London Travel

The latest exhibition at the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace looks at fashion and style in the 16th and 17th centuries. There are over 60 portraits on display plus other objects to compliment the exhibition such as a lace collar than may have belonged to Charles I and a palace account book for Queen Mary II showing how much she spent on contemporary fashions. Find out more with my review of In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion.

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• Royal London
• Guards Museum
• The Household Cavalry Museum

Image: © Laura Porter | London Travel Blog

Ever found yourself stuck near to King's Cross station with no idea where to get something to eat other than a pre-packaged sandwich from a newsagent in the station? With the ongoing improvements in the area foodies are being catered for and there are lots of recommended places to eat near to King's Cross and St Pancras stations. Here's my list of Where To Eat in King's Cross and you can add your ideas too.

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• King's Cross Free Tours

The Mind Body Spirit Festival is on from 24 to 27 May 2013 which includes a bank holiday Monday. This is the 37th anniversary of the event that covers healing, meditation, yoga, and all forms of holistic living.

It's the longest running event of its kind in the world, and challenges the way the public approach their health and happiness, bringing together curious, open-minded people with cutting-edge alternative practitioners. The workshops are one of the most popular attractions of the festival because they are all hosted by the world's most inspirational and best selling authors, teachers or well-being experts. Find out more...

London has no shortage of designer clothes shops but we also have secret places where you can buy the top of the range clothes at greatly reduced prices. Hackney in east London has quite a few of these fashion factory outlets but there are others in central London and across town. The London Fashion Factory Shops list will help you grab a bargain.

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• Clothing Size Conversion Charts

Image: © D. Brouet | London Travel Blog

Kensington Roof Gardens is London's equivalent of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

In the unlikely location 100ft above street level, on top of a department store building in the busy Kensington shopping area, you'll find a tranquil garden planted in the 1930s. It includes a Spanish garden, a Tudor garden, an English woodland garden and resident flamingos! Two more flamingos are joining Bill & Ben and Splosh & Becks in 2013 and you can visit them for free.

Later in the summer Alice in Wonderland and Romeo and Juliet will be performed within the picturesque Tudor Gardens. Tickets are priced at £65pp for adults and £40 per child which both include the play and either a BBQ or hog roast. Find out more and book tickets.

• Kensington Roof Gardens Photos
• Kensington Roof Gardens Information
• Babylon Restaurant
• Kensington Palace Visitor Guide

Image: © Bryce Edwards

This luxury design hotel is on the site of the original home of BBC Radio and the 10th floor Radio Bar is already proven to be very popular for its great views, cocktails and Champagne.

ME London has been fully designed by Foster + Partners who used the triangular footprint to create a central pyramid reaching up from the first floor to the Radio Bar on the roof. The black corridor walls won't be to everyone's taste but the fashionistas are already making good use of this five star hotel which only opened in March 2013. Find out more...

• See more London Luxury Hotels

Image: © Laura Porter

Established in 1932, the Open Air Theatre Regent's Park is the only fully professional, permanent outdoor theater in Britain. Its steeply raked auditorium is one of the largest in London with 1,240 seats, yet many say it feels much more intimate than any other theater.

Open Air Theatre Regent's Park in London has theatre, comedy, music and more for its 2013 summer season. Find out more...

• A Midsummer Night's Dream Review (2008)
• A Midsummer Night's Dream Photos
• Regent's Park Photos

Image: © Alastair Muir | London Travel Blog

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show starts on 21 May 2013. The first two days are for RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) members only but 23-25 May is for everyone. Tickets must be bought in advance as there are no tickets available on the gate. Prices vary depending on the time of day you plan to visit; for example prices are highest if you plan to arrive at the start of the day (8am) and leave at the end (8pm).

2013 is the 100th anniversary of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It has been held in the grounds of the Chelsea Royal Hospital since 1913. Of the firms that exhibited at the first show in 1913, two still return every year: McBean's Orchids, and Blackmore and Langdon.

For all the details you will need to plan your trip, including some really useful visiting tips, have a look at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Visitor Information.

• RHS Chelsea Flower Show Photos
• May Events in London

Image: © Laura Porter | London Travel Blog

This year's May Fayre is on 12 May 2013 at St Paul's Church, Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London WC2. The day starts with a Grand Procession at 11am led by the Superior Brass Band, followed by the Special Church Service at midday, and Punch & Judy performances until 5.30pm.

It's an annual celebration of the art of puppetry with Punch and Judy Professors from all over the country commemorating the first sighting of Mr Punch in England by Samuel Pepys in 1662. Find out more... (official website)

• May Annual Events in London

Image: © Mr Push (Creative Commons Some Rights Reserved) | London Travel Blog

Following on from the great success of Matilda the Musical another Roald Dahl classic is coming to the West End very soon. Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a well-loved book and two films but it's opening as a West End musical, directed by Sam Mendes, in June 2013 (previews from 17 May).

Olivier and Tony Award®-winning actor Douglas Hodge plays Willy Wonka and Peter Darling, who worked on Matilda and Billy Elliot, is the choreographer. The stage production will have Charlie's home and portray the family's poverty and then contrast that with the luminescent wonderful world inside Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

To make sure you've got a golden ticket (although it's not been confirmed the tickets will actually be gold but you now what I mean) book online at: www.CharlieandtheChocolateFactory.com. The show opens at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 25 June 2013.

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• How To Get Cheap London Theatre Tickets