Welcome to Kensington West Kensington West is located in Kensington London a short walk from Kensington High Street, where you will find the most exclusive bars and restaurants to meet every need. If that is not enough Kensington High Street is known as "shopping heaven". Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Kensington Palace (where Princess Diana resided) are all within easy reach. We are walking distance from both Olympia (approximately 4-5 minutes) and Earls Court (approximately 15 minutes) exhibition centres. The famous Queen's Tennis Club is within easy reach. For those of you who want a shopping spree, Westfield's shopping center opened in October 2009 which boasts 265 shops is only about a 15 minute walk away. For more information click on Westfield London Shopping Center. 

1. Welcome to Kensington West
Kensington West is located in Kensington London a short walk from Kensington High Street, where you
will find the most exclusive bars and restaurants to meet every need. If that is not enough Kensington
High Street is known as "shopping heaven". Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Kensington Palace (where
Princess Diana resided) are all within easy reach.
We are walking distance from both Olympia (approximately 4-5 minutes) and Earls Court
(approximately 15 minutes) exhibition centres. The famous Queen's Tennis Club is within easy reach. For
those of you who want a shopping spree, Westfield's shopping centre opened in October 2009 which
boasts 265 shops is only about a 15 minute walk away. For more information click on Westfield London
Shopping Centre.

2. If you are looking for budget London hotels in the Kensington area,
Kensington West could be exactly what you are looking for.
 24 Hour Reception
 24 hour air conditioned reception  En-Suite Bathroom/Shower Room
 Central Heating
 Lift to all floors
 Colour Television
 Premier Breakfast Pack
 Desk & Lamp
 Free Wi-Fi throughout Kensington West - each  Elevator to all floors
guest will receive a unique username and
 Free WI-FI - Each guest will receive a unique
password for secure reliable Wi-fi usage username and password for secure reliable Wi-fi
usage
 Complementary Taylor of London toiletries
 Hairdryer
 Complementary  Safe at Reception
(Subject to availability)
 Complimentary Taylor of London Shampoo and
- Safes Hand Wash
- Ice
 Smoke Detectors
- Hot beverages
 Complimentary Hot Beverages at Reception
 24 Hour Concierge Service
 Wake Up Service

3. Kensington West Exterior and Interior
By choosing to stay with us here at
Kensington West you will be based in
the heart of Kensington, close to all
the top attractions London has to
offer. Because we are a budget
London hotel, the price to stay with
us is affordable which means you will
have plenty of money left to spend at
your leisure. All of our rooms offer a
comfortable and pleasurable stay
and our staff will help you with
anything else you may need during
your stay.

4. We will Endeavour our promise to make your
stay COMFORTABLE, FRIENDLY AND
PLEASURABLE and provide the service that
is expected by our guests. You just have to
ask the staff of Kensington West if you have
any further requirements that we may be
able to help you with.
KENSINGTON WEST HOTEL. 25 MATHESON ROAD, KENSINGTON, LONDON W14 8SN WEB: HTTP://WWW.KENSINGTONWEST.ORG

5. 1. Marilyn Monroe: A British Love Affair Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2013
This tiny, free exhibition in an NPG nook doesn't bother with the question of whether
the world needs to see more pictures of Norma Jeane Mortenson, or indeed, any of
the same ones over again. But you might as well ask why we look at any photos, or
hire good-looking actors to star in films, or concern ourselves with beauty at all. Hyde Park goes all Christmassy with the sparkly additions of rides and
attractions including a Giant Observation Wheel and two circuses - 'Christmas
We love her, perhaps, because of her combination of innocence and knowingness.
Circus' and 'Cirque Berserk' - from the family-friendly Zippos Circus. Winter
The smile is Judy Garland, the eyes Ava Gardner: she's permanently, sweetly
Wonderland's ice rink, the biggest outdoor rink in the UK, surrounds the
unsatisfying, the visual equivalent of the siren's song and possibly just as dangerous.
Victorian bandstand and is illuminated with more than 100,000 lights. While
most activities are ticketed, it's worth noting that entry to the site, including
Jan Until Sun Mar 24 2013 Santa Land and the Christmas Market is free and an after-dark stroll is
surprisingly atmospheric.
National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's
Place, London, WC2H 0HE Until Sun Jan 6 2013 Hyde Park,
London, W2 4RU
Art: Art museums & institutions
Around Town: Ice skating

