Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2014

Winter Wonderland play host to all winter festivities and activities in Hyde Park running from the end of November into the beginning of January the next year. This year it was held form 21st November 2014 to 4th January 2015. There are rides, attractions, cafés and bars to explore all of which fall into the following sections of the Wonderland:

• Santa Land – Home to Santa’s Grotto and a chance to meet Santa. There are food and rides in this section.
• Fairy Christmas Market, Nostalgic Victorian Fair and Angels Mart – An area lined up with cafés, bars and shops where you can find yourself in some festive treats, drinks and gifts.
• Arctic Circle – Ice and snow themed rides such as the Magical Ice Kingdom and North Pole Funhouse. You can find Bar Ice here where you can sit down with a drink in an environment made with ice.
• Bavarian Village – A place for the family to sit down and enjoy German festive traditions. You can sit down to German food, beer and music.
• Alpine Adventure – An area clustered with a mix of rides to try out.

You can find out further information on opening times and what's on at Winter Wonderland on their website.

#HPWW

Monty's Winter Garden

John Lewis (in partnership with Samsung) became home to Monty’s Winter Garden between the 8th November to 31st December 2014. The Winter Garden was housed on the roof terrace of John Lewis’s Oxford Street store.

Here are the things that were in the garden:

• Tupic – An “Inuit onspired shelter” complete with large expanse seating areas with a televised fireplace with an illustrious fragrance given off by the surrounding trees.
• Pose with Monty – An opportunity to get a picture with Monty and you can get it printed out in Monty’s House at the request of the staff helpers.
• Snug – A small “cosy hideaway” which has bed-like seating areas or a chance to lie down.
• Viewing Points – 2 viewing points that gives a panoramic view of London.
• Hot Chocolate Bar – Warm drinks and snacks provided by Hotel Chocolat.
• Monty’s House – Create festive treats with a chance to win one of Samsung’s products in the house.

Once the event has finished, the Winter Garden will be transformed back into the roof garden that it was before which can still be access during the week.  

#MontyThePenguin

Bus Art: Year of the Bus Sculpture Trails - Around Croydon

Bus Art: Year of the Bus Sculpture Trails – Around Croydon is the last part of an instalment of trails for the Year of the Bus event which was launched at a later date, Wednesday 10th December 2014. The trail gives an insight into the local areas with Wandle Park which comes complete with play area, café and river, Croydon library as well as a spot of shopping in the town centre’s shopping centre complexes. One mode of transport which seems unique to the area is the Tramslink which reaches far and wide across the areas of Croydon.

The trail has 17 bus sculptures in total:

1. Diversity. Artist: Rachel Stevens. Location: Dingwall Road.

2. Circuit Bus. Artist: Eloise Kerr. Location: Dingwall Road.

3. Crystal. Artist: Sophie Green. Location: The Whitgift Shopping Centre.

4. Moquette. Artist: Designs by Mini Moderns and created by Michele Pouncey. Location: The Whitgift Shopping Centre.

5. Flower Fairies. Artist: Michelle Heron. Location: The Whitgift Shopping Centre.

6. Poppy the Party Bus. Artist: Jenny Leonard. Location: North End.

7. The ‘75’ to Crocus Valley. Artist: Lis Watkins. Location: Saffron Square.

8. Wild Ride. Artist: Jennie Grover. Location: Wandle Park.

9. Queen of the Sky. Artist: Deven Bhurke. Location: Church Street.

10. Do The Locomotive. Artist: Anna Rawles and Jennifer Rodgers. Location: Reeves Corner.

11. Trammin’. Artist: Reeves Corner. Location: Charles Street.

12. Surrey Street Market. Artist: Matt Bannister. Location: Matthew’s Yard.

13. The Library. Artist: Anna Rawles and Jennifer Rodgers. Location: Katharine Street.

14. Croydon Layers. Artist: Matt Bannister. Location: Mint Walk.

15. At The Bottom of The Garden. Artist: Anna Benson. Location: The Queen’s Gardens.

16. Magic Bus. Artist: Giles Boardman. Location: Fairfield Gardens.

17. Pearl. Artist: Janet Fishwick. Location: College Road.

#YearoftheBus

 

Paddington Trail - The Christmas Trail

Paddington Trail – The Christmas Trail walks around Central London aiming to cross paths with festivities along the way such as catching the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square and Christmas lights across main shopping districts such as Regent Street and Oxford Street. There are 13 Paddington Bears on this trail:

14. Goldiebear - Kate Moss - Selfridges, W1C 1JX *

Camobear - Harper Heyman - 4th floor, Selfridges, W1C 1JX *

High on Toast - Harland Miller - Everyman Cinema, Selfridges, W1C 1JX *

15. Sparkles - Frankie Bridge - South Molton Street, W1K 5RD

16. Bear Humbug - Ant & Dec - Outside John Lewis, Oxford Street, W1C 2HR

17. The Spirit of Paddington - Rolls-Royce Motor Cars - Berkeley Square Gardens, W1J 5AP **

18. Thread Bear - Matthew Williamson – Halfway down New Bond Street, W1S 3SU

20. Parka Paddington - Liam Gallagher - Carnaby Street, W1F 7FB

23. Bearodiversity - Peru - Glasshouse Street, W1B 5HQ

24. Paddington the Explorer - Ripley's Believe It or Not! London - Piccadilly Circus, W1J 9HS

25. Paddington Lloyd Webber - Andrew Lloyd Webber - Gerrard Street, Chinatown, WC2H 7PU **

26. Blush - Nicole Kidman - Middle of Leicester Square, WC2H 7DE **

27. The Bear of London - Boris Johnson - Trafalgar Square, SW1P 3AL

31. Special Delivery - Ben Wishaw - Covent Garden, South Hall, WC2E 8BE

32. Rainbow - Darcey Bussell - Royal Opera House, WC2B 5HP

* Part of the Selfridges’ Collection.

** Removed for the NSPCC charity auction from 9th to 11th December 2014.

#PaddingtonTrail

Paddington Trail - Royal Parks Trail

Paddington Trail - Royal Parks Trail hit through the greeneries exploring four royal parks: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Green Park and St James’s Park. The bears are also by famous sites such as Buckingham Palace and House of Parliament.


9. The Journey of Marmalade – Hugh Bonneville – Hyde Park, Serpentine Kitchen, W2 2UH *

10. Paws Engage – Canterbury of New Zealand – Lancaster Gate, Kensington Gardens, W2 3PS

19. Golden Paws – David Beckham – Canada Gate, Green Park, SW1A 1AA *

28. Paddington Jack – Davina McCall – Horse Guards Parade – SW1A 2AE **

29. Good News Bear – The Telegraph – Parliament Square, SW1P 3AL

30. Paddington is Great – Stephen Fry – Downing Street, SW1A 2AA

50. Dapper Bear - Guy Ritchie – Outside Notting Hill Gate Station, W11 3HT

* Taken to auction between 9th – 11th December 2014.
** Correct location is outside the Churchill War Rooms near to Clive Steps on Horse Guards Road

#PaddingtonTrail