Where Do Essential Oils Come From?
Kim Brookes is the founder of innovative natural scent jewellery brand Perfino, she explains where essential oils come from and why they are so expensive. The best essential oils are…
Two London Guidebooks for 2021
Mark Bibby Jackson takes a look at a couple of London guidebooks released earlier this year that make navigating the myriad streets of London slightly easier. Like London buses just…
The Elixir of Love, Waterperry Gardens
Mark Bibby Jackson visits Waterperry Gardens near Oxford for a performance of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love set in the most spectacular setting. Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love started the…
The Dilly Hotel London and Madhu’s Restaurant
James Clark checks into The Dilly London and finds an elegant hotel with excellent service, as well as an Indian restaurant with a Kenyan twist. A hotel has dominated no…
A Tour of Lord’s Cricket Ground
As The Hundred fever grips the country, Mark Bibby Jackson goes on a tour of Lord’s cricket ground which brings back strong childhood memories. London was my home for more…
French Dining at The Great House Lavenham
Roger Hermiston and Eileen Wise revisit The Great House Hotel and Restaurant in Lavenham to experience the wonderful French cuisine as well as pop in on the Little Hall Museum…
London’s Supper Club Openings, August 2021
London Begins at 40’s food critic James Clark gives his round up of London’s Supper Club Openings for August. Don’t you just love this time of year? It’s when London’s…
The Dilly Hotel London and Madhu’s Restaurant
James Clark checks into The Dilly London and finds an elegant hotel with excellent service, as well as an Indian restaurant with a Kenyan twist. A hotel has dominated no…
Changing Tides of Isle of Wight Restaurants and Pubs
On his annual pilgrimage Mark Bibby Jackson revisits some familiar Isle of Wight restaurants to discover a clear tidal shift. For decades the Isle of Wight has been one of…
August Art in the City: Blake, Beckett and Binet
In the absence of new exhibitions this month London Begins at 40’s art columnist Irene Caswell roundups the ‘last chance to see’ fabulous summer shows to ensure you don’t miss…
Isère France : Nowhere More Natural
With a variety of exceptional landscapes from valleys, forests, lakes, plateaus, high peaks and glaciers which range from the banks of the Rhône to the imposing 4,000m Pic Lory in…
Music Album Releases in July
London Begins at 40 music critic, Robert Spellman, casts his eye across some of the latest music album releases in July, so you can enjoy music in the comfort of…
L’amico Fritz at Holland Park Opera
Julia Bright watches the delightful L’amico Fritz by Pietro Mascagni at the Holland Park Opera, one of this season’s four productions. L’amico Fritz is a far cry from Cavalleria Rusticana…
Relaxing at Potton Hall Spa & Cottages
Eileen Wise checks into Potton Hall Country Spa & Cottages and spends a delightful time being pampered with her sister. The flags of Zambia and St. George flutter in the…
Tech-savvy YOTEL London Gets Thumbs Up
James Clark checks out the brand new YOTEL London in Clerkenwell and is pleased with what he finds. If someone had said to me a year ago that a brand…
Luxuriating in AIRE Ancient Baths London
Mark Bibby Jackson checks into the recently opened AIRE Ancient Baths London and emerges two hours later feeling like a completely different man. There will be a time when international…
Luxuriating in AIRE Ancient Baths London
Mark Bibby Jackson checks into the recently opened AIRE Ancient Baths London and emerges two hours later feeling like a completely different man. There will be a time when international…
London Live Music in July, August
As the doors finally creak open to the capital’s music spaces, London Begins at 40’s music columnist Robert Spellman offers a selection of London live music in July and August…
Discover the Benefits of Forest Bathing UK
Irene Caswell takes the short trip to West Sussex to discover the health benefits of forest bathing and discovers there is much more to the practice than tree hugging. Over…
New Chapter for Riverside Radio
Julia Bright tells the story of popular community Riverside Radio, which has become a vital part of life in south west London. Riverside Radio is an award-winning digital community radio…
Back to the Future on a London Staycation
Mark Bibby Jackson spends a nostalgic day and night in the UK capital, visiting the home of cricket, watching a play at the Royal Court and catching up with some…
Officina 00 the Neighbourhood Italian
James Clark visits Officina 00 in Old Street to settle into a delightful lunch that whisked him back to Italy despite the London weather. Word spread like wild fire across…
Tavolino Bar & Kitchen: Tower Bridge Italian Restaurant
James Clark visits Tavolino Tower Bridge Italian Restaurant, and samples Sicilian food of the highest quality. If I had said to a friend let’s meet at an Italian restaurant near…
Under Milk Wood, National Theatre
Julia Bright reviews Under Milk Wood, that dreamy, poetic masterpiece by Dylan Thomas, which is the first production at the National Theatre since Covid-19 shut its doors. Lyndsey Turner’s inventive…
