Alcoholic sweets, enchanting woodlands and one of London’s best burgers; let your inner kid run wild in London this weekend…
Words Helen Brown
Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland
West London’s Syon Park has again been transformed into the ultimate winter destination, filled with illuminations and magical merriment. See the 600 year old gardens transformed into an enchanting forest, lit up by beautifully designed lights. It takes a speedy walker half an hour to complete the park route, but we suggest you take the family, take it slow and soak up every bit of this winter wonderland. When: Throughout NovemberWhere: Brentford, TW8; syonpark.co.uk
Mercato Metropolitano
Fast becoming a favourite hotspot for foodie fanatics, Mercato Metropolitano has popped up in 45,000 square foot of battered industrial space, not far from Borough High Street. On offer? A superb selection from some of London and Italy’s artisanal producers of burrata, focaccia di Recco, gnocco fritto, Neapolitan pizza, handmade tortellini, house-roasted coffee and proper Italian gelato. Head over with an appetite and hunker down for an evening of feasting. When: Tues – Sat 11am-11pm | Sun 10am-9pmWhere: 42 Newington Causeway, SE1; mercatometropolitano.co.uk
London Edition’s Festive Workshops
For those wishing to add a personal touch to their gifts this year, Fitrovia’s London Edition Hotel will be hosting two festive workshops from candel creators McKinley & Paget and flower arranger extraordinaire, Grace & Thorn. Guests will be guided through the process of creating a bespoke naturally scented soy wax candle, presented in a glass jar with a personalised label, or, participate in a festive wreath making class, inspired by the Dutch Masters focus on texture and design with a healthy splash of colour. When: Sun 20th November, 1.30pm – 5.30pm (McKinley & Paget) 4pm- 5.30pm (Grace & Thorn) Where: The London Edition, 10 Berners Street, W1T; book here.
Christmas at the Bentall Centre
‘Tis the season to be jolly and The Bentall Centre are kicking off the festivities with a weekend of activity. From wreath making, treat decorating and holiday shopping, the weekend promises to be jam packed with fun for all ages. Little ones can get a festive selfie with Christmas favourites The Snowman and The Snowdog, before dusting off their dancing gear at Sunday’s Rave-a-Roo family party from the Ministry of Sound.When: Thurs 17th – Sun 20th NovemberWhere: Bentall Centre Kingston, KT1; bentallcentre.co.uk
The Floating Table with Marcelo Henriquez
This weekend sees the launch of Farmopolis Café’s Floating Table, an incredible new series of communal feasts set within the beautiful and unique floating garden on the Jetty at Greenwich Peninsula. Taking place each Friday night, this succession of feasts features a fantastic line-up of chefs, the first of which is chef Marcelo Henriquez with his Chilean inspired menu. Each chef will create an exquisite dining experience to be shared and served along long communal tables, surrounded by thousands of plants and trees rehomed from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show earlier this year. When: Friday 18th NovemberWhere: The Jetty, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10; www.farmopolis.com
Haché X Holborn Pop Up
Foodie trailblazer, Haché, is popping up in Holburn to welcome lovers of the Parisian inspired burger joint to indulge in some new stylish designs as well as their special signatures. On the menu and completely irresistible; the Steak Le Fumé, topped with caramelized onions, smoked bacon, Gruyere Cheese and a Haché coleslaw, presented in a smoke filled dome at your table. For true burger fanatics, the underground winter European style space will additionally host a series of drool-enducing activities such as a food photography workshop and a masterclass in pairing your burger with bubbles. When: Throughout NovemberWhere: 95-97 High Holborn, WC1V; hacheburgers.com
V&A Gilbert Galleries
The sensational Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Galleries at the Victoria & Albert Museum have re-opened to the public this week, showcasing a spectacularly updated suite of four galleries. On display are some weird and wonderful objects from one of the most important collections of decorative art ever given to the nation. Stand out favourites include a 17th century Peruvian gold cup recovered from a shipwreck off the coast of Florida, a rare Tudor pomander worn to ward off diseases and, exhibited for the first time, a newly acquired Christening cup commissioned by George II. When: Throughout NovemberWhere: Cromwell Road, SW7; vam.ac.uk
Sanderson and Smith & Sinclair Pop Up Bar
Cocktail confectioners Smith & Sinclair are taking over the Sanderson’s Purple Bar in whimsical pop-up style to create a sensory experience like no other. Expect expertly crafted cocktails that change in colour and taste as they are being poured and drunk, alcoholic edibles, Christmas infused vaporisers and many more mesmerising Wonker-esque experiences. In addition to the bar, Smith & Sinclair will also be hosting The Flavour Room in the Sanderson’s Shop Space so you can stock up on weird and wonderful creations to indulge on this Christmas.When: Throughout NovemberWhere: 50 Berners Street, W1T; find out more here.
Poetry in a Gin Distillery
As part of the ‘London Tonic Series,’ Kennington’s Beefeater London Dry Gin Distillery is turning its bar into a Speakeasy in the truest sense of the word. This first event of the series will combine one of London’s trendiest spoken word artists, Joshua Idehen, with the best gin cocktails around. Attendees will be able to try tailor-made literary cocktails whilst listening to Idehen recite his own verse in his unmistakable, signature style, discover why he chose to become a poet in the 21st century and even take part in a mini masterclass on how to read poetry like a professional. When: 19th NovemberWhere: 20 Montford Place, SE11; book tickets here.
Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre
This weekend sees the premiere of Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre, with Glee actress, Amber Riley, bringing 60s rhythm and blues to the West End. The musical charts the tumultuous rise of fictional girl band, ‘The Dreams’, and the lessons they learn along their way to stardom. Inspired by sounds and stories of musical icons, The Supremes and James Brown, the songbook is a celebration of early R&B music, with well-known songs including ‘One Night Only’ and ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’. When: From 19th NovemberWhere: Savoy Court, WC2R; book tickets here.
