Entertainment

Galleries and Shows

If you’re interested in art, London offers a wealth of possibilities. There are some of the world’s most famous permanent collections – traditional, modern and surprising. Check the newspapers or a listing magazine like Time Out for up-to-date information on temporary exhibitions. Otherwise here are a few suggestions

Courtauld Institute www.courtauld.ac.uk

National Gallery www.nationalgallery.org.uk

National Portrait Gallery www.npg.org.uk

Wallace Collection www.the-wallace-collection.org.uk

Hayward Gallery www.sbc.org.uk

Tate Modern www.tate.org.uk

Royal Academy of Arts www.royalacademy.org.uk

Photographer’s Gallery www.photonet.org.uk

Film

Latest Hollywood blockbuster, cult movie, a classic from the 1940’s or the best of world cinema- all can be found in London.

The big cinemas in central London especially round Leicester Square can be expensive but many cinemas including the local ones in Richmond offer student discounts, usually Monday through Thursday. You’ll need to show your Richmond Student Card or NUS card.

The National Film Theatre (www.bfi.org.uk) puts together seasons of films by particular directors or films from particular countries and student membership of the British Film Institute is just £11(£30 if you want a pass to its library).

Theatre

London’s West End offers enough variety to ensure something for everyone. Big musicals and long running hits are the obvious choices but don’t forget the less well known: Shakespeare in the open air at Shakespeare’s Globe, The Barbican Centre (the Royal Shakespeare Company’s London home), or the Royal Court which concentrates on new writing. Sites such as www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk will keep you up to date with what’s on and where.

Theatre tickets can be pricey. Look out for the student standby schemes run by many theatres which enable you to buy unsold tickets 45 minutes before the performance starts at greatly reduced pries. You’ll need to show your NUS card. The Royal National Theatre www.nt-online.org offers some of the best student deals or you could visit the Society of London Theatre’s Half Price Ticket Booth in Leicester Square. The booth sells tickets for that day’s performances at theatres all over the West End for half-price. Always busy, cash only – no credit cards.

Music

Whatever your taste – rock, pop, jazz, classical or anything in between, you’ll find live music on offer all over London. Ticket prices vary enormously and for big names you’ll need to book in advance. Try to buy direct from the venue, you’ll save on booking fees. Otherwise use agents like Ticketmaster or Ticketline.

The biggest rock and pop venues like Brixton Academy, Hammersmith Apollo, London Arena and Wembley offer concerts throughout the year and attract the big stars. Big concert halls such as the Royal Albert Hall, South Bank Centre and Barbican Centre host classical, rock and jazz concerts. Smaller bands play London’s clubs and pubs and entrance fees are usually just a few pounds on the door. Check the music press online at www.nme.com sites such as www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/out/music/index.html or Time Out each week for details of who is playing where and when.
The Africa Centre (King Street WC2) hosts top African bands - usually on Friday evenings; and music from all over the world - Ireland to Brazil, Mozambique to Morocco, can be found in specialist venues all over London.

Eating Out

There’s no excuse to be homesick in London.
Restaurants specialising in food from around the world can be found all over the city. There are tons of restaurant guides both in book form and on-line. Try www.congokid.com

A few of our favourite restaurants which are also good value for money:

Indian :
Diwana Bhel Poori House, 121 Drummond Street London NW1 Tube : Euston Square

East African :
Asmara, 388 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 Tube : Brixton

Japanese :
56 Wardour Street London W1 Tube : Piccadilly Circus

Italian :
Pollo, 20 Old Compton Street London W1 Tube : Piccadilly Circus

Afghan :
Afghan Kitchen, 35 Islington Green, N1 Tube : Angel

Turkish :
Gallipoli. 102 Upper Street London N1 Tube : Angel

Sudanese :
Mandola, 139-141 Westbourne Road London W10 Tube : Ladbrook Grove

British :
British food doesn’t have a great reputation world-wide but this is a thing of the past! From pub favorites like bangers and mash (sausages and mash potatoes) to Sunday roast dinners, there are many exciting new culinary delights to experience here in the UK! For something typical and very good, go to the North Sea Fish Restaurant for possibly the best fish and chips in London.

7-8 Leigh Street, London WC1 Tube : Russell Square

And if you just can’t wait to get here have a look at
www.ukfood.about.com/aboutuk/ukfood/cs/englishrecipes/ and try your hand at making some traditional British favourites.

Link to this page: http://www.richmond.ac.uk/s/41.aspx