Richmond Park | London Gems

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Richmond Park is one of my favourite places in London. I have spent a lot of time there. Anyone who thinks that London is just a concrete jungle has to spend some time in this fantastic Royal Park. Beautiful and green, it is a real London Gem in South-West London. It is easy to get to and is vast with lots of wildlife; Squirrels, deer, rabbits, owls…it is the perfect green getaway for stressed-out Londoners and tourists alike.

Every year millions of Londoners and tourists visit Richmond Park, the largest of the capital’s eight Royal Parks and the biggest enclosed space in London. It is London’s largest Site of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve and a Special Area of Conservation. It is home to the beautiful Isabella Plantation, Pembroke Lodge and herds of Red and Fallow deer.

Perfect for; walks, picnics, weddings (at Pembroke Lodge), fresh air, get-togethers, wildlife watching, exercise, cycling and getting in touch with nature. children: has two playgrounds. Conveniently has six car parks and a cafe. A must see.

Richmond Park Opening hours: 07:00 – 18:45 Phone number: 0300 061 2200

St. Katharine Docks | London Gems

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

One of the best things about the stunning metropolis that is London is variety. Everything really is here. Whether it is marina views or green scenery, if you want something different, just start walking in the other direction.

St Katharine Docks is beautiful. This small harbour next to Tower Bridge has plenty of places to eat and drink. The best thing about this marina is just to sit, have a drink or a meal and watch the world go by. There are also shops, two art galleries, festivals and events. Every Friday at St Katharine Docks, between 11:00 & 15:00 hours they hold their Award winning Good Food Market on Marble Quay.

There is also a Starbucks, a Cote Brasserie (which I think does very good food), a Cafe Rouge, and one of the most famous historic pubs in London, The Dickens Inn. St Katharine Docks are also taking part in the Thames Festival.

Perfect for: soaking up 1000 years of history, being near water, yacht/boat watching, eating, drinking, shopping, stunning views and meeting up with friends.

St. Katharine Docks
50 St. Katharines Way, London E1W 1LA, England

Unknown pleasures

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Richard Mylles

Croatia didn’t have the best of it in the 20th century. Occupied by pretty much everyone with a standing army and a superiority complex (Austro-Hungary, then Germany and Italy, a bit more by Hungary and finally by Yugoslav communists) its post-communism civil war only ended in 1995. Since then it’s managed rather better, becoming the world’s 18th most popular tourist destination, the 28th member of the European union, and (if my acquaintance is anything to go by), the number one destination for unstoppable lads looking to get tanked up and forget they work in finance.

But more important than all that: it is now the country the brains behind Field Day and Hideout have chosen to bless with the inaugural extravaganza of sun, sea and pumping dance music that will be new festival Unknown.

The biggest luminaries of the genre will be there, from disclosure, to Julio Bashmore, to SBTRKT, to the horrors, to my own personal favourites Clean Bandit.

The picturesque town of Rovinj, an unsuspecting coastal jewel of less than 15,000 people is set to be overrun by European party types from the 10th to the 14th of September.

Now, festival previews invariably tend to refer to those pitching up as “revellers”, something which I for some reason find rather irritating. So… attendees will have the choice of either camping out under the stars, in what is expected to be 25 degree weather or they may, like me, stay in an air conditioned apartment complete with bathroom, kitchen, terrace and beautiful people.

The music will be split across 4 stages: the main; the pool; the forest; and mad ferret’s mirror world (think lasers, vortexes and illuminated trees). Given the line-up these should all be pretty spectacular, but what I’m really looking forward to are the 18 or so boat parties. these will feature some of the world’s biggest djs playing intimate sets to 200 lucky… people present in blazing sunshine on the Adriatic Sea. Gonna be a shit time. Most of these are sold out now, but if you’re willing to try your luck there are usually a few struggling souls (for whom the idea of 3 hours on water has become about as appealing as a gooseberry and acid smoothie) who are looking to sell their tickets.

If all the sea, sun and sand gets a bit much, the forest stage, open from 4pm till 6am, promises an ethereal, sun-filtering backdrop to some delightfully deep house. Think Cyril Hahn, Jamie xx and Henrik Schwarz.

