Behind the scenes at Foam City, shot with the Sony Handycam. Click to see more images from the shoot.
Who needs a city filled with foam, when London is packed with so many great images to see, do and capture on your Sony Handycam. Here are our suggestions for five things to do come rain, shine, if you've got family in tow, want to get romantic, or are strapped for cash. Whatever you do, don't go out without your Sony Handycam
Book yourself and up to 11 mates a private room at Soho’s Lucky Voice and sing the night away. You can even create your own playlist to print out before the day. The tasty Japanese cocktails are guaranteed to give your singing voice a bit of Dutch courage.
Lucky Voice, 52 Poland Street, W1 (020 7493 3660/www.luckyvoice.co.uk) Tottenham Court Road tube.
Soothing piano music, the chink of expensive china and the buzz of chit chat. A leisurely afternoon in the wood-panelled tearoom at Brown's Hotel – which inspired Agatha Christie’s murder-mystery ‘At Bertram’s Hotel’ – eating delectable cakes, fluffy scones and drinking speciality tea, and possibly a glass of pink bubbly, will banish the darkest rainy-day blues.
Brown’s Hotel, Albemarle Street, W1 (020 7493 6020/www.brownshotel.com) Green Park tube.
The Old Burlington Arcade was built in 1819. It’s a grand, covered skylit mall selling jewellery, antique maps and other luxury goods that had more than 70 shops when it first opened, though there are now about half that number. The chap wearing a top hat and frock coat is a ‘beadle’, who is there to ensure shoppers behave. Beadles date back to the Regency, hence their traditional nineteenth-century attire.
Burlington Arcade, W1 (www.burlington-arcade.co.uk) Green Park/Piccadilly Circus tube.
The Victorians loved this north London landmark when it opened in 1875 and so do we. On a fine day there are stunning views over London, but if the rain’s too bad skate on water that’s frozen instead. When you’ve slipped your skates off, sit down and ‘review your technique’ in the bar over several glasses of vino.
Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 (020 8365 4386/www.alexandrapalace.com) Wood Green tube then W3 bus.
With its gothic towers and ingenious lifting mechanism, Tower Bridge, which dates back to 1894, is one of the city’s most iconic structures. Take the Tower Bridge Experience to discover how the bridge opens – included is a trip up to the walkways where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views.
Tower Bridge, SE1 (020 7940 3985/www.towerbridge.org.uk) Tower Hill tube/Tower Gateway DLR.
Enjoying the English summer from the saddle is an experience to try at least once. Even if you’ve never ridden a horse, the chaps at friendly Lee Valley Riding Centre will look after you. Hacking is on the open spaces of Walthamstow Marshes or utilise the stables’ superb facilities, which include indoor and outdoor arenas; experienced riders can try the cross-country course.
Lee Valley Riding Centre, Lea Bridge Rd, E10 (020 8556 2629/www.leevalleypark.org.uk) Clapton rail/48, 55, 56 bus.
Follow in the oar strokes of Henry VIII, who travelled by barge along the Thames, through Richmond on his way to Hampton Court Palace, and hire a rowing boat from the boathouse adjacent to Richmond Bridge. Stop on the banks for a leisurely picnic or, for something a little less ordinary, dine afloat.
Richmond Bridge Boathouses, Richmond, Surrey (www.richmondbridgeboathouses.com) Richmond tube/rail.
Plenty of Shakespeare – this summer there’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Twelfth Night’ – plus, on Sundays, comedy and concerts in a stunning setting.
Open Air Theatre, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1 (0844 826 4242/www.openairtheatre.org) Regent's Park tube.
Throughout summer, this south-west London reserve is open until 9pm (last adm 8pm) every Thursday allowing visitors to enjoy a barbecue and/or bat-spotting walks. Covering 43 hectares, the nature reserve is a haven for kingfishers and water voles – as well as stressed-out humans. Six hides provide places to watch wildlife unobserved.
London Wetland Centre, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Elizabeth’s Walk, SW13 (020 8409 4400/www.wwt.org.uk) Hammersmith tube then 283 Duck bus or Barnes Bridge rail then 15 minute walk.
This stunning art deco house was once home to young kings and queens, including Henry VIII. The building and interior were remodelled in the 1930s by society couple Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. When you’ve finished marvelling at the sumptuous decor, take a stroll through the 19 acres of gardens, which boast a medieval bridge and pretty rose garden.
Eltham Palace, Court Rd, SE9 (020 8294 2548/www.elthampalace.org.uk) Eltham rail.
Walk through Kew’s exciting new addition – the Rhizotron and Xstrata Walkway – an 18-metre-high elevated path through the tree canopy from where you can see the gardens from a whole new perspective. The walkway was been designed by Marks Barfield Architects (the same firm that designed the London Eye) and was inspired by the mathematical Fibonacci sequence.
