Wizards’ lovers, rejoice! The 31st of March will see the opening of The Making of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros London studios, where the biggest film series in history was made over ten years. For the first time, fans will get the chance to set foot on the actual sets from the movies, as well as discover all the original props and costumes. This unique attraction, which takes about three hours to complete, gives its visitors a “behind the scenes” look at the creative process of production. There’s even an opportunity to get one’s photo taken riding a broomstick, which promises to be particularly popular amongst the little ones- although very fun too for the grown-ups. Chic-Londres visited the studio ahead of its official opening, and reveals below some of the film’s “secrets” discovered during the tour.

The Great Hall The ceiling in the Great Hall -one of the most impressive of all sets on display-was inspired by the arched timber ceiling of Westminster Hall and created using visual effects. During production of the first film, the heat from the flames burnt through the wires and the floating candles fell onto the tables- the floating candles were created digitally afterwards.

The Dormitory Originally constructed for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the beds were much too small for the boys by the latter films, and the actors eventually had to curl up to keep their legs and feet from hanging over the ends during shooting. read more

Remember the brightly painted elephants’ sculptures on parade in London last year? This year, they have been replaced by 209 giant eggs decorated by some of the world’s leading artists, architects, designers and jewellers, before being hidden in secret locations throughout central. Starting on Tuesday 21st February and finishing 3rd April, the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt is challenging the public to take on the world’s biggest Easter egg hunt- fun, beautiful and all for charity.

Easter egg hunts don’t come any more arty, glam or prestigious than that, with Londoners being challenged to find in their streets 209 giant sculptural eggs designed, embellished and decorated by the like of Sir Ridley Scott, Zandra Rhodes, Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc Quinn, the Chapman Brothers, Zaha Hadid and Polly Morgan.

Sponsored by luxury house Fabergé, this Big Egg Hunt is set to smash Guinness World Records for the “Most participants in an Easter egg hunt” and the “Most expensive non-jewelled chocolate egg sold at auction”, as designed by William Curley. A highlight of The Big Egg Hunt is the chance to win the Diamond Jubilee Egg, a Fabergé creation valued at over £100,000. Crafted from 500 grams of 18 carat rose gold, the design features 60 gemstones set in a quilted rose gold surface and comprising of diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. read more

Horseracing should attract a whole new fan base this summer, thanks to a series of top acts performances organised over a three months period. For the second year running, the Jockey Club is hosting a series of concerts in ten of its courses, including Newmarket and Epsom Downs, which caters for all tastes, from pop sensation Eliza Doolittle, neo-disco band The Scissor Sisters and X-Factor darlings Rebecca Ferguson and Alexandra Burke, to old favourites like Tom Jones, The Beach Boys and Blondie. Not to be outdone, Goodwood is also organising its own top music nights, with DJs Chris Evans and Mark Ronson closing the meetings with evening concerts in June.

Horseracing might be the UK’s second most popular sport, but it can hardly be described as the most musically trendy one- although that might change, once the Sussex Downs are rocked by the sounds of top DJ Mark Ronson at Goodwood on the 17thof June and that charts’ favourite Scouting for Girls inject their own brand of dancy pop in Epsom on the 14th of July.

In total, the Jockey Club is hosting 31 top music acts combined with horseracing at ten of its courses over the summer. While Eliza Doolittle will perform the penultimate show on 23rd August at the Warwick racecourse, the three month season of music will also include Tom Jones, The Scissor Sisters, Boyzone, Blondie, X-Factor favourites Rebecca Ferguson and Alexandra Burke, James Blunt, Jools Holland, Texas and The Beach Boys, amongst others. Goodwood racecourse, while not part of the Jockey Club, will also have horseracing lovers in a spin with Chris Evans and Mark Ronson taking to the decks at the Friday nights races on 10 and 17 June. read more

Love is in the air, so why not make the most of next weekend -or of any weekend for that matter- to discover some of the most romantic houses, castles and outdoor places to be found in the English and Welsh countryside. Here, the National Trust lists for Chic-Londres its ten idyllic havens of love and romance.

