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Bond and Brook
In this final edition of Scones of the Month for 2014 I have included four reviews, including one I enjoyed on a day trip to Cambridge. I was lucky that December started with two consecutive days of afternoon tea #bliss. The first one was a visit to Bond and Brook, the second floor restaurant in Fenwick, the department store on New Bond Street.
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Have you ever wondered what London is like on Christmas Day? Well on the big day London virtually shuts down, as there is no public transport the city is a lot quieter and almost everywhere is closed. Today was the first time I’ve explored London on Christmas Day, the weather was quite mild and it was a beautiful day for a walk. Here are a few photos...
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Old St Paul's Cathedral - North side
In our third and final blog on the Lost London Selfridges’ Christmas Window, which recreates in gingerbread buildings that have been lost or were never built in the capital, we take a look at Old St Paul’s Cathedral and the Euston Arch.
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As a vegetarian it might seem quite ironic that this morning I went down to Smithfield Meat Market to see the legendary Christmas Eve Auction. However as a City of London Tour Guide I had heard about the amazing atmosphere and I was curious to check this out for myself.
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Beyond Fabrics
One of the most charming things to do in London on a Sunday morning is to visit Columbia Road Flower Market, selling all things horticultural from cut flowers, bedding plants to garden accessories. This very popular market is open from 8am to about 3pm and attracts both locals and those in the know who desend on it and its adjacent quirky shops. However I’d recommend visiting on a Saturday, when the crowds can be avoided while many of the delightful shops and cafes are still open.
Beyond Fabrics are just one of the delightful shops, stocking vintage inspired fabrics and offering craft workshops and courses.
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St Antholin Church, on the far left, recreated in gingerbread in Selfridges Lost London window
Recently I blogged about Selfridge's delightful Lost London window, which recreates buildings that have been lost or were never built in the capital. I was most delighted to see that St Antholin Budge Row was included, as it is one of my favourite lost churches in the City of London.
The gingerbread model depicts what was considered to be one of the finest of the City Churches designed by Christopher Wren. The church stood from 1678 until 1874. Like all the Lost Churches, it has a fascinating history and with a bit of detective work I have been able to visit the parts of the church that still survive.
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In the 1630s room the table is laid out with sweet dishes
Updated with 2013 opening times
One of my favourite places to visit in London is the Geffrye Museum, located in former eighteenth century almshouses. The Museum is named after Sir Robert Geffrye, a former Lord Mayor of the City of London, at whose bequest the almshouses were built. The Geffrye features eleven period rooms which reflect the styles and fashions of the English middle classes from 1600s to the present day.
It is worth visiting at any time of the year but it is at its most magical during its annual Christmas Past exhibition when the rooms are transformed and decorated as they would have been for their era. The rooms are laid out sequentially with the earlier rooms tending to have just very simple evergreen decoration.
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The amazing view of Covent Garden from the Royal Opera House's terrace
Last night had a fabulous night seeing the ballet at the Royal Opera House with friends @FranPickering @ypldn and @kathrynsdaniels . On the way back the the tube we walked through Covent Garden Piazza and enjoyed the beautiful Christmas decorations. I hope you enjoy the photos.
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Destination Christmas is announced from above the main entrance by the Queen of Time
When Harry Gordon Selfridge opened his store on Oxford Street in 1909 his innovative marketing strategies created the ultimate shopping experience combining glamour, education, fun and entertainment. Fast forwarding over one hundred years and Selfridges Christmas window displays are still charming its customers.
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Utterly charming Christmas decoration featuring the Snowman, Billy and the Snowdog.