Kew Gardens, Kew Rd, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 (020 8332 5655/www.kew.org) Kew Gardens tube. Five things to do with the family
Jason's Trip’s antique canal boats will take you on a leisurely journey along the historic Regent’s Canal from Jason’s Wharf in leafy Little Venice to Camden – a round trip of about 90 minutes, by which time your little ones will be ready for a run-around in the park.
Jason's Trip, opposite 60 Blomfield Rd, W9 (020 7286 3428/www.jasons.co.uk)
There’s plenty to keep little ones busy here – especially in the zoo with its otters, pygmy goats, Shetland ponies and other animals. The park’s also great for picnics and the tarmac path around the circumference is perfect for gliding around on rollerblades.
Battersea Park Zoo, Battersea Park, (020 7924 5826/www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk) Battersea Park rail or Sloane Square tube then 137 bus.
Ragged Schools were charities providing education to kids from impoverished families and were the antithesis to modern schools. Your youngsters will thank their lucky stars they weren’t born in the harsh Victorian era. Open on the first Sunday of the month.
Ragged School Museum, 46-50 Copperfield Rd, E3 (020 8980 6405/www.raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk) Mile End tube.
This WWII battlecruiser provides pure adventure on the Thames, where it is moored within sight of Tower Bridge. There’s no shortage of nooks and crannies to explore on its nine decks, though little ones love the sleeping quarters and taking aim with the Bofors gun. In summer holidays there are activities for seven- to 14-year-olds.
HMS Belfast, Tooley St, SE1 (020 7940 6323/www.iwm.org.uk) London Bridge tube/rail.
Panoramic cityscapes from the twenty-eighth floor and delicious bubbly should keep the conversation flowing.
Galvin at Windows, Hilton Park Lane, 22 Park Lane, W1 (020 7493 8000/ www.hilton.co.uk/londonparklane) Hyde Park Corner tube.
Lose yourselves among the exhibits before looking down at the vast Turbine Hall through the vertigo-inducing windows from the fifth floor. The seventh-floor bar has stunning river and St Paul’s Cathedral views. For something more unusual, browse the website for a one-day course to take together.
Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 (020 7401 5120/www.tate.org.uk) Southwark tube.
Get your tickets pronto for this August’s Clapham Common festival, where you’ll be entertained by Supergrass, Gossip, Kate Nash, headliners Iggy and the Stooges and many others. And you can rest assured there’ll be no tripping over guy ropes in the dark at the end of the evening. Plus we've got some tickets to win.
Get Loaded in the Park festival, Clapham Common, SW4 (0844 847 2467/www.getloadedinthepark.com). Clapham Common tube.
There’s nothing quite like adding a side dish of burlesque to your supper – or afternoon tea – to provide conversation pieces. And it beats the cinema for a first date.
Volupté, 9 Norwich St, EC4 (020 7831 1622/www.volupte-lounge.com) Chancery Lane tube.
If you really love her (or him) you’d hire the Cupid’s Capsule, complete with Champagne and posh choccies just for the two of you… Otherwise, opt for a flight plus a 40-minute cruise to the Tower of London and back to make your time together last that little bit longer.
London Eye , South Bank, SE1 (0870 5000 600/www.londoneye.com) Waterloo tube/rail.
This magnificent
90-metre pool is the largest freshwater pool in the country, and a
wonderful place to relax on a hot summer day in the city. It’s open
throughout the year – though only the really serious swim in the depths
of winter.
Tooting Bec Lido, Tooting Bec Rd, SW16 (020 8871 7198/www.wandsworth.gov.uk) Tooting Bec tube.
Pack Marmite sandwiches and your kite or a Frisbee and take a stroll up to Hampstead Heath for back-to-basics fun.
Hop on a boat from Westminster pier. Tip: if you’ve got a Travelcard you can get a discount on your fare. A short walk along the Thames path (stopping at the Trafalgar for a cheeky half if the budget allows) will take you past Greenwich University and the (free) National Maritime Museum to Greenwich Park, from where you can walk up to the Royal Observatory where the views over London are unrivalled.
Download and print out (free) the excellent Guide Yourself Spitalfields from www.walkspitalfields.com. It’s not quite as funny as when it’s delivered by eccentric tour guides, Alan and Steve, who lead the tour proper (assisted by an impressive array of props) but as an alternative you could recruit some pals to read the commentary out loud. Reward yourself afterwards with a pint in Tracey Emin’s local, the Golden Heart.
Backpassages of Spitalfields walk, Bishopsgate, E1 (www.walkspitalfields.com) Liverpool St tube/rail.
Stylish, authentic, 1950s American lanes (think ‘The Big Lebowski’) – even the carpet is original 1950s. The best value bowling is before 4pm on weekdays, though you’ll have more fun on Friday nights when the place is heaving with London’s hip young things.
Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, basement, Tavistock hotel, Bedford Way, WC1 (0871 474 5636/www.bloomsburybowling.com) Russell Square tube.
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