Incidentally, if you fancy getting a bit closer to nature (that is, stripping to your wristwatch and going for a hazardous walk in the woods) then you might be interested to know that there’s nowhere better than Croatia – it is world famous for its naturist resorts and about apparently about 15% of the country’s 10 million visitors pack little more than sun cream and a suspicious looking raincoat (n.b. unknown is not a naturist festival).

Otherwise, we recommend short shorts, blinding neon vests and patent leather jazz shoes. Or flip flops.

We hope to see you there. If you see someone wearing patent leather jazz shoes it will probably be me. Come say hi.

You can buy tickets for unknown at http://www.unknowncroatia.com/#tickets17

Bermondsey Square | London Gems

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Frostie

I completely forgot about this wonderful part of London until I stumbled upon it last week. It is tucked away, but upon finding it there is plenty to entertain yourself with; an independent cinema; Shortwave, a hotel; The Bermondsey Square Hotel, the restaurant of Masterchef presenter Greg Wallace: Greg’s Bar & Grill, a Sainsbury’s Local and even a ping pong table.

Bermondsey Square has a lot going for it. Even if you are feeling poor and just want to watch the world go by you can buy a snack from Sainsbury’s and sit down on one of the benches.

Last week there was music coming from Shortwave and a thriving night life. The cinema is also a bar with seats outside. People enjoyed themselves and there were people playing ping pong. People with suitcases walked past on their way to The Bermondsey Square Hotel. Bermondsey Square was voted South London’s coolest quarter in Vogue’s annual Secret Address Book. Vogue are bang on. This is a London Gem.

Perfect for: Eating, fun, drinking, ping pong, watching a film, people watching, staying at the hotel…like I said, for such a small square, it certainly packs a punch.

Bermondsey Square, London, SE1 3UN ‎

Paris in Pictures Part 2

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Here is Part 2 of Paris in Pictures. We hope you enjoy. From top to bottom: Laduree, an excellent cake shop and restaurant. Try their famous macaroons. The Eiffel Tower, the view from half way up and then the view from the top. Side View of Notre Dame, from the front, a gargoyle, the view from the top and the view from inside. Part 1 is here.

Historic Church Tours | Things To Do

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Frostie

The Churches Conservation Trust

13^th August – 5^th October 2013

Suffolk – Somerset – Northamptonshire – Lincolnshire

· Stunning photographs of England’s most ancient churches available· Fascinating programme of four themed tours:

‘Wallpaintings, Stained Glass and Memorials’ ‘Churches at War’, ‘Carvings’ and ‘Monuments and Memorials’· 12 historic sites visited

The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), the national charity protecting ancient churches at risk, has launched a programme of fascinating Historic Church Tours across the country.

The tours will guide visitors through stunning countryside vistas, whilst breathing life into England’s shrouded ancestry and exquisite ancient architecture. Four intriguing themes included in the special Historic Church Tours are ‘Wallpaintings, Stained Glass and Memorials’ ‘Churches at War’, ‘Carvings’ and ‘Monuments and Memorials’

Taking place at selected churches across the country from Suffolk to Somerset, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire, Historic Church Tours encompass a comprehensive geography of British architectural and social heritage.

The next tour, Wallpaintings, Stained Glass and Memorials, will take place in Suffolk, 10:30am–4:30pm on August 13. Starting at All Saints, Little Wenham, a 13th-century flint church often described as one of Suffolk’s best-kept secrets, visitors will be in awe of the stunning wall-paintings and canopied ancient wall monuments. After a light lunch, move onto St Mary’s, Badley, a truly remarkable Medieval church with an atmosphere of great peace and stillness. With nothing for company but a 16th-century farmhouse and the wildlife of its pretty churchyard, St Mary’s is a breath-taking retreat for any passer-by. The final stop of the tour will be St Peter’s, Claydon. Overlooking the Gipping Valley, this church will astound visitors with its vibrant stained glass and extravagant carvings; a spectacular site to end this tour.

