Orlando Bloom

"This month’s hotlister is one of our favourite actor's, Orlando Bloom who has recently finished producing and filming Carnival Row with Cara Delevingne. It is an eight-episode fantasy-noir series for Amazon Prime. We are already in suspense!" Jenny Halpern Prince. "Whenever I'm in London I love taking my son to Hyde Park and around the Serpentine. Or for more culture we sometimes visit the Cutty Sark and then stand on the Meridian line at the home of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) at the beautiful Greenwich Observatory. The awe-inspiring Peter Harrison Planetarium is a must see."

— Orlando Bloom

SONG OF THE EARTH/LA SYLPHIDE

It’s a new year and we are keener than ever to tell you about all the amazing things on offer in London (and sometimes beyond!) A new year means exploring new things in our humble opinion, so whether it be a different cuisine, a brand new artist or even a museum you've never set foot in before, we hope you find something here that tickles your fancy. First off we have the ballet and a performance of Song of the Earth and La Sylphide at The London Coliseum from the 9th to 13th January. The English National Ballet perform Kenneth MacMillan’s haunting masterpiece and a beloved ballet classic in a special double bill and tickets are available from £12 – £65. Song of the Earth is centred around three central figures who portray the bittersweet reality of love, loss, and mortality while La Sylphide sees ‘James’ awaken from a dream, the morning of his wedding, to see a mysterious and tantalising Sylphide before him. Intriguing. If you've never been to the ballet before then change that in 2018 and pay a visit to the London Coliseum to watch this double masterpiece. Facebook | Twitter

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, OVO

Let’s not mess about here, if you’ve never been- you MUST go. Simple as that. Cirque du Soleil is a global phenomenon and pretty unrivalled in terms of its production. Ovo is the latest in a long series of performances from this insanely talented group and they are touring at the Royal Albert Hall from the 7th January until early March. Ticket prices begin at £20 so there really is no excuse not to go. Ovo explores the insect world in a “non-stop riot of energy in motion. The awestruck insects are intensely curious when a mysterious egg appears, representing the enigma and cycles of their lives”. With jaw dropping acrobatics, live music, exquisite costumes and an infectious energy, there is a reason why Cirque du Soleil continues to enjoy such phenomenal global success. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

LUMIERE LONDON

We featured Lumiere London on the Hotlist last time it took place but it’s so fantastic, we felt it had to be included once more. From the 18th to the 21st January, this weekend lights festival commissioned by the Mayor of London, is back in the capital, bigger, brighter and bolder than before. If that's possible! For those who missed it the first time round, the festival invites international and local artists to transform buildings or public spaces with their light designs and these installations are dotted around the city meaning you can explore them all on foot. The city is essentially turned into one large and varied night-time lights display across Mayfair, Kings Cross, Fitzrovia, the West End, the South Bank and Westminster. You can download an app which will guide you round them all as well as giving you more information on each design and the brains behind it. Full details are also available on the website of course but this is a festival not to be missed. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

DARCIE AND MAY GREEN

Boats and Brunch. Have we got your attention? Yeah, thought so. Let us introduce to you, Darcie and May Green, a floating restaurant right by Paddington Station on the Grand Union Canal. Let’s start with the decor, as the boat itself is a “floating piece of art” designed exclusively by Sir Peter Blake, who is probably best known for co-creating the sleeve design for the Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It’s a VERY colourful sight, so we’re off to an epic start already and we haven't even set foot inside yet. Once you do though you’ll find the venue is split across two barges and set over two floors, with an open upper deck. Darcie and May Green offer us all day dining including a delish looking brunch menu with a “bottomless” option. Coffees and juices will keep you hydrated but if you’d rather venture on board past the brunching hour, then tuck into one of their signature cocktails or craft beer and chow down on something from their all day menu which includes steak, Aussie barbeque lamb cutlets, Tempura soft shell crab or Halloumi fries. Yes please to all of that. New Year’s diet? Meh. Pass the prosecco. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

LONDON VISIONS

On the 19th January at the Museum of London, a new exhibition called “London Visions” is opening. If you're fascinated by the future and all that could lie ahead, then you will likely be intrigued by the predictions for our capital as seen through the eyes of contemporary artists, architects and designers. What’s fascinating about it is if you think back to the days pre millennium (for those of us old enough to remember that anyway…!), there were predictions that we would be travelling to and from Mars as easily as we do Marbella and that robots would exist amongst us like family and friends. Back to the Future had all sorts of wacky ideas in it, some did come true (Facetime!) and some didn't (lace up trainers aren’t quite here yet), so it goes to show, you can't always guess it right. However, we wonder how many of this exhibitions will come to fruition as the years progress....Go check them all out and only time will tell! The exhibition is free and runs until April. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

ANDREAS GURSKY

The Hayward Gallery on London's Southbank has been closed since September 2015 for essential repairs and refurbishment, including the replacement of the Brutalist building’s 66 iconic pyramid roof lights. But January 2018 sees it reopen to the public with the first major UK retrospective of the work of acclaimed German photographer Andreas Gursky. He is famous for his large scale pictures that have become an essential part of any serious art collector’s portfolio. They “portray emblematic sites and scenes of the global economy and contemporary life, (and he) is widely regarded as one of the most significant photographers of our time.” Let’s be honest, to be the name behind the first exhibition at the newly renovated Hayward Gallery is quite the kudos so you know he must be good! Over 60 of Gursky’s incredible images will be on display and this retrospective marks the beginning of the Hayward Gallery’s 50th anniversary year. It’s a must see guys, we can’t wait to go check out not Gursky’s exhibition but also the revamped and “light flooded” building as well. Opening January 25th, Gursky’s work is on display until April. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

CENTREPOINT

Centrepoint is the UK’s leading charity for homeless young people and supports more than 9,200 16-25 year olds into a home and a job every year. With temperatures dropping, 16,000 young people will be at risk of homelessness this winter. They're escaping abuse, violence, gangs and fear. Many are homeless because they can't live with their family, or they have no family. Centrepoint provides young people with accommodation, health support and life skills to get them back into education, training and employment. The charity works directly in London, Manchester, Yorkshire and the North East of England, and partners with other organisations across the UK. From volunteering to fundraising or setting up a corporate partnership, there are lots of ways you can help. Get involved here.

DAILY YOGA

With the hectic-ness of silly season out the way, it’s time to find a little Zen. Download Daily Yoga for a good excuse to settle into the lotus position, balance your chakras and salute the (winter) sun. The app has more than 100 yoga and meditation classes to help people from all levels as well as a series of beginner-friendly tutorials to help you find a different and better self in only 2 weeks, which is handy for those of us who aren't quite at expert yogi level just yet. The app also records your workouts and data helping you to improve your skills as you go. And if all else fails and you don't fancy it, they you can always “namastay in bed”. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter