London Art Galleries Report Soar In Downturn

Visitor numbers at London art galleries and London museums hit record levels this summer as the recession led more people to holiday at home.

Half of all museums and galleries in Britain - and two thirds of the free national institutions in London - saw an increase in visitors, according to figures released today. A fifth saw a rise of at least 10 per cent.

Gallery shops and cafés enjoyed a corresponding rise in takings despite the downturn. More than half the national museums and galleries benefited from higher trading income.

The London galleries have escaped the worst of the funding cuts affecting local authority-run institutions, but two thirds have been badly hit by the fall in investment income.

Museums surveyed by The Art Fund charity said the cuts were hitting home just as running costs were climbing with 30 per cent spending more than the same period last year, thanks to rises in expenses such as utilities.

Forbidden London blog updated

Check the Forbidden London blog for the latest news on what to do in London.

London Christmas Lights

This year, London will host a huge Dickensian Christmas celebration from November 3rd until January 5th.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has revealed that the world famous Christmas Lights on Regent Street and Oxford Street will, for the first time in history, not only be switched on simultaneously, but will share the same theme - 'Disney's A Christmas Carol'. At the same time, the City of London will join in the celebrations within the West End.

The Piccadilly Guesthouse - The Best Accommodation For London Clubbers

The Piccadilly Guesthouse is a new, modern, penthouse-style guest house, providing comfortable accommodation in the centre of London.

It offers a low cost, safe and convenient place for women to stay when visiting London England.

Based on the 5th and 6th floor of a modern block on historic Jermyn Street, it is moments from top London attractions, including the West End Theatreland, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, and Oxford Street.

Easily accessible via Piccadilly Circus, Green Park and Leicester Square underground tube stations, and just 15 minutes from Waterloo, the Piccadilly Guest House should be your first choice when planning a trip to London.

Royal Opera House Makes Tweet Music

London's prestigious Royal Opera House has launched a bid to take high culture to the online masses by getting Twitter users to write the lyrics to a new work, line by line.

The Royal Opera House, in London's Covent Garden district, launched the attempt last week, inviting users of the micro-blogging website to take the story forward in 140 characters or less, much like a children's party game.

When the work is finished, the plan is to set excerpts from it to music, for performance in Covent Garden as part of a special event in September.

Summertime... And The Living Is Easy

With most of the high-living, jet setting glamourous party people of London away in Ibiza and Cannes, what is there to do in this great city of ours over the summer?

The list is endless... you could take a boat along the Thames, go up in the world by taking a trip on the Millenium Wheel, visit a museum, or perhaps go to Madame Tussauds. If you are more of a nature lover or a bird-spotter like Springwatch celebrity Chris Packham, then visit the London Wetland Centre or one of the many beautiful parks: Richmond Park (which has some fantastic lakes to while away the hours in the sunshine), Hyde Park, or the spectacular gardens in Regents Park that reseamble a tropical paradise this time of year. The only limit is your own imagination, so what are you waiting for?

Limo Hire in London

Forbidden London will be introducing our London Limo Hire service in February 2009.

Recommended London restaurants

If you are visiting London Clubs or staying at a London hotel why not grab something to eat from one of the best restaurants in London. Abracadabra Restaurant London, designed by the owner, David West, as an opulent playground for the rich, Abracadabra takes you on a bizarre journey into the mind of an eccentric millionaire.

Recommended! Boisdale of Belgravia London, is situated in an elegant Regency town house, just north of Buckingham Palace Road and a short stroll from Victoria.

It's bars, restaurants and private dining room are open on weekdays and Saturday evenings and offer a selection of menus to suit every budget.

Visiting London on vacation - A guide to the central London

Planning to visit London? Well hold on to your hats because you're in for a bit of a ride; prepare with a read of our guide!

From Michelin-starred restaurants to luxury hotels in the heart of Mayfair, London has among the best in the world to offer the discerning traveller with a taste for the finer things in life. Whether it's a vacation or a business trip to London with a bit of personal time squeezed in, you can be sure you'll find plenty to keep you entertained.

For 5-star luxury and convenience, head to The Ritz on Piccadilly for your accommodation. This magnificent Mayfair hotel overlooks Green Park, and is probably one of the most famous hotels in the world. Alternatively, check out Claridge's, the grand, beautifully restored art deco hotel.

