Friday night’s in London are usually sacred.  The end of the week means relaxing at home after hectic days at work, or any number of after-hours activities.  You’re never short of things to do in London, especially if you are visiting for a short time.

That said, allow me to suggest ‘Friday Lates’ at the British Museum.  And, when I say lates, it’s only 8:30 pm late.  You’ll still have time for dinner afterwards and a night on the town.  Add a bit of culture Friday evenings when the museum hosts a nice range of lectures, discussions, film screenings, and special music and dance performances.  Most of the activities revolve around current exhibitions at the British Museum, so check what’s on before you go.

 Do keep in mind not all galleries are open during late hours at the British Museum, but rest assured you won’t be disappointed. Included below is the list of the galleries opened late on Fridays.  Feel free to download the list to take along with you during your visit.  

Why visit the British Museum on Friday night?  First of all, you’ll avoid the crowds.  With over eight million exhibits in the museum, it’ll be difficult to see it all and even more so with thousands of other visitors.  During the late opening, you can take your time whilst drinking in the vast amount of artefacts.  

The Egyptian collection is one of the finest (and largest) in the world.  When you have the museum to yourself, you’ll have the time to absorb the specially curated treasures.  You’ll discover stone tablets from the ancient Library of Alexandria, reliefs of lions from Assyria dating back to the seventh century, sculptures from the Parthenon, the first depiction of Jesus as well as artefacts recovered from the Sutton Hoo Viking ship burial.

The beauty of visiting the British Museum on a Friday night is you’ll avoid the throngs of people who nonsensically whip out their mobile phones for a selfie with the Rosetta Stone.  And if you are a consummate selfie-taker, you’ll have no fear of photo bombers.  Just don’t climb the Parthenon for your next viral selfie.  All joking aside, you can walk through one of the finest collections of humanity and enjoy your time in peace.  

I think your visit to the British Museum deserves the enriching experience you’ll have with few others around.  Walk through all the world’s continents and ancient eras of human development and civilisations.

I’ve visited the museum on several occasions after normal hours.  Each time I’ve captured interesting images of the Great Court, which is fascinating all by itself.  On this night, I basically had the British Museum to myself.

British Museum
Directions :
Located on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London. The entrance is a short walk from the Holborn and Tottenham Court Road Underground stations. 
OPENING TIMES
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily  Fridays Open Till 8:30 pm

British Museum GPS Coordinates :  51.5194° N, 0.1270° W
Map Showing Location of the British Museum ::

 
List of British Museum Galleries Open Late on Fridays :: 

Africa
Africa 
The Sainsbury Galleries
Room 25

Americas
North America 
Room 26

Mexico 
Room 27

Ancient Egypt
Egyptian sculpture 
Room 4

Egyptian life and death: the tomb-chapel of Nebamun 
The Michael Cohen Gallery
Room 61

Egyptian death and afterlife: mummies 
The Roxie Walker Galleries
Room 62-63

Early Egypt 
The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Gallery
Room 64

Sudan, Egypt and Nubia 
The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Gallery
Room 65

Ethiopia and Coptic Egypt 
Room 66

Ancient Greece and Rome
Greece: Minoans 
The Arthur I Fleischman Gallery
Room 12a

Greece: Mycenaeans 
The Arthur I Fleischman Gallery
Room 12b

Greece 1050–520 BC 
Room 13

Greek Vases 
Room 14

Athens and Lycia 
Room 15

Nereid Monument 
Room 17

Greece: Parthenon 
Room 18

Halikarnassos 
Room 21

Alexander the Great 
Room 22

Greek and Roman sculpture 
Room 23

Greek and Roman life 
Room 69

Roman Empire 
The Wolfson Gallery
Room 70

Etruscan world 
Room 71

Ancient Cyprus 
The AG Leventis Gallery
Room 72

Greeks in Italy 
Room 73

Asia
China, South Asia and Southeast Asia 
The Joseph E Hotung Gallery
Room 33

India: Amaravati 
Room 33

Chinese Jade 
The Selwyn and Ellie Alleyne Gallery
Room 33b

Europe
Clocks and watches 
The Sir Harry and Lady Djanogly Gallery
Room 38-39

Medieval Europe 1050–1500 
The Sir Paul and Lady Ruddock Gallery
Room 40

Sutton Hoo and Europe, AD 300–1100 
The Sir Paul and Lady Ruddock Gallery
Room 41

Europe 1800–1900 
Room 47

Europe 1900 to the present 
Room 48

Roman Britain 
The Weston Gallery
Room 49

Britain and Europe 800 BC-AD 43 
Room 50

Europe and Middle East 10,000–800 BC 
Room 51

Middle East
Assyrian sculpture and Balawat Gates 
Room 6

Assyria: Nimrud 
Room 7-8

Assyria: Nineveh 
Room 9

Assyria: Lion hunts 
Room 10a

Assyria: Siege of Lachish 
Room 10b

Assyria Khorsabad 
Room 10c

Ancient Iran 
The Rahim Irvani Gallery
Room 52

Ancient South Arabia 
The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Gallery
Room 53

