Celebrate the Chinese New Year in London

Celebrate the Chinese New Year in style 2012 marks the Year of the Dragon and on 29th January, London is set to be filled with vibrant colours, good cheer and marvellous celebrations. The Dragon is one of the most renowned creatures in Chinese legend and those born in Dragon years are said to be highly driven, brave and innovative.

From 10am to 12pm the capital will come alive with the infamous parade commencing at the West End, passing through China Town, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road and Rupert Street until finally, ending the celebrations at Trafalgar Square.

Once the parade has finished the official opening ceremony will begin with the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and Chinese Ambassador to London, Mr Liu Xiaoming making their speeches, continued by Dragon dancing, live performances and music until 6pm.

Not all celebrations will be held at Trafalgar Square; China Town will host a parade by Lion dancers, offer local produce on an array of stalls and along Shaftesbury Avenue spectators can enjoy live performances from schools and local community groups.

Last year 300,000 people attended the celebrations, with Shaftesbury Avenue becoming "Hong Kong in London" and spectators enjoying acrobatic performances and world-class dance, music.

When and Where?

29th January across London

For the morning parade: West End, China Town, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road, Rupert Street and Trafalgar Square.
For the opening ceremony: Trafalgar Square.
Celebrations: Trafalgar Square, China Town and Shaftesbury Avenue.

Nearby Bars and Restaurants

With so many destinations to arrive at, the choice of restaurants and bars are in abundance. However, after much thought we have narrowed the selection down to what we believe are the best bars and eateries in the city (all the restaurants have a common theme).

•    Ping Pong (45 Great Marlborough Street, City of Westminster, W1F 7JL)
Cuisine: Chinese
Telephone Number: (020) 7851 6969
•     Y Ming (35 Greek St, Westminster, W1D 5DL)
Cuisine: Chinese
Telephone Number: (020) 7734 2721
•    Chine City Restaurant – Leicester Square (4 Leicester Street, WC2H 7BL)
Cuisine: Chinese
Telephone Number: (020) 7437 1528
•    Yauatcha (15 Broadwick Street, Greater London, W1F 0DL)
Cuisine: Chinese
Telephone Number: (020) 7494 8888
•    Cork & Bottle Wine Bar (44-46 Cranbourn Street, Greater London, WC2H 7AN)
Type: Wine Bar
Telephone Number: (020) 7734 7807
•    Zoo Bar & Club (13-17 Bear Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7AQ)
Type: Bar and Cub
Telephone number: (020) 7839 4188

Accommodation

You have celebrated the Chinese New Year in style, taken in all the sights of the parade and enjoyed dancing across Trafalgar Square. Now it’s time to relax and unwind from the day’s activities in a luxurious London apartment. At Refresh Accommodation we have plenty of studio, one, two, three and four bedroom apartments for you to choose from, ideal for couples, families or a party of close friends.

Citadines Trafalgar, Trafalgar Square (nearest underground: Charing Cross)
SACO London Covent Garden, The West End (nearest underground: Covent Garden)
No. 5 Maddox Street, Mayfair (nearest underground: Oxford Circus)
Arlington House, Mayfair (nearest underground: Green Park)

Travel (http://www.tfl.gov.uk)

The best way to get to the Chinese New Year locations in London is via the underground. Below you will find a list of the nearest tube stations to get off at to watch the parade go by.

To get to Trafalgar Square you want to stop off at Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern Lines). London Charing Cross Rail Station is also close by, ideal for those who want to travel into London without having to use the tube.

If you want to parade down to China Town, the nearest tube stations to jump off at are Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly Lines) or Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly Lines).

Watching the parade from the West End you have an assortment of tube stations to get off at, depending on the direction you’re coming from. Get to the West End by arriving at Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly Lines), Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line), Tottenham Court Rd (Central and Northern Lines), Oxford Circus (Central, Bakerloo and Victoria Lines) or Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly Lines).

To arrive at Shaftsbury Avenue, you want to get off at Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly Lines). However, if you wish to get to Charing Cross Road, Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly Lines) or Tottenham Court Rd (Central and Northern Lines) are your point of call.

