Londonist partner content: bringing you the best events, offers and more around the city.
A guide to London’s oldest bits
Like any major metropolis, London changes rapidly. Buildings are torn down, neighbourhoods spring up, and nothing holds the mantle of “London’s newest” for long. But this is also a city that treasures its long and storied history, with structures, streets and institutions dating back centuries.
The capital also lays claim to a few of the world’s oldest surviving things. There’s the world’s oldest hatters in St James’s, the world’s oldest model railway club in King’s Cross and (arguably) the world’s oldest council estate in Bethnal Green. You can even find the world’s oldest known map here — though you won’t find London on it, given that it was chiselled on another continent, around 2,500 years ago…
Want to beef up your graphic design skills, try your hand at animation, or learn the art of printmaking? These and many other creative skills are taught at City Lit, the adult education college in Covent Garden. A free Visual Arts Open Day on 10 May provides tasters and a chance to see what you could be learning.
Discover exquisite illustrations al fresco this spring, at London’s oldest botanic garden. Chelsea Physic Garden has unveiled Botanica in Bloom: an installation featuring 30 works by the Florilegium Society, which has recorded the garden’s plant collection for the past 30 years. An art-themed garden guide is available for just £2, if you fancy further enhancing your visit.
Feast on southern Ukrainian specialities in aid of a fantastic cause later this month. Mriya — an Earl’s Court neo-bistro staffed by refugees — welcomes guest chef Nika Lozovska for an ‘Awakening’ dinner on 23 April. Paired wines and a vodka cocktail are included in the ticket price, and all proceeds go to Legacy of War Foundation,
Lock up your dogs… Cruella de Vil is coming to London! 101 Dalmatians — The Musical scampers into Eventim Apollo this July, just in time for the school holidays. This new, family-friendly stage show features singing, dancing, spectacular puppetry and even some actual puppies.
The ultimate destination for booze and ball games has landed in London and, to celebrate its launch, you've got the chance to win £500 to spend on an evening out in it. Roxy Ball Room, which launches later this week, brings the playground to the bar, serving up a dizzying array of activities alongside great cocktails and indie/rock bangers.
Now Play This returns to Somerset House. Image: Ben Peter Catchpole
Glitzy new exhibitions, live jazz and festivals on everything from tulips to video games — there’s loads of good stuff still to come this month in London. Click below to browse the cream of the crop.
