London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [176]
Film
Curzon Soho.
This comfortable cinema runs an artsy program of mixed repertoire and mainstream films. There are also branches in Mayfair, Bloomsbury, Chelsea, and Richmond. Members (£50) get discounts. | 99 Shaftesbury Ave., Soho | W1D 5DY | 0871/703–3988 | Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Sq. | 38 Curzon St., Mayfair | w1d 5dy | 0871/703–3989 | www.curzoncinemas.com | Green Park.
Prince Charles Cinema.
This repertory cinema right off Leicester Square offers a chance to catch up with independent features, documentaries, and even blockbusters you may have missed, and tickets are only £5 and under. A new second screen upstairs shows newer movies at more usual West End prices. This is where the “sing-along” screening originated—you can come in character and warble along to The Sound of Music and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. | 7 Leicester Pl., Soho | WC2H 7BY | 0207/494–3654 | www.princecharlescinema.com | Leicester Sq., Piccadilly Circus.
Theatre
Soho Theatre.
This sleek theater in the heart of Soho is devoted to fostering new writing and is a prolific presenter of work by emerging writers and comedy performance. | 21 Dean St., Soho | W1D 3NE | 0207/478–0100 | www.sohotheatre.com | Tottenham Court Rd.
Riverside Studios Cinema.
The selection at this converted movie studio showing repertory cinema changes almost daily. Admission fees are reasonable; £7.50 gets you entrance to a double bill. | Crisp Rd., Hammersmith | W6 9RL | 020/8237–1111 | www.riversidestudios.co.uk | Hammersmith.
St. John’s, Smith Square.
This baroque church behind Westminster Abbey offers chamber music and organ recitals as well as orchestral concerts September through July. There are occasional lunchtime recitals for £8. | Smith Sq., Westminster | SW1P 3HA | 020/7222–1061 | www.sjss.org.uk | Westminster.
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The Scene
Shopping by Neighborhood
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Shopping Overview | Bring a Bit of England Home | London Shopping Steals and Deals | Vintage London | Spotlight on Knightsbridge, Chelsea, and South Kensington | Spotlight on St. James’s and Mayfair | Spotlight on Soho and Covent Garden | Shopping Planner
Updated by Erin Huebscher
As befits one of the great trading capitals of the world, London’s shops have been known to boast, “You name it, we sell it.” Finding and buying “it” can be a delight (the private fitting rooms at couturier Vivienne Westwood) or a trial (mobbed Oxford Street on a Saturday morning). No matter where you head in this city, you’ll find you can melt as much plastic as your wallet can stand. You can shop like royalty at Her Majesty’s glove maker, run down a leather-bound copy of Wuthering Heights at a Charing Cross bookseller, or find flea-market goodies on Portobello Road. Whether out for fun—there’s nothing like those amazing street markets to stimulate the acquisitive juices—or for fashion, London can be the most rewarding of hunting grounds.
Although it’s impossible to pin down one particular look that defines the city, homegrown designers like Vivienne Westwood, Matthew Williamson, Paul Smith, and Alice Temperley stand out for their quirky, eccentric designs. London is, after all, the city that introduced punk, miniskirts, and Mod fashion to the world. If you’re after a more traditional look, however, head to Jermyn Street and Savile Row, which still retain their old-world look and feel—and there’s no better place in the city to buy custom-made shirts and suits. If your budget can’t stretch to Savile Row, no problem. The city’s High-street chain stores like Topshop, Oasis, Reiss, and French Connection are excellent places to pick up designs straight from the