This place is actually a disused chocolate factory which now houses a variety of artists' studios…read more They have open weekends for the public twice a year and it's worth going up there on these days even if you're not thinking of buying. The next open weekend is actually next week, on Saturday the 5th and Sunday 6th July so I timed this review well, didn't I?! The building itself is fabulously preserved and none of the studios are empty. I can imagine it is a great place to work. I understand that they have recently enlarged the space to include more studios so there will be even more stuff to look at. I don't have a lot of disposable income but even I have found some gorgeous things to buy here, including pottery and jewellery. The artists very kindly put out nibbles so you can stuff yourself while you're looking at their work.

This is a fabulous set of studios, hidden off the busy Stoke Newington Road in Stoke Newington,…read moreHackney N16. Twice a year they open their doors to the public. Here's the latest one: 'It's winter time again and Open Studios are nearly upon us. There are 25 Studios at The Chocolate Factory and we will be opening our doors for one weekend only. It's a great chance to see the artists and their work, see what's new, grab some bargains and enjoy a browse. Don't forget your Christmas Shopping too! The studios are a real find off the busy Stoke Newington Road: A Cobbled yard with hanging baskets and an oasis of pots and plants set the scene for this thriving community of artists and designer makers. Follow us on Facebook for more info: Search The Chocolate Factory N16'

This is a very small out of the way but free museum filled with mostly 'inappropriate' neon signs…read more I say inappropriate not because I was offended but many were sexual or religious in nature and in today's society there are a bunch of over sensitive adult babies. There is a small bar here that you can grab a drink while you walk around, they take credit cards. Overall it's kinda like a dive museum, but o believe worth it to get off the beaten path and away from the crowd of tourists. It is a sketchy neighborhood and the buses to get here are pretty rundown.

Take the London tube (Northern Line) going north to the last stop and hoof it for about 15 minutes…read moreand you'll arrive at this joint, which proclaims to be the largest collection (museum) dedicated to neon art and artists in the world. Located in a gated area with working factories, micro breweries and other commercial establishments. Stroll through, it's free and they play great tunes throughout as you enjoy the neon art. Enjoy some coffee, drinks and snacks at their cafe. The surrounding area has a large number fabulous and authentic global ethnic cuisine options and apparently the longest outdoor street market in London. The William Morris childhood Home and his Museum is also nearby so the area, is free and interesting. Overall it's a great day trip less than 45 minutes tube ride from London.

Battlebridge Basin is one of the larger basins on the Regent's Canal, located just north of King's…read moreCross station. It's home to the London Canal Museum, housing and offices, as well as the brand new 'Kings Place' office and cultural centre. The Regents Canal opened from Paddington to Camden in 1816 and throughout to the basin at Limehouse in 1820. Battlebridge Basin, originally called Horsfall Basin, was opened in 1822. Like the other basins, it was originally intended for the trans-shipment of goods to and from the canals. Among the unusual cargoes carried were ice - imported from Norway from the 1820s - used for making (among other things) ice cream. The former ice warehouse is now the London Canal Museum. Over the years, goods traffic declined, due largely to competition from the railways and then the roads, although some traffic continued until the late 1960s. The canal basin was privately owned until 2000 when it was purchased by British Waterways. The basin has since been redeveloped and gentrified, and provides moorings as well as an attractive urban space. Since 1989 it has been the home of the London Canal Museum, and in 2008 the Kings Place development opened, with a cafe, restaurant, art gallery space and two auditoriums for music recitals and concerts. NB: The main towpath is on the other side of the canal from the basin. Access (except by boat) is easiest via the Canal Museum, as most of the moorings are private. For information about boat moorings, contact British Waterways' London Office on (020) 7985 7200. The museum itself opened in 1992 and is based in a former ice warehouse, dating from the 1860s. The main hall includes a view down into one of the two large circular ice stores. The museum tells the story of canals in general, and in particular how the canal network developed around London. There's a small section of a narrow boat which illustrates how the canal families lived, a small tractor used from the 1940s onwards in place of horses on some of the London canals, and a wide range of smaller canal items. The upstairs is largely given over to exhibition space, showing newsreels from the 1920s-50s depicting canal life in London, wildlife in canals and the story of canal restoration. Downstairs there's access to the side of the Battlebridge Basin, from where the museum runs canal trips in the summer. By the entrance there's a small shop selling books and souvenirs. Staff a friendly and very knowledgable. A diverting hour or so if you are in the Kings Cross area.

