Other things

Hurlingham Park in Fulham: the birthplace of polo

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

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Neasden temple, the largest Hindu temple outside of India

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

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Christian Dior at Claridge’s: the chicest tree in town

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

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Keats House: the home of poet John Keats in Hampstead

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

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The Tabernacle, the heart of London’s pop culture… and Christmas panto

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

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Quintessentially Soho at the House of St Barnabas

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?

  • To have a glimpse at the revamped House of St Barnabas. Situated in the heart of Soho, the Grade 1 listed building -which has often been used for historic films shoots- dates back to 1746 and boasts an array of striking Georgian features, including one of only two private gardens in Soho and a historic private chapel. Acclaimed British designer Russell Sage has restored the house to its original glory, creating a distinctive and stylish environment, with a perfect mix of faded grandeur and witty English eccentric details.
  • To get the chance to be part of an exclusive private club -along VIP members Stephen Fry, Sophie Dahl, Lily Allen, Daisy Lowe and Mick Jagger- and to access a range of entertaining events including a Halloween party, carol concerts, films and DJ nights, cooking master classes, wine tastings, book signings, live music evenings, gala balls. The lounge is open from 11am till 11.30pm (12pm on Friday), with a restaurant serving lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, and an all day menu at the bar.
  • To do your bit for charity. Quintessentially Soho aims to raise funds for The Quintessentially Foundation, dedicated to improve the health, wellbeing and education of disadvantaged children, families and local communities worldwide, and for The House of St Barnabas,  a philanthropic institution dedicated to improving the futures of people in need. Between 1846 and 2006, the charity used the historic house as a shelter for homeless and abused women
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    Freemasons Hall, the English freemasons headquarters

    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

  • Freemasons Hall is the main meeting place for Masonic lodges in London. It houses 22 masonry temples, including the imposing Grand Temple (capacity: 1,700 seats), which can be visited five times per day. Its mosaic ceiling is decorated with masonry symbols and with the four cardinal virtues -Prudence, Restraint, Courage and Justice- as well as with the arms of Prince Arthur, the youngest son of Queen Victoria, Grand Master from 1901 to 1939.
  • The Freemasons Hall library which doubles up as a museum, is also open to the public, from Monday to Friday (10am until 5.00pm). The library stores a collection of masonry objects, such as pieces of furniture, clocks, jewellery, porcelain and currency, as well as items that belonged to famous English Freemasons, including Winston Churchill and the actor Peter Sellers.
  • Freemasons Hall is a favourite with production companies, who frequently use the space for video clips, television series or movies (notably Basic Instinct 2).  Freemasons Hall can also be hired for events such as film premieres (King Kong) and fashion shows (Julian MacDonald). The Grand Temple is also often used as a concert venue for its excellent acoustics.
    • read more

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    The Best of London Cinemas

    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 at the French Institute

    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

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    Haunted London: an exploration into the city’s grisly past at Halloween

    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.
    A “spooky” tube map designed by Visit London

    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

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    Frieze Art Fair 2009, Regents Park (15-18 October)

    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

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    Buckingham Palace: the State Rooms and the Royal Collection

    It is not every day that one can visit the working headquarters of the British monarchy. However, for the past nineteen years, while Her Majesty spends August and September at Balmoral in Scotland, the public has been able to access the state rooms, in which official functions and receptions take place. Don’t be put off by its touristy aspect, as this annual opening offers a unique occasion to have a glimpse inside one of the most recognisable buildings in the world and at the magnificent Royal collection, which includes paintings by Canaletto, Rembrandt and Rubens. read more

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    Notting Hill

    Oops! Sorry… You will have to practice your French on that one.
    Elgin Crescent, Ladbroke Square Garden

    Elgin Crescent, Ladbroke Square Garden

    Outings

    Idris “The Wire” Elba, from Golden Globe to DJ

    Chic-Londres is beyond excitement at the prospect of going to see 2012 Golden Globes best actor winner Idris Elba DJing at Kilburn’s Love & Liquor. And anyone who’s seen cult TV series The Wire -in which the plays Baltimore’s drug baron “Stringer” Bell- will understand why. And while we would be happy to endure one more “actor-turned-DJ”‘s bad set just for the sheer pleasure of partying with him, it appears that Elba -who recently starred in Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and has been tipped as the next James Bond- is actually a seasoned DJ, who started at the desks aged 14 and has since collaborated with the like of Jay-Z and Mumford & Sons. In short: his latest project 7 Wallace, a series of seven nights starting on 25 December when he is spinning at Love & Liquor every Friday until 15th March, is not to be missed…

