Virtual art-inspired things to do at home throughout tier 4

If there's anything 2020 has taught us, it's how to have fun at home.

For those who are art addicts, would-be showgoers, or looking for the perfect accompaniment to your virtual tour, we’ve pulled together some top picks so you can continue to immerse yourself in art in every form from the heart of London.

From online art galleries, virtual comedy and game-sat home as London enters England’s highest tier of Covid restrictions.

Whatever you decide, here’s our quick guide to creative ways to keep yourselves entertained at home this festive season.

Virtually revisit Antony Gormely’s exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts

Remember the time the Royal Academy of Arts flooded one of their historic galleries with seawater?

In 2019, Antony Gormley RA took over the Royal Academy of Arts Main Galleries with large scale, immersive artworks.

Now you can look back on the exhibition again from the comfort of your own home. Go behind the scenes to see how the exhibition was put together or take in a drone's eye view narrated by the artist himself.

Learn more about the virtual tour here.

Virtual Tour of the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts

Don't miss the megalithic mother of all art shows at the Royal Academy of Arts and experience the Summer Exhibition like never before with this free interactive tour.

Offering a 1-hour video tour, explore the curation coordinated by artist duo Jane and Louise Wilson RA that seeks to challenge the definition of what community us and what form collective communities can begin to take. Themes this year reflect upon identity, immigration, contested borders, ecological threat, climate change, pro-democracy protest and landscape, in the form of installation, painting, film, photography and sculpture.

Suitable for mobile, handheld or desktop devices, viewers can use the buttons on screen to move to the next gallery, or to view and shop the works in the room on the Summer Explorer.

Learn more about the virtual tour here.

CIRCA’s public art live-stream from Piccadilly Circus

A new art platform called CIRCA is giving the iconic advertising space on the Piccadilly Lights in Piccadilly Circus over to a different artist every month.

Throughout December, British artist Eddie Peake presents his work, A Dream Of A Real Memory on the iconic London landmark. A Dream Of A Real Memory is a devised drama featuring three characters set within a green screen cyclorama.

If you can safely walk to Piccadilly Circus to see the free public art display, it’ll be showing at precisely 20:20 GMT every evening. But, we know that’s not possible for everyone right now. So, tune-in to the online livestream via www.circa.art so you don’t miss a thing.

On-lookers or virtual viewers can connect their headphones to the digital screen, while the artist uploads additional content, for the ultimate full audio-visual sensation.

Go to the online live stream. Or, learn more about Eddie Peake’s work here.

The Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition 2020 at Mall Galleries

Escape from the everyday into the Mall Galleries virtual exhibition.

Now live online, The Royal Institute of Oil Painters New English Art Club Annual Exhibition features works from established and emerging artists focussing on the theme of reflections.

The must-see show is a chance to experience the very best in figurative, observational and painterly work in the UK. Showcasing paintings, drawings and prints from its elected members alongside work by emerging artists whose ethos reflects its own, the art is informed by the visual world and personal interpretation; and underpinned by drawing.

Viewers explore each piece through their mobile, handheld or desktop device and works can be purchased online too.

Learn more about this exhibition here.

Online Art with the National Gallery

Step inside the National Gallery and explore one of the world’s greatest collections of paintings for free, from the comfort of your home.

Offering three armchair tours to choose from, experience the Gallery in virtual reality through your desktop, phone or VR headset.

The Google Virtual Tour created in 2016 in collaboration with Google Street View, allows you to explore a 306° tour of Rooms 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and Central Hall. Immerse yourself in Renaissance masterpieces from Northern Italy, the Netherlands and Germany, including works by Titian, Veronese, and Holbein.

Try the 2011 Virtual Tour to explore all 18 rooms at the National Gallery and get a closer look at over 300 paintings. Best experienced from your desktop using Adobe Flash technology, this virtual tour is integrated with the Galleries collection information pages, so you can dive deeper into the paintings on view and learn more about the artists that painted them.

Or, enjoy the 3D immersive VR tour of the Gallery’s Sainsbury Wing to explore over 270 Early Renaissance paintings. Created in collaboration with Oculus using Matterport’s 3D camera technology, this tour is best viewed with a VR headset. But, you can still browse a 306° tour using your desktop or mobile.

Whatever you decide, on online art gallery tour is in some ways far from second best, with no crowd to muscle your way through and intimate moments with just you and a painting.

