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SIGHTS ARTS SHOPPING EATING ENTERTAINMENT MAPS LONDON Free THE OFFICIAL MONTHLY GUIDE PLANNER JANUARY 2014 Welcome to 2014 New Year celebrations, new openings, and our new look! Discover the city’s How to make your rock & pop pedigree visit truly magical A WELCOME FROM THE MAYOR As 2014 begins, there is probably no better way to get things started than with the London New Year’s Day Parade on 1 January. Join the throng as thousands of performers from around the world – musicians, drummers, marching bands – make their way through the streets for a lively and colourful celebration (p. 34). London is the home of theatre, with an unbeatable variety of classic and contemporary drama, musicals and family friendly shows. This month sees Zoë Wanamaker starring in The Duchess Of Malfi at the brand new Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, which is opening as part of Shakespeare’s Globe (p. 62). But there is a dazzling array of other productions and it is worth checking availability through the Get Into London Theatre scheme, which allows you to see some of the best shows in the capital for a fraction of the normal cost. There are some fantastic, world-class shows for all the family to enjoy, and at bargain prices (p. 17). Boris Johnson, Mayor of London January 2014 | LONDON PLANNER | visitlondon.com | 3 INSIDE THIS ISSUE January 2014 Welcome, Bienvenue, Welkom, Willkommen, Bienvenido, Benvenuto... London is the top city in the world – it’s offi cial! It ranked fi rst place out of 50 cities in an international survey published at the end of 2013, knocking Paris off the top slot. The UK capital was also voted the city where visitors from different cultures felt it was easiest to fi t in, according to the same study (2013 Be Fashion Forward Anholt-GfK Roper City Brands Index). Peek into the wardrobe of arts patron Isabella Blow in We already knew that, as London’s Fashion Galore! at Somerset House (p. 52). Seen here fantastic multicultural mix is one of the posing with designer Alexander McQueen. things that makes it such a fun place to be. For instance, this month sees celebrations as diverse as Scotland’s Burns Night and the start of Chinese New Year (p. 34). Read on for my pick of this month’s highlights, and for our regular readers – we hope you enjoy our new-look magazine. David G. Taylor, Editor [email protected] IGGS, LICHTENSTEIN ROY OF LICHTENSTEIN, PAINTING ROY IN BACKGROUND 2013; DACS, © ESTATE Editor, David (above right), is pictured at the Pop Art Design exhibition at the Barbican Art See Cool Stuff Gallery, p. 50. Enjoy the London Ice Sculpting Festival (above), as you turn LAWSON; JACK © FESTIVAL SCULPTING ICE INC; STUDIO LACHAPELLE DAVID © 1996 BLOW, ISABELLA AND MCQUEEN ALEXANDER your visit into a fairy tale EDITOR’S PORTRAIT BEATRICE YEATMAN-B BY Follow us online come true. ENTERTAINMENT MAPS SIGHTS ARTS SHOPPING EATING LONDON • visitlondon.com/ THE OFFICIAL MONTHLY GUIDE PLANNER Free JANUARY 2014 londonplanner Welcome to 2014 New Year celebrations, new openings, and our new look! • visitbritain.com/ Let It Rock! en/LondonPlanner Discover why the capital is a must LondonPlannerMag for rock and pop fans. From roof- raising shows like Thriller – Live Discover the city’s How to make your rock & pop pedigree visit truly magical @LondonPlannerMg on stage (left), to exhibitions COVER IMAGES: Tower bridge © Thinkstock; and concerts (p. 10-14). Guitars © British Music Experience; Nutcracker © Caroline Holden/Crowne Image 4 | visitlondon.com | LONDON PLANNER | January 2014 CONTENTS Welcome From The Mayor A message from Boris Johnson, Mayor Of London The Top Ten The city’s most popular attractions The Capital Of Rock & Pop Why London’s the centre of the musical universe London Loves Fun on a budget Enchanted City Turn your visit into a fairy tale Discover King’s Road in Chelsea Beyond London Day trips and short breaks around Great Britain 27 Watch Showstoppers Looking Ahead 48 Catch the best shows, including Cirque Du Plan and book in advance 66 Soleil’s Quidam at the Royal Albert Hall. WHAT’S ON 78 Sightseeing 84 Museums & Galleries 87 Sports Entertainment 98 Shopping 100 Spas & Salons Eating Out Nightlife QUIDAM © CIRQUE DU SOLEIL/MATT BEARD; ICE IMAGE SKATING HISTORY MUSEUM./STEPHEN © NATURAL FRAK Essential Information MAPS Theatreland Central London Bus London Underground Transport Symbols Explained Get Your Skates On! London Underground Docklands Light Enjoy a multitude of ice rinks, many at London’s Railway most iconic buildings, including the Natural London Overground National Rail History Museum (pictured above). London River Services Pier January 2014 | LONDON PLANNER | visitlondon.com | 5 THE TOP TEN London’s Most Popular Attractions NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM NATURAL IMAGE © NHM National Gallery This gallery is filled with priceless European art belonging to the nation. See great works by artists Botticelli, Da Vinci, Van Gogh and more (see Galleries). British Museum This world-famous museum, founded in 1753, houses history’s greatest