Out and About - a bit of culture this weekend...

There's lots of choice in today's Out and About blog!  And plenty more to come now that Spring has sprung...!

Museums and Exhibitions - Best of British and a Right Royal Gathering...
There's a real "Rule Britannia" theme running through the current London exhibitions, celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the best of British art and design throughout her reign to date.

The V&A
Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
In keeping with all things related to the Diamond Jubilee, why not visit the fantastic V&A exhibition - Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton - A Diamond Jubilee Celebration (until 22 April)?  The exhibition features portraits by the iconic royal photographer Cecil Beaton, showcasing Queen Elizabeth's role as Monarch, Princess, and Mother.  
Continuing the Best of British theme, British Design 1948-2012 (until 12 August) - also at the V&A - celebrates the best of British post-war art and design, bringing together design in all its forms including fashion, textiles, photography, architecture, fine art, sculpture, graphic and product design.  Highlights include Vivienne Westwood's innovative early designs and the Dyson!

Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX
Another right royal show is Diana: Glimpses of a Modern Princess (until 2 September), displaying a selection of dresses - some on view in the UK for the first time - worn by Diana, the Princess of Wales.  The dresses are displayed alongside fashion illustrations and photographs, reflecting some key memorable moments in Diana’s public life. 

While you're there, why not stop for a tea break in style with afternoon tea at The Orangery  or at the Royal Garden?

Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AUSneak a peek into the hedonistic love lives of the Stuart courtiers with the new exhibition The Wild, The Beautiful and The Damned (until 30 September).  Charting the sexual revolution of the 17th and early 18th Centuries, the display includes portraits and dresses from the time, including Barbara Villiers, mistress of Charles II.  One for the grown-ups, evening only tickets are available and it stays open until 9.30pm on the first Monday of each month.

There's also a daily exhibition on the Young Henry VIII - focusing on the monarch as a vibrant young prince - before he became the more well-known figure of the fat old king!

Orleans House Gallery
Orleans House, Riverside, Twickenham, TW1 3DJ
Continuing on the royal journey, Orleans House hosts Royal Connections, exploring the Borough of Richmond's royal links. 

Tate Modern
Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Celebrating royalty of the art world, Damien Hirst at the Tate Modern (until 24 June) features his most iconic works from the past 25 years, including the famed shark in formaldehyde (1991's The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living) and diamond-encrusted skull (2007's For the Love of God).

Tate Britain
Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
The cleverly curated Picasso and Modern British Art (until 15 July) displays Picasso's creations alongside works of British artists who were inspired by his work.

After all that culture, take a break and take tea fit for a queen at one of London's lovely afternoon tea spots - check out this free guide at AfternoonTea.co.uk for inspiration!

Time to put the kettle on - until next time...

 - Rachael