Many of us will use this welcome time off as a chance to escape the City however if you’re definitely staying in London there are plenty of activities to keep you and the family busy. Here’s our pick of the best activities in London this Easter:

The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt

If you work in central London you can’t fail to have noticed the huge eggs that have recently popped up all over the city. They are part of the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt which is taking place in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and to raise money for Action for Children and Elephant Family. Each eye catching egg has its own unique design, having been designed by one of the artists, designers, architects or jewellers taking part. The eggs have been placed in interesting places throughout London from Canary Wharf to Buckingham Palace and they are everywhere! We spotted one on Jermyn Street, right outside Fortnum and Mason and a couple of minutes walk from our London serviced offices at 33 St James’s Square. Have you spotted any near your own London offices yet?  What better way to visit the sites of London over the Easter break than on a giant egg hunt taking in other parts of the city? To make things more exciting, each egg spotting will also give you the chance to win the Diamond Jubilee Egg valued at over £100,000. Visit the Big Hunt website for full details.

The Boat Race

This year’s Oxford and Cambridge University boat race will take place over the Easter weekend, at 2.15pm on Saturday 7^th April. Why not get down to the banks of the River Thames to watch Oxford and Cambridge battling it out in the 158^th contest over the 4 miles of river from Putney to Mortlake? Every year this unique rowing event is watched by thousands of spectators enjoying the atmosphere and following the action on the river for free. Throughout race day there will also be a number of events for people of all ages taking place along the banks of the Thames. If you’re thinking of going down to watch, there are many fantastic vantage points along the river from which to view the race, including Putney Bridge at the start and Chiswick Bridge towards the end of the course. Hammersmith Bridge, which is very close to EOG’s Hammersmith serviced offices, is also a great viewing spot. A word of warning, it does get very busy on the riverbanks so get there early to bag your place and don’t leave your spot! After the race you can toast the winners and enjoy refreshments in a wide variety of pubs, bars and restaurants located close to the river.

Kew Gardens

With over 5 million spring bulbs coming into bloom, Kew Gardens, which is 10 miles to the West of London, has to be one of the most beautiful places in the country at this time of year. They have plenty going on over the Easter weekend to keep everyone entertained. From Saturday 31^st March – Sunday 15^th April visitors can enjoy a Mayan chocolate adventure with an interactive trail around the gardens, followed by chocolate making and craft workshops. Face painters will also be on hand and there is a special Easter egg hunt planned for the kids on Easter Sunday. Older visitors can enjoy an exhibition showcasing Kew’s royal connections in celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee. Most importantly, everyone can relax and enjoy the huge expanses of green and colourful blooms on a beautiful spring day.

Easter Lunch

If everything outlined above sounds like too much hard work and you simply want to relax with family and friends, why not make a reservation at your favourite London restaurant for Easter lunch? With literally thousands of locations to choose from we’re sure you already have your own personal Sunday lunch favourite but here are a few more ideas if you’re looking for something special:

Central London – The National Dining Rooms in Trafalgar Square
South London – The Bolingbrook in Clapham
West London – The Harwood Arms in Fulham
East London – The Princess of Shoreditch in Shoreditch
North London – The Vine in Highgate

What are your plans for the Easter holidays? Do you have any other ideas for days out in the capital? Whatever you decide to do, we hope you enjoy the break, Happy Easter!

For the Kids – Hamleys

The flagship Hamleys store on London’s Regent Street has to be the number one most popular shopping destination for those under ten visiting the capital. With 7 floors dedicated to all things play related it can get a bit high energy in here to say the least. If you don’t have the kids on tow why bother putting yourself through it? Do your toy shopping online instead. The Hamleys website has a great Toy Finder search to help you in your quest for the perfect gift and you won’t have to carry those huge bags full of toys on the tube home either.

