What to see at Lumiere 18 - 21 January London 2018 (5:30 - 10:30pm)
For those of you who may have visited Lumiere in 2016 don't be expecting more of the same. This year they've spread out the installations and they are not as magnificent. However if you g to the right bits it can be very impressive and there's something magical about being able to walk round the city with less cars.
Don't miss: Mayfair - M1 Impulse, M7 Ondes, M9 Was that a dream, M6 Illumaphonium. West End - W1 pectral, W4 Harmonic Portal, W7 Love Motion, W8 Voyage, W13 Aquarium and W14 Flamingo flyway. Southbank S7 the wave and Trafalgar Square V2 Child Hood.
We purchased our map online, had it printed and were ready to go but realised it's a pain and a half to try and use, so instead i'd suggest the interactive mobile app which was slightly better from Visit London. Below i've tried to help you with a route of what we did. Of course we couldn't see everything in one night but we covered some good ground.
Southbank & Waterloo
While it's pretty to see the London Eye lit up it's nothing unique and to be honest most of the installations here are far from impressive. I did however like The Wave (S7) which is on the South Bank just past the BFI by the water. You walk through the tunnel that lights up although it does get busy and they do try to hurry you through. The Raspberry Ripple (S10) was a struggle to find and Sixty Minute Spectrum (S9) left us slightly disappointed.
I loved the idea of an environmentally friendly piece and while the Bottle Festoon (S5) looks pretty from a far it might not have been that worth the extra steps. If you're there you may as well see the Bough 1 (S4) and perhaps stop at the OXO for a drink but I'd cross over embankment bridge and walk straight over to Trafalgar Square instead.
Food suggestions: Stop in at the BFI for a sit down meal or Wahaca for something quicker. If you want something on the go there's an EAT or Royal Festival Hall has a canteen.
Drinks: Take in the views of London at Rumpus room in the Mondrian Hotel or of course theres the BFI.
Westminster & Victoria
My favourite installation were the balloons in Trafalgar Square 'Child Hood V2'. The Echelle ladder is barely noticeable at the top of the church (V1) round the corner. Since the rest were so far away we didn't make it to those as we decided to carry on walking towards Piccadilly. However the lights on Westminster Abbey are a highlight and worth visiting if you have time.
London's West End
Similar to the previous Lumiere there's now a lot you can see in a smaller area and then you're in the heart of London ready to stop for a pick me up at one of the many dessert places. From Trafalgar Square head on up to Leicester Square to see the Nightlife (W15) with life sized animals and Flamingo Flyway (W14) in China town (just up from the M&M store).
Then head towards Piccadilly Circus to see Voyage (W8).
From Piccadilly head down to Carlton Street for the Reflektor (W2), the Supercube (W3) should be close by but I couldn't find it.
Then head on Jermyn Street for the Harmonic Portal (W4) followed by the Spectral (W1) which is beautiful (there's no filter on these two images).
On the way back visit Church Place to see my light is your light (W5). Back on the main street you'll see a small sweet saying 'Be Faithful to Your Dreams' (W6) on St James's Church. Slightly further ahead in the Royal Academy Courtyard is a very sweet expression of Love Motion (W7). While I was surprised by Love Motion and quite enjoyed it none of these really stood out so you may wish to skip them and head straight for Mayfair. However if you didn't see the Aquarium (W13) in 2016 it's probably worth a visit - I remember thinking it was pretty spectacular. This year it's closer to Covent Garden.
Dessert suggestions: Cafe Royal, Grand Caffe Concerto, Fortnum & Mason, Patisserie Valerie
Personally the Origin of the World Bubble 2018 (W12) was a waste of time and the Plug and Bulbs (W11) and Shaida (W10) have been on in London for a while so nothing new for us locals.
Dessert suggestions: SAID for some chocolate indulgence
Mayfair
Mayfair for me had the best selection of installations and some very beautiful pieces. Starting off in Berkeley Square gardens (enter and then look up) you'll see this beautiful Was That a Dream (M9).
Then head over to Mount Street Gardens for [M]ONDES (M7) which is a really cool ripple effect with the lights.
You follow it through to Mount Street where you can have a ring at this Illumaphonium (M6) although unfortunately it doesn't light up as you play. It's still fun though!
Walk a little further to Berkley Square to see the Northern Lights (M5). These are obviously nothing like the real thing but decent enough.
If you can push on further you can head over to Bond Street Station via the Neon Bikes and Lightbench. Ending with the Impulse (M1 see saws not to be missed) before rewarding yourself with some treats or re-energising before heading to Fitzrovia for more.
Dinner suggestions: NAC, Selfridges food hall for a quick bite or St Christopher's Place has a great selection of restaurants. Sofra is always a good one.
King's Cross
I haven't made it there yet but friends did say it was very busy. I love that they've kept the swing there from the last event and it's a great place to end up for a bite to eat. The Entre Les Rangs (KX9) looks very cool, The Aether (KX10) and the Guardian Angels (KX8). We'll see if I get a chance over the weekend in which case I shall update you all.
Dinner suggestions: German Gymnasium, Caravan or Granger & Co
Enjoy walking round our beautiful city. If nothing else there's the novelty of having less cars on the roads :)