Mother's Day

This Sunday is the Mother's Day in the UK and we'd like to share some ideas with you to spend a wonderful day with your mother! We have chosen three things to do on Mother's Day in London. See below! 

1. Mothering Sunday at Kensington Palace

Treat your mum to an afternoon at Kensington Palace this Mother's Day. The grand building and its beautiful gardens make for an ideal springtime stroll (as long the weather holds out), which will help work up an ample appetite for an indulgent Georgian-style tea party in the palace's restaurant, The Oranagery. If tea, sarnies, cake and other sugary treats don't keep Mum sweet for the day, then quite frankly we give up.

2. The Vogue Festival 2014

Tell Mum to grab her heels and her best frock for one of the biggest weekends in the fashion calendar: The Vogue Festival 2014. Across two days this couture celebration will be held at Queen Elizabeth Hall in the Southbank Centre and boasts interviews, panel talks, trend discussions and styling workshops as part of its agenda. Confirmed speakers for this year's event include the likes Alexa Chung, Manolo Blahnik, Naomi Campbell and Grayson Perry, to name just a perfectly-groomed handful. 

3. Annual Opening of Kew Palace

Kew Palace, located in the the grounds of Kew Gardens, opens its doors to the public just in time for Mother's Day. Welcoming visitors for the spring and summer every year, this distinctly Dutch-looking brick mansion set amidst the greenery of Kew Gardens is a pretty sight, yet it was in this building that George III was confined during his episodes of the mysterious and debilitating illness that is now believed to have been porphyria. Highlights of the house include the royal kitchen, which were restored last year; Queen Charlotte's Cottage, a rustic retreat hidden amidst the gardens; and Princess Elizabeth's bedroom, which she styled herself back in the 18th century.

Of course, if you're thinking about giving her a present, there's no better detail than the beautiful handcrafted Hardy&Parsons' belts =) You can see all of them here!

And if you're uncertain about which belt do you prefer, the, have a look below and see our choices for this occasion ;)

Bredon 1540/20-1

Aberdeen

Welcome Winter!

Winter is coming and there isn't a better plan than ice skating. Every season we give you some different ideas to make plans around London. Now it's time to talk about the ice rinks around the city! Winter is cold and rainy but it can be very funny too!

Natural History Museum Ice Rink

Alfred Waterhouse's stunning Natural History Museum once again provides the backdrop for London's most enchanting ice-rink: a 1,000-metre-square outdoor affair with a Christmas tree at its centre and a smaller rink for children. Returning this year is a rinkside fairground carousel, and spectators can take in the scene with a hot chocolate or mulled wine from the balcony café bar overlooking the ice. The trees are decked with thousands of fairy lights to add to the festive atmosphere. 

Canary Wharf Ice Rink

The Canary Wharf Ice Rink returns to its spot surrounded by soaring towers. Skaters can glide across the 1,100m sq rink, down a dram in the rinkside bar or just watch the action from the viewing gallery. There's also a glittering skate path through trees lit by fairy lights. 

Eyeskate

The open-air Eyeskate rink is situated in Jubilee Gardens, in the shadow of the London Eye. You don't need to book a flight on the Eye in order to skate but various packages are on offer for those who wish to do so. 

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

The funfair factor of Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland has expanded massively for 2013 – rides are scattered across the site, with four big roller coasters, gentle kiddie rides and some spinning machines. 

We hope you enjoy it! =D

Halloween

Halloween is coming and we'd like to show you about some of the best plans to enjoy the most terrific weekend in London. 

Witch Academy 

The London Eye gets mysteriously transformed into the set of a spooky witch story, featuring the High Witch Priscilla and the evil Grimly Grim (voiced by Harry Enfield). Storytelling, participation and fancy dress are combined for oodles of fun as you get panoramic views across the city.

Ghost Bus Tours 

Roll up for a tour on a Routemaster painted black and redecorated ina gothic vein, to hear half-factual, half-fictional tales about the sinister side of London, delivered by an on-board troupe of actors, stand-up comics and cabaret performers. 

Halloween: Thorpe Park Fright Nights

It's that time of the year again: Fright Nights returns to Thorpe Park. Your ticket gives plenty of time to ride the scary rollercoasters in the dark. 

Welcome Summer!

We welcome the summer on the 21^st of June. Finally! This night will be the shortest one of the year and from this date, the days will become shorter progressively. But, hold on! We still have more than two months of good weather, bright sun and full of light.

Some of you might go on holiday and travel to other places, but for those of you who have to stay in London working or studying, there are plenty of good plans to enjoy the English summer.

ZOO LATEST AT ZSL LONDON ZOO

Every Friday night in June and July, London Zoo will open its doors after hours for a night out with a difference. Take a walk on the wild side with improvised comedy in the aquarium, watch Twisted Cabaret in the amphitheater, strut your stuff in the Silent Disco, sample the delectable delights of the street food festival and enjoy the sultry sounds of some of London's finest acoustic musicians in a carnival atmosphere.

