Things to do this week is sponsored by Ballymore.
All week
DEAR ENGLAND: You've only got until Friday to see Dear England, a play about the fictionalised struggles and successes of England’s football teams, at the National Theatre. It received rave reviews when it opened, and stars Joseph Fiennes as England manager Gareth Southgate. Until 11 August
PERSIA TO GREECE: Blockbuster British Museum exhibition Luxury and Power: Persia to Greece uses blinging objects to tell the story of how Greeks saw Persians as decadent, but after defeating them in battle happily co-opted their luxurious items. This week is the last chance to see it before it closes. Until 13 August
BEATRIX POTTER: Also closing this week is a small display at the V&A dedicated to children's author Beatrix Potter. Though the museum previously ran a larger exhibition about Potter's work, this one focuses on her interest in Aesop’s animal fables, and how they influenced her own work. FREE, until 13 August
NUTTY SCIENTISTS: Take the kids to The Sidings at Waterloo for interactive pop-up shows by The Nutty Scientists, where they'll discover that science can be as mesmerising as magic, through hands-on participation in live experiments. In Magical Science, they will make water disappear, feel magically powerful air, make something fly, and learn Bernoulli’s principle – all in a fun way. Tickets are £10 per child (adults go free with paying child). Until 20 August (sponsor)
PHOTO COMPETITION: Time's running out to view the Lauderdale House Photographic Exhibition in Highgate. It consists of photographs selected from the 34th annual photographic competition, with a theme of 'Joy'. You can also view the finalist images from the venue's first ever Young Photographer's competition, depicting 'Wild London'. FREE, until 14 August
HEINZ X MORLEY'S: Heinz (of sauce fame) has teamed up with legendary chicken shop Morley's for a foodie pop-up to celebrate the launch of the limited edition Morley’s X Heinz Fried Chicken Sauce, at Double Standard at The Standard near St Pancras. The menu showcases both brands with items such as caviar-topped fried chicken, glazed-to-order wings and ice cream sundaes dusted with Heinz Ketchup sherbet. There's a weekend brunch menu, take-away is available, and there's live music on selected nights. 7 August-4 September
CAMDEN FRINGE: Performing arts festival Camden Fringe is well underway now, with theatre, comedy, music and more taking place at 24 different venues. Highlights this week include Showgirl, a work-in-progress comedy show by Rachel Fairburn; Phrases, a one-man dance/spoken-word performance; and children's musical Cricket & The Freebugs. Until 27 August
BBC PROMS: Also ongoing is huge classical music festival BBC Proms, which has a few treats in store this week, including Prom 32: Holst’s The Planets on Tuesday, and the ethereal Prom 36: A Space Odyssey on Friday. Read our BBC Proms guide for all the info on promming tickets and the like. Until 9 September
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: Swimming, dinosaurs, video games, crazy golf, musicals, sculpture trails, and a handy map of all of central London's playgrounds. Just some of the entertainment ideas you'll find in our guide to spending the summer holidays in London with kids and teenagers.
AFTERNOON TEA WEEK: 7-13 August is Afternoon Tea Week, which basically translates as an excuse to tuck into more tiny sandwiches, freshly-baked scones and fancy cakes than normal. Why not browse the best themed afternoon teas in London, or internationally-influenced afternoon teas — or just try one of the newest afternoon teas in the capital.
DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: Given what we said in the above item, a tea room is the obvious place to head this week. Take your pick from our favourite tea rooms and parlours in Kent or Essex — including one in a jam factory, one in a former pumping station, and one slap-bang in the middle of a cemetery.
MUSEUM OF THE WEEK: We recently visited the RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre (full write-up coming soon). A real labour of love by volunteers, it's packed with fascinating displays covering the history of the site from the first world war, until the early 1960s — and featuring stories of airships, the Great Escape... and Ronnie Corbett. It's open to the public every Saturday and Sunday — so chocks away!
EAT OF THE WEEK: A new Mochi Donut Bar is now peddling its sweet, sweet wares in Ichiba Westfield London, and very pretty they are too. Oh and pssst — the first 50 customers on Thursday 10 August and Saturday 12 August get a free doughnut.
