See the Caryatides of Rotherhithe Old Town Hall

Found on the edge of a flowerbed in Southwark Park are the Caryatides of Rotherhithe Old Town Hall, two remnants of Henry Poole's Victorian Rotherhithe Town Hall, Greek-style architectural flourishes which flanked the main entrance from its opening in 1897.


Though the building was damaged during Second World War air raids, the Caryatides stayed in position until 1974, when they were relocated to the then brand-new Heygate Estate, where they stood for the Estate's whole life until demolition began in 2009, moving briefly into storage until they relocated to Southwark Park in 2011.

For more, see http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Rotherhithe.htm#caryatides

Remember the Second Great Fire of London

Though London had already been subjected to months of raids beginning on 7th September 1940, the night of 29th December 1940 saw one of the worst air raids of the Second Worl War, with 24,000 high explosive bombs and 100,000 incendiary bombs dropped on London, causing some of the most comprehensive destruction of the war Islington to the very edge of St Paul's Churchyard.


Though many other historic buildings and churches suffered serious damage we are told that Winston Churchill had ordered that St Paul's be saved at all costs. This could be one reason why the area just south of the Cathedral was chosen as the location for the National Firefighters Memorial in 1991. There is certainly much to be thankful to these people for, in terms of preserving the history and fabric of London as we see it today.

For more, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Great_Fire_of_London

Visit Kew Gardens after dark

As part of their Christmas Festival this year, Kew Gardens have a mile-long illuminated pathway through the Gardens with special lighting to make the most of the wintry scenes. It continues until 4th January so there is still plenty of time to visit before the season ends.


We are told that the trail takes visitors to hidden places off the beaten track, with captivating light, sound and landscape embracing the reflections of the lake, and adding new colours to old favourites such as the Mediterranean Garden and the Palm House. Timed visits begin from 4.45pm until 8.45pm.

For more, see http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas/

_{^Picture © Chris Ballard used under a Creative Commons license^}

Join the Festival of Winter Walks

During what is usually a time of feasting and general excess, it's good to get out and about and make the most of any rays of sunshine that come your way. The Ramblers - Britain's national walking organisation - have seized upon this and each year around Christmas and New Year they plan scores of walks around the country in what is known as the Festival of Winter Walks.


Of course, there are actually scores of group walks you can join around the country on most weeks with the Ramblers, but these are designed specifically for new people to join and vary in length and terrain to suit all abilities.

For more, see http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/festival-of-winter-walks.aspx

Follow the Blackheath Morris Men's Boxing Day tour

If you find yourself up in Blackheath today, be sure to watch out for the Blackheath Morris Men, who will be undertaking their annual Boxing Day tour of pubs from the Princess of Wales, via the Crown to the Hare & Billet, in the company of local side Fowler's Molly.


Those attending are mysteriously requested to bring fruit to throw, in what is sure to be a top afternoon of Morris dancing, beginning at 12.30pm and arriving at the final pub around 3pm.

For more, see http://www.blackheathmorris.com/Blackheath_Morris_Men/Diary.html

_{^Picture © James Higgott used under a Creative Commons license^}

Take a Christmas Day London Walk

It might be Christmas Day today, but London's walking tour guides never rest, and London Walks has two walks departing today, one of which left at 11am, exploring Samuel Pepys' London on Christmas Morning 1660, and another leaving at 2pm explores Dickensian London.


Both walks meet at the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, and there is no need to book. Just show up and enjoy the tour.

For more, see http://www.walks.com/London_Walks_Home/CHRISTMAS_SEASON_in_London/default.aspx


_{^Picture © Jerry Pank used under a Creative Commons license^}

Watch the International Space Station fly overhead

Thanks to the ever-brilliant IanVisits for today's suggestion, another gem as a result of his constant ability to seek out the most fantastic levels of detail. For tonight, clouds permitting, London has the opportunity to see the International Space Station fly overhead between 4.23pm and 4.26pm.


Ian offers the following advice for spotting it: "face directly to the West no more than a couple of minutes before it is due to arrive to get used to the dark sky — then watch out for a single bright star flying in a straight line directly towards you and overheard". 

For more, see http://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2013/12/19/watch-the-space-station-fly-over-london-on-xmas-eve/

_{^Picture © Mark Berbezier used under a Creative Commons license^}

Sing carols in the courtyards at Hampton Court

Your author is aware that this season's suggestions have been carol-singing heavy, but doing so is a particularly festive experience so it seems worth mentioning another one, today taking place at Hampton Court Palace. Potential singers are invited to sing around the courtyards of Hampton Court Palace in the company of the Epsom & Ewell Silver Band.


It all sounds fantastically festive, and if you haven't ever been to Hampton Court its courtyards are certainly worth exploring.

