The Cultural Directory

Epping Forest is an area of ancient woodland in south-east England, straddling the border between north-east London and Essex. It is a former royal forest, and is managed by the City of London Corporation.

Exeter’s world-class museum has stunning displays and galleries, fabulous exhibitions and modern amenities. Its spectacular Victorian building links the modern commercial city centre bustle on Queen Street with the city’s historic past. Stunning displays reveal Devon and Exeter’s rich history and global connections. Exotic animals, birds and insects delight children and the world cultures galleries showcase items from all over the world. The busy programme of exhibitions and events means there is likely to be something different to see on every visit. Free entry gives everyone the freedom to visit many times and to stay for any length of time. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Closed Mondays and bank holidays. Admission free.

The LSO is proud to be Resident Orchestra at the Barbican Centre, where it performs around 70 concerts a year. The residency has enabled the Orchestra to establish a truly loyal audience and to fulfil many artistic aspirations. Joint projects between the Orchestra and the Barbican place us at the heart of the Centre's programme. The LSO also enjoys successful residencies at the Lincoln Center in New York, at the Philharmonie de Paris, and at Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Other regular tour destinations include the Far East, North America and all the major European cities. Touring has been a part of the Orchestra's life since the very beginning. In its early years, the LSO made annual provincial tours, travelling around the country by train for two weeks at a time. The first of these tours in 1905 was conducted by Sir Edward Elgar and featured many of his own compositions. The Orchestra's first tour abroad was to Paris in 1906 when the Orchestra travelled with the 300-strong Leeds Choral Union to give two performances of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Théâtre du Chatelet.

Sadler’s Wells is a world-leading creative organisation dedicated to dance in all its forms. With over three centuries of theatrical heritage and a year-round programme of performances and learning activities, it is the place where artists come together to create dance, and where people of all backgrounds come to experience it – to take part, learn, experiment and be inspired. Audiences of over half a million come to its three London theatres each year, with many more enjoying its touring productions at venues across the UK and around the world, and accessing its content through digital channels. Sadler's Wells commissions, produces and presents more new dance work than any other theatre in the world, embracing the popular and the unknown. Since 2005, it has helped to bring over 160 new dance works to the stage, many of them involving its 16 Associate Artists, three Resident Companies and four Associate Companies – the most exciting talents working in dance today. Sadler’s Wells nurtures the next generation of talent through a number of artist development initiatives, including the National Youth Dance Company, New Wave Associates, Wild Card, Open Art Surgery and Summer University. It also reaches over 25,000 annually through its learning and engagement programmes. Projects include community productions and the renowned Company of Elders, its resident over-60s performance group, while events range from pre and post-show talks with dance artists to classes, workshops and assisted performances. Located in Islington, north London, the current building is the sixth to have stood on site since entrepreneur Richard Sadler first established the theatre in 1683. The venue has played an illustrious role in the history of theatre ever since, with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Opera having all started at Sadler's Wells.