Ancient Turkey 
The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Gallery
Room 54

Mesopotamia 1500–539 BC 
The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Gallery
Room 55

Mesopotamia 6000–1500 BC 
The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Gallery
Room 56

Ancient Levant 
Room 57-59

Themes
Enlightenment 
Room 1

Collecting the World 
Room 2

Living and Dying 
The Wellcome Trust Gallery
Room 24

Money 
The Citi Money Gallery
Room 68

Founded in 1123, St Bartholomew The Great is one of the oldest places of worship in London.  Parts of the original church still remain though in the year 1539 King Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries meant almost all of the nave of St Bartholomew The Great was destroyed by 1543.  The remaining traces of the monastic building is what you see today.  The nave of a church is the long centre narrow part of a church between the main columns.

The church also survived the Great Fire of London in 1666 and was one of the few London churches spared from damage in the German Blitz during World War II.   St Bartholomew the Great wasn’t so great during the 18th century as it fell into severe disrepair. Determination and faith led to repair and restoration efforts in the late 1800’s which saved it from destruction.

Today the priory church is an Anglican church and an important architectural monument.  It was established by Rahere, a clergyman for King Henry I.  Folklore tells us Raher erected the church as thanks to God after recovering from a severe fever.  The clergyman’s miraculous recovery led many to believe the church had curative powers, so sick people filled the aisles every 24 August, which is St Bartholomew’s Day.

St Bartholomew The Great is a living, active church but it also welcomes those of no particular religious affiliation because of its history and architecture.

One step inside and you know you’ve entered a special place unlike the more famous St Paul’s Cathedral or Westminster Abbey. Inside is the most intact Norman interior in London, with a suitably ancient atmosphere.  There is simple architectural beauty which draws you in and it almost seems as if you’re part of history.  The remains of the original Norman church consist of a transept crossing, chancel, and ambulatory with large round pillars.  The low, wide side aisles have groin vaults.  

If you are a movie buff, you may recognize St Bartholomew The Great.  The church has been a popular film location for Four Weddings and A Funeral, Sherlock, The Other Boleyn Girl, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Amazing Grace, and The End of the Affair. One day I was there The Hollow Crown : Richard II with Patrick Stewart was filming.

The entrance of the church from Smithfield now goes into the churchyard through a tiny surviving fragment of the west front, which is now surmounted by a half-timbered Tudor building.  From there to the church door, a path leads along roughly where the south aisle of the nave used to be.

Prepare yourself to be in awe and add St Bartholomew The Great to your things to do in London list, especially if you enjoy stepping into history.

 
Map and Guide for St Bartholomew The Great

Where is St Bartholomew The Great?
GPS Coordinates for St Bartholomew The Great ::  51.518905° N, 0.099574° W

Map Showing the Location of St Bartholomew The Great:

The Westminster Abbey Choir is regarded as one of the finest in the world.  The choir consists of thirty boy choristers and twelve adult singers known as Lay Vicars.  The young boys, ages 8-13, are pupils at the Westminster Abbey Choir School located in Dean’s Yard near the abbey.  The school is the last remaining choir school in the United Kingdom.

It’s believed the choir originated around the year 1560 as the choir of Westminster Abbey have been educated there since Elizabethan times. So, it’s quite an honour and accomplishment to be part of such history.

There are numerous recordings of Westminster Abbey Choir and they travel the world performing concerts, including a performance with the Sistine Chapel Choir at a Papal Mass in St Peter’s Basilica in 2012.  The choir also plays a central role in royal, state and national occasions that take place at Westminster Abbey.

If you’re curious to listen to the choir in London, plan to attend a Choral Evensong.  There is no charge to attend the service, though do be prepared to dress appropriately as you would at any church.  Everyone is welcome.  I’ve attended Evensong on numerous occasions, including Easter Sunday.  The experience is ecumenical, to say the least, but sitting in Westminster Abbey with over 950 years of history adds to the special experience.  You’ll have an appreciation for the abbey unlike most visitors and it is possible emotion will overcome you. 

The choir boys and men sing Evensong Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 5 pm.  Simply arrive at the main entrance of Westminster Abbey and state you’re there to attend service.  No cameras, video or audio recording is allowed.  Be sure to check the choral service schedule before arriving at the abbey.  

Oftentimes I’ll stroll through Westminster on a Sunday afternoon. One stop I’ll make is Westminster Abbey Cloisters.  During summertime, the cloisters are a splendid place to cool off.  More than this, I’ll time my arrival near 2:30 pm so I can watch the choir procession from the choir room to the abbey door.  With my camera always at my side, I’ve captured many a fun photograph in long exposure form.