For more, see http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/WhatsOn/CourtyardCarolSinging2013

Buy foods at Maltby Street Market

We're now close enough to Christmas that if you are thinking of last-minute presents you can safely get away with buying foodstuffs, and whilst your author has already withdrawn to the countryside for some seasonal rest and relaxation those of you still in London could do worse that browse the Ropewalk stalls at Maltby Street Market.


We are told that the Market has been running since 2010, but this website is traditionally quite a while behind the curve so your author's first visit was two weeks ago, providing an opportunity to eat a very reasonable tartiflette and try lots of other things along the length of the market. The flags which hang flutter above the market are also a nice touch.

For more, see http://www.maltby.st

Dance with the Ceilidh Liberation Front at Brady Arts Centre

There's still time for some Scottish country dancing before Christmas, and if you're in the mood for it, the Ceilidh Liberation Front - who self define as London’s newest and most radical ceilidh band - are organising a "Reach for the Bunting" big winter party at the Brady Arts Centre in Whitechapel tonight.


Attendees are told to expect an Absinthe Bar, games, glitter and winter stew, and if that seems like your sort of thing you should probably think about going.

For more, see https://www.facebook.com/events/555583231183531/

_{^Picture © The Ceilidh Liberation Front^}

Sing carols at St Bride's, Fleet Street

There really is no excuse not to attend a carol service at St Bride's Church in Fleet Street today, with not one but two taking place at 12 noon and 5 pm and all welcome to see in the season in an atmospheric Grade I Listed church designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1672.


Attendees can expect a range of traditional carols led by the St Bride's Choir, in front of the Christmas tree, in an experience sure to set them up for the holidays well.

For more, see http://www.stbrides.com/calendar/

_{^Picture © Tony Hisgett used under a Creative Commons license^}

Browse the Southbank Christmas Market

In what has now become something of a seasonal tradition, once again they've put some little sheds on the South Bank to make you spend more money. The experience, however, isn't totally awful, and the Southbank Centre Christmas Market can sometimes even feel quite festive.


It's already been there more than a month and if, like your author, you have only wandered past so far this year you have less than a week to drop in. For the market only lasts until Christmas Eve and afterwards it will be straight back to pavement and people pretending to be statues for money.

For more, see http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/southbank-centre-christmas-market-1000456

_{^Picture © Ged Carroll used under a Creative Commons license^}

Sing carols at the Pilot Inn, North Greenwich

When lovely pubs have refurbishments your author often finds it rather troubling, and this was certainly true when he dropped in a couple of weeks ago to the newly reopened Pilot Inn, North Greenwich, and found what was once a comfortable pub with a sense of history had been refurbished as a town centre restaurant. Of course it isn't as bad as all that, and many will like it but the rows of tables marked up for 'diners only' are particularly objectionable.


Having said all this, they are thankfully making some effort to continue to connect with the local community - rather than presumably just trying to attract spill-over from the chain restaurants at the O2 - and tonight the carol singers of Holy Trinity Greenwich Peninsula will be finishing up a singing tour of Greenwich Millennium Village with some singing at the Pilot. Singing will commence around 7.45- 8pm, and begins earlier in the Milennium Village at 7pm.

For more, see http://www.holy-trinity-greenwich-peninsula.org.uk/ (18th December) or http://www.pilotgreenwich.co.uk/

Find Peter the Great in Deptford

In January 1698, Peter the Great of Russia came to Deptford to study shipbuilding, staying for a few months at Sayes Court, a house he rented from the diarist John Evelyn.  Unveiled in June 2001 in what was a rather late gesture to mark 300 years since his visit, a rather odd statue stands in front of Greenfell Mansions off Glaisher Street beside the Thames at the entrance to Deptford Creek.


During his visit, we are told that Peter worked incognito in the yards and had some drunken parties. The statue is by Mikhail Shemyakin and features Peter, a grand chair and a funny looking small man, said to reference Peter's interest in genetic curiosities.

For more, see http://carolineld.blogspot.co.uk/2008/10/peter-great-in-deptford-3-statue.html

Eat at the Bonnington Café

Friends have been suggesting to your author that he should eat at the Bonnington Café in Vauxhall for years, and last weekend the opportunity finally arose to pop in for lunch. A budget-friendly vegetarian and vegan restaurant, the Bonnington began life serving those visiting a 1980's squat, but remains today as something of a modern rarity...a squat success story.


Such is its collective nature, the Bonnington Café has no single cook, and meals are prepared by rotating member cooks so it is only possible here to mention the meals produced by one of these. Having said that, the food was excellent and towards the end of the sitting the cook even came out of the kitchen to check diners had enjoyed their meals, which was most engaging and welcome. We are told that other notable details which were not evident on the trip include a fire on a winter night, international cooks who bring their own global cuisines, a bring your own policy and monthly café users group meetings

For more, see http://www.bonningtoncafe.co.uk/