To get to either end of Rupert Street you’ll need to jump off the tube at either Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly Lines) or Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly Lines).

Disney on Ice Princesses and Heroes

Experience the magic of Disney on IceDisney on Ice presents Princesses and Heroes where all your favourite characters from popular Disney stories come together for an action packed family adventure.  Expect to see high speed skating, daring acrobatics and all your favourite characters as Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, and many other princesses take to the ice to make their dreams come true.   Enjoy stories from the depths of Ariel’s undersea kingdom as she yearns to explore the world above the waves to stories from a whole new world with the loveable Jasmine and Aladdin. See Prince Phillip defeat Maleficent and watch what happens when Sleeping Beauty receives true love’s first kiss.

Whether you love Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, wishes coming true, heroic action or undersea adventures, every moment you loved from these Disney treasures come to life at Wembley Arena in March. This magical performance is sure to capture the imaginations of thousands and create a lifetime of fond memories. We predict that Princesses and Heroes will become one of Disney on Ice’s most spelling-binding shows yet.

For more information on Disney on Ice Princesses and Heroes 2012 in London, please phone 020 8782 5566.

Show dates, times and tickets

Wembley Arena: March 7 to April 1

Click here to find times and book your tickets

Venue Address

Wembley Arena,  Arena Square,Engineers Way,London, HA9 OAA.

Travel (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/)

Wembley Arena is one of the greatest live event venues in London and during March it will be filled with enchantment and spectacular entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

Underground

For those who are travelling to Wembley Arena to catch this magical adventure the closest underground station is Wembley Park (serviced by the Jubilee and Metropolitan line).

Overland Rail

Wembley Arena is situated a close walk from the Wembley Stadium Rail Station.

Buses

When travelling to Wembley Arena during the day, hop onto either the 92, PR2 or 83 buses. However, on your way back take the 83 night bus to Ealing Hospital.

Visit the TfL website for more information about the bus routes or any other London public transport.

Nearby bars and restaurants

When visiting the Wembley Arena you will find there are some tantalisingly good restaurants and atmospheric bars to call upon. Below is a list of our recommended bars and restaurants, which one tickles your taste buds?

Wembley Arena

• Sushi-Say (33b Walm Lane, NW2 5SH.)

Cuisine: Japanese, sushi

Telephone Number: (020) 8459 7512

• Carluccio’s (Brent Cross Shopping Centre, NW4 3FN.)

Cuisine: Italian

Telephone Number:  (020) 8203 6844

• The Parish (120 Wembley Park Drive, Wembley, HA9 8HP.)

Type: Pub

Telephone Number: (020) 8903 8119

• The Avalon (16 Balham Hill, Balham, SW12 9EB.)

Type:  Public House and Garden

Telephone Number: (020) 8675 8613

Accommodation

If you’re treating the family to a spellbinding London show and are in need of a place to stay, we here at Refresh Accommodation believe we have the right place for you. Choose from an extraordinary array of two or three bedroom apartments that are all within close proximity of the Wembley Arena. Below you will find a list of luxury serviced apartments that range in price, ensuring we can accommodate both your family and wallet.

Sanctum Apartments – Maida Vale/Kilburn, (nearest underground: Kilburn Park)

SO-Quartier, Maida Vale/Kilburn (nearest underground: Kilburn Park)

162 Gloucester Place, Regents Park (nearest station: Baker street)

Presidential Apartments, The West End (nearest underground: Marble Arch)



The BRIT Awards

The BRIT Awards returns to the O2 ArenaA comprehensive guide about The BRIT Awards, which is taking place at The O2 Arena in London during February 2012.

The BRIT Awards will be returning to The O2 Arena for the second consecutive time after experiencing a fantastic year in 2011 at one of the world’s most successful music venues. Hosting the event will be the talented actor/writer/producer and presenter James Corden, who will be returning for the second time running. During the event expect to see incredible performances by some the UK’s brightest stars, trophies awarded to talents that have had us enjoying British music time and time again and an unforgettable atmosphere.