For the Older Kids – Abercrombie and Fitch

The American store Abercrombie and Fitch has one location in the UK, which sits at the top of London’s famous Saville Row. The edgy, preppy style and ‘almost luxury’ positioning mean these t-shirts, hoodies and jeans never go out of fashion for those in the 15-21 age bracket. If you choose to brave the store you’ll be greeted by a male model at the entrance and will then find yourself in a world of dimly lit interiors, pumping house music and beautiful people! If it all sounds a bit too daunting go to their online store where you’ll get a great feel for this cooler than cool brand. You can also choose from an array of merchandise to make you popular with whatever bright young thing  you’re shopping for.

For Him - Thomas Pink

If you’re looking for something altogether more sophisticated for a more grown up gentleman and have the time you can’t beat a trip to Jermyn Street, home of traditional British shirt making which is located in the heart of St James’s just a few minutes walk from our 33 St James’s Square serviced office centre. The street is home to numerous shirt makers and is synonymous with classic British style. If you can’t make it to the street in person and it really is worth a visit, check out the fantastic website from Thomas Pink, which has its flagship store there.

For Her – Tiffany and Co

You can’t go wrong with a piece of jewellery for the lady in your life at Christmas and if you’re shopping for jewellery in London, Old Bond Street is the place to be. Tiffany and Co, De Beers, Bootles, Cartier and Graff diamonds are all located on this very street and the Burlington Arcade is on its doorstep if you’re after an antique or more traditional piece. This beautiful area of Mayfair is a fantastic Christmas shopping destination, even if you’re just window shopping because the decorations are among the best in the capital. If you can’t make it in person you can probably find whatever you’re looking for on Tiffany and Co’s super slick website.

For Everyone – Harrods

The Harrods Knightsbridge store welcomes over 15 million customers every year and is home to seven floors of luxury goods. The store is a London tourist destination in itself and the food hall with over 28 restaurants, cafes and eateries is especially worth a visit. With 330 departments in the Knightsbridge store there’s something for everyone. There is also a strict dress code so if you make it past the doors you’re already onto a winner. If you would rather dress down and shop the store online in your pyjamas you can do exactly that at harrods.com

Don’t forget – if you’re buying your gifts online time is running out! Most last orders are on 21^st December at the very latest.

Happy shopping and Happy Christmas from everyone at Argyll.

1. Nobu, Park Lane

This Nobu restaurant occupies the first floor of The Metropolitan Hotel on Park Lane and enjoys wonderful views of Hyde Park. Nobu’s exceptional Japanese cuisine, simple elegant décor and outstanding service are a winning combination every time. We especially recommend the signature blackened cod.

Closest Argyll business centre – No.1 Grosvenor Crescent

2. The Wolseley

The Wolseley is a café-restaurant in the grand European tradition located on Piccadilly, next to the Ritz hotel. It has a stunning, traditional interior and is especially popular with those visiting from overseas. The restaurant serves a wide and eclectic variety of European dishes from its a la carte menu. Booking is essential.

Closest Argyll business centre – 78 Pall Mall

3. Maze

Maze is a Gordon Ramsey restaurant located on the corner of Grosvenor Square in the heart of Mayfair. Its impressive modern interiors are matched by modern French cuisine with Asian influences. The portions are tasting size which means you can sample lots from the exquisite menu and that’s no bad thing!

Closest Argyll business centre – 84 Brook St

4. Wild Honey

This cosy restaurant in the heart of Mayfair has an elegant yet traditional feel and features private booths and an impressive bar area. It offers fabulous menus which change on an almost daily basis to reflect the seasons. This place is affordable and the trademark English cooking is great. Pre and post theatre menus are also available.

Closest Argyll business centre – 53 Davies Street

5. Hélène Darroze at the Connaught

Hélène Darroze at the Connaught offers Michelin-starred food in luxurious surroundings. The fabulously stylish Connaught hotel is located close to Berkeley Square and its restaurant offers exceptional cuisine from one of France’s most celebrated chefs. This isn’t the cheapest option on our list but it is a great one if you’re looking to impress.

Closest Argyll business centre – 18b Charles St

As always, being in London, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to searching for a venue. However, it’s important to choose the right place for your company, be it a themed event, shared celebration or private party.

Read on for our top Christmas event locations in London this year.

