All creatures great . . .

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. . . and small

London is full of surprises—you never know what you might encounter when you turn a corner. Three worth checking out:

Wild Table of Love — Near the exit of the Elizabeth Line at Paddington Station, you’ll find The Wild Table of Love by artists Gillie and Marc. This striking bronze sculpture features Rabbitwoman and Dogman seated at a table surrounded by the ten most endangered animals in the world. Viewers are invited to join them at the two empty seats.

The sculpture is part of Love The Last, a public art initiative aimed at raising awareness, funds, and support for endangered species worldwide. The Wild Table of Love was previously on display at Paternoster Square from June 2022 to May 2023 and will be at Paddington until July 2026.
146 Praed St, London W2 1EE
Bonus : Just across the street is a charming clock featuring a lifelike man who “manually” adjusts the time every minute. This piece, created by Dutch artist Maarten Baas, is part of his Real Time series. The 12-hour recording blends art, design, and theatre, ensuring that every minute is unique. Once you start watching, it’s hard to look away. Similar clocks can be found in Amsterdam, Milan, and Venice.
Two Mice Eating the Cheese — Unlike the large-scale Wild Table of Love, Two Mice Eating the Cheese is London’s smallest public statue. Located on the exterior of an 1860s building near the popular Sky Garden, this tiny piece is said to commemorate two construction workers who tragically fell after fighting over a missing cheese sandwich—only to discover the sandwich had been eaten by mice.
23 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1DE

These quirky art pieces are proof that it’s always worth taking a closer look around in London!

Paddington Bear

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A British Icon


Paddington Bear first appeared in the British children’s book A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond, published in 1958. Bond, who lived near Paddington Station in London, chose this location as the spot where the Brown family finds the bear after his journey from Peru. Today, a bronze statue of Paddington marks this famous spot on Platform 1 at Paddington Station. In addition to a shopping kiosk, the station also features the Paddington Shop — the only store in the world dedicated to the beloved character.


The Paddington books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold over 30 million copies worldwide. The films Paddington (2014), Paddington 2 (2017), and Paddington in Peru (2024) have helped bring this charming bear to life on the big screen. To celebrate the latest film and Paddington’s role as Welcome Ambassador, a Paddington Bear mural can be seen on Sutton Walk, just outside of Waterloo Station, until January 2026.


In both British and popular culture, Paddington has also enjoyed a special connection with Queen Elizabeth II. In the 1986 book Paddington at the Palace, the bear claims to have spotted the Queen in a window, and in the 2006 pantomime play The Queen’s Handbag, Paddington participated in celebrations for her 80th birthday. However, perhaps the most unforgettable Paddington moment occurred during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, when the bear shared a cream tea and marmalade sandwiches with her in a special televised sketch. Following the Queen’s passing later that year, Paddington’s heartfelt message, "Thank you, Ma’am, for everything," went viral, capturing the public’s affection and admiration for both the Queen and the bear.

Van Gogh All-Nighter

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Tickets on sale January 17th

If you put off seeing the sellout exhibition Van Gogh : Poets & Lovers, the National Gallery will release a special set of night-time tickets for the final weekend when the Gallery will be open 24 hours (9 pm January 17 - 10 am January 18).

This is only the second time the Gallery has been open overnight in its 200-year history - the first was Leonardo da Vinci : Painter at the Court of Milan in 2012.

The Van Gogh exhibit is the third most popular exhibition in the National Gallery’s history, with here 280K+ people since it opened in September 2024.

It is the Gallery's first exhibition devoted to Van Gogh and the only one to focus on the artist’s transformation during his time in Arles and Saint-Rémy and features 60+ works of Van Gogh's most beloved drawings and paintings, as well as rarely seen works from museums and private collections from around the world.

Tip : Limited number of Member Tickets available for late and overnight opening hours www.nationalgallery.org.uk ✆ +44 2077 472885
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN

See it Live in 2025

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Top theatre starting at £10
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Previously known as Get Into London Theatre and The New Year Sale, See it Live in 2025 offers top theatre tickets for £10, £20, £30, £40, £50 & £60. Book tickets for select performances by January 31, 2025.  Ones not to miss:

Longest running shows . . .
  • Mouse Trap (£30, £40, £50, £60) — 73 years and counting
  • Les Miserables (£30, £50, £60) — Over 15,000 shows

