Things to do this week is sponsored by London Transport Museum.
All week
BOSTON MANOR HOUSE: The Grade-I listed Boston Manor House in Brentford has been undergoing restoration work since 2018, and has just reopened to the public. It's a Jacobean manor house dating from the 17th century, with views over the adjoining parkland and lake. FREE, Tuesday-Sunday from 7 July
RAGGED SCHOOL MUSEUM: Also reopened recently is the Ragged School Museum, located in a former warehouse building along Regent's Canal in Mile End. Formerly a school which offered free education to children from poor backgrounds in Victorian times, it still has Victorian classrooms open for the public to view. Open Wednesday-Sunday every week
BALHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL: The Balham Comedy Festival continues into its second week, organised by Banana Cabaret and taking place at The Bedford. Janey Godley, Laura Smith, Ed Byrne, Tiff Stevenson, Milton Jones and Kerry Godliman are among the big names you can see in action this week. Until 15 July
THE FEASTING TABLE: Block Soho has unveiled a sizzling new culinary experience to satiate carnivorous cravings. The Feasting Table is a meat-lover’s dream, starring the juiciest steaks, chops and ribs, seared to perfection over open flames. It’s served sharing-style alongside a selection of sides (think charred corn and skin-on-fries), with delicious rich desserts to finish. New menu coming soon! (sponsor)
FLAMENCO FESTIVAL: Also in its final week is the Flamenco Festival at Sadler's Wells, a celebration of the Spanish dance and music style, featuing performances by Latin Grammy award-winning flamenco guitarist Vicente Amigo, and Olga Pericet, winner of Spain’s National Dance Prize 2018, among others. Until 15 July
WIMBLEDON: The Wimbledon tennis tournament 2023 is now well underway, with screenings taking place all over town for those of us who can't make it down to Wimbledon itself. Canary Wharf, King's Cross and Mayfair are just some of the areas offering free open-air screenings — see our full guide to Wimbledon screenings in London this year. Many are FREE, until 16 July
AI WEIWEI: You've only got a couple more weeks to see Design Museum's exhibition Ai Weiwei: Making Sense, which brings together several of the Chinese artist's works as a commentary on design. Until 30 July
ROSÉ COURTYARD: Belgravia restaurant Pantechnicon has teamed up with French rosé wine producer Minuty to launch a unique Provence-inspired courtyard, ideal for after-work drinks, or weekend catch-ups. Enjoy an exclusive Minuty wine list, featuring favourites like Minuty Prestige and Rosé et Or, along with refreshing summer cocktails and cheese and charcuterie sharing boards. Plus, to celebrate the launch, you can enjoy two glasses of Minuty wine for the price of one — offer valid Monday-Friday, 4pm-6.30pm, until 31 July (sponsor)
MORPH TRAIL: In case you missed it, a free art trail of 56 different Morph statues is now open here in London. Most of the sculptures from Morph's Epic Art Adventure can be found throughout the City and South Bank, though a couple are located further afield. FREE, until 20 August
OUTDOOR CINEMA: It wouldn't be summer in London without an onslaught of pop-up outdoor cinemas and rooftop film screenings. Whether you're into classic flicks or the newest releases, check out where you can get your al fresco film fix this summer.
AFTERNOON TEA: Wimbledon, the Wizard of Oz and Over The Rainbow are just some of the themes of London's newest afternoon teas. Get booking now for sandwiches, scones and seriously impressive cakes in venues including fancy hotels and skyscrapers.
DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: Like beach huts? Stroll past the pastel-hued wooden enclaves in their dozens at this seaside resort, which is home to more than 1,000 of them, as well as a pier, amusements and fish and chip shops aplenty.
Monday 10 July
RED AFRICA: Barbican Cinema hosts a screening of Alexander Markov’s documentary Red Africa, which considers the history of influence exerted by the USSR over many African states between 1960 and 1990. It makes use of extraordinary archival footage filmed by Soviet operators, and is accompanied by a talk by Jeremy Hicks, Professor of Russian Culture and Film at Queen Mary University of London. 6.25pm
THE SANDWICH: The British Library's food season continues with a look at the humble sandwich. TV cook Nigella Lawson and food writers Rebecca May Johnson and Jonathan Nunn are on a panel discussing different ways to approach making a sandwich — simultaneously a simple and very complicated food. Tickets to attend in person have now sold out but you can still book a place to watch the livestream online. 7pm-8.30pm
MARK CARNEY: Former Governor of the Bank of England and UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance Mark Carney is at Southbank Centre to give a talk about building an economy based on human values over market values. It's part of the Planet Summer series of events, responding to the climate emergency. 7.30pm
MONDAYS IN LONDON: Looking for something else to do, today or any other week? Take a look at our guide to things to do in London on a Monday — we've gathered together live music venues, comedy and cabaret clubs which keep going on what is usually the quietest day of the week, along with guided walks and tours scheduled on a Monday, and a few special offers too.