Monday 7 August
THE OFFBEAT SARI: Kensington Central Library celebrates South Asian History Month with a talk about the Design Museum's current exhibition, The Offbeat Sari, followed by a visit to the museum to see the display. Learn about the Indian garment, worn by some in everyday life, but saved for special occasions by others, and find out how it's been reinvented in recent years. 1pm-3pm
GARDEN YOGA: Visit Chelsea Physic Garden after it closes to daytime visitors, and take part in an outdoor yoga class, led by Sarah from Live, Karma, Yoga. The event is part of the Garden's 350th anniversary celebrations. 6pm-7pm
ANCIENT EGYPT: Paul Whelan, an expert on Ancient Egypt, gives an online talk about the buried 'menageries' — huge, purpose built cemeteries where animals including lions, lizards, baboons and beetles were buried. Often, the animals were bred purely to be killed, mummified and laid to rest, and this talk gives an insight into why. 8pm-9.30pm
SPELLING BAE: Nope, not a highly ironic typo. Spelling Bae is a cool version of the school spelling bee — a chance to flaunt your verbal virtuosity and win prizes. It's on tonight at Dalston's Three Compasses. 8pm-10pm
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 8 August
MORPH MODELLING: Every Tuesday in August, foodie haven Borough Market offers special family-friendly activities for the school holidays, and today Aardman model makers lead a clay making workshop where you’ll create a mini Morph figure. If your kids enjoy that, why not take them out to follow the free Morph trail afterwards? 10am-1pm
SHAKESPEARE'S FIRST FOLIO: The Fleet Street Quarter celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio with a series of free lunchtime performances by Troubadour Stageworks. Head to Apex Temple Court Hotel today for the first such event. FREE, 12.15pm-1.15pm
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR: Who or what were the Knights Templar? City Guide Robert Stephenson gives a free talk about the London sites connected with the group. Watch in person at Guildhall Library or online. FREE, 2pm-3pm
MAMMA MIA: Free movie nights continue in Canary Wharf, and tonight 2008 musical film Mamma Mia! is shown on the large outdoor screen in Canada Square Park. Take your own picnic blanket and snacks, and get there early to reserve a good spot. Take a look at other outdoor film screenings in London this summer. FREE, 7pm
LIARS' LEAGUE: Spoken word event Liars' League holds its monthly show at The Phoenix in Cavendish Square. Tonight's theme is 'Women & Girls' so expect an evening of stories with female protagonists. The deadline to submit a story for this event has passed but you can still watch others sharing their work — or look ahead at future events and submit an entry for one of those instead. 7.30pm
Sponsor message
A free waterfront garden party for all the family
What’s more idyllic than a summer’s day spent by the river? One that includes giant garden games, feel-good summer tunes, and lashings of Pimm’s, that’s what! You can find it all at The Brentford Project Summer Party this Saturday.
This is The Brentford Project’s take on the classic garden party. Head to this waterfront west London neighbourhood between 11am and 6pm for face-painting, free entertainment including live performances by Brentford’s best-loved musicians, and all sorts of summer treats - from BBQ food to artisanal ice cream. On top of all that, you’re invited to ogle a range of supercars and classics at family-owned dealership Duke of London, open to the public all day long.
The Brentford Project Summer Party is free to attend, part of neighbourhood curator Ballymore’s Summer Sessions event series. Find out more about what’s on and RSVP for free today.
Wednesday 9 August
SUMMER SOUNDS: Free music festival Summer Sounds is back at King's Cross, with live concerts every evening, and family sessions on Sunday afternoon, with singer, pianist and songwriter Joe Stilgoe, artists from the English National Opera, and the Harrow Community Gospel Choir on the line-up. It begins tonight with Black Voices taking a journey through the musical icons of Black Britain. FREE, 9-20 August
BRICK MAKING: Ever fancied making your own bricks? A drop-in community session at the Story Garden in Ossulston Street, King's Cross will show you how, while also throwing in a few traditional woodworking tutorials. All the resulting bricks and shakes will be used to build the new, permanent Story Garden, which will open in about half a year to the north of King's Cross. FREE, 10am and 2pm
BAD DAD: Forty Hall Estate in Enfield invites families to an open-air theatre adaptation of David Walliams' children's book, Bad Dad, about a father and son on a thrilling mission to break an innocent man into prison. 4.30pm
FANTASY FICTION: Fantasy authors Sara Hashem, Nicki Pau Preto and Laura Sebastian take part in a panel discussion at Waterstones Piccadilly, hosted by fellow author Eliza Chan. They discuss themes of politics, betrayal and unlikely alliances in their fantasy fiction novels. 6.30pm