Polesden Lacey (Surrey) This is the place where King George VI and the late Queen Mother spent part of their honeymoon, and still a favourite for new lovers, who will enjoy a walk amidst the beautiful landscape of the North Downs and its stunning rose garden.

Claremont Landscape Garden (Surrey) In 1816, this estate was given as a wedding gift to Princess Charlotte of Wales, the heir to the throne as the only child of George IV. She lived there until she died and the estate was later passed on to Queen Victoria. read more

Situated at 81 Fulham Road is Chelsea, Michelin House has celebrated its 100th anniversary on 20 January. Constructed in 1911 as the first permanent UK headquarters and tyre depot for the Michelin Tyre Company and now housing the Conran Shop, it remains one of the most recognisable buildings in London, and a fine example of French architectural craftsmanship in the British capital.

Did you know?

-Michelin House was designed by one of Michelin’s employees, François Espinasse. Although not a trained or qualified architect, Espinasse had been responsible for the design and construction of Michelin’s then headquarters in Paris in 1907. Conceived in an original style that borrowed from the Art Nouveau style while at the same time anticipating the Arts Decos movement of the 1920s, it was a radical departure from contemporary architectural ideas at the time.

-Michelin House was the first building in London to be built from ferro-concrete, a technique which made possible an innovative semi-open plan arrangement across all three floors. From start to finish the building took only six months to complete and was officially opened on 20 January in the presence of André Michelin. read more

98 years after the tragedy that claimed more than 1,500 lives, the dramatic story of the Titanic still resonates. This new exhibition, the most ambitious ever, displays extensive room recreations alongside more than 300 artefacts -including some never seen before- and provides the first opportunity to view exclusive footage from the last Titanic expedition in summer 2010.

Few stories fascinate as much as the tragedy of the Titanic, the world’s largest ship which sank on 15 April 1912 after colliding with an iceberg, claiming 1,500 lives. Opening November 5th, this new exhibition showcases more than 300 legendary artefacts -including 14 never seen before- conserved from the Ship’s debris field, extensive room recreations as well as never before seen footage from the most ambitious expedition to Titanic in history.

Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition has been designed with a focus on the legendary RMS Titanic’s compelling human stories, offering visitors a poignant look at this iconic ship and its passengers, whose lives were abruptly ended or forever altered. Perfume from a maker who was traveling to New York to sell his samples, china etched with the logo of the elite White Star Line, the Ship’s porthole, wheel and telegraph and even a pocket watch belonging to an elite passenger, as well as many other authentic objects that offer haunting, emotional connections to the passengers. read more

Now in its fourth year, the small but perfectly formed -and rather glamorous- Pavilion of Art & Design is back in London, with fifty of the most respected international dealers gathering on Berkeley Square from 13 to 17 October. Expect some iconic pieces from 1860 to the present in the fields of modern art, design, decorative arts, photography and tribal arts…

It is this time of the year again, when Frieze -London’s most famous art fair- brings together art lovers and collectors, in a frenzy of exhibitions, openings and parties. Of all the satellite events organised to coincide with Frieze, the Pavilion of Art & Design London (or “PAD”)- is one of the most successful, and has gone from strength to strength since its creation four years ago.

Founded by Frenchmen Patrick Perrin and Stéphane Custot, respectively based in Paris and London, PAD presents a historical panorama of covetable pieces from 1860 to the present, brought together by galleries from London, Paris, New York, Milan, Geneva, Barcelona, Brussels and Zurich. Small but perfectly formed, and with a relaxed atmosphere, it has the added bonus to be centrally located in Mayfair and sufficiently edited to be entirely browsed during the lunch pause. read more

After an ambitious £12 million restoration plan and two years of work onsite managed by English Heritage, the magnificent Chiswick House Gardens are back to their former glory, recovering the original vistas and design from decades of disrepair: a good reason to go and visit this historical place, which includes one of the most beautiful houses in London as well as 65 acres of gardens known as the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement.