The Ironmongers’ Hall

As featured in the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the enchanting Ironmongers’ Hall at The Ironmongers’ Company in the City of London is available for hire for parties with capacity up to 250 guests. This venue is guaranteed to be a success for those looking to organise an atmospheric event in a building with real character.

BMA House

The spectacular BMA House is a grade II listed building with 25 rooms of various sizes and layouts available for parties of up to 320 people. Catering and audio-visual equipment is available if required, and the BMA will be running special Christmas event packages throughout the run-up to the holiday period, with packages starting from £59.95 per person.

33 St James’s Square

The exquisite London meeting rooms at 33 St James’s Square are the ideal place to hold a mid-sized corporate Christmas event. Located in the heart of Mayfair, this prestigious address features meeting rooms capable of hosting anything from two to 22 people. Rooms can be hired on a variety of flexible tariffs, with high quality catering and a range of menus available, making this an ideal place for your company’s festive gathering.

White Christmas Cruise

If a land-based corporate Christmas event isn’t your cup of tea, why not try the White Christmas Cruise? This five hour cruise on board a luxury river yacht will take in the sights and sounds of the Thames in winter, setting off from Savoy Pier. Guests will enjoy a three course meal and dancing before the boat returns to shore. Prices excluding VAT are £115 per person.

Baltic Restaurant & Bar

Another grade II listed building, the Baltic Restaurant & Bar on Blackfriars Road is a minimalist paradise full of whites, creams and exposed wooden beams. The food is excellent and drinks – with a predictably vodka-infused angle – are delicious. Baltic has four function rooms, including the main restaurant and a private dining room, with the largest of these being able to accommodate 400 guests.

Are you attending a Christmas event at one of these locations? Do you have your own favourite place for a corporate Christmas event? Let us know in the comments below.

We’ve rounded up our top West End shows in a bid to infuse the dark winter nights with a glow of culture and entertainment.

Bill Bailey performing with cow bells – Photograph by Nick J Webb

Bill Bailey’s Dandelion Mind

With a slight break in traditional theatre productions, Bill Bailey returns with comic tour-de-force as he presents a show packed with “trademark musical interludes, observations and stories of the road” in Dandelion Mind, based loosely on the theme of doubt (or is it?). You can expect a top West End show filled with weird and wonderful instruments, internet love songs, Darwin’s curious obsessions and the myth of intelligent design, all with the wonderfully surreal gloss that Bailey emits.

Yes, Prime Minister

If you’re in no hurry to rid yourself of business talk, then take in an anniversary production of Yes, Prime Minister, which sees original writers reunite characters Prime Minister Jim Hacker, Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby and Principal Private Secretary Bernard Woolley for a special new play: “The world, of course, has turned meanwhile. Spin has become an art form and the BlackBerry is the must-have accessory. Dossiers have been ’sexed up’, the ’special relationship’ put to the test and countless MPs have stood down to ’spend more time with their families’.”

We’re sure you’ll agree that it sounds like an absolute must-see. The show is running now at the Gielgud Theatre, a short walk from London serviced offices at 33 St James’s Square.

Deathtrap

The fantastically written Deathtrap promises “a plot with so many twists and turns is bound to stump even the Sherlocks and Cluedo fanatics among you.” The play combines hilarious and dark jokes alongside “gasp inducing” thrill to create an intriguing production.

The play follows the fortunes of Sidney Bruhl, a down on his luck playwright: “It has been 10 years since his last hit and desperate times call for desperate measures. When Clifford Anderson, an unknown playwright sends Sidney Bruhl a script to die for, the playwright sees a lethal opportunity.”

The play is showing in the Noël Coward Theatre, a small and intimate theatre in the best sense. Positioned just off St Martin’s Lane, the theatre is a wonderfully old building steeped in a feeling of history, with quaint two-person boxes and good views from anywhere within the house. The theatre is also located only a short distance from Argyll serviced offices in London at Pall Mall.

What are your favourite plays and musicals to see in London? Where do you go to see them, and what are you looking forward to seeing hit the big stage this winter? Let us know.