Last year the BRITs asked Dame Vivienne Westwood to design their ‘blank canvas’ trophy, which saw the likes of Plan B, Tinie Tempah, Take That and Mumford & Sons take home the bespoke statue. However, in 2012 entertainers will be presented with a trophy that has been designed by none other than Sir Peter Blake, who is known for his iconic album sleeves. His work includes The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Oasis – Stop The Clocks and the single sleeve for the Band Aid single Do They Know It’s Christmas?

Performances are yet to be confirmed, but if last year is anything to go by, it’s sure to be a mind-blowing event.

Date

21 February 2012
Visit the O2 website for further information

Venue Address

The O2 Arena,
Peninsula Square,
London
SE10 0DX

Travel (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/)

The O2 Arena is one of the greatest live event venues in London, where musical talents and extraordinary shows give the performances of their lives to their adoring audiences.

Underground

For those travelling to the O2 Arena, North Greenwich (Jubilee line) is the closest tube station for you to get off from.

Overland Rail

To get to the O2 Arena by national rail you need to come out of Charlton train station and jump onto buses 486, 472 or N472, which will take about 10 minutes to get to North Greenwich.

Buses

The key bus destinations for the O2 include Stratford, Charlton, Greenwich, Lewisham, Woolwich, Eltham, North Kent and Central London.

If you would like any more information about the bus routes or any other London public transport visit the TfL website.

Nearby bars and restaurants

In and around the O2 Arena there is a fantastic range of restaurants and bars (if you haven’t got children with you) all bursting with exquisite tastes and smells to enjoy. Take a look below to see which establishment tickles your taste buds.

•    Cheyenne Spur (Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX.)
Cuisine: Steaks and Grills
Telephone Number: (020) 8858 0196
•    Nakhon Thai – Waterfront (Waterfront Studios Business Centre, 1 Dock Road, E16 1AH.)
Cuisine:  Thai
Telephone Number: (020) 4745510
•    Becks Vier Bar (The O2 arena, Unit 20 Peninsula Square, Greenwich, SE10 0DX.)
Type: Bar
Telephone Number: 0872 148 4738
•    The Slug and Lettuce (The O2 arena, 1-34 Entertainment Avenue, Greenwich, SE10 0DY.)
Type: Bar
Telephone Number: (020) 8858 1241

Accommodation

Treating the family to a London show and in need of a place to stay? We here at Refresh Accommodation could provide you with the perfect apartment situated in close proximity to the O2 Arena. Below you will find a list of luxury serviced apartments that range in price, ensuring we can accommodate your family and your budget.

Lanterns Court, Canary Wharf (nearest underground: Canary Wharf)
City Docklands, Docklands (nearest underground: Limehouse DLR)
Think London Bridge, London Bridge (nearest station: London Bridge)

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in London’s Club

Celebrate New Year's Eve in styleA comprehensive guide to London’s top night clubs during New Year’s Eve 2011.

New Year’s Eve parties are the biggest events to attend, so when travelling to London for December 31st you want to make sure you have the hottest tickets in town. Whether you enjoy themed parties, celebrating in night clubs or love watching fireworks take to the sky, London has the perfect event for you to wave goodbye to 2011. Dance away to tracks played by stellar DJs, enjoy the sound of live bands, tuck into gourmet meals and celebrate the beginning of 2012 in style. Below you will find a list of recommended hot spots from the Roof Gardens at Kensington High Street to celebrations at Battersea Park.

Where are the hottest New Year’s Eve parties?

Club: Trevor Nelson New Years Eve at Camden Town Hall
Address: Judd Street, Kings Cross, WC1H 9JE (0871 971 3808)
When: December 31st 21:00-03:00

Entertainment: One of the BBC’s biggest DJ’s Trevor Nelson will be getting onto the decks and playing urban music throughout the evening. What makes this event unlike anything else all drinks (excluding champagne) are included in the ticket price (between £45 and £85). Delicious Caribbean cuisine will also be on offer in a separate lounge, perfect for those who get a little peckish during the evening.

Other information: Strictly over 23’s
Nearest Tube Station: King’s Cross St. Pancras (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines)
Nearest Overground Station: London King’s Cross Rail
Ticket Price: From £45 for ladies and from £55 for men. VIP tickets are £75 before 17th December, £85 after.

