City Matters 164

CITYMATTERS.LONDON April 17 - May 21 2024 | Page 19
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ARTS & CULTURE
SPRING has officially arrived.
Whether you’re looking for
something to do with the kids
or you want to plan a day out
with a loved one. Here’s a list of
some wonderful things to do in
the City.
SPRING IN THE CITY
Something for the cultural
connoisseur
Whether you’re a history buff or a cultural
connoisseur, the City’s iconic heritage and
world-class arts and cultural scene delivers
a rich programme of activities. Explore
London through a fresh perspective at the
Kaleidoscope/London exhibition at Guildhall
Art Gallery; uncover Roman history
that’s over 2,000 years old right under the
City’s streets, or find out where some of the
world’s most famous literary pioneers lived.
• Hear beautiful music in historic locations:
Discover concerts across the City
including City Music Foundation’s monthly
lunchtime concerts at magnificent Livery
Halls each month, and Temple Music’s
regular concerts in the stunning Temple
Church and Middle Temple Hall. Events
include an exquisite lunchtime concert
by soprano singer, Caroline Taylor and
internationally acclaimed pianists, Roger
Vignoles giving a special recital at the
ornate Goldsmith’s Hall on 26 March.
• Billingsgate Roman House and Baths:
Reopening for public tours in April, visit
the curious old pathways beneath the
Square Mile and discover the rich Roman
history surviving 2,000 years of buildings,
fires and bombings. Public tours take
place every Saturday from April at 101
Lower Thames Street.
• Follow in the footsteps of famous
writers: Visit Dr Johnson’s House, the
place Dr Samuel Johnson, the writer and
wit, lived and worked in the mid-18th
century, compiling his great Dictionary
of the English Language. To continue the
literary theme, join guided walking tours
with official City of London Guides, or
pick up self-guided walks from the City
Information Centre (opposite St Paul’s
Cathedral) to follow in the footsteps of
Charles Dickens and Shakespeare.
• Free outdoor installations: From 10 April
until 18 August, Purple Hibiscus - an
ambitious new commission created in
collaboration with hundreds of craftspeople
from Tamale in Ghana and artist
Ibrahim Mahama - will transform the
Barbican’s Lakeside Terrace as colossal
panels of pink and purple fabric are fitted
to the exterior. The commission forms
part of the ‘Unravel: The Power & Politics
of Textiles in Art’ exhibition (13 Feb – 26
May) at the Barbican Centre.
Outdoor spaces for a spot of
spring sun
If you’re looking to soak up the spring sun,
why not dine al fresco on the sunken lawn
at Festival Garden next to St Paul’s Cathedral,
step into a secret garden in church
ruins at St Dunstan or visit the tropical oasis
at the Barbican Conservatory.
• Festival Gardens: Perch for a picnic in
the sunken lawn and listen to the trickling
fountain at the beautiful Festival Gardens
against the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral
backdrop.
• St Dunstan in the East Church Garden:
Step into the secret garden of these
church ruins with award-winning landscaping
of lush foliage and twisting
branches to frame dozens of Instagramworthy
pics. See if you can capture that
perfect ‘past meets future’ shot of The
Shard spied through an ancient archway.
• Postman’s Park: One of the City’s largest
open spaces, Postman’s Park harbours
a fascinating history, part of which can
be discovered in the Memorial to Heroic
Self-Sacrifice. Located between King
Edward Street and Aldersgate Street.
• Barbican Conservatory: Step into the
tropical paradise bursting with life within
the iconic brutalist architecture of the
Barbican Centre. The second biggest
conservatory in London is free to enter
but tickets must be booked in advance.
• Sky Garden: Visit the capital’s highest
public garden and experience epic views
of London and enjoy a drink from its
two bars and two restaurants. Visiting is
free but spaces are limited and must be
booked in advance.
• City in Bloom: Discover City Gardens
and green spaces bursting with colourful
flowers. With 180 green spaces across
the City, there’s a wide range of places to
explore and relax. Find perfect pink cherry
blossom in March in Aldgate Square
and outside St Paul’s Cathedral; elegant
magnolias at St Mary Aldermanbury
Gardens (late March to early April). bright
red and pink Tree Peonies in Cleary
Gardens); and for purple Wisteria in May,
head for St Paul’s Cathedral Churchyard
Gardens, or go up to the outdoor rooftop
Garden at 120.
Family Fun
Keeping the kids entertained is easy with
an array of family-friendly activities across
the Square Mile. Whether it’s coming fact
to face with the larger-than-life animals at
the Wild Babies exhibition, special screenings
at the Family Film Club at the Barbican,
or exploring renowned history with the
Children’s Trail – there’s something for the
whole family!
• City of London Children’s Trail: Step into
a realm where history meets modernity
as you explore the City of London with
the Children’s Trail map. Find your free
Children’s Trail Map & stickers from the
City Information Centre near St Paul’s
Cathedral for an interactive family
experience.
• Wild About Babies outdoor statues:
Experience the magic of larger-than-life
animal statues at Paternoster Square.
Witness gorillas, hippos, elephants, and
more come to life in this captivating
free exhibition by artists Gillie and Marc.
The installation is on display all year until
January 2025.
• Sculpture in the City: Delve into the
beauty of outdoor artworks with Sculpture
in the City around the eastern side of the
Lakeside Terrace, Barbican Centre, Photo by Dion Barrett
City. Families can download a special
family map for extra activities and fun
while you follow the trail. The 12th Edition
artworks will be in place until April 2024.
• Family Film Club at the Barbican:
Experience enchanting screenings and
drawing demos at Barbican’s Family Film
Club every Saturday morning.
• F1 Arcade: Ignite your sense of adventure
with the thrilling F1 Arcade. Experience
the glamour and excitement of Formula
1® with bespoke full-motion racing
simulators, delicious food, and an electric
atmosphere. The perfect venue for
a family gaming experience until 6pm,
with an 18+ age policy after. Located at
One New Change.
• Second Saturday – Free Family Activities:
A monthly programme of family activities
at Guildhall Art Gallery with different
themes each month may have you
heading into the Roman Amphitheatre
and hearing tales of Roman conquests or
creating crafts from the Victorian paintings
surrounding you.
• The War of the World’s Immersive
Experience: Experience a Martian
Invasion in London with this interactive
adventure packed with sensory moments,
VR and AR technology, volumetric holograms
and immersive theatre. Live actors,
virtual reality and iconic music recreating
24 interactive scenes.