Internet Week Europe – 8th-12th November

Towards the start of November, London looks towards the much-heralded Internet Week Europe which is a definite highlight of the season, taking place from the 8th-12th November. With businesses’ online presences constantly growing and more and more frequently demanded, this is a key week for those interested in the future of online business, with a good focus on creative ideas and approach.

Following the Official Internet Week Opening Reception which brings the week to commencement, here are some key points of interest we’ve picked out:

• Digital Archaeology aims to focus on the past to build in the present, with an exhibition celebrating the creativity and inventiveness that followed the invention of the World Wide Web.
• Meanwhile at Google’s UK HQ at 78 Buckingham Palace Road, which is conveniently near London meeting rooms at Pall Mall and St James’s Square, The Creative Internet and Google’s Creative Lab presents some of the top Google projects of the year and explains the business philosophy behind them.
• The Public Intermediaries and the Digital Economy Act evening allows an open opportunity to pose questions to experts over the DE Act with speakers from Ofcom, The British Library and the House of Commons.

Corporate Social Media Summit – 17th-18th November

Away from the Internet Week city-wide venture, a number of events promise to be well worth your time. From the 17th-18th November, the business-focused Corporate Social Media Summit takes place over the two days to discuss exclusively how big businesses can use social media to enhance their marketing/communications strategies. This London business conference is tailored to a corporate audience, rather than that of a traditional social media one, and the conference brings over twenty speakers from a host of European corporations including the likes of Vodafone, Honda, Nokia, Cadbury and PepsiCo. Expect some in-depth, interactive workshops delivering best practice examples and practical next steps from companies that have already experienced marketing/comms success using social media. For more information, check out the Slideshare presentation of the New York event in June embedded below. If this sounds like the kind of event you’d like to be a part of, attendees are able to get £200 off the ticket price using the promo code MSH200 on registration.

Similarly, if your team is feeling overwhelmed getting to grips with social media, an array of training courses take place throughout town. OhMyBlog runs great workshops from learning how to understand and use social media, to how to run a corporate or internal blog.

Digital Brand Strategy Summit – 25th November

On 25th November, Prospero House plays host to the Digital Brand Strategy Summit, located just a short walk from our London meeting rooms at No. 1 Cornhill. The day promises a unique showcase from leading brands and industry experts on how to create, launch and implement an effective digital marketing strategy for your brand. With clearly defined strategic information, case studies and hot tips, this event will be ideal for attendees looking for a good understanding of digital concepts and furthering businesses with effective tools.

Have you got any London business events on your calendar this November? Will you be attending these? Let us know in the comments below if so.

The Museum of Brands in Notting Hill – Photograph by David Wellbeloved

Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising

This one is for the marketing executives. Referred to by The Telegraph as “a place of worship”, the Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising in Notting Hill is home to over 12,000 original items from the Robert Opie Collection, covering almost the entire history of consumer culture. If you’re a fan of classic brands, retro items and nostalgia in general, this museum is well worth a visit – especially if you also work in the industry.

British Optical Association Museum

Like some of our other choices in this blog post, you may not have heard of the British Optical Association Museum before today. Founded by J. H. Sutcliffe in 1901, this museum contains over 15,000 historic opthalmic items, and while this may sound incredibly dry, the museum itself is a fascinating place, and a must-visit. To get a preview of the kind of items that await you, check out some of the online exhibitions. The museum (or ‘musEYEum’ as it refers to itself) is located on Craven Street, close to London serviced offices at 33 St James’s Square and Pall Mall.

Hussein Chalayan’s fashion exhibition at the Design Museum in London – Photograph by Crystian Cruz

Design Museum

While not an ‘unusual’ London museum by any stretch of the imagination, the Design Museum can still play host to some left field and conceptual works. Located in the hip area of Shad Thames, the museum showcases top design work from throughout the UK, including some rather startling and unusual exhibitions (see above picture). Currently showing at the museum is the Brit Insurance Designs of The Year show, which will be on display until the 17th October.

