Cassandra's Guide to Winter in London

Discover Cassandra's recommendations for exhibitions, theatre and restaurants.

Exhibitions

Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers, National Gallery

14th September 2024 - 19th January 2025

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/van-gogh-poets-and-lovers

To mark its 200th anniversary, the National Gallery will stage a major exhibition of the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. It will feature over 50 works and loans from museums and private collections showing some of Van Gogh's most ambitious canvases and works on paper.

Francis Bacon: Human Presence, National Portrait Gallery

10th October 2024 - 19th January 2025

https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2024/francis-bacon-portraits

Featuring work from 1950s, this exhibition will explore Francis' deep connection with portraiture.

Naomi in Fashion, V&A

On until 6th April 2025

https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/naomi

An exploration into the extraordinary career of Naomi Campbell.

Leighton House/Sambourne House

Explore Victorian Artists at Home

https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/

Two beautiful houses occupied by two very different artists in the 19th century. Frederick Leighton was a sculptor, artist and public figures built and resided at Leighton House which was built in the late 19th century. Sambourne House was occupied by the cartoonist and illustrator Linley Sambourne, who was renowned for his drawings for Punch magazine as well as his photography.

Theatre

Macbeth, Harold Pinter Theatre

1st October - 14th December 2024

https://www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk/

David Tennant and Cush Jumbo return to their landmark performances in Shakespeare's most extraordinary psychological drama.

The Lehman Trilogy, Gillian Lynne Theatre

24th September 2024 - 5th January 2025

https://lwtheatres.co.uk/theatres/gillian-lynne/

Written by the Italian novelist Stefano Massini, this epic three hour play is about three Bavarian Jewish immigrants living in the US who turn a general store into one of the world's most powerful banks - before the institution collapsed in the 2008 financial crises.

Juno and the Paycock, Gielgud Theatre - Shaftesbury Avenue

21st September - 23rd November 2024

https://www.gielgudtheatre.co.uk/whats-on

Mark Rylance steps out on the boards again with Succession star J. Smith-Cameron to play Captain Jack Boyle in Sean O'Casey's highly anticipated masterpiece.

Restaurants

Chelsea

No. Fifty Cheyne, Cheyne Walk
Manicomio, Duke of York Square - casual dining
Comptoir Libanais, Duke of York Square - delicious Lebanese food, perfect for sharing plates
La Poule au Pot, Pimlico Road - superb French cuisine, one of London's oldest establishments

Theatreland

San Carlo Chichetti, Covent Garden - authentic Italian
Petersham Nurseries, Covent Garden
The Haymarket Hotel, Piccadilly

Fine Dining

Riverside Café, Hammersmith
Kol, Marylebone - Mexican
Chicama, King's Road - delicious seafood inspired by coastal food of Peru

For something completely different

Coya, Mayfair - Peruvian cuisine with traditional elements
Borough Market, Borough - fresh food market, a London landmark

Cassandra's Favourite Local Shops

Provenance Village Butcher, Pavilion Road
Birley Bakery, Chelsea Green
Natoora, Sloane Square - for their exceptional Italian tomatoes; almost jewels!

Cassandra's Musings

Denim - A Distinctly French Heritage

Denim is believed to have French heritage because of the fabric manufacturing in Nîmes and the dye used from Genoa (“Gênes”). Cassandra Goad's jewellery designs in the latest La Belle France collec...