Club: Roof Gardens at High Street Kensington
Address: 99 Kensington High Street, Kensington, W8 5SA (0871 971 5378)
When: December 31st 20:00-04:00

Entertainment: Begin the night by walking on the roof top greeted by canapés, themed cocktails and an inclusive bar of beer and wine. Continue your celebrations with a complimentary mini bottle of champagne and a token that can be used throughout the night to redeem against the winter BBQ that’s situated in the Tudor Walkway. Sam Londt and Rob Clarke will be spinning the desks later on in the evening allowing you to dance the night away. In the Tudor Garden Marquee, Black2Basics will be hosting A Live Soul Dance DJ Fusion Percussion, featuring Vocal Diva, Vanessa Freeman, and The Greg Bonnie Horn Section.

When the clock strikes midnight a firework display will be gracing the skies. To end the evening breakfast canapés will be served at 3am.

Other information: All guests can receive a complimentary photo that will be taken in a specially themed photo set.
Nearest Tube Station: High Street Kensington (Circle and District Lines)
Nearest Overground Station: Kensington Olympia
Ticket Price: From £125

Club: Supa Dupa Fly New Years Eve at All Star Lanes Bayswater
Address: 6 Porchester Gardens, Bayswater, W2 4DB (0872 148 1009)
When: December 31st 20:00-03:00

Entertainment: For lovers of 90’s Hip-Hop, R&B and Garage this is the New Year’s Eve event for you. The DJ line up includes the likes of DJs Big Ted and Rugrat, who will be playing well-loved tracks such as, ‘Crazy Love’, ‘My Desire’ and ‘Lovebug’. So if you enjoyed dancing to R Kelly, TLC, Donell Jones and Montell Jordan in the 90’s, why not relive it again this New Year’s Eve?

Other information: It has been named the night pick of the week by The Guardian Guide and has been featured in The Evening Standard, Time Out, RWD & SB.TV.
Nearest Tube Station: Bayswater (Circle and District lines)
Nearest Overground Station: London Paddington Rail
Ticket Price: From £15

Club: Ce Soir New Years Eve at Battersea Evolution
Address: Chelsea Bridge Entrance, Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ ((020) 78361035)
When: December 31st 19:15-02:00

Entertainment: This event does not fall short of entertainment, not only will there be themed bars and food galore including canapés, three course meal and breakfast served at midnight, the entertainment itself will be spectacular. There will be acrobats, fire eaters, trapeze artists, silks
adagio, dancers, contortionists, disco and professional DJ, Undercover Dodgems and casino tables.

Other information: Battersea Evolution is situated in the heart of Battersea Park itself
Nearest Tube Station: Clapham Common (Northern Line)
Nearest Overground Station: Battersea Park Rail Station
Ticket Price: From £125

Accommodation

With so many parties to attend and such little time, a good night’s rest is sure to be on the cards. At Refresh Accommodation we have a fantastic range of apartments for you to choose from that are located across London. From Mayfair to Bayswater, Regents Park to Knightsbridge you’re sure to find an apartment that is in close proximity to your New Year’s Eve party. There is also a wide range of apartment types, suitable for people who enjoy having space to themselves to couples and groups. Why not take advantage of having your own bed instead of crashing at a friend’s home, serve yourself up some breakfast in the kitchen and enjoy a peaceful morning? All of this and more can be yours when you stay at one of Refresh Accommodation’s serviced apartments; here are just a few that are available to you on New Year’s Eve:

Camden Town Apartments, Regents Park (nearest underground: Camden Town)
Camden Mews, Regents Park (nearest underground: Camden Town)
Monarch House, High Street Kensington (nearest underground: High Street Kensington)
Grand Plaza, Bayswater (nearest underground: Bayswater)



New Year’s Eve in London

New Year's Eve in LondonLondon is the prime location for celebrating New Year’s Eve. There is an abundance of restaurants, bars, clubs and events to choose from. However, there is only one place in London where you can soak up all the night’s magic, the London Eye. In the surrounding area, eateries and bars are plentiful, but as this is a special night, why not do something out of the ordinary? Why not see what a river cruise can provide you and your party?

