 | | The last bank holiday of the year's coming up - here's how to absolutely nail it
August bank holiday's looming tantalisingly near, and we've rounded up some of our favourite things to do with it - from historic castles to nearby beaches, and from city festivals to escapist getaways.
Craving a paddle? Or even a plunge? Check out our round up of London's best lidos - or some gorgeous options for open air swimming outside the city, but still within an easy distance for a dayventure. Or if it's just the joy of getting sand between your toes (and in every orifice) you're after, check out our round up of beaches in London. And if wild swimming's your flex, we're here to help - check out our favourite open water swimming locations in Surrey, Sussex, Kent, and other escapist-yet-nearby places. Dust off your best wetsuit.
That's just the start of it - if you you want more day trip inspiration, browse our collection here - from visiting the real Hundred Acre Wood, to island hopping around Sussex, to the villages near London where you can immerse yourself in history (and scones).
And there's no need to venture far from home - London's packed with things to do this August to make you feel summery whatever the weather. Check out these comedy gigs, our take on the exhibitions to visit this summer, and some of our favourite places to play arcade games in London.
Tl;dr? Buckle up, and hit the button below to take your bank holiday weekend next level. |
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|  | A Celebration Of Brixton's Queer History
BlackOut and Brixton Village are hosting a series of events, celebrating Brixton's queer history - among them, a Queer Ball, in partnership with ballroom scene pioneer D'relle West, and Pearl’s Family Portraits, an immersive pop up studio inviting queer Black men to come and get their portraits taken with those they call family. |
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 | Relax Like The Romans
Want to float weightlessly in a saltpool, bathe in wine, or relax in a candlelit steam bath? AIRE Ancient Baths has just opened their first London venue, with a series of thermal baths, massage treatments, and a lot of mood lighting. Unwind like an emperor. |
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 | Grecian Nights
Craving a sunny Greek getaway? Brother Marcus in Spitalfields has launched monthly dinners to bring you that island-hopping feel without leaving zone 1. Try seven different wines from across the country, with Med-inspired small plates - think triple cheese pide with a tapenade stuffed crust, and KFC (kefir fried chicken). We'll Yamas! to that. |
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 | All Aboard - The Dishoom Flagship Is Back
Dishoom Covent Garden's just undergone a refurb in honour of its 10th anniversary. Now it's back, and better than ever - bringing together old world glamour, and Bombay-cafe influenced comfort food (think cheese and garlic naan, crispy chilli chicken, and a thick, spicy Chicken Ruby) under one glorious roof. |
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 | Papi's Pickles
Mango and green chilli? Carrot and smoked aubergine? Just some of the sizzlingly good pickles from Papi's, a social enterprise employing and training migrant women, displaced by the conflict in Sri Lanka. Watch their website for info about their pop up events, or stock up on pickles for your home. |
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 | South Facing Festival
We're starry eyed over the line up at this month long series of concerts in Crystal Palace Park - still to come: The Streets, Greentea Peng, and the English National Opera. Expect great acts, intimate acoustics (thanks to the park's natural amphitheatre), and a solid set of street food vendors. |
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