I'm glad we stopped in this museum. It was very interesting! Bonus points for the opportunity to…read morestep outside onto the canal walk. Make sure you watch the video upstairs for some rare peeks at the canal and area long ago (humor included).

Staff were nice film was good but the large popcorn was totally stale and there was no toilet paper…read morein the downstairs baby changing toilet. As a member who hasn't been for a while I was really disappointed. Also the cinema was almost empty.

Fantastic cinema and host to Sci-fi London International Film Festival and other great events!read more

The gallery has only just reopened following a major refurbishment in fact parts of the grounds…read moreand Lloyd Park are still not quite completed yet! The new look is fantastic and currently sporting Grayson Perry's wonderful Walthamstow Tapestry for another few weeks. There is far more interaction, more history about William Morris himself, and Morris &Co, including big fat books of Morris designs. And it's all free! You can very easily get round the beautiful venue in 40minutes if you're not lingering about too much, but there is also a fabulously well-appointed cafe now, giving a great reason to just hang out and chill, overlooking the beautiful grounds. Highly recommended and almost on my doorstep!

This is a gallery founded in a house once occupied by the titular Morris, and is mostly concerned…read morewith him and his Pre-Raphaelite colleagues. It is in a creaky old building and access is a problem, there is a manual ramp which has to be trundled out by staff to let in wheelchairs, and then the visit is limited to the ground floor. Recent reductions in opening has also limited visiting this gallery. Saying that it is set in a large park, which also until recently was a pleasure to visit, now it is very dowdy and uncared for. There is a cafe and toilets in the park, but have very limited opening hours and are quite far away. With all this against it the exhibits are glorious and well worth the effort of a visit

Let's face it, I love everything that is A. outdoors B. Free C. encourages consuming adult…read morebeverages and eating. I was over the moon when the stars aligned to offer an event that included free outdoor cinema on a gorgeous night, and the film choice was Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox. This event -- where in the film was projected from atop their signature narrowboat, across the canal and onto a screen -- was not their usual offering. It was a special event that included a chance to go on to the boat and see the actual puppets used in the film and speak to someone involved in the making of the film. The boat, a 12-seater work boat refurbished as part of a community/art project, usually gives waterways tours, screens documentaries and workshops (according to their web site, how you would host a workshop on a tiny boat I have no idea). A large (but not obnoxiously large) gathering of people -- some in foxy fancy dress -- settled into the grassy area, many bringing food, blankets and beverages, and all behaved -- no incessant talkers or wild children). The film and sound quality was excellent with no issues thoughout. I am happy to have participated in such a great event, and applaud the efforts of those involved to offer their community something that was fun and celebrated historic London features (the waterways) while also at the same time offering a cool movie that was filmed in that same area. The program only lasts until the end of the summer, and there are only a handful of events left. If you're intrigued by this unique community project, best get off your duff and check it out while you can.

I did my work experience here,and although the building may seem inferior from the outside,its not…read morefrom the inside. Things inlcuded within are the first ever engine powered car,an orginial lock up cell,numerous Waltham Forest related items such as Halex/Xylonite etc. There are also things such as a roman sarchophagus,old signs,a recreation of a Victorian Parlour Room and a 1940's room Its free entry so youve got a great little museum to look around for nothing. The staff are great also. If you read this guys thanks for your time,sorry i havent been to visit for a long time!!!!!

This is a hidden star! On the backstreets of Walthamstow Village is the historical gem that is this…read moreMuseum. Within sight of the historic St Mary's Church, The museum is situated in the old parish workhouse (with a suitably grim message over the entrance!) Once through the doors (although the exterior is interesting, with the site of the old parish lockup marked out and an doorway from a demolished Walthamstow mansion) a wealth of artefacts await, including the oldest British-built petrol driven car, a police cell, a Victorian parlor, and the local archive, photographic archive and local studies library (the last three by appointment only) Behind the museum is a reconstruction of the workhouse garden, which is peppered with larger bygones such as a horse trough and water pump. Although this has no refreshment facilities, it is very close to Walthamstow Central and its hoard of take-away shops, and the garden is a pleasant place to picnic if the weather approves. There are modern toilets in the extension. There is a shop which sells local history books and lots of interesting bits for children. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and there are always lots of extras going on in school holidays, so check out the website. There isn't a great deal of parking close to the museum (there is a lay-by for 3 or 4 cars outside) but a major car park is about ten minutes walk away. I recommend this to all, it was just saved from closure (it was open 6 days until recently) its free to enter and well worth a visit.

