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For your lunch break
Looking for a bit of peace and quiet in the City, away from the traffic, concrete and glass? Take a look at the Square Mile's best gardens, perfect for your lunch break.
Things To Do
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DEAL OF THE DAY:
Cocktails and toasties, so we're told, make a cracking combination. We've never tried it before, but we can see how it'd work. Save 38% on such a combination at Loves Company in Shoreditch, choose a cocktail and toastie such as Cheezus of Nazareth and, um, Crustin' Bieber, £10, various dates
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WESTMINSTER WALK:
Take a lunchtime walking tour with City of Westminster guides. This walk goes south east from the cathedral and includes the story of Vincent Square, a housing estate by an architect better known for country houses and how a co-operative venture for supplying army and navy officers led to the creation of a department store. £7/£5, prebook, 1.10pm
DEGREE SHOW:
London College of Fashion's BA15 exhibition features work from a range of LCF’s BA courses, including menswear, womenswear, Fashion Photography, Creative Direction and Fashion Illustration. It's on display in Shoreditch this week only. Free, just turn up, 12pm-7pm, 9-13 June
FILM NIGHT:
Watch a double bill of films at Britain's oldest cinema, the Regent Street Cinema. See Fish Tank, a 2009 British film, followed by The Goob, which is set in Norfolk. £15, 6.30pm
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FILM PREMIERE:
If you saw our list of London films not to miss in June, you'll know all about London Road. Tonight, see the film's premiere event, featuring an exclusive post-screening Q&A with the key cast and crew, broadcast live from the National Theatre. Various prices and locations, prebook, 6.45pm
ARCTIC EXPLORATION:
Join BBC Science editor David Shukman at Frontline Club in Paddington, for a panel discussion on the geopolitical issues affecting the resource-rich Arctic region. Explorers, scientists and reporters will all be weighing in on the issues at stake. £10, 7pm
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SUSTAINABLE ENERGY:
If you’ve ever wondered how much energy we use, and where it comes from, head to the Royal Institution. Professor of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, David MacKay, will be talking about energy use, without the bias often given by media, government and lobbies. £12/£8/£6, prebook, 7pm
SWING PATROL:
Get a bit envious watching Fred Astaire dance in Swing Time? Learn the moves with this Swing Dance class aimed at absolute beginners. Grab a partner learn the basics of Lindy Hop and Charleston, and test your rhythm to some vintage tunes. £10, 7pm
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TOMORROW'S TRANSPORT:
Head to the Design Museum by Tower Bridge for a panel discussion providing insight into the urban transport of tomorrow, led by Tim Fendley and Sam Pearce. Tickets include entry to the Design Museum from 6pm and free entry to Designs of the Year 2015. £7, 7pm
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UNOFFICIAL WAR ARTIST:
Peter Kennard (whose exhibition Unofficial War Artist is currently on Imperial War Museum) is at Waterstones in Piccadilly to talk about new book Unofficial War Artist, which brings together the best of Kennard's work from 45 years of his career. Free, prebook, 7pm
COMEDY:
Make it a double bill at the Camden Head with a work in progress show from Mark Watson (£5, 7.30pm) followed by poetry and comedy mixed together with Stand Up and Slam (£5, 8.30pm). Or for both it’s £9, prebook, 7.30pm
SCOTCH & SODA:
Physical feats meet daredevil acrobats and hypnotizing musicians in Scotch & Soda at London Wonderground. The skills and humour of the acrobats pair nicely with the jazz beats of the Crusty Suitcase Band. £19.50-£30, 7.30pm
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RICH HALL'S HOEDOWN:
Emmy and Perrier Award-winning comedy genius Rich Hall presents a musical mashup of toe-tappingly good comedy at Leicester Square Theatre, with a line up of comedians taking to the stage. £15, 7.30pm
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Planning a visit to London's West End? Check out Star for a Day!
If you're heading to a theatre in the capital soon, make sure you check out Star For A Day, Hotel Direct’s online hub, before you plan your West End visit. You can customise your trip with walking itineraries inspired by popular musical characters or take a virtual peak behind the scenes with exclusive interviews with leading performers.
Hotel Direct have also launched a writing competition where you can invent a special itinerary based on your favourite theatrical character. The winner will get to do everything on their list, accompanied by a friend. Enter the competition here.
Today's Things to do in London is sponsored by Hotel Direct.
Good Cause of the Day
Cystic Fibrosis Trust is looking for people to run the British 10k London Run on behalf of the charity on 12 July. Up for the challenge? Find out more and register here.
Find more London events in our Free & Cheap events listings. Want to see your event in these last-minute listings? Email us at [email protected] at least 48 hours before the event, and we will consider it for inclusion. Note: due to high volumes of email, we can’t always reply.