    However popular his next roles might be -from the forthcoming Nelson Mandela to James Bond, for which he’s hotly tipped- Idris Elba (40) will forever be remembered by his legions of fans as Russell “Stringer” Bell, The Wire’s most charismatic character. For those unfortunate who still haven’t seen the cult American series, he plays a Baltimore’s drug baron turned business student, and one of the most compulsively attractive and multi-layered character ever created for the screen. This role has made him hot property, both in England and in Hollywood, where he’s won a Golden Globe Best Actor award in 2012 for his portrayal as a tortured detective in the award-winning BBC series Luther and has been voted one of the “100 most beautiful people in the world” by People Magazine. read more

    Outings

    Magic Night: Midwinter Ball at Kensington Palace

    At Chic-Londres, we love a good masquerade party, especially when it comes with some eerie Victorian psychic reading and festive tunes. So the prospect of a costumed ball organised in the majestic setting of Kensington Palace’s Orangery can only appeal. Once home of the most lavish court entertainment, the 18th century building will be transformed for one night only into an icy winter wonderland, with some fun acts provided by magicians, dancers and a 13-piece brass band. read more

    Outings

    Mexican Halloween: Day of the Dead Comes to London

    It isn’t as gloomy as it sounds. Really… The Day of the Dead festival -the Mexican equivalent to Halloween- is actually a colourful, vibrant celebration of lost, loved ones -whose spirits come to visit to enjoy food and music- rather than some ghoulish festival. So for those who are getting a bit over pumpkins, that’s a very attractive alternative, especially when it comes with tasy food and cocktails, some interesting arts and nightly concerts from the brilliant Rodrigo y Gabriela (who also performed for the Obamas at the White House, no less). The acoustic guitarists will bring their own instrumental blend of metal, jazz and world music to the four-day festival.

    Chic-Londres saw Rodrigo y Gabriela, the rising stars of acoustic guitar, when they were headlining the wonderful Wilderness festival last August. And they are absolutely brilliant (and so does think Barack Obama, who got them to play at the White House)… So going to the four-day festival of music, food, art and film hosted by Mexican restaurants Wahaca, headed by TV celebrity chef Thomasina Miers, at The Old Vic Tunnels would be justified if only to listen to their uniqueinstrumental fusion style, blending metal, electronica and jazz. But there is more to be enjoyed, with the Old Vic Tunnels being  transformed into a little piece of Mexico, with Wahaca’s temporary street kitchen and mezcalaria bar, an exhibition of work by highly acclaimed Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide, work by the eminent Mexican artist Dr Lakra, screening of Mexican classic Santa Sangre with performance of a new live score by the Cabinet of Living Cinema and late night revelry with Communion DJs. In addition to the night time shows, Saturday 3 November, families will be able to attend an array of traditional Day of the Dead children’s workshops on Saturday 3 November, with morning and afternoon sessions including storytelling and sugar skulls paintings. read more

    Outings

    September Parties! Dîner en Blanc, Retrospective and Paradise

    Nothing like a good party to beat the back to school/back to work/end of Olympics September blues… So no matter if the suntan is fading and the days are getting shorter, there is always something to celebrate. Here is a small selection of outings that Chic-Londres recommends…

    Retrospective, the Vintage Fashion Show and Party on Saturday 15th I do have a very soft spot for the Bourne & Hollingworth parties (Blitz, Prohibition, Belle Epoque, Chap Olympiad and Wyndstock) -the frocks, the bands, the sets, the cocktails…- which never disappoint. So I’m really looking forward to Retrospective, their new offering, organised in collaboration with some of the best vintage experts in London. There will be a fashion show with beautiful one-off pieces from the world’s finest design houses (Givenchy, Ossie Clark, Chanel, Dior and the like), as well as floorshows capturing the key moments in fashion history, with live re-enactments by performers of some iconic fashion events, from flapper flash mobs to Studio 54 dancers on horseback, plous DJs and cocktails. As usual, guests are expected to dress up and don their finest vintage attire, be it their granny’s Vionnet debutante dress or that funny little psychedelic number found on Portobello. www.fashionretrospective.com read more

    Outings

    Top of the Pop: the Best Pop Up Clubs to Party in Olympic Style

    For those wishing to enjoy the Olympics’ atmosphere while indulging in a bit of private members clubs’ luxury, the Fringe and Fish Island Riviera should prove just perfect. Both situated at 100 metres from the Olympic stadium -so great for a prime view of the ceremonies’ fireworks on 27th July and 12th August- those pop up members’ clubs bring the glam factor to Stratford, with their plush cocktails bars, gourmet restaurants, top design, DJ parties, yachts marinas… and even a beach. The East End has never been so chic!