On a river boat cruise that passes the great Big Ben as it strikes midnight is sure to be an unforgettable experience, especially with the finest view of the fireworks in the background. The fireworks display at the London Eye on the South Bank is an incredibly busy event to attend (spaces are limited to 250,000 people in the viewing areas), so why not save yourself the hassle and the squeeze by having a pleasurable boat trip?

If not, then the best spots to catch the firework display include Westminster Bridge and the north embankment of the River Thames.

Quick Facts

•    Big Ben was first heard over the radio on New Year's Eve in 1923
•    The tower was built during 1858-1859
•    Big Ben is the name of the largest bell in the tower
•    The tower is 320 feet tall

Locations

Big Ben, St Margaret's, 20 Dean's Yard, Westminster, City of London SW1P 3PA
London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB (0870 990 8883)

Travel (http://www.tfl.gov.uk)

To get to the London Eye you will find there is a great range of public transport to choose from. However, the underground is the recommended form of transportation with the closest tube station being Waterloo (Bakerloo Line, Jubilee Line, Northern Line and Waterloo & City).

The closest overground station to the London Eye is London Waterloo Rail.

Bus routes to the London Eye – RV1, 76, 77, 341, 381, 507, 53, 148, 159, 453, 12, 211, 388, C10, 1, 4, 26, 139, 168 and 243.

However, if you wish to see the mighty clock strike midnight on New Year’s Eve the best tube station to get off at is Westminster (Circle, District and Jubilee lines). London Charing Cross is the closest overground Station, located parallel to Victoria Embankment.   

Bus routes to Big Ben – 148, 211, 24, 11, 53, 87, 159, 453, 3, 88, 12, 507, C10 and 77.

About the MV Pride of London River Cruise

Can you think of anything more magical and romantic than seeing the New Year in on a luxury cruise along the River Thames? Expect to see London as you have never seen it before. When you take a luxury cruise with MV Pride of London you will travel through the heart of the capital taking in the sights of St Paul's Cathedral, Tate Modern, the Millennium Footbridge, London Bridge, HMS Belfast and the Tower of London. From Tower Bridge you will cruise down past Canary Wharf towards the O2 Arena and taken back to see Big Ben strike midnight.

Price

£175 per person (over 21s only)

What’s included in the price?

Drinks – you will receive a glass of champagne upon arrival and can take advantage of the open bar throughout the cruise. However, champagne and shots are not included in the unlimited drinks menu. Choose from spirits, wine, beer and soft drinks.

Food – Available to you is a hot and cold finger buffet.

Entertainment – On the upper deck you can dance the night away to the tunes played by the in-house DJ. Come together in style, join in the countdown and enjoy the firework display with fantastic views available from the outer deck. The fireworks can also be seen by the large windows on both upper and lower decks. After the display you can also enjoy free entry into Opal night club.

Other information

•    Smart/casual dress
•    Boarding time: 20:15 - 20:30 Festival pier, which is situated opposite the Waterloo overground and tube station on the South Bank and a short walk along from the London Eye
•    Arrive back at the Festival pier at 01:15 - 01:30

Book Tickets: http://www.londonpartyboats.co.uk/londonEvents/new-years-eve.asp

Other River Cruises to try:

•    City Cruises
•    Bateaux London
•    Silver Sturgeon

Accommodation

If London sounds like the ideal place to celebrate the end of 2011 and welcome in 2012, then you’re sure to be looking for a place to stay. Why not make the most of it and find out what London has to offer over the course of New Year’s Day? The capital is home to the world’s largest New Year’s Day Parade and for 2012 it’s sure to be even bigger as it marks Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

At Refresh Accommodation we have a fantastic selection of New Year’s Eve 2011 apartments that are suitable for couples, groups and families. Check out our selection below:

SACO Waterloo, Westminster (nearest underground: Waterloo)
Dolphin House, Victoria, (nearest underground: Pimlico)
Westminster View, Southbank (nearest underground: Vauxhall)
Empire Square, London Bridge (nearest underground: London Bridge, Borough)