IMAGINE A CITY: Who better to write a love letter to the world's greatest cities than a pilot? BA pilot and bestselling author Mark Vanhoenacker is at Stanfords in Covent Garden to discusses his new book, Imagine A City, in which he explores cities across the globe, and reflects on what home means to him. 6.30pm-8pm
EAT THE SCREEN: Barbican Cinema continues its Eat The Screen series of food industry-focused films with a screening of The Gleaners And I, a 2000 French film about both sides of the food waste issue. Director Agnes Varda meets the farmers and winemakers, facing their own pressures, who leave a portion of their crops to rot in the fields, as well as people who are forced to scout for leftovers. 6.45pm
Thursday 10 August
THE GREAT PLAGUE: Get some insight into what it was like to live in London during the Great Plague in this Guildhall Library talk, which uses contemporary accounts to paint a grim picture of the illness which killed almost 100,000 people, and which nobody knew how to stop. FREE, 2pm-3pm
BLACK PANTHER: 14-19 year olds are invited to the Wellcome Collection for another free film screening. This time, 2018 film Black Panther is shown, with an an introduction and discussion led by artists Larry Achiampong and David Blandy. Free popcorn, pizza, sweets and soft drinks are included. FREE, 5pm-8pm
SPACE EXPLORATION: Astrophysicist Erika Nesvold discusses the complex ethical issues around exploring and settling in outer space, in a livestreamed online talk by the Royal Institution. Get an insight into the possibility of life in outer space, including environmental issues, labour rights and medical ethics. 7pm-8.30pm
THE GRANITE KINGDOM: Author Tim Hannigan took a 300-mile east-west walk across England's westernmost and most mysterious region, Cornwall. Hear him talk about it — and his new book, The Granite Kingdom: A Cornish Journey — at Stanfords in Covent Garden. 7pm-8.30pm
SUN INSIDE: As part of its short Olhar periférico season, Cinema Mentiré screens the Brazilian film Um filme de verão (Sun Inside) at Hackney Wick Sauna Baths. The poignant story explores being on the cusp of adulthood in the 2010s. 7pm-10pm
OPEN-AIR CONCERT: She’Koyokh are a band playing klezmer and traditional music from Eastern Europe, the Balkans and beyond, and you can catch a live performance tonight in the grounds of Lauderdale House. Take your own picnic blanket or chair along, or book a bench or table for your group. 7.30pm
Friday 11 August
LONDON CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL: Over 100 breweries are expected to be at this year's London Craft Beer Festival, which is at Wapping's Tobacco Dock. Sample from a choice of 800+ beers, from established and newer breweries. Tickets include a festival tasting glass, and live entertainment as you sup. 11-12 August
SUMMER SESSIONS:Live music festival Summer Sessions returns to Greenwich Peninsula for three days of open-air gigs. Tonight is jazz evening, with Jay Kayser, the Dave Storey Trio and Maya Delilah among those scheduled to kick things off. Saturday is the Rhythm Section, while Sunday is Just Vibez, flying the flag for Caribbean music. 11-13 August
DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE: Interactive family theatre show Dinosaur World Live returns to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, with appearances by tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops, giraffatitan, microraptor and segnosaurus — and a chance to meet them all on the lawn after the show. 11 August-3 September
SUNRISE YOGA: Start your Friday with a rooftop vinyasa yoga session on top of the art'otel Battersea at sunrise (well, a little afterwards), with the iconic Battersea Power Station chimneys as your backdrop. After the class, tuck into breakfast at the nearby TOZI Grand Cafe. 7am-9am
BRING YOUR BABY WALK: Parents and carers with babies in tow: this guided walk is aimed at you. Find out about women from Hackney's history as you explore the Lower Clapton area, and stop whenever you need to feed or change your baby. There's also a cafe stop halfway through the walk. Find out about other baby-friendly events for adults in London. 11am-2pm
BLACK VENUS TAKEOVER: For one night only, the Black Venus exhibition at Somerset House stays opens late for 18-30 year old emerging and aspiring creatives. The event is part of the venue's Upgrade Yourself creative skills programme and includes after-hours entry to the exhibition, a talk by exhibition curator Aindrea Emelife, workshops, and a social session with drinks and music. 6pm-10pm
Saturday 12 August
PIZZA PARTY: Camden Beer Hall in Kentish Town hosts Pizza Pilgrims' 10th birthday party — featuring Italian snacks, birthday shots, desserts, DJs, brewery tours a pineapple shy... are we forgetting anything? Oh yeah, pizza. A truckload of Neapolitan pizza. Various time slots on 12 August
ANIME & GAMING CON: The UK's largest anime convention comes to Hammersmith, with four floors of merch, gaming, comics and cosplay. Expect live performers from J-Pop, Anime inspired singers, bands and performers throughout the day, as well as a chance to meet voice actors from anime productions. 12-13 August