6. January in London 2013
Rain Room
Contemporary art group Random International creates a digital
installation that gives visitors the chance to experience how it might feel to
control the rain. In 'Rain Room', the sound of water and moisture in the air
gives the impression of being in the centre of an unpredictable downpour,
without getting wet.
Until Sun Mar 3rd 2013 Barbican Centre,
Silk St, London, EC2Y 8DS
Around Town: Exhibitions

7. January in London 2013
Skate at Somerset House Tower of London Ice Rink 2012
Once again, the grand eighteenth-century courtyard at Somerset House Located in the dry moat, the Tower of London ice rink (aka Ice at the
provides this 900-metre-square ice rink with one of the most impressive Tower) offers a grand historical setting for seasonal skating sessions, along
skating backdrops in town. New this year is The Christmas Arcade, a pop- with views of London's ancient fortress. Ice guides are available for
up luxury shopping mall situated along the West Wing, with winter supervised group skating (£32 per session). As with fellow Historic Royal
accessories, jewellery, choices, gifts and decorations for sale. Palace Hampton Court, sessions last an hour and wheelchairs are
welcome on the ice except during the last session of the day. Online
Until Sun Jan 6th 2013 Somerset House, The booking is advised
Strand, London, WC2R 1LA Until Sun Jan 6th 2013 Tower of London,
Around Town: Ice skating Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4AB
Around Town: Ice skating

8. January in London 2013
Walking with Dinosaurs
Live arena show based on the BBC series returns, featuring 20 life-size,
mechanical dinosaurs roaring their way around a stage beset by earthquakes,
volcanic explosions and falling comets. Age 3+. The show transfers to Wembley
Arena on May 1, 2013.
Until Sun Jan 6th 2013 Gallery@oxo,
Until Sun Jan 6th 2013 The O2,
Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX
Around Town: Performance

9. January in London 2013
Christmas in Trafalgar Square 2013 Oxford Street Christmas Lights 2013
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has been a seasonal symbol in London
since 1947. It takes pride of place in the square until January, when it is taken
down for recycling. The tree is decorated in traditional Norwegian fashion, using
vertical strings of energy-efficient bulbs, which are being switched on at a Oxford Street's twinkly illuminations for 2012 are, intriguingly, sponsored by
ceremony on December 6 (the ceremony usually features dignitaries from Oslo that famously divisive yeasty spread, Marmite. At the switch-on ceremony on
and Westminster). The tree is a gift from the Norwegians to the British and November 5, Robbie Williams flicked the switch, supported by Leona Lewis
there's a remarkable story behind this traditional present-giving. and four-piece boy band Lawson.
Until Sun Jan 6th 2013 Trafalgar Square, Until Sun Jan 6th 2013 Oxford St,
London, WC2N 5DN London, W1A 1EX
Around Town: Festivals Around Town: Festivals

10. January in London 2013
Chris Bracey: Circus of Soho Covent Garden Christmas
If Marmite Christmas lights and the buzz of Oxford Street leave you cold, this
alternative Christmas destination could be just the thing. Centred around the piazza
but also taking in some of the streets radiating from it, Covent Garden Christmas
offers a wide range of festive treats, all of them beginning on November 7 when the
From the man who has already given us such delights as Stella McCartney's window lights were switched on to the accompaniment of the Gay Men's Choir (who will also
displays and the neon for Gotham City for Tim Burton's 'Batman' comes a new
sing every Saturday from Nov 24 until Christmas). A range of other activities includes
exhibition of old and new work, including pieces refashioned from salvaged iconic
the opening of a Lego advent calendar window every day, The lights remain on
signs, spent window displays and discarded neon.
display until the first week of January.
Until Tue Jan 15th 2013 47 Beak St, London, Until Sun Jan 6th 2013
W1F 9SE Covent Garden Market, Covent Garden
Around Town: Exhibitions Piazza, WC2E 8AA
Around Town: Festivals

