LONDON'S CALLING...
All the reasons why we love our hometown... and why you should too!
As part of our #BluebellaLoves series, we're currently running an exciting competition for one lucky Bluebella fan to win the ultimate weekend in our hometown of London! The winner will stay overnight at the exclusive Ampersand Hotel in Kensington, get a pair of tickets to this year's most talked about exhibition at the V&A, 'Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear' and get £250 to treat yourself to some Bluebella gorgeousness! Not that you needed any persuading to enter, but we thought we'd give you the low down on what we love about our beloved capital city.
If this doesn't tempt you, we don't know what will!
CITY SUN
London is without doubt THE best place to be in the summer. Whilst we know our typical British weather doesn't always work in our favour, when it does, boy is it good! The city comes alive in a way it doesn't in the winter - everybody flocks to the pubs post-work, spends weekends in the city's many parks or meets friends for brunch al-fresco style. We love strolling around Regent's Park and taking a walk up Primrose Hill in North London, before hopping over to Hampstead for a quintessentially British brunch! Or if we're in Chelsea, we love wandering down the King's Road for a spot of shopping and the occasional celeb spotting too.
MUSEUM GOLD
If you're the lucky winner of our competition, then you'll be staying in an area that is famous for its museums, South Kensington. London's rich history and deep-rooted culture means there's many things to learn about and afternoons can easily disappear within an exhibition, whether it's the Natural History's display of dinosaurs or the Science Museum's state-of-the-art technology. What we're most interested in, however, is the V&A's outstanding showcase dedicated to all things lingerie with their new exhibition 'Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear'. Exploring the journey lingerie has made through the decades, it's a must for any lingerie lover and that's why we're giving the winner a pair of tickets to it... we promise you will not be left disappointed!
FOODIE FANATICS
If you're anything like us, then you'll be just as obsessed with food! London's vibrant foodie scene continues to grow and whatever your taste buds desire, you can get. Take a stroll up Islington's hub of Upper Street where you'll find every cuisine (that doesn't break the bank) you could ever imagine - we especially loveOttolenghi, whose founder Yotam is widely regarded as one of Britain's best chefs. If you're in Central, make sure you take a good walk around Soho's bustling streets where you'll find yourself immersed in the very best of the city's culture. For a cheap eat of £20, try Burger & Lobster, which does exactly what it says on the tin and trust us, it's amazing! If you want a more boozy brunch, head South to Bunga Bunga which is the spot for all day drinking and eating, plus a bit of karaoke thrown in for fun too.
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE...
Show business! And of course, any trip to London wouldn't be complete without West End show. Whilst there is all the great shows that have been around for years (and we thoroughly recommend you go see them) such as Lion King, Wicked and Billy Elliot, there are constantly new and exciting ones that come around for a limited time only and this summer, Branagh's Romeo & Juliet at the Garrick Theatre in Covent Garden is one of them. Starring Lily James (pictured) and Richard Madden, they tell the tale of Shakespeare's heartbreaking story of forbidden love. The show is part of five different plays under the Branagh banner that brings together a remarkable group of actors including Dame Judi Dench, so if you don't manage to get tickets to this show there's another four to choose from. A must!
SHOP TO YOUR HEART'S CONTENT
If there's one thing London is famous for, it's the shopping. But, if you want to do it properly, it's best to avoid the tourist traps. Oxford Street is notoriously busy and while many flagship stores are located here, it isn't necessarily the best shopping destination. Instead, we like to head just round the corner to Carnaby Street (once the hub of the Swinging Sixties) where a more boutique offering of worldwide brands is available, plus independent labels that you can't find anywhere else. If you're a vintage fan, then Camden Passage in Islington is a treasure trove of vintage clothes and classic antiques, plus you can stop off for a breather in its cute coffee shops. If you're East, make sure you head down to Broadway Market in Hackney on Saturdays where you'll find some of London's most famous pop ups here at home every weekend.
If that's wetted your appetite, then make sure you're in with a chance by entering here - it only takes two tics!