I’ll stay in the cloisters throughout the choral service as the choir’s voices float like a graceful feather from inside the church.  I suppose this is a casual way to enjoy the music and beautiful voices without properly dressing.

Video of Westminster Abbey Choir During Church Service :

Too, there is no admission fee to visit the cloisters at Westminster Abbey.  I enter through Dean’s Yard at the right side of the church.  If you’re unfamiliar with a cloister, it is a covered walk or open arcade running along the walls of buildings and forming a quadrangle. The attachment of a cloister to a church or cathedral, usually indicates it was part of a monastery at some point in the church’s history. 

The cloisters would essentially act as a barrier separating the monks from the ‘outside world.’  You could refer to this as an enclosed religious order.  Cloister derives from the Latin term, claustrum, or enclosure.  You’ll find cloisters at many medieval churches around the world.

Where is Westminster Abbey Cloisters?
GPS Coordinates of Westminster Abbey Cloisters ::  51.4993° N, 0.1273° W

Map Showing the Location of Westminster Abbey Cloisters :

Operatic performance in London stretches back more than three hundred years, though the organisation of the current theatre began in 1946 as the Covent Garden Opera Company.  The theatre we attend today was built in 1858, but it wasn’t until 1892 when it officially became the Royal Opera House.

The first opera I attended was Don Giovani in London during the 1980’s.  It’s safe to say I slept through much of the production.  I don’t remember much besides the bellowing voices carried through the theatre.  My mind was unwilling to understand the language and my age prevented me from interpreting what took place on stage.  In an odd way, the opera intimidated me.   But, I could say I attended the opera for what that’s worth.

For years afterwards, I turned to musical theatre.  ’42nd Street’ at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane sealed the deal for me.  I was mesmerised by the show, the mighty tap dancing and tunes that stayed in my head long after the show ended.  The list of shows I’ve seen is endless, and for the most part, I enjoy each one I see.  In fact, just recently I saw ‘Hello Dolly’ with Bernadette Peters not once, but twice, in New York City.  The shows are hugely entertaining but in a casual dining out sort of way.  You can have a splendid time with comfort food, or in the case of musical theatre, a song you can hum or tap your foot to.  The shows are mainstream if you will.

On the other hand, opera and ballet productions tend to be more sophisticated and cerebral.  Some see a night at the opera as something only the elite do.  Yes, you might see a sea of black ties adorning the audience, but beneath the grandeur on stage are poignant and dramatic human stories set to beautiful music.  The opera nor the ballet are untouchable.  The productions at the Royal Opera House are for everyone – young to old.

The set designs, lighting, costumes, exquisite music, glorious and heavenly voices, and graceful ballet dance leave you in awe.  When you are at a Royal Opera House performance, you’re part of an experience – and one you won’t soon forget.  What transpires on stage can inspire a lot of emotions.  You might even go through in two and half hours what many people spend their entire emotional lives living through.  You’ll feel everything on stage.

If you get swept away, so be it.  Cry, laugh or gasp.  Some shows might be hysterically funny, horribly devastating, sexy, thrilling, tense, gorgeous, poignant – and yes, sometimes boring.

Royal Opera House :: Favourite Romantic Ballets

And no, wearing a tuxedo or a long gown is not a requirement to attend opera or ballet.  I’ve attended numerous productions at the Royal Opera House and I fit right in wearing slacks and a button-down shirt.  It’s possible I once wore a nice pair of jeans.  Do leave your scuffed up trainers at home.  For ladies, dress pants or a skirt and blouse will work nicely.  Even a cocktail dress is acceptable.  The most important thing for you to remember is this is your night, so make the most of it the best way you know how.  Even be creative and colourful if you choose.

When the curtain goes up, the audience may mysteriously begin to applaud.  Know the conductor is walking to his or her stand.  Simply applaud as the others applaud.  Unlike a concert, there are the right times to applaud during the show.  If you’re unsure, the easiest approach is to take a cue from the rest of the audience.  If they start clapping, join along.

The opera and ballet are for you, me and everyone.  After one performance at the Royal Opera House, you’ll be richer than you were before the curtain rose.  The productions are like fine dining and the flavours arrive in layers.  Each layer ignites your senses in luxurious tantalizing fashion.

Royal Opera House ::  What Do You See?

Photos of Programs and Tickets from Various Royal Opera House Productions:

Royal Opera House :: A Photo From Every Seat

For a better understanding of behind the scene operations of the Royal Opera House, consider taking the backstage tour.  You’ll receive an overview of the fabulous building, the massive backstage area, the Front of the House and Paul Hamlyn Hall.  Better still, you’ll gain an insight into the illustrious history of the theatre, learn about the state of the art technology utilised to pull off each production and see firsthand various aspects of current productions.

