Barnes Film Festival, London - Celebrating both art and film

London is a venue for various events celebrating both art and film. One such 

event is Barnes Film Festival (BFF), which will take place on the 28th, 29th and 30th of September this year.

The website of Barnes Film Festival showcases a feature film by Liam Harris 

entitled Perched. This feature won 1st place in Harris’ age category in BFF 2016 and since then garnered honor from 18 other film festivals worldwide. Barnes paved the way for his career in film production when Harris showcased his feature there. Consider booking a stay at Hotel Gower Street London to 

ensure that you will be able to make the most out of your visit.

On its third year, Barnes Film Festival continues its mission to celebrate the work of up-and-coming filmmakers. BFF 2018 focuses on first time (or debut) films. 

Leading figures in film production who support this festival include 

Emmy award-winning Stanley Tucci, Ophelia (2018) actor George MacKay, writer/producer Steve Moffat, TV producer Sue Vertue and 

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016) actress Lauren McCrostie.

You can also read:

 The Best Spots For Outdoor Cinemas in London This Summer

There will be outdoor screenings, filmmaking workshops and discussions on 

various aspects of film mostly focusing on first-time production. Despite its name, Barnes Film Festival does not restrict participation to Barnes locals. All UK residents are welcome to enter this festival.

The highlight of the festival is its Youth Filmmaking Competition. If you’re a 

young filmmaker (under 25 years), it’s a good opportunity to show your work to fellow film enthusiasts and industry experts who can critique it. There are 9 categories which include fiction, documentary and animation for different age groups and deadline of submissions is 1st September 2018. You can book any of the hotels in Covent Garden London and grab the opportunity to watch this exciting show.

So far, only an outdoor screening of The Greatest Showman (2017) at the 

Harrodian School on Lonsdale road (London SW13 9QN, UK) is posted on the 

festival schedule. Tickets are available at £7.50 - £35.00. For booking tickets and more information regarding the festival, check out their website.

Barnes Film Festival engages continued interest in movies and promotes London as film capital of the UK. You may enjoy more independently-produced films and even find your next favorite flick here.

Flower Fairies: Botanical Magic at The Garden Museum

The flowers fairies and the elves first emerged from the imagination of Cicely Mary Barker in 1918. Since then, it has captivated people all over the world.

Fall in love again with these magical creatures in the play set at the Garden Museum in London. This beautiful setting is in London’s South Bank, at the Lambeth Palace Road. This is just about 20 minutes away via the public transport when staying at hotels near Covent Garden London United Kingdom.

This exhibition is based on the popular Cottingley fairy photographs. These photographs were first published in an article on The Strand by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Some of the most captivating characters will be on display at the Garden Museum from 8th August to 30th September 2018. These characters will be showcased in the most captivating setting.

Among the most notable pieces in the exhibition are rare postcards. One such example is the 1918 rare set of Elves and Fairies postcards. The preparatory sketches of the famous Jack-go-to-Bed at noon, Alder Fairy and White Bindweed Fairy will also be on display.

The exhibition will include all of the original artwork from the 8 books of Cicely Mary Barkers Flower Fairies series. Unseen drawings and sketches of this amazingly talented artist will also be on display for the first time. Some of the research materials used by Barker’s in the books will be shown as well. Included will be drawings from the archive of Frederick Warne, a Penguin Random House imprint.

It is not just the magical, beautiful fairies that are worth looking at in this exhibit. The drawings also include botanically accurate drawings of plants, giving the pictures greater appeal. All these elements make Cicely Mary Barker’s drawings totally unique and magnificently captivating.

The avid gardener will surely enjoy this exhibit. For younger visitors, the exhibit will also include an exciting activity. They will get the chance to dress up as their favorite fairy characters.

Around the bed and breakfast in Gower Street you can find good public transport stations to get to the Garden Museum easily to see the Flower Fairies.

Kyoto Garden – A Glimpse of Japan Inside Holland Park

If dancing and partying in noisy clubs is not your scene, you might want to consider exploring the different gorgeous parks and greeneries scattered around London. Park strolls give a certain calmness and tranquility – a perfect escape to get some peace and quiet.

London offers a number of parks, gardens, and green spaces for tourists and locals to visit. The historic Holland Park is one of London’s finest parks and not too far from the hotels near Covent Garden London. In spite of its smaller area, Holland Park is charming in its own ways.