Tuesday 11 July
KEW THE MUSIC: A stage and large screen is set up in Kew Gardens as music festival Kew The Music begins with a performance by Bastille tonight, followed up by the likes of The Vamps, Human League and Jools Holland later this week. Take your own picnic chair or blanket, pack a picnic or buy food and drink on site — and enjoy live music in a relaxed and (hopefully) sunny setting. 11-16 July
FASHION DISTRICT: Fashion District Festival takes over Spitalfields for 40 different events celebrating fashion, sustainability, innovation, and community starting today. Pick up tips at styling masterclasses and upcycling workshops, and visit pop-ups and swap shops to refresh your wardrobe. 11-16 July
HAVANA NIGHTS: Every Tuesday night from today until the end of August, the Sky Garden hosts Havana Nights, a Cuban-inspired event featuring live Cuban music and DJs, as well as a special drinks menu making use of Havana Club rum. Your ticket includes a cocktail on arrival. 7pm
LIT, LAUGH, LOVE: The British Library brings together some of the UK's best-loved authors for a discussion about their most treasured works of literature from the past 50 years. Monica Ali, David Nicholls and Roger McGough, chaired by broadcaster Nikki Bedi, each present some of their own work and discuss work by others. Watch in person at the British Library, or online. 7pm-8.30pm
SPITALFIELDS MUSIC: As Spitalfields Music Festival enters its last couple of days (with tomorrow's finale event already sold out), hear the London premieres of pieces written for the 2022 Cheltenham Composers Academy, performed by harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani and violinist Fenella Humphreys. Takes place at St Anne and St Agnes Church near St Paul's. 7.30pm
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Oral histories, African head wrapping, and a Blue Peter legend at London Transport Museum
Museum Late alert! This Friday, you’ve got the chance to explore London Transport Museum after-hours at very special event hosted in partnership with oral history project, The Making of Black Britain (MOBB). Voices of London marks the 75th anniversary of the British Nationality Act 1948, which gave automatic UK citizenship to those born in the Commonwealth and ushered in a new wave of migration (including the arrival of the Windrush generation).
Over the course of the evening, you’ll explore the impact of this legislation on the capital through talks, trails, workshops and storytelling. Watch screenings of oral histories collected by MOBB from generations of people of all backgrounds. Explore your own oral history through the medium of quick-dry clay. Take part in an African head wrapping tutorial led by textile designer Sylvia Emodi. And hear from guest speakers such as Diane Louise Jordan, who in 1990 became the first Black presenter of Blue Peter.
On top of all that, DJ Dubplate Pearl is on the decks playing – you guessed it — dub and reggae, which you can bop along to over a plate of Jamaican food from Auntie Bonnie’s Jerk Pit. Plus, drinks are available from the pop up bar. It is Friday, after all…
Voices of London. 6.45pm-10pm on Friday 14 July at London Transport Museum. Tickets cost £18.