Keep in mind, the Royal Opera House is a fully working theatre, so it is possible to catch a glimpse of performers practising or a workshop.  The day I took the tour the Royal Ballet was in class and I couldn’t get enough of the intensity and grace displayed before me.  Royal Opera House productions change day-to-day, so it’s fascinating to learn how backstage technology is used to move around scenery which can weigh up to 30 tonnes.  

The backstage tour is brilliant and one I highly recommend whether you love opera and ballet or not.  The tour lasts a little over an hour.  Currently, tours begin at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm, Monday through Saturday.  Check ahead to be sure tours operate as scheduled.  The cost for the Royal Opera House Backstage Tour ranges from £9 – £12 

Video :: Discover: Royal Opera House – Backstage Tour

Where is the Royal Opera House?
GPS Coordinates of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden ::  51.5129° N, 0.1222° W

Map Showing the Location of the Royal Opera House :

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At weekends I meet a good friend for drinks at our member’s club in Shaftesbury Avenue.  He always asks where I’ve been during the week. When I tell him, his response is always, “Where is that?” or “I’ve never been there.”  The reaction never varies, and I believe him.  His world revolves around the home, the office, a spot of lunch on Saturdays and drinks at the club.  I’d go as far as to say my friend isn’t alone.  Most Londoners, even those living in Central London, don’t know the city very well.

Before Instagram and the rapid growth of blogs, there were numerous ‘secret’ places in London.  Today, a popular London Instagrammer posts a new London discovery and then hordes of others follow in his/her footsteps to take and post the same place. The practice doesn’t seem original, but it happens. 

One good example is Peggy Porschen Cakes in Ebury Street around Victoria Station in Belgravia.  The cake shop is a hop, skip and a jump from where I live. When the shop opened in 2010, it was popular with the residents in the area and Londoners “in the know.” When Instagrammers discovered Peggy Porschen’s and posted photos of the stunning store exterior, the secret was no longer a secret.  London bloggers are no different as one after another writes a post about the cute bake shop on the corner.  Now everyone in London knows.  I can only imagine how much business increased since the rise of the popular social media platform.  Any good marketer will tell you word of mouth is the best form of advertising.  The cake shop struck gold.

Screenshot of photos of Peggy Porschen Cakes :

Out of curiosity I popped over to Pinterest and searched ‘Secret Places in London.”  If you’re unfamiliar with Pinterest, their search page is one that scrolls endlessly toward the bottom, except you never reach the bottom.  The page keeps on going all the while proposing ‘pins’ of secret places in London from a vast array of people or bloggers.  Everyone it seems is an expert of London places about which you need to know, but no one else knows.  A popular buzz term these days is ‘hack,’ which isn’t a congenial sounding word, but everyone seems to use it.

These are the titles of the ‘Secret Places in London’ according to a myriad of experts :
“7 Secret Places in London – You Have To Discover Them”
“15 Secret Places to Discover in London”
“10 Secret Places In London”
“21 Amazing Secret Places To Find In London”
“15 of the Best London Hidden Gems”
“10 Quirky, Hidden and Secret Spots in London You’ll Love”
“15 Secret Spots You Have To See In London”
“10 Secret and Free Spots to Discover in London”
“Six Secrets in London”

There are more listings but I only chose nine.  For each, I clicked the link and I’m not surprised to find St Dunstan In The East on every secret place in London list except for one.  Most of the bloggers place the bombed out church turned into a garden as their number one secret place.  Even the ever popular Londonist site recently suggested you to “Discover This Secret Garden in a Bombed Out Church.”  It’s a true hidden gem, you know.

My photo of St Dunstan In The East

So, I have to ask – is St Dunstan In The East a secret anymore?  Or, the noses of Soho?  Postman’s Park?  The smallest police station in London?  Each ‘secret place’ shows up on everyone’s list.  Is there any place in London that is a secret anymore or is everyone simply copying one another?  The latter makes no difference to me, though the repetition does make me wonder.

Perhaps when Instagram loses favour, and it will one day, will London’s secrets return?  The same question can be asked when the wave of London blogs recedes and the notion that influencers promote better fades away.

All that said, not everyone uses social media or read blogs to discover London.  If you’re like my friend I meet each week, you’re in this category. There are still secrets in London.  If you’re like me, you discover something new in London every day you walk around the city.  In fact, I found St Dunstan in the East simply be meandering from Tower Hill to Monument over ten years ago.  No one told me the bombed out church garden was there; I simply found it and it instantly became my favourite secret place in London.  The difference is – I didn’t share it with anyone online.  And, St Dunstan in the East is more than a secret, it’s special.  

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