Inside The Cartoon Museum – Photograph by Loz Pycock

The Cartoon Museum

Despite initial thoughts immediately turning to Dennis The Menace and co., The Cartoon Museum is home to some of the most interesting works of art in the whole of the London museum scene. Located on Little Russell Street, and within easy walking distance of London serviced offices at Cavendish Square this unusual London museum contains 1,500 historical cartoons and over 5,000 books and 6,000 comics. Once you’ve attempted to digest all of this, there are also regular talks and events hosted at the museum, including one particular highlight on the 10th November on the subject of ‘Fougasse and Punch’. Highly recommended.

Do you have a favourite London museum that is a little off the beaten track? Leave us a comment below and let us know.

Monday 27th September, 9:00am – Web Science: a New Frontier

Chaired by Sir Michael Brady, Dame Janet Finch and Sir John Taylor, this talk focuses on the World Wide Web, including how it has grown, the process behind it, how it works as a socio-technical system and the viral uptake of Web phenomena (which will be of interest to those in marketing). This talk will also be live streamed online at RoyalSociety.tv for those who cannot attend in person.

Tuesday 28th September, 6:00pm – Beyond Crisis

Speaker Gill Ringland will draw upon research featured in her recently-published book ‘Beyond Crisis’ in this talk hosted by Gresham College. This lecture considers “the global economic and social evidence” that the “assumptions of a return to the normality of the last decades are unfounded”. For organisations to succeed and thrive, Ringland argues, there are five essential qualities they will need to adopt – all of which will be revealed during the talk.

Wednesday 13th October, 7:00pm – Plastic Pollution in the Oceans

This thought-provoking London talk will focus on the topic of the growing plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. Recent reports have highlighted the synthetic plastic ‘island’ in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, which is growing bigger each day. With speakers including BBC science and environment correspondent David Shukman, and Peter Davis, Director-General of the British Plastics federation, issues such as the origin of plastic in our oceans, possible solutions and more will be covered in depth.

Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st October – Battle of Ideas

Battle of Ideas 2010 is a two-day festival of debates hosted at the Royal College of Art – a short walk from London virtual offices at Eaton Gate and Grosvenor Crescent. If you can think of a current topic for debate, then in all likelihood it will be featured as a subject over the course of the festival weekend – some key examples being medicine, privacy, ‘big society’, economics, animal rights, banking and a lot more than can be listed in this blog post. This is a key event, and a must-visit for any fan of London lectures and talks.

Monday 1st November, 7:00pm – Where Good Ideas Come From

Best-selling author Steven Johnson presents a talk on the origin of good ideas and the secrets of inspiration. Johnson identifies his five key principles to the formation of good ideas, including showing how patterns of creativity occur, enabling us to make the most of our good ideas when we get them. This talk is hosted by the Royal Institute, placing it in an ideal location for those using London virtual offices at nearby Charles Street.

Wednesday 1st December, 7:30pm – Can the UK Ever Be Sustainable?

The UK finds itself at something of a crossroads in terms of sustainability and the environment, with climate change and the looming spectre of ‘peak oil’ appearing with increasing regularity in news reports. Sir Stuart Pearce (Chairman, Marks & Spencer), Rt Hon. Hilary Benn MP (Shadow Defra Secretary, Labour) and Andy Hobsbawm (Co-founder, Do The Green Thing) will be speaking on how our way of life is placing an increasing burden on the planet.

Let us know if you plan on attending any of the featured London talks or lectures in this post, or if you have a suggestion for one not included.

Our round-up of London business networking events covers some essential regular meet-ups, interesting one-off events and special items of interest.

Tuesday 7th September – Business Breakfast, Canary Wharf

This regularly occurring event costs £10.00 per person, and features a networking breakfast, followed by short business pitches, a mix of meetings and appointments arranged to help meet new business contacts.

Tuesday 7th September – London Women Mean Business, Old Burlington Street

Meeting each month, London Women Mean Business is a free event (excluding drinks)designed to help bring like-minded women together for networking. This month, the guest speaker is personal finance journalist Sarah Pennells. The Embassy Club, Old Burlington Street is only a short walk from London serviced offices at St James’s Square and Pall Mall.

Thursday 9th September – NFI Networking, North Road

The NFI Networking group is all about mutual help, and takes a different approach to networking events than some people might be used to. The events put on by NFI can exclude some industries, but those that do attend and want to proactively get involved with other members will find them valuable experiences.

