HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

 

Surely the biggest theatrical event of the year, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opens for sneak previews in June (at the height of the exam season – expect questions in the House), ahead of its official opening in July.

Harry is now an overworked employee in the Ministry of Magic, and a father of three children. While he grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted.

The play is in two parts, designed to be seen on a single day (a matinee followed by the evening performance), or on two consecutive nights.

 

When : From 7 June 2016

Where : Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1A 4AF

Tube : Leicester Square

Information : http://www.harrypottertheplay.com

 

 

OPEN GARDEN SQUARES WEEKEND

 

At Aylesford we welcome any event that promotes London’s proud tradition of garden squares and other open spaces.

The Open Garden Squares Weekend is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy urban gardens and spaces that are usually reserved for residents, as well as other beautifully kept areas such as churchyards in the City.

Over 200 gardens are taking part, including some that may not first spring to mind including The River Café and The Roof Gardens. Your tickets are valid for every participating location, many of which are also laying on activities for children.

 

When : Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June 2016

Where : 200 locations

Information : http://www.opensquares.org

 

 

THE SUMMER EXHIBITION 2016

 

Hard on the heels of the Chelsea Flower Show, the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition confirms the English Season is now in full swing.

The largest ‘open’ submission exhibition in the world, anyone can submit their masterpiece, be it painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, architecture or film.

Every year, around 12,000 works make it through to be judged, created by everyone from seasoned professionals to optimistic hopefuls working in their lofts and sheds. Indeed, in previous years around two-thirds of the works adorning the exhibition have been from ‘non-Academicians’.

 

When : 13 June to 21 August 2016

Where : The Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD

Tube : Piccadilly Circus or Green Park

Information : http://www.royalacademy.org.uk

 

 

Although every care is taken in compiling this information, please check before you book or travel. No responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, or for information accessed on external websites.

TO RENT: BROMPTON SQUARE, SW3

 

London’s garden squares are a precious hallmark of the capital, and Brompton Square is a lovely example.

With orderly symmetry, its Georgian residences border a private retreat of lawn and greenery. Yet the square’s calm belies the fact that you are just moments from Harrods and one of the most famous shopping streets in the world.

We are delighted to offer for rent No. 45, a house that is probably destined for a family (it has four en-suite bedrooms), and perhaps a very sociable one: there is abundant entertaining space here, with a formal first floor drawing room, a separate dining room, and a large eat-in kitchen.

For full details on Brompton Square, please click here

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TO RENT: BRAMERTON STREET, LONDON SW3

 

Clean lines, shiny floors, neat storage and lots of natural daylight – there’s a contemporary feel to this classic townhouse.

Ideal for a family, it offers four excellent bedrooms, three bathrooms, lots of reception space and a spacious kitchen/dining room.

You’re also in perfect time to enjoy its show-stopping asset: a large decked roof terrace, for sunbathing, dining and watching the sun rise and set over the Chelsea skyline.

The house is being offered on a long let, unfurnished.

For full details on Bramerton Street, please click here

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This year, Aylesford celebrates 50 years of offering prime property to buy and rent in one of the most desirable parts of London.

The ‘Ten Acre Estate’ is an enclave of quiet, wide, tree-lined streets situated between the King’s Road and Fulham Road in the heart of Chelsea. We opened our doors here back in 1966, to the sound of the Fab Four and the aroma of joss-sticks.

Over the years, Chelsea’s allure has only intensified, with its disciplined architecture, elegant garden squares and vibrant culture for eating, drinking, fashion and the arts.

Small wonder we offer property here with such passion; indeed, our Chairman and several of our team live here as well.

 

FOR SALE: LANGTON STREET, SW10 

 

This striking property is a good example of how the Ten Acre Estate can offer up surprises.

Inside, a dramatic double-height gallery floods natural light over the kitchen and sitting room area.

This sense of roominess pervades the rest of the property, with its five double bedrooms, including an excellent master bedroom suite on the first floor. You can also stretch out in a good-sized garden and terrace to the rear.

Fulham Broadway tube is a few minutes away, and you are surrounded by fabulous places to eat and drink, and the essentials of shops and schools

For full details on Langton Street, please click here

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FOR SALE: LIMERSTON STREET, SW10

 

This lovely family house is low-built; its ample accommodation is beautifully arranged over three storeys.

This is also an opportunity if you’re looking for a property that needs a little updating, and which will give you three to four excellent bedrooms. A double reception room and a west-facing garden also allow you to spread out for comfortable family living.

Outside: the best of Chelsea. You are located between King’s Road and Fulham Road, with their array of restaurants, bars, shops and transport options.

For full details on Limerston Street, please click here

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FOR SALE: CAN BENIRRAS, IBIZA, SPAIN

 

When a perfect location and an inspired architect come together, the results can be special indeed.

Can Benirras, which sits imposingly up in the coastal hills of Northern Ibiza, is just such a creation. Contemporary to its core, it nevertheless lives in perfect harmony with its 25,000 m² of ancient forestry and fruit orchards.

It has also been designed to maximise its privileged position. The two upper bedrooms command panoramic vistas of Benirras Bay, and on the ground floor, automated glass windows slide silently away to create an inside/outside house.

Each of the six bedrooms has an en-suite bathroom, and the house is built for the serious business of relaxation. Inside, there’s a sunken chill out space with an exterior fireplace, and digital entertainment technologies include distributed Sonos music and an HD cinema.

Outside: a large sundowner roof terrace; ample space for 20 to dine under the pergola by the infinity pool; and the simple joys of pétanque.

For full details on Can Benirras, please click here

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The recent election of Sadiq Khan as London mayor should mean that we can all breathe more easily.

