Things To Do In London This Weekend: 5-6 August 2017

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All weekend

Pick up some vintage goodies at Hackney Flea Market (photo from Peckham Flea Market)

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: Want to keep the kids busy on a budget? Check out our helpful list of free things to do with kids in London. Worked your way through those? Get stuck into our guide to things to do in the summer holidays.

ILLUSTRATION AWARDS: 50 original illustration projects are on show at Somerset House — everything from drawings, to murals, to posters, to packaging — before the winner is announced at the World Illustration Awards. Somerset House, free, just turn up, 31 July-28 August

#KISSWITHPRIDE: Award-winning photographer Sam Bradley showcases his powerful imagery from Absolut's Kiss With Pride campaign, raising awareness of the fact that it is still illegal to engage in same-sex activity in 72 countries. Protein Studios, free, just turn up, 10am-6pm

HACKNEY FLEA MARKET: Vintage lovers will be right at home among the 30 hand-picked stall holders, selling a mix of salvaged, one-of-a-kind, lost and found objects and handmade items. Abney Hall (Stoke Newington), free, just turn up, 11am-6pm

THE HOLME: A rare chance to explore this four acre private garden in the heart of Regent's Park — featuring unusual plants, a rock garden, waterfall, flower garden and more. The Holme (Regent's Park), £5, just turn up, 2.30pm-5.30pm

AFTERNOON TEA: Tried Cutter & Squidge's newest afternoon tea yet? Immerse yourself in a glittering genie's cave as you tuck into all manner of jewel-themed goodies — plus, you'll get some treasure to take home with you. A great treat for the kids — but if you fancy going without them, we won't judge you. Cutter & Squidge (Soho), £14.50-£34.5o, book ahead, ongoing

Saturday 5 August

Tooting Folk and Blues fest

DRY STONE WALLING: Who'd have though that London would be the city to teach you the heritage and craft of dry stone walling? Learn all you need to know on this one day course. Red Cross Garden (Southwark), £85, book ahead, 10am-4pm

DISCOVERING CROSSRAIL: Find out how Crossrail is reviving the West End with an expanded Bond Street station and regeneration in a conservation area, on this guided walk courtesy of Museum of London. Bond Street station, £25, book ahead, 11am-1pm

HEART OF HACKNEY: Trace Hackney's heritage from Saxon settlement to city borough, with its rich diversity forged by 400 years of immigration from all over Britain and various parts of the world. Hackney Town Hall Steps, £8, book ahead, 11am-1.15pm

EASTERN ELECTRICS: Back with their biggest line-up to date, Eastern Electrics day festival is a real treat for the ears and your dancing limbs. Evolved from its early roots in the warehouse clubbing scene, it's now hosting acts like Hot Since 82 and the legendary Carl Cox. Morden Park, various prices, book ahead, 11am-10pm

FOLK AND BLUES FEST: A free open air festival in south London, showcasing the best local folk and blues talent. Tuck into street food and a drink or two while you enjoy the performances. Tooting Bec Common, free, just turn up, midday-7pm

GRAND HOUSES, GRANDER STADIUMS: Appreciate the grandeur of Highbury's beautiful Georgian houses on this guided walk, then get the inside story on Arsenal's old stadium — before paying its new one a visit, too. Highbury & Islington station, £9, book ahead, 1.30pm-3pm

DETECTIVE FICTION: Dorothy Sayers, one of the 'golden age' of crime writers between the two world wars, lived and worked in Holborn. Discover the places that inspired the scenes and characters of her writing on this tour of the area. Holborn station, £10, book ahead, 2pm-4pm

SKETCHING BURLESQUE: Sneak into a little hideaway for an afternoon of burlesque, booze and (not always) brilliant doodles. It's certainly a unique way to spend your Saturday afternoon. The Railway Tavern (Bromley), £11, book ahead, 2pm-4.30pm

ROCK THE BOAT: Drink, party and flirt with up to 250 other Londoners as you cruise down the Thames on a party boat. A great icebreaker, and definitely a speed dating event you won't forget. Golden Jubilee, Temple Pier, £25, book ahead, 1.30pm-5pm

FILM SCREENING: Catch science fiction film Sunshine at the Royal Observatory. Will a brave crew successfully journey to the Sun to try and deliver a bomb, and reignite our dying star to save humanity? Royal Observatory Greenwich, £10, book ahead, 6pm-8.30pm