Global award-winning . . .
  • Matilda : The Musical (£30, £40, £50, £60) — 100+ global awards, 13+ year West End run
  • Wicked (£30, £40, £50, £60) — 100+ global awards, 10th longest-running production in West End history
Great musical artists . . .
    • MJ : The Musical (£50, £60) — Tony Award-winning new musical
    • Tina : The Tina Turner Musical (£30) — Five years on the West End presented in association with Tina Turner

    From the movies . . .  
    • Back to the Future : The Musical (£30, £40, £50, £60) — Olivier Award winner 2022 Best New Musical
    • Disney's The Lion King (£30, £40, £5-) — Award-winning musical in its 23rd year
    For music lovers . . .
    • The Choir of Man (£20, £30, £40, £60) — Olivier Award-nominated show transfers to West End March 12, 2025
    • The Curious Incident of Benjamin Button (£20, £30, £40, £50l £60) — Winner Best Musical Production 2024 Off West End Awards
    Longest running comedy . . .
        • The Play that Goes Wrong (£30, £40, £50, £60) — 11-year West End run
        Original cast returns . . .
            • Hadestown (£20, £30, £40, £50, £60) — Original cast members from Broadway and National Theatre return for a limited run February 11 - March 5, 2025
            Be the first to see . . .
                • 101 Dalmatians (£30, £40, £50, £60) — Limited 6-week run July 17 - August 30, 2025)
                • Clueless : The Musical (£50, £60) — February 15 - June 14, 2025
                Tip #1: If you are local and have some flexibility timing wise, you may be able to select comparable (or even better prices via TodayTix or TKTS apps closer to date.

                Tip #2 :  Use Seat Plan or Which Seats to checkout reviews and view from fellow theatre patrons (restricted view seats can be worth the the discounted price)

                Book now before the promotion ends January 31st!

                Best of 2024, Part II

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                Top 10 posts — Part II

                The best of the best from 2024

                5. Stylish Shops & Tea — London's oldest shopping arcades
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/05/stylish-shops-tea.html

                4. Hampton Court Riverside Tea — Two options within walking distance of Hampton Court
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/06/hampton-court-riverside-tea.html

                3. Kew Gardens bloom — A World Heritage Site and one of London's top attractions that is home to over 50,000 plants
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/04/kew-garden-blooms.html

                2. 10 Must-see shows — Catch these during Official London Theatre Sale, one of London's longest-running promotions for top London shows
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/01/10-must-see-shows.html
                1. Top Bonfire Nights                 — Three top ones taking place over the weekend and the day of
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/10/top-bonfire-night-fireworks.html




                More to come in 2025!

                Best of 2024

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                Top 10 posts — Part I

                Themed events were particularly popular this past year— it's not too early to mark your diary for 2025:

                10. Wimbledon Walk — Sampling of stops to make, including this year's standout shops
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/07/wimbledon-walk.html
                9. Kids Eat Free Half-Term — . . . and beyond
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/01/kids-eat-free-half-term.html
                8. London Theatre Week — £15-£35 tickets for over 60 shows
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/03/london-theatre-week.html

                7. London Cocktail Week — Features signature cocktails for £8 at 200+ venues
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/09/london-cocktail-week.html

                6. International Chocolate Day — 7 of the best chocolatiers in London and Surrey
                www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/08/international-chocolate-day.html



                Best of 2023 — Part II will feature the best of the best from 2024.

                Seasonal Gifts

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                Starting at £5

                Whether you are looking for an affordable stocking stuffer or a gift that adds to the season, here are some top picks:

                M&S Scottish Chocolate Chip Shortbread Biscuit Tin (£5) — All-butter shortbread squares with dark chocolate chips in a decorative British Union Jack flag tin.


                Liberty of London Chocolate Coin (£6.95) — Giant chocolate coins for kids and kids at heart!




                Liberty of London Ornament (£8.95) — Glass ornament featuring iconic London landmarks.




                M&S Jaffa Cake Clock (£11) — Tin includes bite-sized dark chocolate orange Jaffa Cakes and features a Lid with a working clock.

                Alison Gardiner Palace of Westminster Puzzle (£12.92) — Palace of Westminster Christmas scene adorns this 1000-piece puzzle.
                Clementine Gin Liqueur Snow Globe (£21) — Snow globe filled with clementine flavored gin liqueur with edible gold leaf.
                Silent Pool Gin (£42.50) — Handcrafted English gin with 24 botanicals from the Surrey Hills.

                Add-On : Pair with a rose gold wireless bottle lamp so it can become a table lamp after the gin is finished.

                Give early so they can be enjoyed during the season and beyond!