iain-simmons
A list of things to do that are "off the beaten track", you may not have thought of doing, or may not even have heard of before! Try something unusual today!
Featuring over 12,000 original items from the unique Robert Opie Collection, discover how well-loved brands evolved through their creative use of packaging and advertising - and how we evolved with them.
Just around the corner from the world-famous Portobello Road Market stands a treasure trove of retro design and memories.
Imagine walking through galleries full to the brim with oddities and wonders alike, where every corner you turn leads you into a different decade.
You’ll see Rimmel cosmetics from the 1890s, First World War Oxo Cubes, Mars Bars, Rolos and KitKats from the 1930s, a 1970s Chopper Bike and around 12,000 other items that will open your eyes to the way we lived and shopped.
Neon artist and light artist, largest stock of vintage neons and signs in europe. Oldest signmakers in London. God's Own Junkyard is a neon wonderland in Walthamstow. If you love neon this is the place to go. Within the junkyard visit the Rolling Scones café which offers cream teas and a selection of freshly baked cakes and food, or chill with an alcoholic beverage in the fully licensed bar within the cafe.
It contains everything from his signage for Soho sex clubs in the '60s to his work for the movie industry, including pieces that were used in 'Captain America', 'Eyes Wide Shut', 'Byzantium' and more. Sandwiched in between all of this, you'll find his artwork, some of which have been exhibited in his gallery shows, and others that were specially commissioned by other artists and clients.
Mechanical art museum in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Crammed full with wondrous pieces of kinetic (moving) art and automata (moving wooden toys). Not to mention robotics, electronics and water machines. The only permanent museum of its kind in the UK.
A unique "salt cave", providing halotherapy (or salt therapy). These have been growing in popularity in the US and Europe in recent years, mainly used by those who suffer with respiratory health issues such as COPD and Asthma. Salt therapy is the use of inhaled salt in minute quantities. The therapy originated with the Greek and Romans many thousands of years ago. ‘Halotherapy’ derived from the Greek word halos, meaning ‘salt’, is a form of alternative medicine which makes use of salt. Numerous forms of salt therapy have been known of and used for millennia, usually taking place in a salt cave, which would have been a real cave or salt mine many years ago but has now more commonly been replaced by the modern suites that we see in salt therapy centres around the world today.
Set amidst the stunning Autumn woodland of Forestry Commission Scotland's Faskally Wood in Highland Perthshire, The Enchanted Forest is Scotland’s premier sound and light event.
Winner of UK's Best Cultural Event, the Scottish Outdoor Leisure Award for Best Outdoor Festival as well as Scotland's Best Large Event you can be sure of a warm welcome at this woodland wonderland that dazzles and delights.
Opened to the public in 1630, Mother Shipton's Cave contains the only known petrifying spring in England. The well water's high mineral content means that everything in its path turns into stone, leaving behind mineral deposits that build up to form a crust of new rock. Visitors to the Petrifying Well can make a wish by placing their hand in the waters and see all sorts of petrified items hanging from the rock face, including shoes, teddy bears, a hat belonging to John Wayne and Agatha Christie's handbag.
Hard up against ancient walls of Conwy, near Conwy Castle and facing the quay, Britain's smallest house, sometimes known as Quay House, is a narrow red, one-up one down fisherman's cottage just under 6 feet wide and 11.5 feet deep. The last occupant, Robert Jones, was - at 6'3" - taller than the house is wide. He lived there, unable to stand up in the rooms of his own house, until 1900 when the local council declared the house unfit for human occupation. His family still owns the house and for small admission fee you can have a look around inside. There's a pretty long queue to get in on holiday weekends.