POP UP PAINTING: With a glass of wine in one hand, paintbrush in another, recreate Cezanne's idyllic Bay of Marseille painting, guided by experts. Brasserie Blanc (Southbank), £46, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm

IMPROV DEATHMATCH: Two teams take the stage and battle to see who can make the audience laugh the hardest. The winner? That one's up to you. Aces & Eights Saloon Bar (Tufnell Park), £5, book ahead, 10.15pm-11.15pm


Put this new rooftop bottomless brunch in your diary

BBQ food, bottomless booze and skyline views — is there a better way to spend a Saturday? Rooftop Film Club and Rockadolla have combined all three in this new bottomless brunch, and we're sold.

Fed up of full Englishes? Over avocado on toast? Hawksmoor's former head chef Richard Sandiford has taken charge of the BBQ-themed menu, which is being served at Rooftop Film Club's Peckham outpost, the Bussey Building.

Pick from Palestinian chicken or grilled vegetables, served with romesco and nettle flatbread, sumac yoghurt, toasted almonds, coriander and chilli coffee sauce, all with fresh summery salads.

You'll be wanting something to wash that all down. Bottomless mimosas, prosecco, or bloody Marys are your options — that'll be the toughest decision you have to make all weekend.

The BBQ brunch is available now. Tickets are £32.45, and can be booked here.


Sunday 6 August

Enjoy a tour of the historic Croydon Airport

MURDER MILE: With 12 murders, 15 locations and 75 deaths to cover, this claims to be the most murderous walk in London, through the shady streets of Soho. Tottenham Court Road station, £15, book ahead, 11am-1pm

MARX TOUR: See London through the eyes of one of the most influential thinkers of modern times. From where he lived and worked, to traces of London he once knew, hear the tale of Karl Marx on this guided walk. Meet in front of the Criterion Theatre, £10, book ahead, 11am-1.30pm

CROYDON AIRPORT: Before Heathrow there was... Croydon. Get up close to the world's first air traffic control tower and explore the site's history at this historic airport's monthly open day. Croydon Airport, free (donations encouraged), just turn up, 11am-4pm

SEA MONSTER PUPPETS: Who knows what mysterious creatures lurk in the deep, dark sea? Kids are invited to put their imagination to the test, and design their very own sea monster in this art workshop underneath the ship's hull. Cutty Sark, free with admission to the ship, just turn up, 11.30am-1.30pm and 2pm-4pm

JAMAICAN INDEPENDENCE: Traditionally, this Jamaican national holiday calls for a vibrant mix of music and food. What better way to immerse yourself then, than this special dinner featuring the perfect line-up of drinks and national dishes. Rudie's (Dalston), £40, book ahead, 11.30am-10pm

AFRICAN CARIBBEAN WALK: Enjoy a fascinating tour around Tottenham, discovering the area's African Caribbean heritage, dating all the way back to 1554. Seven Sisters station, £10/£5, book ahead, 1pm-3pm

BLOOMSBURY WALK: Follow the lives of seven extraordinary local women — from the first woman to qualify in England as a doctor to a brilliant mathematician — and discover the places they lived, places they worked and the legacy they left behind. Goodge Street station, £10, book ahead, 2pm-4pm

BEFORE THE MAKE OVER: In 1666, almost the entire City of London was destroyed by fire. Or was it? Walk the narrow streets and discover echoes of an earlier London. Blackfriars station, £12, book ahead, 2.30pm-4.30pm

MIND OVER MATTER: A great line up of spoken word and hip hop acts come together to host an evening of live entertainment, all in aid of mental health charity Mind. The Bedford (Balham), £5, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

FILM SCREENING: Catch a film under the stars in the glorious surrounds of the Horniman Gardens. This week, it's children's classic The Jungle Book, but big kids are allowed too... Horniman Museum, £15/£10, book ahead, 7.15pm-10.15pm

Good cause for the weekend

CHARITY DODGEBALL: Dodge, duck, dip and dive in the UK's largest fancy dress dodgeball event. If that's not enough to tire you out, there's live DJ's, a raffle, an auction, food and drink, and an afterparty too. Wimbledon Rugby Club, £30, book ahead, 5 August, 10am-10pm