Wednesday 15th September – The Value of Online Marketing, Cannizaro House

This free event focuses on online marketing tactics, including social media, websites and IT implementation strategy. With several guest speakers and refreshments provided at no extra cost, this event is a must-attend for the businessperson planning on increasing their online presence and hoping to meet others looking to do the same.

Thursday 16th September – NRG Metropolitan London Networking Breakfast, De Vere Venues West One

NRG Metropolitan London Networking Breakfasts feature informal networking, followed by a more organised meeting to help facilitate like-minded businesspeople to find each other. The event is priced at £25 (excluding VAT) and lasts approximately two hours. This event takes place at the De Vere Venues West One, close to London serviced offices at 17 Cavendish Square.

Thursday 16th September – Envision Launch Party, Hampstead Heath

Ostensibly, this event is the launch party for a new business video conferencing tool. However, with over 80 guests attending the launch it provides a great opportunity to meet and network with London professionals at a top venue.

Tuesday 21st September – ICoC Business Breakfast Club, Islington

The Islington Chamber of Commerce puts on a breakfast London business networking event every Tuesday from 7:30am – 9:00am. Each delegate has an opportunity to present their business, with a special guest speaker each week.

Friday 24th September – netLinked, Mill Hill

This business networking breakfast comprises traditional face-to-face business networking with an added benefit of an overview of how to use the business social network LinkedIn to promote yourself and your business.

Wednesday 29th September – Social Media Latest, Richmond-upon-Thames

Put on by the Kingston and Richmond Women’s Network, this event is open to any women running their own businesses. This time, the guest speak is Nancy Williams, a social media expert who helps train businesses of all sizes in social media strategy and techniques.

If you are attending any London business networking events in September that have not been listed here, please leave a comment below and we will add them to the article.

Some of the top business blogs are also helping to shape the world they report on, with the leaders in the ‘blogosphere’ becoming key influencers themselves. Our list of the best business blogs of 2010 will give you the best websites for business news, views and discussions.

Top Business Blogs

• Freakonomics – By now, most of us have heard of the sensation that is Freakonomics, the bestselling book by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner which explores “the hidden side of everything” – mainly by mining otherwise dry data to explore fascinating facts. The Freakonomics blog takes this concept to its logical next step by having regularly updated articles posted on a variety of economics or data analysis subjects.
• Seth Godin’s Blog – Seth Godin’s work as an author and public speaker may well precede him, but his regularly updated blog is essential reading for those searching for an honest and considered voice amongst the usual clamour of marketing bloggers.
• SmallBizPod – Despite being marketed at the small business audience (and thus making it a good fit for those with Argyll virtual offices in London), SmallBizPod is a combination of podcasts, blog and news site with some useful and engaging content that is appealing to all businesses. The archive of podcasts is especially good, with the co-founders of Moonfruit and Xing recently being featured, amongst others.
• Duct Tape Marketing – Again, this blog has a companion piece in the form of a book of the same name, but the marketing advice and insights on offer to small businesses could prove invaluable.
• London Hotspots – Our sister site blog contains information on a wide range of topics, though with a focus on modern business life and leisure in London. Individual posts are always filled with advice around how to best make the capital a less-stressful and more enjoyable place to work, with a focus on how London virtual offices, serviced offices and meeting rooms can best work for you.
• Business Blog Consulting – At the risk of this post becoming ‘meta’ advice, the Business Blog Consulting site demonstrates how blogs can be used for effective customer/client communications across a wide range of industries. There is a veritable treasure trove of valuable information to be found on here for the businessperson interested in corporate blogging.
• Biz Plan Hacks – “Practical planning tips for busy business owners” – it’s hard to find fault with the strapline on Biz Plan Hacks, as it does precisely what it claims. Some of the advice is rather obvious, such as how to handle conflict resolution in the office, to more practical tips like guides to online invoicing applications and business expense tips.

If you’ve got your own pick of the top business blogs, or just have some of your own invaluable tips to add, please leave us a comment below.