London winter 2022 guide
Thankfully we’ve made it to the end of January, aka the bleakest month of the year. Phew. Well we still have a bit of winter to get through until the yellow daffodils start sprouting through and the pink hue of cherry trees take over London. This is a guide to get you through until then.
Going outdoors at the moment can be a real struggle but there are wonderful opportunities around London to continue to be inspired even when the weather is grim, grey, dark, depressing, cold (you get my drift…)
This is a trifecta of things to do: art, food and activity. All the things that I love to do. Hope you enjoy. Will be posting another one in the Spring.
1 Dulwich Gallery
This surprising gallery in South London really packs a punch. They always have an incredible roster of artists and exhibitions. Their most recent, a spotlight on Helen Frankenthaler is a colour fanatic’s dream. Famous for her woodcuts and role in Abstract Expressionism, the gallery has beautifully paired her work with Claude Monet’s as a way to see their similarities in colour and artistic approach. On until 18 April 2022.
2 Selfridges
Now I normally avoid Selfridges because (1) tourists and (2) I always overspend in their food hall, but I’ll disregard this because of their recent collaboration with Victor Vasarely. In a short explanation, Vasarely is an op artist, meaning he likes to play with perception and vision. Selfridges, alongside Paco Rabanne have created this concept retail space that doubles as a gallery. It’s bright, it’s colourful, it’s mind-bending. Also just as an FYI, if you happen to get hungry whilst you’re there, the newest London outpost of Din Tai Fung just opened at Selfridges. Get your dumpling, art and shopping fix in one.
3 Bao Noodle Shop
It’s no secret that I love everything Bao and I also really love a hot soup on a cold winter’s day. Now I don’t know what magical ingredients they put into their slow cooked beef cheek soup, but the aromas that envelop you as your bowl is gently placed in front of you, warms your mind, body and soul. Take my word for it. Also would recommend finishing off with the fried horlicks ice cream bao. Because it’s winter and you deserve it.
4 Walthamstow Marshes
Exactly one year ago during the winter lockdown, I found myself going mad. I had just started MOS, with no business in sight and a lot of time on my hands. I decided to start going out for long morning walks around East London and documenting everything on Instagram. I long awaited for colour to come back to London’s green spaces but quickly realised that winters materials have a beautiful delicacy to them. I started foraging and making small arrangements with my findings. I encourage you to do the same. Walthamstow Marshes is large, quiet and meditative space. Bring some scissors and create your own natural masterpieces.
5 Kew Gardens
Every January, I religiously await for Kew’s Orchid Festival. When that email arrives allowing me to book tickets, I contact my greatest friend (also fellow orchid lover) and we organise the earliest time we can meet and go. Kew puts on a vivid show in their cacti gardens that celebrates the world of orchids and everything in between. It’s an explosion of colour and warmth. I always walk around, utterly bewildered, wondering how how such natural beings can be created. It’s a wonderful way to get your mind off of whatever troubles you might be facing, and directly into the beauty of our natural world. And as a final plus, you can stop by the Waterlily House to see where the BBC’s Green Planet got their material from. On from 5 February - 6 March 2022.
6 Great Dixter Gardens
Now if you’re the type of person that loves nature, gardens and flowers but the thought of going out into the cold and dark winter day is a bit too much, because you’re in peak hibernation - have a look at Great Dixter Gardens online events. Tonight they have (January 28th) a 2-hour lecture called “Painting Pictures with Plants” that looks into how combinations of layering foliage, texture and rhythm come together to create the great garden. They also have another lecture, “Winter Work at Great Dixter” that looks particularly intriguing. Tickets are only £15.