Saturday, 21 December 2019

Strawberry Hill House & Garden - Festive Greetings from Strawberry Hill House


Festive Greetings from
Strawberry Hill House 

It has been an action-packed year here at Strawberry Hill House and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has visited and supported us. 

We look forward to sharing our 2020 programme of events and activities in the New Year including; the return of our Flower Festival, the ever popular Music & Fun Day, new tours and talks and a Garden Party which will take visitors back in time!

We look forward to welcoming you back in 2020.


Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
The Strawberry Hill House Team 
Christmas and New Year House Opening Dates
Sunday 15th and Sunday 22nd
Sunday 29th – Tuesday 31st
Opening Hours
Sunday: 11am – 4pm
Monday – Wednesday: 11am – 3pm
The house will resume normal opening hours from Sunday 5th January 2020 onwards.
Visit Us

Thursday, 19 December 2019

Transport for London - Here is our advice for getting around London during Christmas and New Year.

TfL email update




Here is our advice for getting around London during Christmas and New Year.

Much of the network will be open with most services running but in some cases this may be a special or weekend timetable. Please check if any of the following affect you.

You can plan your journey using Journey Planner and our travel tools. Find out more about paying for your travel on our website.

We hope you enjoy the festive season, but please take care while travelling on the network, especially if you have been drinking alcohol.

 
 
 
Festive services
 
TfL services will run throughout Christmas and New Year. The main changes to our services on the key days are outlined below. For details of the services running each day, visit our Christmas travel pages.

Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December - There are planned closures on TfL Rail and river services. Buses, DLR and Trams will run a Saturday service. London Overground services will finish early, while there will be a reduced service on TfL Rail and the Tube.

Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December - There will be no service on the Tube, buses, TfL Rail, London Overground, DLR, Trams, river, Emirates Air Line and National Rail, though Santander Cycles and some river tours services will be available.

Boxing Day, Thursday 26 December - There are planned closures on Northern, District and Waterloo & City lines. There will be a special service on the DLR and some London Overground routes, and a Sunday service on buses and TfL Rail. There will be a reduced service on the Tube, while Emirates Air Line will run a bank holiday service.

Friday 27 December - There are planned closures on TfL Rail. A Saturday service will run on buses, DLR, London Overground and Trams. The Woolwich Ferry will run a single boat service.

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 December - There are planned closures on London Overground and TfL Rail. The Woolwich Ferry will run a single boat service.

Sunday 29 December - There are planned closures on Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines, London Overground and TfL Rail.

Monday 30 December - There are planned closures on certain London Overground routes. Buses, DLR, London Overground, Trams and the Tube will be running a Saturday service.

New Year's Eve, Tuesday 31 December - There is a planned closure on TfL Rail. Throughout the day, there will be a Saturday service on buses, London Overground, DLR and TfL Rail. There will be free travel on the Tube, London Overground, DLR, Trams, TfL Rail and buses from 23:45 until 04:30 the following morning. There will be an all-night service on DLR, some London Overground routes, TfL Rail, Trams and the Tube.

New Year's Day, Tuesday 1 January - There are planned closures on District and Metropolitan lines and river services. The DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail will run a Saturday service. Buses and Trams will run a Sunday service. Emirates Air Line will run a bank holiday service.

Road closures will be in place for the New Year's Day Parade. Saturday and Sunday services will take place across the network.
 
 
 
London Underground
 
 
Circle line
On Sunday 22 and Sunday 29 December, there will be no service on the entire line. This is due to line modernisation work. Use alternative Tube and local bus routes.
 
District line
On Sunday 22 December, there will be no service between Embankment and East Ham until 10:00. This is due to line modernisation work. Use alternative Tube and local bus routes. Rail replacement buses will run between Liverpool Street/Canning Town and Barking.

On Christmas Eve, there will be no service between Parsons Green and Wimbledon from 22:45. This is due to Network Rail engineering work. Rail replacement buses will run between Fulham Broadway and Wimbledon.