BP BIG SCREENS

Experience ballet and opera al fresco this summer, as BP Big Screens returns, screening world class productions to 22 locations across the UK. The productions will be beamed live and direct from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, and available to watch for free from various London locations.  

SAINSBURY’S ANNIVERSARY GAMES 2013

Athletics returns to London's Olympic Park this summer, on the first anniversary of the London 2012 Games. The Sainsbury's Anniversary Games is a twofold event over three days. Friday and Saturday will see the IAAF Diamond League action in the British Athletics Grand Prix, featuring the return of many Olympic champions, with a third day of sports on Sunday dedicated to showcasing the Paralympic champions of 2012.

So many things to do this summer in London! You can find more information here.

Plans for the weekend I: Going to the beach

We have already spoken about what we can do on holidays and long weekends. Do you remember the posts where we gave you some ideas, such as picnicking and going to the countryside? Now it’s time to think about something new: going to the beach! 

 

Living on an island and being surrounded by the sea makes us love the coast and all the activities we can practice there. Swimming, surfing, diving or sunbathing are some of the most favorite ways of spending some free days. 

 

But, where can we go? Don’t miss this selection of the best beaches near to London. 

 

Leigh on Sea Beach

When the tide comes in it is great for swimming, windsurfing and sailing, however be aware that there is no lifeguard cover at any time.

 

 

 

Tankerton Beach

Good for swimming, this is a pebble and shingle beach with an intriguing natural causeway to explore.

Seaford Bay

Shingle beach with a few features to explore and good water for swimming.

Camber Sands

Mountainous sand dunes and vast expanses so even when it's full you can find a space for yourselves.

 

Special products: Drinks Cabinet or Tantalus

Do you remember the post where we talked about the Quick Release Belts as some of our special products?

Well, today we’d like to show you another special Hardy&Parsons' product: the Drinks Cabinet or Tantalus.

Why Tantalus? In Greek mythology the name Tantalus is linked to something highly desirable yet always just out of that person's reach and was adopted as a term to describe a particular drinks cabinet.

The classic combination of English oak and bridle leather blend together superbly in these beautiful drinks cases which are built by hand in our workshops.

Craftsmen work to exacting standards, moulding best leather around the solid oak sided and lined cabinet prior to hand stitching the seams and handles.

Solid brass locks, gun case corners and handle plates are then fitted with every screw individually tightened and aligned by hand before lining out with bridle leather in the fold up table and pigskin suede interiors.

A set of eight numbered pewter tumblers for place drawing or simple recognition are included together with the facility to hold three bottles, (for example two standard spirit or wine, plus champagne) and four small mixers.

It is the ideal piece for many occasions! Find them here!

Welcome Spring!

Despite the weather, which is not helping... Spring has officially begun! And there is an activity that all countryside lovers (and those who live in the city and enjoy the green parks) like to do: picnicing!!! Spend the day lying on the grass, picking flowers, sunbathing, eating and drinking. 

Hardy&Parsons has one special product to make the best of these days: the Drinks Cabinet.

The classic combination of English oak and bridle leather blend together superbly in these beautiful drinks cases which are built by hand in our workshops. Craftsmen work to exacting standards, molding best leather around the solid oak sided and lined cabinet prior to hand stitching the seams and handles. Solid brass locks, gun case corners and handle plates are then fitted with every screw individually tightened and aligned by hand before lining out with bridle leather in the fold up table and pigskin suede interiors. Completed by a set of eight numbered pewter tumblers for place drawing or simple recognition and the facility to hold three bottles, (for example two standard spirit or wine, plus champagne) and four small mixers.

Just choose one of the best parks in London and spend the weekend picnicing with this beautiful accessory. 

Richmond Park is a beautiful National Nature Reserve in south-west London. The largest of London's Royal Parks, it was created by Charles I in 1634 as a deer park and now has over 600 red and fallow deer.

Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, and one of the most popular Royal Parks, famous for its Speakers' Corner.

Hampstead Heath is a large, ancient London park. This grassy public space sits astride a sandy ridge, one of the highest points in London, running from Hampstead to Highgate.

Enjoy the Spring!

Easter is coming!!

For those who didn't know if you have some free days to go on holiday this Easter. For those who don't make up their mind until the last moment. For those who need some rest. For those who would like to leave the city and spend some days in the countryside...

We have a plan for you! 

Easter is coming and we would like to share with you five good ideas to go to the countryside during the this holiday period.

Hexham: It has been voted as the "England's best market town" and it's close to Hadrian's Wall.. The countryside is gorgeous!!

Henley-on-Thames: There are lots of water-based events, such as the famous royal regatta, the rowing   races and the towpath route for walkers.

Canterbury: It has a breathtaking cathedral, a great walks in the countryside nearby and pretty coastal towns like Whitstable.

Bakewell : It has a market dating back to at least the 1300s and Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice here. 

Isle of Wight: It's known as a diamond-shaped gem. It's very beautiful and relaxing place.

Don't forget to wear some of our best countryside style belts. Find them here!