The exclusive private members’ club, Annabel’s, always boasts what is the best of London’s festive lights and today the façade was unveiled.
Annabel’s lights are unrivalled. Many venues attempt imitation unsuccessfully. The Annabel’s lights are the ones that are well worth a visit.
The excitement of the unravelling tonight will, in no doubt, have flocks of passers-by and tourists making a mecca to see the lights for selfies and for a nostalgic festive trip. A trip to see the Oxford Street lights, culminates in a pilgrimage to Berkeley Square to see the Annabel’s display.
It means that Christmas is well and truly round the corner. The display, which has been under wraps underneath a hessian sheet for days, has now been revealed in all its glory. If you look closely at the Victorian panels, you will spot characters misbehaving, which is something to look out for and spot, on your visit to the lights.
This year the theme of their display is the white Pegasus horse with wings. The Pegasus statue always hangs throughout the centre of the club- a thrill for ancient Greek lovers. It can often be mistaken for a unicorn, with its golden horn and golden wings. He hangs from a Jules Verne style hot air balloon and was made by specialist sculptor George Jackson Ltd with the interiors of Annabel’s designed by the very talented Martin Brudnizki Design Studio.
Who was this Pegasus? Pegasus is the winged divine stallion, sired by Poseidon and foaled by Medusa (don’t look into her eyes, otherwise you will be turned into stone). He was born out of a single birthing after his mother had been decapitated by Perseus – that’s nice!
Pegasus is somewhat a hero. We all want to ride a winged horse, who doesn’t? He allowed Bellerophon to ride him to defeat the monstrous Chimera. Pegasus retired on Mount Olympus to carry Zeus’s thunderbolts – what a job! And now, he and two friends adorn a carousel outside Annabel’s, giving us the feel-good factor this Christmas that we all deserve.
The three white stallions all have golden horns and golden wings, underneath a Victorian carousel and a canopy of what looks like red velvet. It is like being inside a giant Victorian advent calendar.
Annabel’s announced the façade to members today with a private message, telling members that they wanted to “offer passers-by a chance to escape into an enchanting world of wondrous delight”. They have certainly delivered.
If you are doubtful of the joy that this wealthy club wants to bring to Londoners, then remember the club owner Richard Caring’s charitable foundation, The Caring Foundation, which gives lots of help to those in need, with a huge endeavour during lockdown. He forked out many free meals to those in need during lockdown on a huge scale. These lights give joy to plenty – even if they are only giving joy to millennials, who are after a selfie or two.
Previous Annabel’s light displays include: a gingerbread house in 2021; a nutcracker theme in 2020; a frosty white Christmas tree in 2019 and a green Christmas tree in 2018. They have all certainly been eclipsed by the display today- hands down.
The Annabel's light display is well worth a visit this Christmas and after all, it’s free – unlike the club!