Learn more about these here.

Virtual comedy from The Comedy Store

For those who are looking to fill their festive season with plenty of laughs at home, we’ve got just the ticket.

Explore the collection of archive shows from The Comedy Store in Leicester Square live from wherever you are at home.

All the Stores shows are available online until the end of January, and once purchased, for a small sum of £5.50 excluding charity shows, you have 7 days to enjoy. Perfect for those who are looking to relive cracking comedy moments, or if you’re looking to mix-up your mid-week while safely spending more time at home.

So, go on. Get ready to get your giggle on with London’s best live comedy venue.

Learn more and book tickets.

Get your theatre fix with Official London Theatre

While theatre makes an unwanted u-turn, there are still plenty of ways show-goers can soak-up the best of the West End’s theatre.

From the Old Vic’s in camera A Christmas Carol production running from 12^th – 24^th December 2020, to Showstopper! The Improvised Musical Christmas Livestream running on 22^nd December 2020, there’s something for all the family to enjoy from the comfort of your home this winter.

Plus, perhaps you’re looking to give a loved one who loves theatre a gift you know they’ll cherish?

Give them a gift of Theatre Tokens from Official London Theatre. Theatre Tokens are national theatre gift vouchers that can be used at more than 260 venues nationwide including all theatres in London's West End. With no expiry date, they are the perfect gift for anyone…at any time.

Whatever you decide, the show really does go on with Theatre Tokens.

Explore the full list of livestream shows with Official London Theatre. Or, learn more about Theatre Tokens here.

Dome From Home with the Crystal Maze LIVE London Experience

Excite your senses to theatrical thrills of the Crystal Maze LIVE London experience from the comfort of your home.

Offering a new companion game to the live action experience, it’s perfect for a fun (and most importantly remote) team building activity. Plus, it’s a great prelude to a future visit in person once London’s restrictions ease.

From just £15 per person, teams of eight or more can take part in a 90-minute virtual Crystal Maze experience from the comfort of your home. You and your team will be joined via video conference by one of the Maze’s own Maze Masters - your own gregarious guide - as you travel through a virtual tour of The Crystal Maze’s four zones.

Along the way, you will tackle 16 new puzzles and challenges created especially for this game, screaming ‘helpful advice’ at each other through tiny (albeit digital) windows as the time ticks away just like on the show.

Learn more about the virtual game here.

Festive afternoon tea at home from Firmdale hotel group

Back by popular demand, Firmdale’s Afternoon Tea at Home is returning for the holiday season with a festive twist.

Kick start the festive season and enjoy the Veuve Clicquot Festive Tea, delivered straight to your door. The perfect at home accompaniment for those celebrating a special occasion, this Champagne Afternoon Tea for four includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a selection of savoury and sweet treats from finger sandwiches and truffle and mushroom arincini to cinnamon and honey macarons and freshly baked scones, as well as a RIKRAK scented candle.

Available for delivery on selected dates including 19^th December 2020. Delivery is available to most central London post codes. If you live outside of the delivery range, email shop@firmdale.com who will keep you up-to-date should the delivery range be extended in the coming weeks.

Whatever you decide, get ready to refuel on scrumptious festive treats from the comfort of your home.

Learn more about the festive afternoon tea here.

Corbin & King’s Home Dining and Cocktail Delivery Service

Fill-up on delightful dishes made by The Wolseley’s world-class chefs from the comfort of your own home with Corbin & King’s Home Dining delivery service.

Featuring dishes prepared by world-class chefs using exquisite restaurant recipes, tuck-in to the likes of The Wolseley’s Wiener Schnitzel, to Soutine’s Coq au Riesling, or Zédel’s Mousse au Chocolat. Offering door-to-door delivery of refrigerated meals, each dish can be stored for three days and are mostly all able to be oven heated or microwaved.

Plus, for larger families enjoy the Home Entertaining menu with a range of celebratory dishes made for dinner party dinning. All dishes come with accompanying sides and are ideal for groups of 5-8 people.

What’s more, sip and savour a range of hand-bottled cocktails as part of the Home Dining delivery service with The Wolseley Collection Take Home Cocktails. Cocktails are created by the expert bar team and include Margarita, Hemingway Daiquiri, English Rose, Negroni and a Manhattan. Each bottle contains two servings and make the perfect pairing to your chosen meals.

Learn more about the Dining Delivery Service here.