Some culture a day …
The Easter holidays are coming, the daffodils are out but it is, predictably, raining or even snowing. So, I thought I'd offer my seven favourite things to do in London on an inhospitable day, some with the hope of a ray of sunshine. That fills one week at least.
Easily my favourite place in London, this is the house museum of the 18th-century architect behind the Dulwich Picture Gallery and Bank of England. It is stuffed full of paintings, architectural remains, even a sarcophagus. Visit on the 1st Thursday of the month for candlelit evening openings, but join the queue early to be sure of getting in!
Even if you think you don’t like ballet, this is the place for you. Tickets are as cheap as £12, all have a perfect view, and will give you the very best of modern dance, from art interpretations to Christmas ballets, to salsa. There are excellent pre-show restaurants round the corner in Exmouth Market too.
The venue for a wealth of cultural opportunities, Somerset House is the home of the jewel-like Courtauld Gallery of art, as well as the spectacular setting for outdoor cinema screenings, an ice rink, and a river side bar from which to watch the Thames flow by.
It’s location on the Euston Road means many people miss this curious and marvellous collection amassed by medical impresario Henry Wellcome. As well as chastity belts and gruesome surgical instruments, they have a stunning exhibition programme, thought-provoking contemporary art and an excellent shop and café. Plus it’s all free!
Greenwich might be out of your way but it is well-worth the detour. Nestled on the banks of the Thames with stunning views over Canary Wharf are a baroque palace, a historic observatory – complete with the prime meridian and a state-of-the-art planetarium – a stunningly-preserved clipper, and a world-class museum of maritime history. Swing by Borough Market en route and pick up a picnic to have in idyllic Greenwich Park.
Apparently I learnt to walk in these Arcadian paths but that hasn’t put me off repeat visits to Kew’s beautiful and art-filled botanical gardens. A mere skip and jump on the District Line brings you to sun-drenched (almost always), beautiful gardens that include tropical glass houses, a Chinese pagoda, Kew Palace – where George III went 'mad' – two galleries of botanical art and a vibrant programme of contemporary art installations.
It seems a cheat to involve so many institutions in one choice. Home to the Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room, this is a hive of musical and visual art activity, regularly hosting festivals, sculpture trails and cider tents. There’s a local food market at the weekends and it’s a step from the National Theatre, London Eye and Gabriel’s Wharf. Walk from Embankment across the Hungerford Footbridge for jaw-dropping views of the city.