtual in . Expect a www.londonfilmweek.com programme of animated shorts, dramas, international documentaries H B R and multimedia G O performances all I Tiny gig
highlighting the lived W
experiences of Deaf/ H C The London Disabled people Bridge Trio around the world. Kings Place arts centre Each one has a D rating B S in King’s Cross is a dab to show the participation O P hand at socially distanced S Brockley of Disabled people in front of concerts. It’s been putting Not just a block of concrete where you drop and behind the camera: one D for on tiny gigs, where musicians play your motor, Lewisham College’s car park each Deaf/Disabled person involved to small, safely separated audiences turns into a farmers’ market on Saturdays. in the making of the film. since the summer. It’s letting Stock up on fresh fish, pungent cheese and Dec 3-6. Free. www.together2012.org.uk Londoners experience the tingle of attractively lumpy heritage veg. live events again with its December Lewisham College Car Park. Every Sat 10am-2pm. London Film Week programme of podcast recordings, Not to be confused with the BFI folk festivals and orchestral concerts. London Film Festival, which took It kicks off with classical outfit The place earlier this year, the third London Bridge Trio who, armed with edition of London Film Week is a violin, cello and piano, will put championing new and original their own spin on Beethoven and cinematic wonders. The hybrid Dvořák’s greatest works. fest will have live screenings at Kings Place. Dec 6. £20.
C Maltby Street The stalls nestled round the Ropewalk’s Victorian railway arches is the place to come when you’re having a Nigella moment and need high-end condiments you can’t get at Tesco. The street food is pretty decent too. Maltby St. Every Sat 10am-5pm and Sun 11am-4pm.
N Stroud Green If you’ve gone full cottagecore this lockdown, find your people visiting the stalls at Stroud Green School. It may look straight from a Home Counties village fête, but you’ll find adventurous fare here too, like urban farmed microgreens. Stroud Green School. Every Sun 10am-2.30pm. ‘Do I look like I take requests?’ ‘Artemisia’ ARTEMISIA: SELF-PORTRAIT AS A LUTE PLAYER © WADSWORTH ATHENEUM MUSEUM OF ART; BROCKLEY MARKET: SCOTT CHASSEROT; MALTBY STREET: CELIA TOPPING CELIA STREET: MALTBY CHASSEROT; SCOTT MARKET: BROCKLEY ART; OF MUSEUM ATHENEUM WADSWORTH © PLAYER LUTE A AS SELF-PORTRAIT ARTEMISIA:
25 December 1 – 7 2020 Time Out London Seven things to get straight about homelessness
Want to help those experiencing in London homelessness but don’t know where to start? We asked an expert about the misconceptions that surround the crisis
s Londoners, we’re all aware Covid-19 has of the housing crisis. It’s 1intensified the existing A housing emergency unavoidable. But while a shocking 280,000 people are One of HSBC UK’s key charity homeless in England (according to partners is Shelter, which provides Shelter), it’s an issue fraught with advice and advocacy for people misconceptions. Together with experiencing homelessness all HSBC UK – which recently launched across England and Wales. Shelter its game-changing No Fixed Address hub manager Connie Cullen has Service – we’re working to shine a observed that the pandemic has light on homelessness as the festive not only made thousands of people season approaches. newly homeless across the UK, but that it’s also made some existing issues worse. ‘There simply isn’t enough housing available for people in London, or often the housing that does exist is unaffordable. The number of Universal Credit claims has risen to more than 3 million since March – a lot of people have lost their jobs or are experiencing the financial impacts of Covid-19 so will struggle to pay their rent in the longer term.’ Advertisement feature
Homelessness isn’t 2just about sleeping rough ‘I’d say that’s misconception number one,’ says Cullen. More than 10,000 people are said to be sleeping rough on the streets of London – but there are many people who Cullen There are many one to apply for and receive benefits, It’s possible to refers to as ‘the hidden homeless’. 5barriers to escaping and you need to pay for things with a 6end homelessness Many of these are families or homelessness card.’ HSBC UK is currently working forever… young people fleeing domestic It should come as no surprise with Shelter to deliver its No Fixed ‘At Shelter, we’ve got a radical abuse who live in temporary that being homeless can have a Address Service, which helps people strategy where we try to ensure accommodation which is often severe impact on your mental and who would otherwise struggle to get that there is simply enough housing unstable and overcrowded; there physical wellbeing, which in turn a bank account. Since launching in for everyone,’ says Cullen. ‘We are more than 62,000 households makes it harder to work and seek 2019, more than 500 people with need affordable, good quality, in this position. ‘And because there assistance – but there are other no fixed address now have access safe social homes that people can isn’t enough permanent housing, factors that go against people trying to a bank account – and the number easily access and stay in for a long people might wait years in temporary to find permanent housing. One of is growing. ‘It’s brilliant that this period. It wouldn’t solve everyone’s accommodation,’ she says. these is the lack of access to wi-fi scheme is in place to allow people to problems, but it would go a long way in temporary accommodation – and open a bank account. You can build towards ending homelessness.’ Homelessness can another is the difficulty of opening on lots of things once you’ve got a Right now, a key part of Shelter’s 3affect anyone a bank account. ‘Lots of things now bank account in place,’ says Cullen. plan is to work closely with local ‘The housing shortage affects rely on having a bank account,’ says To find out more about HSBC UK’s community organisations to help everyone… so homelessness can Cullen. ‘You need a bank account to No Fixed Address Service, visit them carry out their work. One is the affect anyone,’ explains Cullen. In be paid by your employer, you need www.hsbc.co.uk/no-fixed-address. The Magpie Project, based in the the private rental sector, landlords borough of Newham, which supports can hand out Section 21 ‘no-fault’ families with young children in eviction notices for no reason temporary accommodation. whatsoever. These situations are relatively common and hard to fight, … and you can be and finding a new place to live can 7a par t of that prove very difficult, as tenants can London is home to a multitude of be required to pay large deposits up fantastic charities, including Shelter, front. ‘People are often moving from Centrepoint, Crisis and St Mungo’s – home to home, trying to find roots, and you can help them by donating, but often they’re having to move volunteering and participating in again and again,’ says Cullen. events. Shelter is looking for sign- ups to The Big Walk, a fundraising People experiencing event which has gone virtual this 4homelessness deserve year and runs from December 7 to equal respect 13. To sign up, visit thebigwalk.shelter. The discrimination that people org.uk. experience when they are homeless can be relentless. Cullen has heard reports of rough sleepers being attacked and even urinated on. ‘For children at school, it can be embarrassing for people to know that you’re homeless, living in temporary accommodation.’ People also often report feeling invisible – which is why it’s important to show kindness to people you encounter, even if it’s just striking up a quick conversation.