    The Fringe 2012: Luxury Warehouse and Top DJS Located in a beautiful Victorian four storey building by the river at Swan Wharf, it overlooks the main Olympic Stadium and is just a 100 metres walk from the Olympic Park. Totally refurbished to top standards, those former stables boast an eclectic mix of high-end, vintage and bespoke furniture, fittings and lighting, with crystal chandeliers by Baccarat, contemporary furniture by Vitra and art exhibitions by Tim Flach and Charlotte Cory. The venue will serve as an all day and all night retreat from 9am offering food, cocktails and coffee lounges with LCD screens broadcasting Olympic events, while access to a 800 square metres courtyard will allow guests to watch the Games in a giant screen, with the spectators’ cheers in the stadium as a background sound. For party animals, there will be live DJ sets in the evenings until 2am, with the Dixon Brothers, Dom Chung, Norman Jay and Jazzie B & the SoulIISoul Sound System. Bring on the party! www.thefringe2012.com (tickets from £35 for the evening and £75 for the day with one meal and three drinks) read more

    Outings

    HP Live Series at the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park this Weekend

    With dozens of concerts over three days and four stages and a line up that includes big names like Rihanna, Jessie J, Drake, Rizzle Kicks, Rita Ora, Calvin Harris, Pitbull, etc., the Barclaycard Wireless Festival in Hyde Park remains the best music festival in London. For those who want to go but wouldn’t mind to escape the crowd of tenths of thousands but a more intimate experience, here is a good tip: HP is holding a series of exclusive live, with acoustic performances by the likes of Ms Dynamite, Labrinth, StooShe and Chiddy Bang to an audience of just 80 lucky fans. Cool or what?

    What to expect ? There will be a series of intimate gigs taking place across the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, performed by big names like Miss Dynamite or Labrinth as well as talented up-and-comers StooShe or Josh Osho, for an audience of only 80 people. Wannabe popstars will also be able to test their skills thanks to a video karaoke booth with a festival backdrop and karaoke versions of some of the headliner’s top tunes. Fun!

    How to get tickets ? The HP Live Series acoustic gigs are open to those fans already attending Barclaycard Wireless Festival 2012. Attendance to any of the special performances is managed on a guest-list basis – fans can pre-register for a place on the list by emailing the name of the artist whose session they would like to attend to [email protected] or registering on site with the HP promotional staff read more

    Outings

    This Weekend: the Holiday Summer Camp at the Old Vic Tunnels

    For those who want to unleash their inner child -and still have a penchant for a bit of candy floss or naughty mischief- the fun-filled Old Vic Tunnels holiday camp should prove just perfect. Back for the second time, after a sell-out success last Easter, this rather quirky event -part of the Veuve Clicquot Season- will mix some (kind-of) sporty camp activities with some more mischievous ones- such as an adult Punch & Judy show and a school disco with no 9pm curfew. Bring it on.


    Ah! To be a kid again, playing silly games, having a first crush, stuffing ourselves with candy floss and ice cream, but with no parent or carer to tell us what to do, no early bedtime curfew and a few jugs of Pimm’s thrown in… That sounds rather good, doesn’t it?

    If you find such a prospect tempting,  the cavernous -but oh so versatile- tunnels under Waterloo station will get transformed from tonight until Sunday into a holiday camp, with indoor crazy golf, badminton and basketball courts, a ping-pong table, a bouncy castle, trampolines and some wet sponge throwing- amongst other activities. read more

    Outings

    This Friday: Veuve Clicquot Party at the Hurlingham

    The supremely elegant Hurlingham Club -a favourite of the Royals and Ladies Who Lunch- is more used to host chic garden parties than flamenco and electro nights… until this Friday, when its grounds will be turned into a hedonistic party place. To launch the Season, and coinciding with the MINT Polo in the Park tournament this weekend, Veuve Clicquot is organizing a summer party which should rock the club’s manicured lawns.

    What It will be a proper party, with a live performance by very cool guitarist Jackson Scott and his gipsy-influenced band Mano de Dios, followed by sets from (much in demand) DJ Hugo Heathcote, Isaac Ferry and Sunday Girl- so expect plenty of dancing, from flamenco to electro to pop. There will be chill out areas in the gardens and of course lots of champagne. Oh… and it will double up as the polo players’ party for MINT Polo in the Park so it will be eye candy galore for the ladies.

    Who With an organising committee that reads like the pages of Tatler, the party should definitely attract a well connected crowd. Think dashing young aristos -Quintessentially’s founder Ben Elliot, triple-barrelled millionaire Jacobi Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, Prince William’s ex Rose Farquhar-, shoe designer Beatrix Ong and up-and-coming actress Olivia Grant, socialites Donna Air and Clare Milford-Haven… and plenty of “sons and daughters of ” such as Tyrone Wood,  Lydia Forte and Isaac Ferry. read more