London Design Festival 2013: ready for some free creativity?

Posted on August 29, 2013February 25, 2018 by Dukes Blog

This year London will be hosting the 11^th London Design Festival, due to take place in September. First staged in 2003, the Festival line-up is made up of over 300 events and shows staged from around the world. With more than 300 exciting events and exhibitions, London Design Festival 2013 promises to showcase the best of global design.

This annual event sets to promote the city’s creativity and excellence by drawing in some of the country’s greatest educators and practitioners to help deliver what has been described as an ‘unmissable’ event.

From established businesses to entrepreneurs, London design festival has partnered up with businesses all over the nation to bring the best of the capital’s culture. For that reason, individuals will not have to worry about finding something to do as there will be plenty of programmes, seminars and workshops for everyone to get involved in. There is a broad range of activities on offer, and the best part is the majority of exhibitions are free to enter!

One of the many spectacular displays at the festival has to be the Endless Stair, “a visually and architecturally astonishing” piece and one of the highlights of the event this year. You can take a closer look at this magnificent creation on your visit to the renowned Tate Modern.

As the day draws to an end, you can finish by relaxing in our DUKES Bar with a wonderful martini (and we have plenty of stories about James Bond to tell…).

Image courtesy of David Iliff

The Mayor Thames Festival 2013 returns to London

Posted on August 21, 2013February 25, 2018 by Dukes Blog

If you’re stopping by London this September, why not take a trip to the iconic Mayor Thames Festival, a free celebration of the history of the famous river and the city that sits on its banks? With a whole host of activities taking place across the 10-day spectacular, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Displays of river-related art, music and educational activities make it a gala of cultural diversity. What’s more, 2013 marks the first year the festival has been extended to 10 days, so you don’t want to miss out on the jam-packed line up of festivities and fun.

The highly anticipated annual Great River Race is due to take place on the 7^th of September. 300 crews from across the globe gather to compete in this river-based marathon of speed and endurance, spanning a 21 mile distance that passes many of London’s most popular tourist attractions. Stand by the finish line at Ham House and cheer in the winning competitors.

As night descends upon the river on the 15^th, stand witness to a maritime opera performance like no other. The main performers of the symposium are described as “an armada of historic vessels from the age of sail, steam and diesel”, gathering and exploding in a collective concerto of booming ship horns and blasting cannons. The river becomes the stage with the stunning O2 Academy lighting the performance against the darkness. The heady musical elements and outstanding display of historic vessels of long ago will culminate in a truly unique performance.

After all this cultural enrichment you’re going to need a place to relax, ready for what the rest of the festival has in store. Therefore, take time to enjoy delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and a choice of patisserie – all served with a choice of tea – here at DUKES.

Image courtesy of Elliott Brown

The details: the summer opening of Buckingham Palace 2013

Posted on August 13, 2013February 25, 2018 by Dukes Blog

This summer you can explore the royal grounds of Buckingham Palace. You can take the opportunity to see some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, as well as The Queen’s Coronation 1953 exhibition, featuring royal dresses, uniforms and jewellery!

You may already know that this summer marked the 60^th anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation in 1953. To celebrate this special occasion the palace’s ballroom will be transformed into the largest exhibition that has taken place for this particular occasion since the day of the Coronation in June 1953.

The centrepiece is The Queen’s white satin coronation dress, designed by Norman Hartnell, and the English purple silk robe worn by The Queen on the day of her coronation, which took more than 3,500 hours to complete and is more than 6.5 metres long.

Guests will be able to appreciate close-up the Diamond Diadem, one of The Queen’s most recognisable jewels, which she is pictured wearing on postage stamps and some banknotes.

For more information on ticket prices and details of the event please click here.

Enjoy afternoon tea at DUKES after your visit to Buckingham Palace, as we’re one of the closest hotels to the Palace – just a short five minute stroll across Green Park.

Image courtesy of Michael Reeve