With no fewer than four in-house restaurants to choose from including one run by internationally acclaimed chef Gordon Ramsay you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining, without even leaving the premises.

Just minutes away is the upmarket shoppers' havens of Bond Street and Oxford Street where you will all the latest designer and high-street fashion. Read more...

After a few drinks why not get in touch with Forbidden London and get exclusive no 5 cavendish square club guestlist entry on 0845 0945 195.

London is one of the best night spots in the world, get in touch for more information on No. 5 Cavendish Square entry, guestlist and table bookings.

Limo Hire in London

Forbidden London will be introducing our London Limo Hire service in February 2009. To be amongst the first to know please sign-up for our newsletter using the simple form below. Click here…

Recommended London restaurants

Recommended restaurants in London

If you are visiting London Clubs or staying at a London hotel why not grab something to eat from one of the best restaurants London has to offer.

Abracadabra Restaurant London, designed by the owner, David West, as an opulent playground for the rich, Abracadabra takes you on a bizarre journey into the mind of an eccentric millionaire. Recommended!

Boisdale of Belgravia London, is situated in an elegant Regency town house, just north of Buckingham Palace Road and a short stroll from Victoria. It's bars, restaurants and private dining room are open on weekdays and Saturday evenings and offer a selection of menus to suit every budget. Read more...

Swissôtel The Howard Hotel, London

Swissôtel The Howard Hotel, London

Swissôtel The Howard, London enjoys one of the best hotel locations in London, set in a quiet oasis just off the Embankment and overlooking the river Thames.

The London hotel is just a short walk from Covent Garden with its theatres, London restaurants, nightlife and shopping with world famous London landmarks and London Streets such as St Paul's Cathedral, The Houses of Parliament, Tate Modern, London Soho Street and the London Eye all within easy reach.

Swissôtel The Howard Hotels central London offers a contemporary yet elegant hotel which, with personalised service, provides the perfect setting for distinguished tastes. The hotel's staff of dedicated professionals caters to the needs of the discerning business or leisure traveller and ensures hotel guests have a memorable stay.

Shaftesbury Piccadilly Hotel, London

Shaftesbury Piccadilly Hotels, London

In the centre of London's West End, experience a new standard of excellence at the Best Western Premier, a boutique hotel that embodies a haven where you can be sure of warm traditional hospitality.

Our completely refurbished London hotel comprises of 67 brand new air-conditioned rooms all designed with comfort and relaxation in mind. A fantastic location, leaving you perfectly situated to explore the West End's vibrant and exclusive clubbing scene.

Some of the finest restaurants London has to offer are within a short taxi ride, come to London and experience real luxury living. If you fancy dancing the night away, then London clubs Mayfair can offer are unrivaled.

Busaba Eathai, Wardour Street, London

Busaba Eathai, Wardour Street, London

Busaba is one of the best restaurants London has to offer; a Thai flower. Eathai is a fusion of the words eat and Thai which is an appropriate name for a restaurant in London selling Thai food.

It replaces the term restaurant, which is often associated with formal dining establishments. Eathai represents a Thai casual dining venue near Oxford Street offering a single course eating experience devised to feed you with minimum fuss.

Radisson Edwardian Pastoria Hotel, London

The Radisson Edwardian Pastoria is a discrete and quiet four-star London hotel with friendly service and an exquisite location, between the National Gallery and Leicester Square.

The 58 rooms at the Pastoria Hotel, London reflect a warm ambiance. Larger deluxe rooms include upgraded amenities, such as extra work space and seating area.

We love this hotel here at Forbidden London, the perfect place to relax after a night partying in the West End. For hotels central London bookings, call 0845 0945 195.

The best London bars

The best bars in london

London is blessed with some of the best bars in the world. If you're on a shopping trip to London why not take the weight of your feet with a cocktail or glass of champagne in one of the bars in central London, Soho or the West End.

Zebrano Bar, Ganton Street London, is no ordinary venue or entertainment space. From the owners to the floor staff we have developed 'a can do' attitude ensuring whatever you or your clients requirements are we will not disappoint.

For the best London clubs guestlist and booking tables call 0845 0945 195.