I don’t mean this in any political sense. More a physical one: just days after taking up office, Mr. Khan pronounced that London’s air quality was unacceptable. Indeed, he revealed that the capital had caused him to suffer from asthma for the first time.

It was back in 1952 that the last ‘pea souper’ smog descended on London, and the experience led to the Clean Air Act. In those days before central heating almost everyone had a blazing fireplace, so coal was banned in favour of smokeless coke. And for a long time it seemed to do the trick.

The problem over the years, however, is that cars have become the new coal. Together with buses and trucks, they’re like a million mobile fireplaces, making pollution more widespread than ever.

Thankfully, London remains a wonderful place to live. But to keep it that way we need urgent action to improve our air, before we have the dubious honour of being ranked with smog centres such as LA, Delhi, Mexico City or Tehran. Or, infamously, Beijing, where your tour guide extols the virtues of the city from behind a mask.

Mr Khan has announced a formal consultation, saying: “I want to act before an emergency, which is why we need big, bold and sometimes difficult policies.” We look forward to them.

 

 

THE REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE

 

We love this time of year, with the first hints of balmy days, long evenings (and hay fever) to come.

One of the first signs is the return of the Open Air Theatre at Regent’s Park, which opens on 13 May with Michael Morpurgo's Running Wild.

From 17 June, this is followed by Henry V, commemorating 400 years of Shakespeare. Then comes Jesus Christ Superstar (15-27 August) and, finally, a return of Pride and Prejudice. Tickets from £25-65.

When : From 13 May 2016

Where : The Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park Inner Circle, NW1 4NR

Tube : Baker Street

Information : www.openairtheatre.org

 

 

THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

 

A far cry from the village flower show and prize delphiniums, The Chelsea Flower Show is getting more ambitious by the year.

For 2016, they’re bringing in an 80-foot carriage from the Belmond British Pullman, sister train to the Venice Orient Express. There will also be an acoustic garden inspired by feted percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, and a ‘British Eccentrics’ garden, filled with gadgets, and created by the high priest of horticultural installations, Diarmuid Gavin.

This vast show includes the work of some 800 garden designers, and the Great Pavilion alone accounts for 2.9 acres; enough space to accommodate 500 London buses. Some days are already sold out, so we advise booking swiftly.

When : 24 - 28 May 2016

Where : Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3 4SR

Tube : Sloane Square

Information : www.rhs.org.uk

 

 

THE MOONWALK

 

This fun and atmospheric event continues to raise a pile of cash for Walk the Walk, which this year celebrates 20 years of supporting people with breast cancer, and contributing to vital research.

The MoonWalk is a night walk with a carnival atmosphere, with walkers kitted out in the event’s trademark pink bras and pimped up, outrageous costumes. There are two walks – a Marathon distance and a half-marathon - and at the time of writing there were still paces available on the ‘Half Moon’ shorter walk.

It all starts at Clapham Common at 11pm. By the way, men are very welcome to take part, although the organisers say that wearing the pink bra is of course mandatory…

When : Saturday 14 May 2016

Where : Clapham Common, Windmill Drive, London SW4 9DE

Tube : Clapham South Station

Information : www.walkthewalk.org

 

 

Although every care is taken in compiling this information, please check before you book or travel. No responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, or for information accessed on external websites.

 

TO RENT: DRAYTON GARDENS, LONDON SW10 

 

Space.

It’s a rare commodity in Central London, but this beautifully presented property just off the Fulham Road has it in abundance. From the moment you step into a wide and welcoming entrance hall, it is a theme that runs throughout this fine family home.

Indeed, it isn’t every Master Suite that occupies an entire floor, but this one does, comprising a spacious double bedroom, an ensuite bathroom, a shower room, a study/reception and large dressing room.

In all, there are six bedrooms and six bathrooms, a high-ceilinged reception & dining room, an eat-in kitchen, and a lower ground floor offering separate accommodation for live-in staff, guests or a little welcome space for teenagers.

There is a gym at your disposal and the property offers private garaged parking. To the rear, a splendid paved garden positively demands a summer drinks party.

 

 

For full details on Drayton Gardens, please click here

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FOR SALE: BRIDGE LANE, BATTERSEA SW11

 

This gem of an opportunity in Battersea is tucked away in a quiet street, yet is perfectly placed: for the wonderful park, for the river and for trains and buses into Chelsea, Sloane Square and Central London.

An unusually wide house, it has three/four bedrooms, two bathrooms, flexible living space and gardens to the front and rear. A longstanding family home, some modernisation is now needed.

 

 

 

For full details on Bridge Lane, please click here

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Down the years, many of the properties we have offered have had illustrious owners from the past, and none more so than Les Parettes, near the Provençal village of Plascassier.

On balmy Côte d’Azur days, the halls, terraces and Master Bedroom of this fine bastide would have rung to the inimitable voice of its owner: the legendary Edith Piaf

 

 

 

 

It was to this sanctuary that Piaf fled in the final years of her life, leaving behind a turbulent existence in Paris that was epitomised by her defiant song ‘Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien”.

Her past presence here adds an extra frisson to what is already a beautiful house. Built in the 19th century of local stone, it is substantial and spacious, with four bedrooms and four bathrooms in the main house, three further guest suites by the swimming pool, and a separate two-bedroom guardian’s cottage.

Its four acres of land are complete with a pool (with a poolhouse and summer kitchen), a tennis court and a boules court.
10 minutes from Mougins and 15km from Cannes, this is a house to fill with friends, family, wine and, of course, music.

Explore Les Parettes here

Explore all Aylesford’s French properties here