On Boxing Day and New Year's Day, there will be no service between Earl's Court and Kensington (Olympia).

On Sunday 29 December, there will be no service between South Kensington and East Ham. This is due to line modernisation work. Rail replacement buses will run between Liverpool Street/Canning Town and Barking. 
  
Hammersmith & City line
On Sunday 22 and Sunday 29 December, there will be no service between Baker Street and Barking. This is due to line modernisation work. Rail replacement buses will run between Liverpool Street and Barking. 
 
Metropolitan line
On Sunday 22, Sunday 29 December and from 04:00 until 10:45 on New Year's Day, there will be no service between Baker Street and Aldgate. This is due to line modernisation work. Use alternative Tube and local bus routes.
 
Northern line
On Boxing Day, there will be no service between Morden and Euston via Bank. There will also be no service between Morden and Camden Town via Charing Cross. This is while we test signalling systems for the Northern Line Extension. Rail replacement buses will run between Morden and Stockwell.
 
Piccadilly line
On New Year's Eve, there will be no service between Uxbridge and Rayners Lane until 10:45 on New Year's Day. Use alternative Tube and local bus routes.
  
Waterloo & City line
On Boxing Day, there will be no service on the entire line. Use alternative Tube and local bus routes.

See the latest status updates on London Underground, including a map of closures.
London Overground
 

 
On Sunday 22 December, trains will not stop at Whitechapel until 10:00 (including Saturday's London Overground Night Service). This is due to London Underground signalling work. Use local bus route 205 to/from Shoreditch High Street or route D3 to/from Shadwell.

On Boxing Day, for the first time, London Overground will run services every 15 minutes between Highbury & Islington and West Croydon from 06:30 until 22:45, and between Clapham Junction and Hackney Wick from 09:00 until 22:00. Rail replacement buses will run between Hackney Wick and Stratford from 09:00 until 22:00.

On Saturday 28 December, there will be no service between Euston and Kilburn High Road after 19:45.

On Sunday 29 December, trains will not stop at Whitechapel (including Saturday's London Overground Night Service). There will be no service between:
  • Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction
  • Euston and Kilburn High Road until 11:45
  • Highbury & Islington and Stratford after 18:30
On Monday 30 December:
  • There will be no service between Hackney Downs and Enfield Town/Cheshunt (via Seven Sisters) after 22:45
  • There will also be no southbound service from Sydenham to West Croydon after 23:30
  • A weekday service will run between Highbury & Islington/Dalston Junction and New Cross, Clapham Junction, Crystal Palace and West Croydon. A Saturday service will run on all other routes
On New Year's Eve, there will be free travel on all TfL public transport between 23:45 and 04:30. Extra northbound trains will run from Euston to Queen's Park at 01:01 and from Euston to Watford Junction at 01:45. Special late night trains will run every 30 minutes between:
  • Liverpool Street and Enfield Town until 02:00
  • Liverpool Street and Cheshunt (via Seven Sisters) until 01:30
  • Liverpool Street and Chingford (southbound until 01:30, northbound until 02:30)
There will also be special late night trains running every 20 minutes between:
  • Richmond and Stratford
  • Clapham Junction and Stratford
  • Highbury & Islington and Crystal Palace
  • Highbury & Islington and West Croydon
On New Year's Day, there will be no service between Hackney Downs and Enfield Town/Cheshunt (via Seven Sisters) after 22:45.

On Thursday 2 January, there will be no service between Hackney Downs and Enfield Town/Cheshunt (via Seven Sisters) after 22:45. There will also be no southbound service from Sydenham to West Croydon after 23:30.
  
 
Rivers
 

 
On Christmas Eve:
  • Woolwich Ferry will run a single boat service until 20:00, when service will end
  • There will be no service on Thames Clippers
On Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, there will be no service on the Woolwich Ferry or Thames Clippers.

From Friday 27 until Monday 30 December, Woolwich Ferry will run a single boat service.

On New Year's Eve, Thames Clippers services will finish early.
   
