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London is vibrant, boisterous, culturally diverse and rife with character. From grand architecture and cobbled backstreets to hip new enclaves and vast expanses of green, the city offers an astonishing variety. Beyond its storied buildings and historic surroundings, it’s a hive of activity with high-class art exhibitions and cutting-edge theater being offered around every bend. There is no shortage of concerts, comedy and culture—not to mention superlative hotels—that are not to be missed:
Listen To Letters Live With Benedict Cumberbatch
Inspired by Shaun Usher’s international bestselling Letters of Note series and Simon Garfield’s To the Letter, Letters Live which was first performed in December 2013, as a celebration of the written word. Ever since, each year, a powerhouse of performers assemble, reading letters from around the world and through the ages. This October 3, Hollywood leading man Benedict Cumberbatch is bringing Letters Live to the Royal Albert Hall. Previous shows have included Ian McKellen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Caitlin Moran, Tom Hiddleston, Sally Hawkins, Stephen Fry, Jude Law, Olivia Colman, Nick Cave, and Sir Ben Kingsley.
Learn With Neil DeGrasse Tyson At The Eventim Apollo
Science savant Neil DeGrasse Tyson will be bringing the house down at the Eventim Apollo on October 30. America’s preeminent scientist and astrophysicist, DeGrasse Tyson has built a name for himself thanks to his winning ability to explain even the most complex and esoteric theories and concepts in a clear and accessible manner.
Laugh With Tom Segura At The Eventim Apollo
Also at the Eventim Apollo but of an entirely different ilk, the side-splitting comedy of American actor and comedian Tom Segura. After all, they say laughter is the best medicine and if that’s the case then Segura is sure to have some serious healing powers. Touring across the UK, Segura will be stopping in Hammersmith on October 31st. Following his hugely successful Netflix specials Disgraceful (2018), Mostly Stories (2016), and Completely Normal (2014), Segura has quickly positioned himself as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand funnymen.
Put Your Feet Up At The Brook Green Hotel
The Brook Green Hotel, a welcoming pub and hotel, has stood on the Western corner of the green since 1886 and proves an ideal location to round-off a visit to the Apollo. A relaxed and inviting place to rest one’s head, with its 17 individually designed bedrooms and classic interiors, it’s a neighborhood staple. Downstairs guests will find a high-ceilinged pub restaurant serving traditional English fare from its open-kitchen. And don’t overlook the underground cocktail bar.
Be Inspired By Gisèle Vienne At Sadler’s Wells
The world of ballet and dance can seem rather impenetrable at times, but this new contemporary show at Sadler’s Wells is seeking to smash expectations and subvert the norm. Harnessing the physicality of the rave scene, Gisèle Vienne on October 8 and 9 includes an explosive mix of dance, philosophy and puppeteering, all set against a walloping contemporary soundtrack .
Find Yourself Awestruck Watching Touching The Void At The Duke Of York Theatre
Theater doesn’t get much more harrowing than this. Transferring to London after its sold-out run at the Bristol Old Vic, Touching The Void is a charged adaptation of Joe Simpson’s memoir, recalling a period in the Peruvian Andes in 1985, where two climbers (Simpson and his friend Simon Yates) were stranded on the side of a mountain and had to make impossible choices to survive. Opening on November 9 at the Duke of York Theatre, seats to see this epic adventure are selling out fast.
Rest Up At The Covent Garden Hotel
And as the curtain comes down, the Covent Garden Hotel is only a few minute’s walk away. A Firmdale Group property, all the interiors have been lovingly designed by Kit Kemp, who plucks the most extraordinary and unusual paraphernalia from around the world and manages to invoke an altogether exquisite aesthetic throughout. In addition to the 58 rooms and suites, there is also a sleek cinema and an excellent brasserie restaurant that is always abuzz.
Check Out The New Biltmore Hotel
London never sits still for long and Mayfair is on track for yet another new hotel to open its doors. This September, The Biltmore arrives with its 257 high-spec and opulent rooms and 51 highly sought-after suites. The location hits the bullseye, moments from Bond Street, Hyde Park and Green Park, it’s truly in the center of the excitement. Inside, all the food and beverage services are overseen by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton and the hotel’s all-day restaurant The Betterment is set to scintillate taste buds with its open grill, wood-fired fish and plant-based delights.
One thing is for certain in this city of old and new, there’s no chance of ever getting bored.