treasures, including Egyptian mummies and the Elgin Marbles (see Museums). Natural History Museum Explore the natural world, Tate Modern including a diplodocus skeleton A former power station in Bankside that hosts a globally- (above), child-friendly exhibitions, BRITISH MUSEUM IMAGE © BRITISH MODERN MUSEUM; IMAGE TATE © MUSEUM ESSEN FOLKWANG, GALLERY; GERMANY; © NATIONAL GALLERY NATIONAL recognised modern art collection, plus some great prehistoric fossils and much more temporary exhibitions, such as Paul Klee (above, p. 52). (see Museums). Continues P. 8 January 2014 | LONDON PLANNER | visitlondon.com | 7 THE TOP TEN Madame Tussauds See amazingly lifelike wax fi gures of famous people, including the Queen, Duchess Of Cambridge, Madonna (pictured), EDF Energy London Eye Hollywood and Bollywood stars, Experience the full glory of London by taking a plus 14 fun ride in one of the capsules (see Sightseeing). OCKPHOTO interactive zones On a clear day, views can extend as far as (see Sightseeing). Windsor Castle (see Sightseeing), which is over 40km away. SCIENCE © MUSEUM; IMAGE ROBOT MUELS; Science Museum Interactive scientifi c fun for children, from steam engines to space rockets. Just as National Maritime Museum fascinating for bigger kids who want to learn how the world works (see Museums). & Royal Observatory EW; MADAME TUSSAUDS IIMAGE © GARRY SA Discover more about seafaring and stargazing at these interactive attractions DONONVI (see Museums/Sightseeing). NAL MARITIME MUSEUM; VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM © V&A IMAGES; OF TOWER LONDON © IST LONDON EYE IMAGE © LON NATIO © OBSERVATORY ROYAL Victoria And Albert Museum Tower Of London An incredible range of historic artefacts that The infamous 900-year-old English fortress spans more than 3,000 years and includes beside the River Thames is guarded by art, jewellery, photos, sculpture and fashion. Beefeaters in period dress. Home to kings and Enjoy a wide range of exhibitions, special prisoners for centuries, it’s also rumoured to events and more (see Museums). have ghosts (see Sightseeing). « Compiled according to the latest available visitor numbers from London & Partners. 8 | visitlondon.com | LONDON PLANNER | January 2014 FEATURE London: The Capital Of S 23 52F. By David G. Taylor 10 | visitlondon.com | LONDON PLANNER | January 2014 DON’T MISS John Lennon’s Army jacket at The Vault, & The Beatles at the National Portrait Gallery ES, COURTESY OF LONDON BEATLES STORE; BEATLES IMAGE MICHAELES, COURTESY BY STORE; BEATLES OF LONDON PETO BEATLES ifty years ago this month, to celebrate musical talents from The Beatles’ first album the UK and beyond. Top Rock Shops Fwas released in America, The first stop for any visiting and ‘Beatlemania’ suddenly went rock and pop fan, has to be the global. The record Introducing... British Music Experience The Beatles entered the US (p. 42), an interactive exhibition charts on 10 January 1964, and inside The O2 that tells the story really put the Great Britain on of the UK’s global pop and the map as a breeding ground rock influence, from the 1940s for serious onwards. It also musical talent. ‘David Bowie, has a collection The first British of memorabilia music invasion Oasis and Adele that includes a For memorabilia and ,12 APRIL 1965 © UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE THE COLLECTION PETO © UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE THE COLLECTION PETO had begun. are among many Vivienne Westwood collectables head for: Names such UK acts to achieve bondage suit London Beatles Store, p. 76 as The Rolling designed for the It’s Only Rock And Roll, p. 76 Stones, David global success’ Sex Pistols, and The Vault and the Rock Shop Bowie, Elton John, artefacts from David (Hard Rock Cafe), p. 37 BLUR & OASIS EXHIBIT © BRITISH MUSIC EXPERIENCE; LONDON BEATLES STOR BEATLES LONDON EXPERIENCE; MUSIC BRITISH © EXHIBIT OASIS & BLUR Queen, The Spice Girls, Oasis, Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, Dusty Leona Lewis, Adele and One Springfield, The Spice Girls and Direction are among countless Freddie Mercury and others. UK acts to achieve success on Over the at the Victoria And a global scale since. Albert Museum (p. 47), not Meanwhile, January couldn’t only do they have Adam Ant’s be a better time to experience Prince Charming costume on the UK’s rock and pop pedigree, permanent display in the Theatre with exhibitions, tribute shows And Performance Galleries, but and live concerts all taking place right now you can still catch January 2014 | LONDON PLANNER | visitlondon.com | 11 THE STATE ROOMS BUCKINGHAM PALACE Enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the magnificent State Rooms at Buckingham Palace %ZEMPEFPISRWIPIGXIHHEXIW(IGIQFIV¯*IFVYEV] 4VIFSSOMRKMWLMKLP]VIGSQQIRHIH &SSOMREHZERGIEX[[[VS]EPGSPPIGXMSRSVKYO SVGEPP FEATURE MARVEL AT 1D in wax at Madame Tussauds & Adam Ant’s costume at the V&A a special exhibition Club To (p. 84), which lines the walls Velvet Underground’s album Catwalk: London Fashion In of its restaurant with amazing cover, to British artist Richard The 1980s (p.