 
Emirates Air Line
 

 
On Christmas Eve, Emirates Air Line will open at 09:00 and close at 19:00.

On Christmas Day, Emirates Air Line will be closed.

On Boxing Day and New Year's Day, Emirates Air Line will run a bank holiday service.
 
 
 
TfL Rail
 

 
On Sunday 22 December, there will be no service between Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 4 until 06:40. This is due to overhead wire renewal, track work and Crossrail station works. Use alternative Tube and local bus routes until 06:40.

On Christmas Eve and Friday 27 December, there will be no service between Paddington and Slough/Heathrow Terminal 4. Rail replacement buses will be running; tickets will be accepted on local buses and the Piccadilly line will run services to Heathrow airport during this time. Allow more time for your journey. A normal service will run between Slough and Reading, and a shuttle service will still run between Heathrow terminals.

On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, there will be no service on the entire line.

On Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 December, there will be no service between Liverpool Street and Shenfield. Rail replacement buses will run to stations between Stratford and Shenfield.

From Saturday 28 December until New Year's Eve, a reduced service will run between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington, with trains running every 30 minutes. Trains will not stop at Acton Main Line, West Ealing or Hanwell.

On New Year's Eve, TfL Rail services will run throughout the night and will be free between 23:45 and 04:30.

On New Year's Day, there will be a Saturday service with trains running every 30 minutes to stations between Paddington, Reading and Heathrow T4.

See an overview of planned track closures for the next six months.

See the latest status updates on London Overground, DLR, TfL Rail and Trams, including a map of closures and information about rail replacement buses.
  
 
Buses and roads
 

 
The Ultra Low Emission Zone will not operate on Christmas Day, but is in operation the rest of the time as usual. The Congestion Charge will not operate from 25 December until 1 January. The Low Emission Zone, only affecting the most polluting heavy diesel vehicles, will continue to operate at all times.

Bus journeys will be affected by timetable changes, planned road works and closures during the Christmas season.

On Christmas Eve, we will run a Saturday service. There will be no night services and 24-hour services will finish at around midnight, but day buses will run until normal last bus times. There will also be changes to the 507,521 and X68 day routes.

On Christmas Day, there will be no bus services.

On Boxing Day, we will run a Sunday service including on 24-hour and night routes. Day bus routes will start at normal Sunday times and 24-hour routes will start from about 06:00.

On Friday 27 December, a Saturday service will run on day routes, but normal weekday services will run on 24-hour and night routes. There will also be changes to the 507, 521 and X68 day routes.

On Saturday 28 December, a normal service will run, with a Friday service on 24-hour and night routes. There will also be changes to the 507, 521 and X68 day routes.

On Monday 30 December, a Saturday service will run, with a Friday service on 24-hour and night routes. There will also be changes to the 507, 521 and X68 day routes.

On New Year's Eve, there will be free travel on TfL public transport between 23:45 and 04:30. We will run a Saturday service, with changes due to the London New Year's Eve Fireworks. From 14:00, bus routes in central London will be diverted or stop short of their destination in preparation for London New Year's Eve Fireworks. There will also be changes to the 507, 521 and X68 day routes.

On New Year's Day, we will run a Sunday service. Some buses in central London will be diverted or stopped short of their destination until about 18:00. Check before you travel.

Rotherhithe Tunnel - Drivers of prohibited vehicles could now receive a fine for each journey through Rotherhithe Tunnel. Vehicles more than two metres (6'6") wide, two metres high or goods vehicles that weigh more than two tonnes (maximum gross weight) are not permitted. This is to ensure safety and reduce risk of collisions.

Parliament Square - Until 06:00 tomorrow, Friday 20 December, Whitehall (at the junction of Great Scotland Yard), Whitehall Place, Horse Guards Avenue, Parliament Street, Broad Sanctuary, Storey's Gate, Great George Street, Victoria Street, Parliament Square and Bridge Street will be closed. This is due to security barrier installation works.

