HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
It's our weekly London roundup starting with a few headlines that caught the eye in London over the last week or so, click the links for the full stories...
Our weekly slot in which we point you in the direction of other happenings and events in our great city. A new exhibition, a gig, a museum, a pop-up-shop - the best of London within a few minutes of a London Walks walking tour.
The Westminster Walk on Thursday and Saturday ends up slap-bang at the door of this vivid museum, Churchill's underground lair perfectly preserved from the Second World War... apart from the cigarette and cigar smoke, thank goodness.
Not only is this museum a powerful lesson in the horrors of war, it also focuses on Churchill the political animal with a well-presented history of his life in public service.
Family ticket 1 adult / 2 children: £28.60
Family ticket 2 adults / 2 children £42.95
Senior / student / disabled £13.05
Open Daily 9:30am to 6:00pm (last admission 5pm)
"10 ways to make your shoes less painful" sounds like something of a compromise to us here at London Spy. But if you absolutely MUST wear stupid shoes, then these tips are for you, starting with...
That slap you hear as you walk along in flip-flops can cause blisters on your soles. Douse flip-flops in hair spray to increase grip and stop your feet from slipping, sliding and slapping about. You can also sandpaper the bottoms of sandals to improve grip.
Or, of course, DON'T WEAR FLIP FLOPS. EVER. Here's a reminder of London Walks guide and Daily Constitutional Associate Editor Richard III's thoughts on the matter...
Flip flops are the most dangerous things on this planet. Never mind weapons of mass destruction. These are evil killers.
Catch up with the other nine (!) tips at bt.com.
Okay, knock it off with them negative waves, as Donald Sutherland said in Kelly's Heroes. Let's ac-cen-tu-ate the positive (thanks Bing Crosby) with this piece on espadrilles...
Originally worn by peasants and soldiers, the modest rope-soled espadrille was being made in southern France and northern Spain at least as early as the 13th century. Castañer, a Spanish brand founded in 1927, is traditionally credited with bringing the shoe into the fashion fold. The story of how owners Isabel and Lorenzo Castañer crossed paths with Yves Saint Laurent at a trade fair in Paris in 1970 is fashion lore-and the encounter resulted in the tall, elegant wedge silhouette we know today.
Nice piece, thanks to the Wall Street Journal, read the full article here: www.wsj.com
Seen in London This Week...
A VERY naughty mouse at Moorgate station. Stand BEHIND the yellow line, you reckless fool!
Thanks for reading! Stay in touch! London Spy will return next week :)
A London Walk costs £10 - £8 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com