Open just 2 weeks ago, picture house is a very welcome addition to the n8 area…read more This 5 screen cinema has a fully stocked upstairs and downstairs bar, loads of high end snacks, cakes and even a restaurant menu. The seats in the actual cinema are soft, warm and comfy with plenty of leg room. There's a sofa aisle in the middle and back of the cinema which you can book at no extra cost. I image they're the first to go though. Bad points: There are no tables inside the cinema so they don't recommend bringing in actual dishes from the restaurant side of the cinema. Snacks and drinks are seriously expensive (but no more than any other cinema). Tickets cost £13.50 plus a £1.50 booking fee.

This is review is mainly based on the fact that it is in Crouch End which is local to me. I say…read morethis because the area, though a cultural hub for many people in industry (peep show was filmed here, Shaun of Dead house not too far away, Gillian Anderson use to live here, amongst many others still in area) never really had a cinema to go to until the wonderfully small Arthouse came along. This picturehouse is one of many in the chain. I go to the newly opened Central one now quite a bit but this new one is now my closest. It has about 5-6 screens and I went to see Bridge of Spies on screen 4. The sound could have been a tad louder and I think there was not much surround sound. Saying that I mentioned this to manager and they mentioned it would in future. I went on officially it's 4th day of opening. I was told screen 5 is a favourite because it is intimate and has only about 26 seats. Cool. I asked to see screen 1, their prize biggest screen because i might see Star Wars there soon. The seats are like sofa seats. All of them. And there are double seats. The screen was higher than usual because they have a platform ready for future Q&A's. I will go see that screen but not sure it's best for something quite as epic as Star Wars. There's a nice cafe downstairs to people watch, and a main restaurant to see even better looking down upon Main Street. All in all. I liked my it's visit. Comfy, obviously clean and nice staff. Will be back for more to check other screens too. UPDATE - DEC '15: Checked out the brand new Crouch End PH. Kicking rainy Mondays onto the curb with it's cheap tickets! Steven Spielberg & Tom Hanks have made a great film with Bridge of Spies. Written by the Coen Brothers a real classic spy/war film. Love a bit of espionage! The cinema itself was lovely. Nicely laid out with cafe at bottom and many screens dotted around. I went into Screen 4 and it had good sound. Next time I will try for their main one.

This is my local movie theatre and I have seen MANY MANY movies here! The cinema is brand new and…read moreas so is shinny and clean. The seats are quite comfy and they even have an Impact screen. With loads of show times, it's hard to not be satisfied with their offerings. Tickets are fairly cheap at 6GBP for a student and 8GBP for an adult, even during peak times. They have a special Tuesday offer for 4 GBP. It's really great how this cinema has helped improve Walthamstow. The area that it is located was previously quite sketchy, but quite a lot of money has been invested into that specific area. The cinema is just one of the new, and very welcomed, additions. Next to the cinema is a Pizza Express, Turtle Bay, and Yum Yum Thai food. Apart from the great selection already in Walthamstow, these bigger names has really enhanced the area! The location is super convenient as the cinema is only a few minute walk from Walthamstow Central station. Walthamstow also has loads of buses and often serves as an easy meeting point for my friends and I. This is probably one of the better cinemas in the area and I highly recommend it!

The cinema appears to treat people with disabilities appallingly. I tried to use the machines to…read morebook: can't use my carers get in free ticket: so join a queue of people buying popcorn:long wait. The last time, I said where I wanted to sit, was given totally inappropriate seat. The queue for pensioners free coffee is long, cups not very safe to carry around. Many of the seats mean that as there is no exit at the back, if you need to go out ( to the loo etc.) you have to walk in front of the screen and audience. And the seats: instead of an arm to rest on, there is a huge hole, presumably for huge , obesity inducing food/drink.