It houses a uniquely designed Japanese-style garden: the Kyoto Garden. The garden was opened to public in 1991 during the Japan Festival. It was Kyoto’s gift to the city of London as a symbol of the long-standing friendship of the two nations. The Kyoto Garden gives a glimpse of Japanese culture in an English setting. Each detail and element of the garden resembles authentic Japanese gardens. Stone lanterns, koi cars swimming around clear water of the pond, bridge near the waterfall, and the tiered waterfalls will transport you to Japan without having to leave London. It was designed specifically to bring Japan right in the middle of London. It is the perfect landscape for you to lighten your mood, relax, reflect, and keep your worries away.

Kyoto Garden is great for solo reflective strolls. It is also family and kid-friendly. The large playing field located next to the garden will keep the kids occupied while you meditate or read your favorite book in peace. It is also perfect for playing sports, exercising, and spending the day under the sun. Beautiful wildflowers and various Japanese monuments adorn the garden.

You can book your stay at any of the Oxford Street hotels, which is a 15-minute drive going to the Kyoto Garden at Holland Park, and be mesmerized by the garden’s beauty.

Top Arcades in Central London

When someone wants to visit the City of London, people typically search the internet or ask friends who have been there before to know the good places to see. Online sites usually list places like the Warner Brothers Studio, the Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London or the Coca-Cola London Eye as the most known areas around London.

But the capital of the United Kingdom has much more to offer than museums, theatres, or parks. For old school gamers who want to satisfy their gaming needs while a resident at hotels near Bloomsbury Street London, there are two arcades for the best retro games experience.

Namco Funscape London

One of the most popular arcades in Central London is the Namco Funscape. It is also the largest, if not the most famous. The game house is located adjacent to the Westminster Bridge and near the London Dungeon and Coca-Cola London Eye. It offers an extensive variety of entertainments under one roof.  This place not only caters the casual gamers but also groups for corporate events.

Aside from the typical video games and simulator machines that arcades normally have, Namco Funscape adds other amenities to add diversity for its on-goers. One of its main attractions is the Escape Room, where six people will look for clues and solve puzzles under thirteen minutes to be able to leave the room.

The place also set up professional ping pong tables and full-sized American pool tables. They also furnish Bumper cars that kids of all ages will surely love.

The Vault is another featured attraction that emulates a scene from Mission Impossible where you avoid green lasers while trying to get out of the place.

Las Vegas Arcade Soho

Located in 89-91 Wardour Street in Central London, Las Vegas Arcade is an amusement arcade near the Chinatown in Soho. The place is known for its many popular and some rare Asian import games.

For the musically inclined or those who just want to groove to the beat, the arcade also offers music games like Pump It Up and Guitar Hero. Racing games such as Initial D and Dead Heat are preferred choices for race enthusiasts. For shooting games, they offer the classics, Time Crisis and House of the Dead to name a few.

Las Vegas Arcade Soho also offers PS4 games converted to arcade cabinets. Versus Fighting titles like the iconic Street Fighters, King of Fighters and Marvel Vs Capcom are the most popular. For people tired of staring at the screen, ice hockey and snooker tables are also available.

In addition, there are a lot of destinations to stop by in London when you are on vacation with your family. The Gower bed and breakfast accommodation is definitely a place to stay if you want to explore capital’s most popular destinations.

A Buddhist Taste of London

With its gorgeous attractions, fabulous shopping experience, awesome museums, unique art galleries, and excellent restaurants, London beckons to you. And you are thinking that you just might spend your vacation this year in this wondrous place. And yet you are having second thoughts; you are saying to yourself, “I’ve known all these things before.”

But London has more to offer than the usual sights, sounds, and pleasures. Not far away from Gower Street house bed and breakfast is the London Buddhist Centre, where you can find some special ways to relax and unwind.

Many people in the West, including those in London, have embraced Buddhism, and the London Buddhist Centre (LBC) is one of the largest urban centres of this religion in the West. It opened in 1978 and is run by the Triratna Buddhist Community; its Victorian building now a landmark in London’s East End.

Many Buddhists now live and work in the vicinity of this centre, which has come to be known as a Buddhist village. LBC itself is involved in outreaches and in a communities’ organization called London Citizens, and thereby became a major influence in promoting Buddhist beliefs in the city and nearby places.

LBC is open to the public, with no expectation of commitment, and it teaches Buddhism in a way that has meaning to modern life. The atmosphere it generates is one of strong community and friendship. Two Buddhist practices in particular that have gained popularity among many people are meditation and yoga. Mindfulness is also taught — for mental health and well-being — and it is found to be especially helpful in controlling depression, anxiety, and stress.

Meditation is a way for you to free your mind of worries and to gain focus, resulting in a happier life. (And it is practiced not just by Buddhists, but also by followers of other religions.) The concentration here is on breathing, and mindfulness also comes into play.

Yoga, on the other hand, is the age-old art of stretching that not only develops your physical strength and flexibility, but it also calms your mind and emotions. It is a very good way to relieve stress.

Aside from meditation, mindfulness, and yoga classes, LBC also offers Buddhism classes for those who want to know more about it, and with a focus on learning how to work with your own mind. With the help of an experienced teacher, one can go deeper in his learning and develop strong friendships with the other students.

And for those who want to experience more freedom from the troubles of life, LBC offers special retreats. In them you can learn more about Buddhism, find rest, be inspired, and meet new friends. Such retreats can be life-changing.

So, have you finally decided to visit London? If you have, then simply book in one of hotels near Bloomsbury Street London and try joining one of these classes offered by the London Buddhist Centre. It can change your life.

Cycle Away in London’s Parks

Having a tough time finding a new hobby or an easy but fun way to get fit? Whether or not you want to get fit or just go around town, cycling is one of the best ways to get a cardio workout and at the same time, it lets you enjoy going around town at your own pace. In fact, choosing to cycle around town can also help reduce your carbon footprint.

It’s convenient to go cycling even when you don’t own a bike. Renting bicycles that require the use of credit or debit cards are now an option for those who don’t have their own bikes. It’s also convenient to drop off these bikes, as you don’t have to return them where you picked them up.

Although London’s streets are not really the best places to go cycling, there are other options that you can choose among London’s cycling friendly parks.

Being at Bloomsbury makes it easier for you to get to one park to another. If you’re looking at hotels near Bloomsbury London UK, the Regency House Hotel is highly recommended.

The fastest way to get to the park is riding the tube, which is just a short walk away from the Regency House Hotel. Although, picking up a bicycle along the way might just be a better option than taking the tube. From Gower Street, you can easily get to the cycling friendly parks around London.

Book a stay at any of the hotels Gower Street London and visit Victoria Park, one of London’s oldest parks and is one of the cycling friendly parks within the city. Although the park allows people to cycle around its 212-acre area, cyclists should also be considerate towards the safety of other park users.

One of London’s hidden cycling places is Battersea Park. This park is along the south of the River Thames and has a very relaxing pathway around its edges. There other things to do in this park apart from cycling such as tennis, playing football as well as visiting a small children’s zoo.

Among London’s eight royal parks, Hyde Park is probably the only one that encourages everyone to go cycling within their 350-acre area. This is an ideal spot to get some fresh air and enjoy the scenery while cycling, since this park has a cycling route. Here, anyone can just cycle at their own pace and is perfect for the whole family, including those with younger children.

The Best Places to do Picnic in London

Going on a picnic helps you bond and spend time with your family. It relieves stress and helps you connect with nature. Here’s a list of the best places to picnic near Regency House Hotel London:

1.   The Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden

This beautiful Japanese-inspired garden is located near the Oxford Street hotels. It’s beautiful and serene, and is definitely one of the best places to picnic in the Kensington. This lovely park has stunning landscapes and relaxing vibe. You would find a man-made mini falls and a bunch of bonsais. You can find a number of colorful peacocks walking around the area, too.

The Kyoto Garden is a great place for a picnic, but it’s a good place to meditate as well. It’s the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

2.   Hyde Park

This park is also located in the Kensington. It’s a great place to picnic and have fun under the sun. It’s located at the heart of London. This park is not just for picnics, you can also go to the Speaker’s corner to hear debates of public speeches. You can also go to the Rose Garden to see the most fascinating rose flowers. Lastly, you can reminisce Princess Diana’s remarkable life by visiting the Diana Memorial Fountain.

3.   Primrose Hill

The scenic Primrose Hill is located at the northern part of the Regent’s Park. This hill gives you a good view of the central London. It’s also just a few minutes away from The Marylebone and near the Buckingham Palace. Talk about good location.

4.   Lincoln’s Inn Fields

This is the biggest public square in London and a few minutes from Bloomsbury. So, if you’re staying in one of the aparthotels in the area, it’s a good idea to head out to this amazing public picnic area. Don’t forget to bring your blanket, hamper, pillows, picnic basket, and lots of baked goods. You can play tennis in the area, too.

5.   Inner Temple Garden

This is located in Central London. It’s huge – about three acres. The garden is filled with lovely flowers – catmint, Lady’s mantle, calamintha, dahlias, alliums, asters, salvias, cosmos, and zinnias. It’s also the home of hundreds of sparrows and other small birds. The garden is surrounded by luxurious Georgian buildings that appeared on Downtown Abbey.
London is filled with skyscrapers and metros. But, it also has a fair share of relaxing parks where you could play ball games, hang out, read a book, or simply have a picnic with the people who mean the world to you.