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Christmas shopping at London’s oldest botanic garden
The countdown to Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair has begun! Head to London’s oldest botanic garden between Thursday 21 November and Sunday 24 November and you’ll find a whole lot more than just plants (though there are naturally plenty of those, too — including festive ones you can take home with you).
Discover treasures from over 100 of the finest small and independent businesses, in the comfort of a heated marquee. With unique homewares, clothing and accessories up for grabs, it’s a great shout for gift shopping. The fair also boasts a carefully curated selection of fine food and speciality drinks — ideal if you’re hosting Christmas this year. Speaking of which, at Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair, you’ll also find everything you need to transform your home for the season, including artisan-crafted decorations and exquisite wreaths.
All that shopping is thirsty work, so be sure to pick up a speciality hot chocolate or mulled wine while you’re there. Feeling peckish? Chelsea Physic Garden’s newly-refurbished cafe will sort you out, with seasonal treats galore.
Ready to explore one of London’s most enchanting festive fairs? Click below to get your £8 ticket — all proceeds support the garden’s work as a charity.
Reconstruct one of London’s most divisive edifices with the help of this Brutalism-themed paper model kit from Zupagrafika. Brutal London: Barbican allows you to create a 19cm version of the Lauderdale Tower from the Barbican Estate. It’d make an excellent Christmas present for the architecture aficionado in your life.
Roaring fireplaces, wood panelling, enormous windows overlooking frost-kissed parkland, all the way to Snowdonia… it's time lean into winter, and Bodysgallen Hall is a mighty fine place to do so. This is one of three Historic House Hotels of the National Trust, and right now it’s got a special winter break offer from £135pp, including food and spa vouchers.
After more than a decade away, Jodie Whittaker (Broadchurch, Doctor Who) is back on the London stage. She plays the title role in Zinnie Harris' acclaimed contemporary adaptation of The Duchess of Malfi. This scorching indictment of patriarchy is at Trafalgar Theatre now — book by 16 November to save up to 49%.
A weekend of multisensory adventures takes place at Rich Mix this November — and you're invited along for the ride. LightSounds festival brings audiovisual performances, workshops and installations to east London later this month. Here, live improv meets live painting, ancient musical instruments meet video art, and lasers transform sound into light
Make the most of the month, with literary festivals, new exhibitions and Shakespeare by candlelight. We’ve rounded up 70+ things to do this November, including (surprise, surprise) a ton of festive fun — from kitschy drinks pop-ups, to winter light festivals, to the return of an certain gigantic funfair…
