The 2013 offerings of London have been announced.
Anniversaries to watch include: the 150th anniversary of The Underground, the first ever subterranean transport system, as London eyes to observe The Metropolitan Line’s opening 150 years ago as the world's first underground passenger railway; the 50th year of The Beatles debut album, “Please Please Me”, recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London; the centenary celebration of the Chelsea Flower Show, dubbed as the “greatest flower show on earth”, and held from May 21 to 25; the 50 year anniversary of the National Theatre Company come October 2013; and the marking of the 60th year since the Queen's coronation on June 2, 2013.
Numerous attractions are being promoted, too. These include: The Great Map, which brings the National Maritime Museum’s largest open space to life with a huge interactive world map that visitors can use to discover more about British maritime history; The View from the Shard at The Shard, London Bridge on February 1, 2013 for a “multi-sensory experience and exhilarating views for 40 miles across London”; Tiger Territory at the ZSL London Zoo, opening April 2013 to inform and inspire a generation of people to treasure the tiger and understand their role in its survival; Imperial War Museum (IWM) re-opening after transformation in July 2013; and the Olympic Park, which is to reopen in 2013 as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with the reopening slated on July 27.
Exhibitions include: Manet: Portraying Life at the Royal Academy from January 26 to April 14, 2013; Man Ray Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery from February 7 to May 27, 2013; Extinction: Not the End of the World? at the Natural History Museum from February 8 to September 8, 2013; Roy Lichtenstein at the Tate Modern from February 21 to May 27, 2013; Barocci: Brilliance and Grace at the National Gallery from February 27 to May 19, 2013; and Alien Revolution at the Royal Observatory Greenwich from March to August 2013.
Events slated in 2013 include: The Southbank Centre’s 20th Century Music Festival from January to December 2013; London International Mime Festival from January 12 to 27, 2013; Snowdrop Days: A Midwinter Celebration at the Chelsea Physic Garden from February 2 to 10, 2013; Six Nations Rugby at Twickenham Stadium from February 2 to March 16, 2013; and the Chinese New Year on February 10, 2013.
Meanwhile, entertainment offerings include: Viva Forever! at the Piccadilly Theatre, featuring a “joyous contemporary musical about the value of friendship in the face of fame and fortune”; Cirque du Soleil's KOOZA at the Royal Albert Hall from January 5, 2013; Quatermaine's Terms at Wyndham's Theatre from January 23, 2013; and Ceviche at Shoreditch, opening in Spring 2013.
In 2013, to open as London’s new accommodation is Shangri-La Hotel London, opening as The Shard. The 202 deluxe guestrooms will be amongst the largest in London with highlights including the Shangri-La Bed, featuring patented body-contouring technology. Food and beverage outlets will include a lobby lounge and bar, a gourmet lounge café with artisan crafted foods and a themed bar situated on level 52 with views across London.
Art'otel London Hoxton will also be opening in 2013. A new Art'otel London Hoxton - the first London venture from the group, this is scheduled to open at the junction of Old Street, Rivington Street and Great Eastern Street. The 18-storey building will include 350 hotel rooms and public areas including a gallery space, arthouse cinema, spa and restaurant on the double height top floor. The cylindrical shape of the bronze-coloured building (which has four floors below ground) has an unusual design.
Meanwhile, Nobu is opening a hotel also in 2013. This new development from Nobu will have 143 bedrooms and a five meter high basement restaurant. The design, by industrial designer turned architect Ron Arad, features a metal exoskeleton protruding out on one side.