11. January in London 2013
Gifted
Gingerline HQ
From the pioneers of underground immersive dining comes the ultimate night out for East
London's food adventurers: Gingerline HQ. Part hideout, part parallel reality, Gingerline HQ is a
clandestine and chameleon dining adventure held in a secret location along the East London Line
(or 'ginger line', as they call it). The destination and concept is as mysterious as the menu. Visitors
to their past adventures have been thrust into Siberian circuses, dived into submarine mess halls
and descended into underground tunnels for Victorian banquets. To take part, hover near any
station on the East London Line (London Over ground stations between Highbury and Islington Contemporary Applied Arts's selling Christmas exhibition offers a great chance for some
and Crystal Palace) at 6pm on the evening of your booking; you'll receive a text message telling unusual present browsing, particularly so this year. All CAA members were invited to take
you where to go. Once there, you'll be dined and delighted with a welcome cocktail, five courses part in this collaborative event based on the them of gifting, and those who chose to have
of delicious seasonal cuisine and a piece of take-home menu art. After being treated to a night of produced up to five limited edition pieces priced at £50, £100 and £200. It's a broad range
fine food and unexpected pleasures, all diners will be sworn to keep the secrets of the Gingerline of work that encompasses jewellery, ceramics and accessories to textiles, glassware and
safe. Over-18s only. sculpture, so you're almost sure to find something perfect for someone on your Christmas list.
Until Sat Mar 2, 2013 Until Sat Jan 12th 2013
A Secret location on the East London Line, Contemporary Applied Arts, 2 Percy St,
London, xx999xx London, W1T 1DD
Around Town: Festivals Around Town: Fairs & sales

12. January in London 2013
The Original London Sightseeing Tour Voyage
'Voyage' is an art installation by Aether & Hemera (aka architect Claudio
Hop-on, hop-off, open-top bus tour covering most of tourist London on three
Benghi and lighting artist Gloria Ronchi) consisting of a flotilla of 300 paper
different routes, with commentary in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German,
boats sailing along Canary Wharf's Middle Dock. Every night at dusk the
Russian and Japanese. The ticket price includes a river cruise and three walking
installation will be lit up in colours and patterns that can be changed by
tours.
passers-by using their mobile phones.
Original London Sightseeing Tour, 17-19 Until Fri Feb 15th 2013 Canary Wharf,
Cockspur St, London, SW1Y 5BL Isle Of Dogs, London, E14 4HJ
Around Town : Places of Interest: Tours Around Town: Exhibitions

13. January in London 2013
The Double R Club Harry Potter London Tour with Muggle Tours
'An evening of mystery and nightmares played
out to an otherworldly rock 'n' roll soundscape,
influenced by the world of maverick film
director David Lynch,' say the firebrands behind
Double R. With sinister cabaret, surreal comedy,
bizarre live music and smouldering atmosphere
from live acts.
Thu Jan 17th 2013 A walking tour for 'Harry Potter' fans, exploring film locations and inspirations for the
Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, 42- books, with props and trivia. Ten per cent of donations go to charity. Group sizes are
kept small so booking is essential. And you need a travel card as a short tube is
46 Pollard Row, involved.
London, E2 6NB Until Tue Apr 30th 2013
Alternative Nightlife: Alternative nights Around Town: Walks
out

14. January in London 2013
London Duck Tours Tiger Tracks
London Duck Tours (previously Frog Tours) start in a conventional fashion from the Awareness and fund-raising initiative Save Wild Tigers presents this
rear of County Hall, crossing the river via Westminster Bridge to travel round participation event, at which you're invited to learn more about tigers and
Parliament Square, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly, Buckingham Palace and their plight in the wild. Exact details are under wraps, though motivational
Westminster Abbey. Then they cross Vauxhall Bridge and take a slipway down the tiger-themed activities are set to transform the station's gothic arches,
side of the MI6 Building - into the Thames. The final half hour of the 80-minute tour platforms and monumental train shed.
is a boat trip along the river to the London Eye and back. The tour 'buses' are four
adapted DUKWs developed by General Motors during WWII. The D-Day Duck Tour
features character tour guides revealing important WWII sites, in authentic vehicles Jan 1-20th 2013
built for D-Day.
St Pancras International Station, Pancras
London Duck Tours, 55 York Rd, Rd,
London, SE1 7NJ London, NW1 2QP
Around Town: Places of Interest: Tours Around Town: Festivals