Chiswick House -the first example of neo-Palladian design in England- was completed in 1729 by the third Earl of Burlington as an homage to Renaissance architect Palladio and as an evocation of the glories of Ancient Rome, taking inspiration from his “grand tours” of Italy. It was never conceived as a residence in its own right but rather as an architectural experiment where Lord Burlington could display his art collection and entertain his friends. However, it subsequently became home to successive members of Lord Burlington’s family, including the celebrated Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, often described as the “Lady Di” of her times (and played on screen by Keira Knightley in the film The Duchess). read more

This walk, set around a charming stately home converted into a free museum, has got to be one of the most romantic and scenic in London, which attracts lovers, dog walkers, young families and culture vultures, for its history, art and open air concerts.

Kenwood House in short:

Carnaby Street might be perceived -with good cause- as a bit of a tourist trap. Yet, the pedestrian shopping area, which celebrates this year its 50th anniversary as an independant fashion centre, remains an iconic destination for anyone interested in the Sixties, with its history currently celebrated in an exhibition about its status as the symbol of Swinging London.

A bit of History

In the 16th century, the Carnaby area was made of open fields used by the Court as a hunting ground. Because the huntsman used the cry “So-o” rather than “Tally-o”, the area became subsequently known as Soho Fields. Its boundaries were Oxford Street, running east to west, and Swallow Street, running north to south on the line of Regent Street, as well as a small lane to the east, which later became Kingly Street.

Following the plagues of the mid 17th century and the Great Fire of 1666, the pressure to build increased, with landlord Richard Tyler starting the development of the area by building a large house in 1683 called Karnaby House, followed by the first houses of Carnaby Street, which was laid out between 1685 and 1697, with its name derived from the house. Meanwhile, Major Foubert, a French Huguenot émigré, established the Royal Riding Foubert’s Academy on the south side of Tyler Street, now Foubert’s Place. A market was developped in the 1820s to provide the surrounding streets. read more

On the 4th, 5th and 6th of June, Polo in the Park returns to its historic home at Hurlingham Park, in Fulham, where the game was first played in 1874. And there is fun to be had for everyone, with international matches for the sporty types, entertainment for the kids and even an after party organised by legendary Saint-Tropez club Nikki Beach for the glam set.

The first weekend of June sees the return of MINT Polo in the Park in Fulham, one year after the inaugural event sold out to 25,000 spectators as polo returned after 70 years to its historic home at Hurlingham Park, where the game was first played in 1874.

With eight global teams confirmed including London, New York, Buenos Aires, Paris, Geneva, Moscow, Durban and Sydney, Polo in the Park will bring the cream of the world’s professional polo talent to London.

However, Polo in the Park has adapted the rules of the game to introduce a new format of high-octane polo, with the aim of not only introducing the adrenaline fuelled sport to a new city audience, but also of making it faster and more exciting. read more

Built in 1995 in North West London, on the way to Wembley stadium, the beautiful BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (“temple”) appears despite its grey suburban surroundings as one of the most exotic destinations in London, and an architectural marvel definitely worth the visit. read more

Set in the most elegant hotel in London and designed by fashion supremo John Galliano, this has to be the most magnificent Christmas tree of the season: a good reason if needed to go to Claridge’s Arts Deco lobby and have a look at the result of this collaboration, a first in the Mayfair hotel’s 112-year history.

“I love to visit Claridge’s when I am in London, particularly at this time of the year, and I hope to bring a twist to the traditional tree, says the very talented John Galliano, creative director of Christian Dior since 1996. I want to combine the festive with the innovative, the spirit of Dior with the beauty of Claridge’s, and create something spectacular that will inspire the perfect start to the season!” And spectacular it is indeed, with sparkling painted paper leaves and elegant orchids in silver, white and blue, touches of crystal giving the impression of the tree being frozen and marvelous tropical creatures replacing the traditional baubles. Definitely worth the visit… read more

You might have read Keats poems or seen Bright Star, the latest film by Jane Campion which retraces his love affair with Fanny Brawne. So why not go and visit the house where he wrote his Ode to a Nightingale and fall in love with his muse, before dying of tuberculosis at the age of 25.

