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101 ways to celebrate afternoon tea – Afternoon Tea Week (10th – 16th August)
Ever had that sinking feeling in the afternoon? Well, that’s exactly how Anna Russell, the Duchess of Bedford, felt during her 17th-century afternoons. At the time, it was normal to have two meals a day and dinner wasn’t served until 8 o’clock. The duchess was becoming, understandably, rather peckish. After trying it out privately in her boudoir, she began inviting friends over to enjoy tea and ‘a light refreshment’. Suffice to say, the rest is history. Fast-forward to present day and we’re honouring this national institution with the annual Afternoon Tea Week. So, what better way to celebrate than by raising your china cup, spreading a scone and getting involved.…
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Experiences that hit the sweet spot – World Chocolate Day (7th July)
“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Forrest Gump Arguably, a statement that’s even more poignant today than it was back in 1994. But one thing has remained consistent over the past 26 years: the smooth and comforting taste of chocolate. Today is #WorldChocolateDay and to join in the festivities, we’re pointing you towards some of our favourite experiences. Not only that, we’re taking a deep-dive into chocolate’s velvety past and answering some of life’s stickiest questions. So whether you’re hosting your own chocolate afternoon tea or making homemade treats for a loved one, here are some of the best ways to join…
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National Trust turns 125 – celebrate as many breathtaking spots reopen
“We all want quiet. We all want beauty… We all need space. Unless we have it, we cannot reach that sense of quiet in which whispers of better things come to us gently.” Octavia Hill, Co-founder of the National Trust Well, step outside and take a breath of fresh air because this year marks the 125th anniversary of the National Trust. And, with lockdown measures relaxing, what better way to celebrate than by visiting some of Europe’s most breathtaking sites? Here’s what you need to know before planning your visit: Which National Trust sites are open? Firstly, all of their free-to-enter coast and countryside places are open and available to…
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A night in at the theatre – discover spellbinding shows online
Despite theatres in London’s West End and across the country closing, you can still experience that unmistakable magic of the stage. And you can do it from the comfort of your sofa. But how did we get here? Well, theatre has always been vastly popular in the UK. In fact, according to Statista, 18.8 million theatre tickets were sold across the country in 2018. Many renowned shows have also stood the test of time and celebrated long-standing success in London’s West End. This includes Les Misérables, which is currently the West End’s longest-running musical. Arriving on stage in 1985, It has captivated audiences for generations at Sondheim Theatre (formerly the Queen’s…
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Here are the best virtual tours of London’s museums and galleries
“Culture gives comfort in times of turmoil, it unites us and makes us understand what it means to be human.” Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum. It turns out that Fischer wasn’t alone in his thinking. According to ITV, the British Museum has seen a massive spike in online visitors since closing its doors. In fact, the site saw an incredible 978,548 users in the first two and a half weeks of March. Amazingly, this is double the amount of traffic than it had in March 2019. But what’s caused this sharp peak in interest? Virtual tours. That’s right. In 2020, being on lockdown doesn’t mean you have to…