Historic Church Tours taking place in 2013 are as follows:

AUGUST

Wallpaintings, Stained Glass and Memorials – Suffolk

The three churches on this tour were selected for their stunning artwork in the form of extravagant carvings, stunning wallpaintings and vibrant stained glass.

SEPTEMBER

Churches at War – Somerset

Three of the CCT’s most stunning and iconic churches are positioned in Somerset. All three have been unwittingly caught up in a time of war, from acting as a hideaway during the Monmouth rebellion, to being solitary observer of mid-air disaster, the churches have seen all and kept their counsel.

Carvings – Northamptonshire

CCT churches in Northampton have an abundance of carved treasures on display. For this tour, CCT have selected three of the best from St Peter & St Paul’s in Preston Deanery, stunning carvings of animals, to the Norman St Michael’s, Farndish, which boasts gorgeous carved corbels and elegant arches, and the stunning 900 year old St Peter’s in Northampton, which is full of carved treasures.

OCTOBER

Monuments and Memorials – Lincolnshire

This tour will explore the stunning and spectacular monuments and memorials in three Lincolnshire churches. Take in the breath-taking interior of St Lawrence’s, Snarford, the unusual red-brick chapel of St George, Goltho, which stands alone amid acres of corn and oilseed rape with only a few trees for company, and Milton Mausoleum, the only surviving mausoleum in Nottinghamshire.

All guided tours are priced at £40 per person and will include a light lunch and coach transportation to and from a local train station.

Tickets are available on general release now. To book tickets, go to http://www.visitchurches.org.uk/Historicchurchtours/

St Christopher’s Place | London Gems

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

London is full of hidden gems. You could live in London your entire life and still not see everything it has to offer. So we at Frost thought we would help you out. We are going to be scouring London for all of those wonderful places you just have to go. We would also love it if you gave any recommendations. Email us at frostmagazine@gmail.com or comment below.

Here is the first London Gem: St Christopher’s Place. Just off the hustle and bustle of Oxford Circus is a beautiful, quiet spot full of shops and places to eat. Just look out for the landmark purple clock. It has an eclectic mix of shops, boutiques, restaurants and bars, including Mulberry’s oldest boutique. It also has over 20 restaurants and cafés.

To get to St Christopher’s Place you just take a little alleyway parallel to James Street before you get to Selfridges on Oxford Street. This historical place has all of the buzz of London but with less of the stress. It is across the road from Bond St station on the north side of Oxford Street.

Perfect for: Alfresco dining, buzz without the stress, having less people around, shopping, relaxing and watching the world go by.

1 St Christophers Pl London W1U 1LT, 020 7224 4080

Edinburgh apartments named best hotel in the UK

Posted on July 20, 2013 by Frostie

A luxury serviced apartment complex in Edinburgh has been named the best hotel in the UK by the world’s largest online travel agency.

The Knight Residence apart-hotel near Edinburgh Castle is ranked at no. 9 and has the top spot in the UK in Expedia’s 2013 Insider Select list of 650 hotels around the world, drawn up after study of half a million independent guest reviews.

The list “recognises the very best hotels available in Expedia’s global marketplace,” the agency said. “These properties have been identified by customers as consistently delivering superior services, an exceptional guest experience and notable value.”

Only two other hotels in the UK – The Stafford in London and Longueville Manor in St Saviour in Jersey – are included in the leading 50. Others in the top 10 are located in Mexico, Costa Rica, Slovakia, France and India.

The Knight Residence, situated in Lauriston Street, has 28 one, two and three bedroom apartments and has consistently won awards for customer service. Last year it was voted Scotland’s best employer in the hospitality industry.

It is the seventh year in succession that it has featured in the Expedia Insider Select list.

“It’s a remarkable achievement to have been named the best hotel in the UK and a tribute to the consistently high standards we strive to achieve,” said Colin Stone, General Manager of The Knight Residence.

“One factor in our favour is that we offer more space and facilities than even top-of-the-range rooms in a conventional hotel. This is particularly attractive to business travellers and people with young families.”

He added: “Edinburgh itself remains one of the main tourist hotspots and business centres in Europe and we are lucky to have an enviable location right in the heart of the city.”

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