Be Creative with your Summer in London
When you run your own creative business, work for a creative or tech start-up, or are making your mark in the tough creative industries – it can be difficult to take time off, let alone a holiday. But even creatives need some down time. If you’re planning to stay in the city this summer we’ve got you covered with days out that are so creative there’s no need to feel guilty -in fact you could call it “research and development!”
Weird and Wonderful Exhibitions guaranteed to inspire…
Dennis Severs’ House
Visitors are immersed in a ‘still life drama’ as if they had travelled into a painting, at this beautiful time capsule attraction. A tour through ten rooms of this original Huguenot house recreate snapshots of life in Spitalfields bewtwenn 1724 and 1914. This unique form of theatre takes the visitor through the cellar, kitchen, dining room, smoking room and upstairs to the bedrooms. Each lit by fire and candlelight, walking silently, your senses are stimulated. This attraction provides the visitor with a rare moment to become lost in another time.
God’s Own Junkyard
Tucked away in a salvage yard in Walthamstow, neon is the word. Showcasing neon artist Chris Bracey’s personal collection of work including salvaged signs, vintage neons and old movie props. Chris has been a neon man for 37 years and has created pieces for the movies, Eyes Wide Shut, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Batman, to name a few. The collection also includes neon art made from found objects, fairground and circus lighting and Led and cold cathode luxury products. With a cafe onsite, the visitor has all they need to while away a few hours in neon land.
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The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural History
Claiming to be ‘the country’s only curiosity museum’ this curiosity shop will have the visitor perpexed and delighted at the same time. The displays include everything that has glittered and caught the eye of it’s founder. From rare natural and scientific worlds to intriguing beauty, from the mad and wonderous to the banal and amusing. This museum is full of oddities that seek to encourage creative curiosity.
[/greybg]House of Dreams
In a magical hideaway in East Dulwich, artist Stephen Wright is in the process of creating an ‘outside art’ museum within his home and garden. Every available surface inside and outside has been covered with found objects; what might be trash to some becomes treasure in the House of Dreams. Hand written memory boards recalling inportant life events add to the expereince which can be visited only a few days a year.
Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power
Timeout says it all;
‘The Tate’s summer blockbuster exhibition looks set to flip the idea of ‘black art’ on its head, tracing an underlooked 20-year period of creative innovation among African-American artists, against the seismic backdrop of the Civil Rights movement.’
Got the kids? No problem
Gir Lion Lodge at London Zoo
Experience London zoo in a whole new light and sleep next to real-life lions. Hidden away within the Land of Lions are overnight lodges where visitors can bed down for the night. The lodges are inspired by hotels in the lion’s native Gir Forest home in India, immersing the visitor in the jungle/safari experience. Hire a lodge and also enjoy an exclusive after hours tour of the zoo.
[/greybg]Moo Canoes
Kayak or canoe your way around waterways including Hackney Wick and Limehouse Basin. Black and white cow printed two or three person vessels are available. Visitors can plan to relax, race, explore and adventure on these watery sightseeing tours.
Or take the day to learn something new…Join the circus
Gorilla Circus Flying Trapeze School
Located in Regents Park over the summer, visitors can learn to fly in two hour classes. From age 8 upwards, students learn simple tricks on a low bar, gradually moving up to the high bar. By the end of the class, the aim is to fly and get caught by the hands of an instructor. A second outdoor trapeze is also appearing at festivals and events in other parks around London.
