AboutLondon Laura – September 2022 Newsletter
September is going to be busy. It’s my favourite month to be in London as the city is less crowded than in August, the weather is generally still good and we have the Open House Festival. Did you book any visits when the site went live? There are always plenty of places you can go without pre-planning but I managed to get five bookings including ROOM by Antony Gormley (an inhabitable sculpture) at the Beaumont Hotel! As it costs over £1100 to stay for one night, this is the only way I’ll get to see inside.
Things To Read
In case you didn’t see it in my latest article list, here’s my Buckingham Palace Summer Opening report. My top tips for visiting the Palace include not rushing through the rooms. Step to the side and let others go past so you can soak up the splendour. And always get your ticket stamped at the exit (at the end of the gardens) so you can return again and again. Yes, your ticket becomes a 1-year pass, and yes, that does mean you can use it for the following year’s summer opening too!
Ightham Mote
This National Trust property in Kent is well worth a visit. It’s 700 years of history involves medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII, members of parliament, high-society Victorians and a generous American benefactor.
More To Read Next Month
Still to come is my explanation of Swan Upping and my article about Paycocke’s House (another National Trust property). I’m sure those will be published soon.
The London Annual 2023 (print magazine) has been keeping me busy and I have a few more research trips for further features.
What’s Planned?
I took your advice (thank you to everyone who sent messages) so I’ll be going to The Red House this week. Then there are the five Open House planned trips (and maybe more spontaneous visits too). The new Trafalgar Square Fourth Plinth artwork is unveiled this month and there’s a Lucian Freud exhibition at the National Gallery that I really want to see.
Final View
I’ll leave you with a recent photo taken at St Dunstan in the East garden in The City of London. It’s always a delight to visit and I got my timing just right as I needed to take new photos to accompany my feature in the London Annual.
