Your Sunday morning best-of-Londonist weekly round-up sponsored this week by Spitalfields Music.
London News
- If you're on a low income, it looks like living in outer London isn't even an option any more.
- House prices in some London boroughs are rising by more than 16% per year.
- Three of the most dangerous pedestrian crossings in the whole of Britain are on Oxford Street. Is anyone surprised?
- The London Assembly has supported a proposal to make London a National Park City.
- London Assembly Member Darren Johnson thinks more trains should be brought under TfL's control.
- Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn has announced he’s running for the Labour party leadership.
- The tunnelling phase of Crossrail has finished — here's some drone footage of the tunnels to celebrate.
Must-read articles
- As the new tube map was launched, we created our own version, showing what it looks like geographically.
- We came up with a scientific(ish) way of determining the worst rail operator in London. And the winner is...
- Take a peek inside a secret war bunker, hidden in Uxbridge.
- 21st century getting too much for you? Chuck away the iPhone and take up one of these medieval pursuits.
- There's a secret garden in South London just waiting to be explored.
- Have you seen the teeny houses at Vauxhall Park Model Village?
- This London short film explores what goes on behind the glitz and glamour of being a pub quizmaster.
Top reviews
- Bradley Cooper is the best thing in West End revival of The Elephant Man ★★★☆☆
- Can a £1 coin really be worth £10,000? That's the plan in this rather clever artwork by Jason File ★★★★★
- A Soho gallery has been transformed into the residence of a hoarder, seemingly obsessed with economic and natural crises. Subtle, but poignant ★★★★★
- Summer art has begun at the Serpentine Galleries, with scary sculpture and striking portraits.
- Can an exhibition of paintings that focus on repeating patterns of stripes and grids avoid being repetitive? No. ★☆☆☆☆
Things to do
CYCLE RIDE: Dust off your bike, get out the WD40 and take a ride through London, from New Malden to Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common.
SUNSET SAFARI: ZSL London Zoo's Sunset Safaris let the public explore the zoo after hours, visit the animals and hear talks about some species, or relax while listening to acoustic music. £14.56-£20.80, every Friday in June and July
Buy Tickets
OPEN GARDEN SQUARES WEEKEND: Next weekend, over 200 London gardens will be open to the public, including the garden inside Arsenal’s old stadium, a Japanese roof garden and a ‘bee barn’. Book your tickets now. 13-14 June
CHEESE MASTERCLASS: Cheese and wine get along beautifully, and you'll get plenty of both at this masterclass in Islington. Broaden your knowledge and indulge your palette. £28, 10 June, 7pm
Buy Tickets
BEER FESTIVALS: There is a plethora of beer festivals in June. If you prefer a more ‘liberated’ approach to your beer consumption, clothing is optional at one of them. Throughout June
GOLDIE LOOKIN CHAIN: Everyone's favourite Welsh rapping group is at Brooklyn Bowl at the O2 for a night of dope rhymes and straight-up silliness. £15, 12 June, 8pm
Buy Tickets
CITY OF LONDON FESTIVAL: Hear jazz on the top floor of the city’s skyscrapers, watch classical music in the historic churches or see performances in the green spaces and squares — over 164 events form this year's City of London Festival. Sadly no bowler hat this year though. 22 June-10 July
GIN FESTIVAL: Junipalooza, the UK's largest gin festival, comes to The Vinyl Factory in Soho, with tastings, classes and plenty of food to soak it all up. £12.50, 13 June, 12pm
Buy Tickets
WALK THE LINE: Take a 4.6 mile arty amble through East London, following a new arts trail that connects little-known parts of the River Lea to North Greenwich and the Royal Docks.
CHESSBOXING: Not heard of this sport? We can't decide whether it's ridiculous or brilliant. One round of boxing is followed by one game of chess, making it a workout for the mind and body. Watch experts in action at Scala in King's Cross. £15, 13 June, 7pm
Buy Tickets
WEST END LIVE: The cast of several big West End shows descend on Trafalgar Square for a weekend of theatre, music, performances and more. The casts of Billy Elliot, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Mamma Mia! and Matilda are among those taking part. Free, 20-21 June
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