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Dahaba Ali Hussen

Dahaba Ali Hussen

News (4)

Harry Potter’s birthplace is now available to rent on Airbnb

Harry Potter’s birthplace is now available to rent on Airbnb

Calling all Potterheads! You can now immerse yourself in the magic for a few nights by staying in Harry Potter’s birthplace. Well, the wonky, timber-framed house that appeared in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One’.  De Vere House in Lavenham, Suffolk is super dreamy to look at, but it featured in some dark scenes. It was the spot Lord Voldemort visited to kill Harry’s parents back when Harry was a baby.  The historic building is right in the heart of the scenic, medieval village which stood in for Godric’s Hollow in the movies – and you can now rent part of it on Airbnb. There are two bedrooms with four-poster beds available to book and the house has a bunch of pretty period features, including timber beams, wall paintings and a spiral stone staircase.  Lavenham is one of the best-preserved medieval villages in the UK and the Potters’ abode is one of 340 listed buildings in the area. Take a stroll around to spot more amazing buildings like these:  Photograph: Ron Ellis/Shutterstock.com Photograph: Shutterstock De Vere House is available to book here.  Like the look of this historic village? Here’s our guide to spending the perfect day in Lavenham.  Rather stay in the city? Explore some of London's most historic pubs or these Harry Potter walks and tours in London. 

TfL has decorated these tube roundels with poppies

TfL has decorated these tube roundels with poppies

It’s Remembrance Day on Monday and Transport for London has decorated some of its Underground roundels with poppies to mark the anniversary.  This is the second year that TfL has revamped the roundels in recognition of The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal. Last year ten Underground and four Overground stations had a poppy-printed makeover.  Photograph: TFL This year the campaign is bigger and bolder, with 25 stations getting floral transformations. Stephen Fry and 2016’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ winner Lance Corporal Richard Jones are set to record tube announcements and will join volunteers, servicemen and servicewomen stationed at different points across TfL’s Underground network in the run-up to Armistice Day to raise money for The Royal British Legion.  Photograph: TFL Vernon Everitt, TfL's Managing Director, Customers, Communication and Technology, commented his organisation's ‘longstanding relationship’ with The Royal British Legion and said it is ‘extremely proud’ to support it.  Photograph: TFL TfL has also adorned some buses with poppies, and keep a look out for the Santander bikes that have been poppyfied, too! Looking for more things happening in London this November? Look no more! 

5 brilliant firework displays to see this weekend. Ooooh! Aaaah!

5 brilliant firework displays to see this weekend. Ooooh! Aaaah!

Spooky season is nearly over but that doesn't mean celebrations have to end – because Bonfire Night is upon us! There are plenty of fireworks events happening across London this weekend. Here are a few of the best. 1. Victoria Park Fireworks Get intergalactic at the People's Park event which is themed around the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landings. With storytelling, music and special effects, you are guaranteed an explosive night! Victoria Park. Tube: Mile End. Sun Nov 3.  2. Crystal Palace Park Fireworks This display is set among the Victorian dinosaurs in Crystal Palace Park. Other attractions include DJs, funfair rides and a street food market. And with Arcadia’s Lords of Lightning (knights who throw bolts of electricity at one another) performing, this is sure to be a special celebration. Crystal Palace Park. Crystal Palace Overground. Sat Nov 2.  3. Ravenscourt Park Fireworks If you fancy a more family-friendly environment, Ravenscourt Park Fireworks may be the place for you, with its inclusive bangs and sparks. Make sure you're there in time for the main show at 8.30pm. Ravenscourt Park. Tube: Hammersmith. Sat Nov 2.  4. Harrow Fireworks Display Harrow’s event will be celebrating Diwali and the firework display will be set to tunes from the movies. Before the show, have a look around to see Bollywood dancers, Indian food stalls and henna art stands. Byron Park. Tube: Harrow & Wealdstone. Sat Nov 2.  5. Wild Wolf Explorer Scout Unit Community Fireworks D

The first Camden Music Walk of Fame plaque is being laid this month

The first Camden Music Walk of Fame plaque is being laid this month

A slice of Hollywood is coming to London... kind of! This month sees the unveiling of the first plaque on The Music Walk of Fame, a new area designed to imitate Hollywood Boulevard, the famous LA street filled with handprints and stars representing A-list icons. London’s series of plaques will be in Camden Town, an area that has a rich musical history and attracts more than 26 million visitors a year. Some of the biggest names in music will be celebrated with a flagstone. We don’t know who the walk will pay homage to first, but we do know that the initial plaque will be unveiled on November 19.  Justine Simons, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, commented on Camden's ‘legendary venues’ saying it was the ideal location for this. It’s a sizeable project with organisers hoping to put down hundreds of flagstones over the next 20 years – the walk will eventually run the whole length of Camden High Street. Each plaque will be laid with live performances and celebrations.  Who do you think should be honoured on London’s new Music Walk of Fame? Tell us in the comments below. 👇  Want to celebrate London’s music scene in November? Here are this month's best gigs.