15. January in London 2013
Ghost Bus Tours Mind the Gap Tours
Roll up for a tour on a Route master painted black and redecorated in a gothic
Mind the Gap Tours runs guided tours using vintage-style bikes to Windsor and
vein, to hear half-factual, half-fictional tales about the sinister side of London,
Hampton Court. There's an emphasis on 'the road less travelled', with small groups
delivered by an on-board troupe of actors, stand-up comics and cabaret performers.
travelling at a leisurely pace to discover the quirky and hidden parts of London on
Booking is recommended and the tour is suitable for all ages but not recommended
traffic-free routes. Tours include 'Hampton Court by Bike', a day trip which includes
for under-fives.
transport from central London, bike hire, an audio guide and entrance to Hampton
Court Palace ( www.hamptoncourtbybike.com daily; £69). Booking is essential
Ghost Bus Tours, Designated bus stop on
Northumberland Ave, WC2N 5BY Mind the Gap Tours
Around Town: Places of Interest: Tours Around Town: Places of Interest: Tours

16. January in London 2013
Everything Was Moving: Photography British Museum
from the 60s and 70s
The Barbican's stunning, global array of photography from the 1960s Officially the country's most popular tourist attraction, the British Museum opened to
and '70s claims that 'Everything Was Moving'. But, as most of these the public in 1759 in Montagu House, which then occupied this site. The current
artists were static observers with still cameras, was that really the case. building is a neoclassical marvel built in 1847 by Robert Smirke, one of the pioneers of
the Greek Revival style. The most high profile addition since then was Lord Foster's
As a title, it sounds vague, but also disturbing: after all, if everything was moving, popular if rather murky glass-roofed Great Court, open since 2000 and now claimed
which way was a poor photographer to look? There is no simple answer to that, and to be 'the largest covered public square in Europe'. This £100m landmark surrounds
the Barbican doesn't try for one. Its exhibition of 1960s and 1970s photography is as the domed Reading Room (used by the British Library until its move to King's Cross),
inclusive as that famous hippy gathering of tribes in 1967, the Human Be-in, where Marx, Lenin, Dickens, Darwin, Hardy and Yeats once worked.
embracing as it does 12 photographers hailing from Japan, Russia, China, India,
Mexico, South Africa, Germany and Mali, as well as America. Star exhibits include ancient Egyptian artefacts - the Rosetta Stone on the ground
floor (with a barely noticed, perfect replica in the King's Library), mummies upstairs -
and Greek antiquities, including the marble friezes from the Parthenon known as the
Until Sun Jan 13th 2013 Barbican Centre, Elgin Marbles. The Celts gallery upstairs has Lindow Man, killed in 300 BC and so well
Silk St, London, EC2Y 8DS preserved in peat you can see his beard, while the Wellcome Gallery of Ethnography
holds an Easter Island statue and regalia from Captain Cook's travels.
Art: Art museums & institutions Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG

17. January in London 2013
Natural History Museum
Both a research institution and a fabulous museum, the NHM opened in Alfred Waterhouse's purpose-built, Romanesque palazzo on the Cromwell Road in 1881. Now
joined by the splendid Darwin Centre extension, the original building still looks quite magnificent. The pale blue and terracotta façade just about prepares you for the
natural wonders within.
Taking up the full length of the vast entrance hall is the cast of a Diplodocus skeleton. A left turn leads into the west wing or Blue Zone, where long queues form to see
animatronic dinosaurs - the endlessly popular T Rex is back after hip surgery in 2010. A display on biology features an illuminated, man-sized model of a foetus in the
womb along with graphic diagrams of how it might have got there.
Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD
SOURCE: TIMEOUT.COM