WALLACE AND GROMIT: As part of the free Inside Out Festival of art in Trafalgar Square, the Cartoon Museum offers free workshops where kids can make their own Wallace & Gromit figures to take home. It's led by Will Harding, one of Aardman's own modelmakers. Age 6+. FREE, 11am-5pm
ISLINGTON CINEMA: Join guide Nigel Smith for a tour of Islington's cinema history. "In addition to such landmarks as the Screen on the Green, you'll see some buildings that were once cinemas as well as a few intriguing places where all trace of their cinematic past has vanished." 11am
THAMESMEAD FESTIVAL: The 51st anniversary edition of Thamesmead Festival celebrates the area's creativity and diversity with an afternoon of live music, dance, spoken word and fitness classes, spread across an impressive four stages. There are also stalls selling locally made food and drink, free kids' workshops, and 12 new murals dotted around the area to seek out. FREE, 12pm-7.30pm
PRIDE OF THE ROH: Learn about the LGBTQ+ icons who have helped shape The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, on the Pride of the ROH tour. Led by a guide, wander through the working theatre, hearing stories of pioneering composers and choreographers, and gender-fluid performances throughout the venue's history. 12.45pm (and other dates)
SPOGOMI WORLD CUP: OK, bear with us here. Spogomi is the Japanese sport of picking up litter. That sport has a world cup. And you can take part in the UK qualifying round in Hackney. Points are awarded for the type and weight of rubbish collected in a certain area within a certain time period. It's a great way to get involved in cleaning up the park, and if you win, the prize is a trip to Japan to compete in the finals. FREE, 1pm-4pm
Sunday 13 August
ST PANCRAS WATERPOINT: A new tower for you to visit! One-hour tours of St Pancras Waterpoint — a historic railway water tower — take place today, with a chance to learn more about the building and surrounding area — and get some cracking views of King's Cross to boot. FREE (donation encouraged), tours start every hour between 10am and 3pm
FESTIVAL OF FAIRYTALES: Take the kids along to Lambeth's Garden Museum for the Festival of Fairytales, a day of storytelling, pop-up performances, craft and cooking workshops, live music, gardening and more, all based on children's literature. Takes place inside, and in the garden of, a medieval church. 10am-4pm
SALAD DAYS MARKET: Ceramics, artworks, jewellery and beauty products are among the items available to buy at the Salad Days Market (formerly the South London Makers Market) at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Workshops (which need to be booked separately) take place throughout the day, where you can learn 3D embroidery, printmaking, or creating flower crowns. 11am-4pm
FAMILY FUN: South Norwood's Stanley Arts centre hosts a Summer Family Fun Day, featuring a dance workshop, arts and crafts sessions, and a silent disco. A colourful way to spend the day over the summer hols. 11am-4pm
COLUMBIA ROAD STROLL: East End writer and alternative tour guide Alan Gilbey leads a 90-minute walk towards the famous Columbia Road Flower Market, focusing on the lesser-known history which can be seen down nearby side streets. Brick Lane Bookshop is the walk's starting point. 12pm
MAGICAL MUSICAL EVENING: The Orchestra for the Earth take over the secluded St John's Lodge Gardens in Regent's Park for an al fresco evening of music by the likes of Mozart, Schubert, Puccini and Bizet. 5.30pm
SAHAYA SESSIONS: Three musicians — MEI (R&B, Rap, alternative and electronic), AMEENAH (Mellow Soul and R&B blended with house) and Intibint (dreamy, experimental, electropop) perform at Sahāya Sessions in Sydenham. Specifically, this afternoon is dedicated to celebrating female and nonbinary musicians and artists from BIPOC Backgrounds. 5.30pm
Museum treasure of the week
London's earliest-known cat? City Wall at Vine Street is London's newest museum. As the name suggests, it's in Vine Street, and contains a hitherto hidden chunk of old Roman wall. The accompanying display cabinets are very much worth a look. Among the objects excavated by archaeologists is this Roman tile complete with the paw print of a cat. Almost two millennia ago, the clay tile was lying in a yard somewhere to dry out, when a rogue feline (is there any other kind?) walked across it. We should add it to our list of London's most-famous cats.
Good cause of the week
Handy with a needle and thread? Join in with The Big Sew Off on 4-5 September, in which thousands of people will raise money for mental health charity Mind through the simple act of sewing. "The Sew Over It team and other sewing businesses and personalities will be sewing for 24 hours non-stop from 10am on Monday 4th, to 10am on Tuesday 5th September 2023 from The Big Sew Off HQ at The New Craft House in London. Sponsor us... or sew along with us and ask your friends and family to sponsor you... Everything made at the central hub will be donated to a non-profit called Give Your Best, a Vinted-style website for refugees and asylum seekers to shop on for free."
Find out more about how to get involved or donate here.