Westminster - Until 06:00 tomorrow, Friday 20 December, the following roads will be closed for the opening of Parliament: Abingdon Street, Birdcage Walk, Bridge Street, Broad Sanctuary, Constitution Hill, Horse Guards Avenue, Horse Guards Road, King Charles Street, Marlborough Road, Millbank, Old Palace Yard, Old Queen Street, Palace Street, Parliament Square, Parliament Street, Spring Gardens, Spur Road, St Ann's Street, St Margaret Street, Stafford Place, Storey's Gate, The Mall, The Sanctuary, Victoria Street (between Buckingham Road and Broad Sanctuary), Westminster Bridge, Whitehall, Whitehall Place, Derby Gate, Cannon Row and King Charles Street.

Kew Bridge - 
From Sunday 22 December until late autumn 2020, Cycleway 9 construction will take place at the junction of Kew Bridge, the A205 Chiswick High Road and the A315 Kew Bridge Road.

Local buses will be delayed. Lane closures will be in place 24 hours a day at the junction and its approaches. Drivers should expect delays while travelling on the A406 on to Chiswick High Road, eastbound on the A315 Kew Bridge Road, and on Kew Bridge.

Visit our Cycleway 9 travel advice page for updates.

Twickenham Rugby Stadium – From 15:00 until 19:00 on Saturday 28 December, Twickenham Rugby Stadium will host the rugby match between Harlequins and Leicester Tigers, with kick off at 16:30. Large crowds and increased traffic levels are expected before and after the game.

Roads likely to be affected are the A316 Chertsey Road, and all roads leading to Twickenham Stadium and around the stadium. London Road, Whitton Road and Rugby Road will be closed before and after the game to help with crowd control. Diversions will be implemented in the Twickenham area.

Check whether your bus is affected.

See the latest status updates on road travel.
  
 
Santander Cycles
 
Santander Cycles will be available throughout the Christmas and New Year season, including Christmas Day.

From 12:00 on Monday 30 December until 22:00 on New Year's Day, some Santander Cycle docking stations in central London will be out of service due to London New Year's Eve Fireworks:
  • Belvedere Road 1 and 2 
  • Bouverie Street 
  • Columbo Street 
  • Concert Hall Approach 1 and 2 
  • Embankment (Savoy) 
  • Jubilee Gardens 
  • Lambeth Palace Road 
  • Lower Marsh
  • Milroy Walk
  • Northumberland Avenue
  • Somerset House
  • Southwark Station 1 and 2
  • Stamford Street
  • Storey's Gate
  • Strand
  • Tallis Street
  • Waterloo Bridge
  • Waterloo Road
  • Waterloo Station 1, 2 and 3
  • Whitehall Place 
Some sections of the East - West Cycle Superhighway (CS3) and the North - South Cycle Superhighway (CS6) will be affected by road closures for the London New Year's Eve Fireworks.

The following docking stations will be out of service this weekend:
  • Hoxton Station, Hoxton - due to a power outage
  • Butler Place, St James's Park - due to a power outage
Find out how to hire a Santander Cycle.

See the latest update on docking station availability.

Sunday, 15 December 2019

Saturday, 14 December 2019

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - Re-connect with nature this winter

Woodland Wonders
21 December 2019 - 5 January 2020
Woodland Wonders image
Join us to explore the incredible winter landscape at Kew Gardens with your family and re-connect with the natural world. Stroll along our woodland trails, spot seasonal highlights, and immerse yourself in nature.
What's on?
Woodland Wonders image
Ensonglopedia of Plants

Sing and laugh along with this brand new collection of songs about what trees get up to in winter.

15 minute song sessions, included with your entry ticket.
Woodland Wonders image
Woodland walks

Join a guided stroll along the woodland walk and wonder at the beauty and diversity of some of Kew's favourite trees.

30 minute guided walks, included with your entry ticket.
Woodland Wonders image
Tree-mendous tales

Learn the secrets of winter plants. Discover which tree is the King of the Forest and how the snowdrop got its colour.

15 minute stories, included with your entry ticket.