Wednesday 12 July
BALLET CENTRAL: The Ballet Central company is made up of 32 young dancers from the Central School of Ballet's graduating class of 2023 — and for two days this week, you can see them performing at the Britten Theatre in South Kensington, the final stop on their UK tour. Expect to see classical ballet, contemporary dance and two brand new pieces of work. 12-13 July
LUNCHTIME CONCERT: The City Music Foundation gives a lunchtime concert at Pewterer's Hall near London Wall, with the Mikeleiz-Zucchi Duo performing on accordion and saxophone. They play pieces dating from late 16th century Germany, ending up with lively Argentinian tango music. 1pm
UKRAINE GALA CONCERT: The London Performing Academy of Music gives a special gala concert celebrating young Ukrainian musicians. Expect to hear Ukrainian chamber works, popular classics and Eurovision hits in the show at Conway Hall. 6.30pm
STORYSLAM: 'Sweat' is the theme of this month's London Moth StorySLAM at Rich Mix. The monthly open mic storytelling competition offers anyone the chance to get up on stage and tell their story in front of a live audience — just note the rule is that is has to be a true story, rather than a fictional one. 7.15pm
CAMBRIDGE FOOTLIGHTS: Comedy sketch troupe the Cambridge Footlights has previously had Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman, Emma Thompson, and John Oliver among its members, so we're expecting excellent things from the Cambridge Footlights Stand-Up Showcase at OSO Arts Centre in Barnes tonight. It's a chance to see eight of its graduating stand-up comedians in action. 7.30pm
Thursday 13 July
TEMPLE BAR: Ever wanted to get a peek inside Wren's Temple Bar — the gateway between St Paul's and Paternoster Square? Tour guide Jonathan Wober has access and will let you inside as part of his two hour tour through the City's architecture. 11am-1pm
MOVIE MUSIC: Multi-instrumental and vocalist group Five Star Swing are at The Broadway Barking for a matinee performance of their show Greatest Songs From The Movies, featuring famous film themes and songs including
Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars, James Bond, Jurassic Park and Harry Potter. 3pm-5pm
TRAID LATE: Charity retailer TRAID keeps its Peckham store open late for an evening of second-hand shopping, henna workshops and a pop-up exhibition about the organic cotton farming sector across Benin and Ethiopia. 6pm-8pm
SOHO GHOSTSIGNS: Footprints of London guide Jane Parker leads a guided walk around Soho, focusing on the area's ghostsigns — faded advertising signs from the past. Meet at Soho Square to find out what the signs can tell us about the history of the area, and what happened to some of the brands they promoted. 6.30pm-8.30pm
LUCHA BRITANNIA: "Cirque Du Soleil meets Monty Python with muscles, lycra, fighting and immersive comedy" is how Lucha Britannia describes itself. The one-off show at Village Underground in Shoreditch is a physical theatre performance featuring actors dressed as superheroes in a wrestling-style show. 7pm
Friday 14 July
WIMBLEDON FINALS: Watch the world’s best tennis players battle it out for glory on the big screen, from the comfort of a canal-side deck chair. Camden Market Hawley Wharf hosts free al fresco Wimbledon screenings – grab refreshments from the area’s global food traders (there’s talk of Wimbledon specials) and settle in for the men’s semi-final and final, the women’s final, the men’s doubles final, or the women’s doubles final. FREE ENTRY, 14-16 July (sponsor)
BBC PROMS: We can't even type those words without Land of Hope and Glory firing up on the record player inside our heads — but that's Last Night of the Proms, and there's almost two months' worth of live music to enjoy before that, beginning tonight with First Night of the Proms. For all your info on tickets, highlights, promming and the like, peruse our guide to the BBC Proms 2023. 14 July-9 September
GORILLA TRAIL: From today, 15 life-sized gorilla sculptures appear in the Covent Garden area, each individually designed and decorated by well-known people including Ronnie Wood, Rankin, and Chila Kumari Singh Burman. The Tusk Gorilla Trail raises awareness of the plight of African wildlife, particularly gorillas, and though it's free, you can make a donation towards conservation if you wish. When the event ends, the gorillas will be auctioned off to raise more money for charity. FREE, 14 July-October
FREE OPERA: Performers from Opera Holland Park give a free 40-minute recital on the steps in the park, open to anyone who's passing by. Drop in for just a few minutes, or take your lunch and a blanket along and watch the full performance. FREE, 1pm
BARRIOKE: We're loving the range of events on at Between the Bridges this summer (drag brunch, Swiftogeddon, Glitterfest...) but by far the best has got to be Barrioke. It's simultaneously exactly what it sounds like, and the last thing you'd expect — a karaoke night led by Shaun Williamson, AKA Barry from Eastenders. 7pm
RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA: For an entirely more serious way to spend your Friday night, head to the Frontline Club in Paddington for a deepdive into the history of Russian propaganda.Russian dissident journalist Mikhail Zygar talks about the propaganda, myths and fantasies behind Russia's invasion of Ukraine, dating back 350 years. 7pm-8.30pm
SHELDRAKE ON SHAKESPEARE: Head to the Rosemary Branch Theatre in Islington for a live recording of podcast Sheldrake on Shakespeare — a preview before the show hits Edinburgh Fringe next month. Former English teacher James Sheldrake shares his love for all things Shakespeare in a format that's more comedy show than lecture. 7pm