John Keats

Born in London in 1795, Keats is one of the key figures of the Romantic Movement, along with Lord Byron and Shelley, and remains one of the most popular poets in England. Despite being born in a rather modest family (his father was an ostler) and becoming an orphan at the age of 14, he put himself through medical school, while starting writing poems at the age of 19. He began to visit Wentworth Place -as the house was then known- in 1817, and then came to lodge in the smaller half of the house with his friend Charles Brown from 1818 to 1820. It was in the house that Keats met and fell in love with Fanny Brawne, his “bright star”, who lived in the bigger part of the house with her family and to whom he got engaged. This is also where, in 1819, he wrote some of his most famous poems, including La Belle Dame sans Merci, Ode on a Grecian Urn and Ode to a Nightingale. After contracting tuberculosis, Keats was nursed here by the Brawne family, but John and Fanny broke up their engagement as his health worsened. He left for Italy in 1820, as he was advised to seek warmer climates to try to cure his consumption. He died in Rome in 1821, aged 25, and was buried in the Rome protestant cemetery, under a tombstone bearing only the legend “Here lies One Whose Name was writ in Water”. read more

The Rolling Stones, The Clash, Santana, Pink Floyd, REM -and more recently Damon Albarn, Coldplay and Lily Allen- have all rehearsed or performed at “The Tab”, one of London’s most iconic arts and music venues. Built in 1888 as a church, it was turned in the 1970s into a community centre, thus becoming the heart of the Notting Hill carnival. After its recent refurbishment, this symbol of multicultural London offers the public a program including music, theatre, literature and exhibitions, as well as arts schools, children’s puppet shows and a bar and restaurant… and its famous Christmas Portobello Panto! read more

The global private members’ club and concierge service has taken over the historic house in 1 Greek Street to transform it into a stylish not-for-profit charitable members’ lounge and events place until the end of December.

Why go there?

Freemasons Hall, in between Holborn and Covent Garden, is one of the finest Arts Deco building in England. The headquarters of the United Grand Lodge in England, which were built between 1927 and 1932 as a memorial to the freemasons who died during World War II, are fully open to the public.

A few things to know about Freemasons Hall

Few Frenchmen in London know more about films than Julien Planté. The former head of Programmes at Ciné-Lumière in South Kensington has become Operations Director and Head of Programmes of Cinémoi, the first and only UK TV channel dedicated to French cinema, launched in London last January. Here, he presents his selection of the Top Five movie theatres in London.

Ciné Lumière « This is my favourite movie theatre, not only because of its unparalleled selection of French movies, but also because it is a truly arty cinema, in the Parisian tradition, showing films that one wouldn’t normally find in the UK. On top of French new releases and classics, the management has chosen to concentrate on World cinema at its best, with a selection that includes a Spanish film festival and the Mosaiques festival, celebrating foreign directors from Africa and Asia.” 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 (South Kensington) read more

London is renowned for being one of the most haunted cities in the world, due to a rich history of gruesome beheadings, grisly murderers and street slayings. To celebrate Halloween this year, Chic-Londres -with the help of Visit London- is highlighting some of the spooky places you can visit near London’s underground stations.

Berkeley House

Nicknamed “The House of Horrors” for the number of scary stories attached to it, 50 Berkeley Square -nearby private club Annabel’s- is widely held as the most haunted house in London. It earned its title after a series of incidents in the 19thcentury, when a maid was driven to madness by apparitions and a gentleman died of fear after spending a night alone in the house. In 1887, two sailors broke in to spend the night there as a joke. After the apparition of a ghostly figure, one sailor escaped through the door, whilst the other impaled himself on railings below after jumping out the window. 50 Berkeley Square, W1 (Green Park) read more

The most glamorous and coolest international contemporary art fair in the world is back in Regent’s Park. For its seventh edition, it presents 165 of the world’s most exciting galleries and new work by over 1,000 artists. Chic-Londres had a preview on Wednesday 14th. read more