Art of London are bringing art, culture, and food to your door!
With the end of the lockdown still a week away, we’re waiting on the edge of our seats to get back out and explore the city we love once again. However, if you’re missing London’s attractions as much as we are, there’s a shortcut you can take – one which will give you an epic day out in London, without leaving your sofa. Art of London have organised a virtual tour of their favourite spots around Piccadilly, Charing Cross, and St James’, taking in art galleries, dinner experiences, and even London’s Crystal Maze experience, all from home. It’s easily one of the best ways to spend a day during lockdown, and we’ve rounded up all the highlights below!
Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts
The jewel of the Royal Academy calendar was delayed until winter for the first time in history – and since this is the first ever Summer Exhibition to be organised over Zoom, there’s a certain sense of propriety about exploring it virtually! The one-hour video tour takes you all around this year’s exhibition, which reflects upon themes of identity, immigration, climate change, democracy, and more. There’s a wealth of art to enjoy, be it painting, photography, film, or sculpture, and you can even shop for your favourites on this virtual tour. Find out more here.
National Gallery Online
Why take just one tour of the National Gallery when you can take three? You’ll see unforgettable art from the comfort of your sofa here, as you embark upon a National Gallery tour from your laptop, phone, or even VR headset. For starters, the Google Virtual Tour whizzes you around Renaissance art from Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany – with Titian, Veronese, and Holbein on the roster. Meanwhile, the VR tour of the Sainsbury Wing offers a 360° look at some 270 artworks from the Early Renaissance, best enjoyed through a VR headset (it’s also available on phone or desktop though). Finally, you can wander through all eighteen rooms of the National Gallery, learning more about each painting from the Gallery’s dedicated information pages. It’s the quickest route to art connoisseur, we reckon! Join the tours here.
New English Art Club Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries
It flies a tad under the radar when going up against big hitters like the Royal Academy and National Gallery, but the Mall Galleries’ annual show isn’t one to miss if you’re an art lover. The theme of this year’s exhibition is reflections, with a talented swathe of established and upcoming artists invited to, erm, reflect on the theme and produce their best artwork. You can explore the show on your mobile, and many of the artworks are available to buy. Discover more here.
CIRCA, Piccadilly Circus
Our final arty stop on this whirlwind day out brings us to Piccadilly Circus, currently home to the biggest digital art installation in Europe. CIRCA takes over the famed billboards every evening, with a different artist given the reins each month. In November, US artist Cauleen Smith is running the show, with her COVID MANIFESTO appearing on the boards at 8:20pm each night. If you’re not able to see it in person, you can join the livestream here and see Smith’s digital creation in all its glory. Alternatively, you can shop for her art print, which is raising money to support the UK cultural sector during the pandemic.
Dome From Home, Crystal Maze Experience
The Secret London team have taken on the Crystal Maze, and quite honestly it’s one of the best press previews we’ve ever been to. So, any chance to enter the famed maze shouldn’t be turned down, especially since there’s now the option to tackle it from home. You and a team of seven allies can join forces for a 90-minute virtual Crystal Maze experience, with a dedicated, witty Maze Master guiding your groups through the challenges. It’s just £15 per person to enter, and all you need to take part is a webcam, microphone, and Internet connection. Get involved here!
Gaucho Wine Delivery
Once you’ve appreciated art to your heart’s content, or vanquished every challenge in the Crystal Maze, it’s time for a well-earned victory drink. The online Gaucho Wine Shop stocks wines by the bottle and case, with a strong focus on the Argentine wines that underpin the restaurant’s wine list. You can pick up bottles for as little as £9, and if you shop before November 30 and use the code HEART15 at the checkout, you’ll get 15% off thanks to Art of London’s exclusive discount. How nice of them! Browse the wine shop here.
Corbin & King’s Home Dining and Cocktail Delivery Service
Corbin & King are restaurant royalty, having gifted London outstanding eateries such as The Wolseley, Brassérie Zedel, and The Delaunay. Now, they’re bringing their delectable dishes to you, with home dining dishes drawn from menu favourites across their restaurant group. Nothing better than curling up with a film and Brassérie Zedel’s Mousse au Chocolat, is there? Better still, you can also order take home cocktails from The Wolseley Collection, with bottled classics like the Negroni, Manhattan, and Margarita all ready to order. Plan your next meal here.
Firmdale’s Afternoon Tea at Home
Our final stop on this memorable day out naturally includes coffee, cake, and a luxurious addition of fizz. How often do you get a festive afternoon tea delivered to your door? The answer is “clearly not enough!”, and to remedy that, it’s high time to order the Veuve Clicquot Festive Tea, suitable for four people (though we won’t judge you if you get it just for yourself). The afternoon tea includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, finger sandwiches, truffle and mushroom arancini, cinnamon and honey macarons, and fresh-baked scones with all the toppings. There’s even a scented candle to set the festive mood! The afternoon tea packages are available on multiple dates through November and December, and can be delivered to most central London postcodes – order yours here.