Saturday 15 July
CROYDON PRIDE FEST AND MELA: Central London's isn't the only Pride festival in London — the second-largest is Croydon Pride, taking place in Wandle Park after a parade through the centre of town. Browse stalls and enjoy live performances by acts including Abbalicious and local drag queen Asifa Lahore. The park has a quick turn around for Croydon Mela the following day — a free celebration of the borough's Asian communities. FREE ENTRY, 15-16 July
WHITECROSS STREET PARTY: Though it hosts a lively street food market most week days, Whitecross Street near Barbican really comes alive for the annual Whitecross Street Party. The theme this year is Art Not War, with live painting and street art, a music and words stage, family activities, food stalls and more. FREE, 15-16 July
FOOD FESTIVAL: Eat your way around the world at the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival, at the Business Design Centre in Islington. Hear from cookbook authors, and watch live cooking demos and masterclasses, so you can attempt to recreate your favourite dishes at home. 15-16 July
EEL PIE ISLAND: The annual summer open weekends at Eel Pie Island are this month. It's a chance to set foot on the mysterious and private island in the Thames and visit the artists who live and work there in their studios — and of course, buy artworks straight from the source. FREE, 15-16 and 22-23 July
BUCKINGHAM PALACE: If all the Coronation hullaballoo has piqued your interest in Buckingham Palace, take the opportunity to go inside at the annual summer opening of the State Rooms. The Throne Room, Ballroom Grand Staircase and Palace Gardens are among the areas open to the public for just a few weeks — we've been inside before, and it is spectacular. 15 July-24 September
STORIES OF LONDON: Southwark Cathedral hosts a day of talks all about London. Find out about St Paul's Churchyard, painter Turner's links to the Thames, the history of Piccadilly Circus, the Great North Wood and more, with experts in each subject giving the talks. From 10am
HATS OF CHESHAM: Ever wanted an excuse to ride the Met line out to Chesham? Today sees the return of the Hats Off Chesham Festival, at which locals (and visitors) take to the streets in imaginative headgear. Besides a brim-full of hats, the High Street will be packed with free family activities, including live entertainment, arts and crafts, bouncy castle, climbing wall, sand art and giant balloons. Oh, and hat-making. FREE, noon-6pm
KALEIDOSCOPE FESTIVAL: Hot Chip, George Fitzgerald, and comedians Nina Conti and Joe Lycett are all on the eclectic line-up at Kaleidoscope Festival. The one-day event takes over Alexandra Palace with live music, DJ sets, comedy and spoken word performances, plus magicians, games and workshops for families — all with incredible views over London. From 1pm
MONSTER JAM: Usually home to football, the London Stadium has some rather different visitors in the form of Monster Jam, featuring 12,000lb behemoths on wheels taking part in stunts (including backflips!) — and there are new Marvel-themed trucks for this year. They're going to ruin that pitch... 3pm
Sunday 16 July
ANTIQUES FAIR: It's that time of month again when Westminster's Royal Horticultural Halls are taken over by the Adams Antiques Fair, bringing together 120 antiques dealers from across the UK selling antique jewellery, silver, decorative pieces and collectables. 10am-4.30pm
CHESS FEST: Trafalgar Square hosts a free chess festival, open to all, whether you're a seasoned player or want to learn the game. This year's Chess Fest includes a living chess set with 32 actors taking on the role of the pieces. How very Alice in Wonderland. FREE, 11am-6pm
SOHO VILLAGE FETE: A tug of war between the police and fire brigade, a spaghetti-scoffing contest, a best in show where pooches must dress like royalty, and a music stage are all part of the Soho Village Fete. But surely the highlight is the Soho Waiters' Race, which sees serving staff from different restaurants legging it around the area while balancing a bottle of fizz, wine glass and ashtray on their tray. FREE, 12pm-6pm
RAMBERT DANCE DAY: Performers from the renowned Rambert Dance Company host a day of free dance workshops at Wembley Park. Learn the steps to Caribbean, Disco, Robot, K-Pop, Rock and Roll and Hip Hop dance styles, along with the history behind some of the moves. FREE, 12pm-6pm
OKLAHOMA: Barbican Cinema hosts a screening of a recording of the National Theatre's 1998 production of Oklahoma! The Musical. See Hugh Jackman playing Curly, alongside Maureen Lipman, Josefina Gabrielle and Shuler Hensley. 2pm
Museum treasure of the week
No photo can do justice to this glorious object. The intricate lace panel stretches 4.5 metres long and depicts scenes from the Battle of Britain, including a selection of well-known London buildings damaged during the war (St Paul's being the most obvious). The panel was designed by veteran lace designer Harry Cross, who had almost 60 years' experience working with the material. Over 30 copies were made by Dobsons and M. Browne and Co. Limited of Nottingham. We found the one above in the RAF Museum at Colindale, and another copy is on show at Bentley Priory Museum near Bushey.
Good cause of the week
Have you had chance to catch the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition yet? If not, consider popping along to a fundraising private view on Wednesday 12 July. The two-hour view raises money for Marie Curie, the charity that provides free expert care to people with any terminal illness, as well as emotional support to their loved ones. Details of the event can be found here.
