What we're reading:
- Could satellite towns be the answer to London's housing crisis?
- A grandma has been able to grow bananas in her London garden thanks to the heatwave.
- Outrage as LSE installs 'heartless' barriers on benches to prevent rough sleeping.
- Help name the Natural History Museum's new lambs.
- South London Gallery's new extension wants to make you laugh.
Things to do:
ANOTHER EUROPE: It's your last opportunity to explore the diversity of European heritage at this outdoor photography exhibition. Curated by artist Hamish Park, each image on the specially designed concrete benches hails from a different EU Member State. King's Cross station, free, just turn up, all day
RACE AND RESISTANCE IN BRITAIN: This two day event especially for young people provides a primer on the ways in which the legacies of colonialism are felt in Britain today. The lecture series is open to anyone, but priority is given to sixth formers. SOAS University of London (Fitzrovia), free, book ahead, 11am-5pm, until 10 August
FLOWERS AND FINE CUISINE: Learn how to arrange a beautiful bouquet of blooms while dining on scrummy artisanal Italian food. Flower school Gardenia of London teams up with Villabona to help you learn something completely new over lunch. You end the day with a nice vase of seasonal flowers and a very full tummy. Table @ Vallebona (Wimbledon), £95, book ahead, 12pm-5pm
MALLET & HOOPS: Feeling fancy? Let off some steam with the a quintessentially British game of croquet. The Oxo Tower's Bargehouse has been transformed to accommodate nine pitches for you and your mates to show off your bray slices and death rolls (somewhat ominous names for such a genteel sport, don't you think?) Bargehouse, the OXO Tower (Southbank), £10, book ahead 12pm-12am
RADICAL KITCHEN: At the latest in the Serpentine's free lunchtime gatherings, academic Angus Cameron turns his attention to mercury. Learn all about mercury policy, how the element is extracted, and its relationship to the global financial system. Serpentine Pavilion (Kensington Gardens), free, just turn up, 1pm
ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL LATE: Experience the magic of Sir Christopher Wren's baroque masterpiece at twilight in the latest of its series of summer lates. Climb up the dome, check out the acoustics of the Whispering Gallery, and seize a rare chance to snap some sweet interior shots. St Paul's Cathedral (St Paul's), £16, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
AN EVENING ADVENTURE: Looking for an after-work summer hangout spot? Gather your mates and sip cocktails in the Brunel Museum’s enchanting rooftop garden, before heading deep underground for a film screening. Brunel Museum (Rotherhithe), £25, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm (partner)
KATIE DAVISON: Meet Becky Wiseman — businesswoman, entrepreneur, photographer, coder, and fashion designer. In other words, she's a true modern day renaissance woman (at least, that's what she reckons). Let the delusional creation of character comic Katie Davison give you career advice at Angel Comedy Club. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5, book ahead, 6.45pm
THE ADOLESCENTS: Following the tragic loss of bandmate Steve Soto in last June, The Adolescents are honouring the bassist's commitment to his fans by powering through with their European tour. See the SoCal punk rock veterans perform tonight as part of Camden Carnage. The Underworld (Camden), £17, book ahead, 7pm
TAV FALCO: Tav Falco brings his Panther Burns to The Blues Kitchen in a fusion of traditional Deep South blues and expressionist rock 'n'roll. Don't miss out on this rare chance to see the '80s NYC fave perform live. The Blues Kitchen (Brixton), £15, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
WORLD PSYCHEDELIA NIGHT: Prepare for an evening of trippy tunes courtesy of Putney's Half Moon. They're hosting Sendelica's only 2018 London show, as well as art rock folk act Fuchsia, and the somewhat ominously-named Fertility Cult. The Half Moon (Putney), £10, book ahead, 7pm-11pm
Good cause of the day
The Bike Project matches abandoned and unwanted bikes with UK asylum-seekers and refugees, and they want your help. Have a look at their upcoming volunteer induction sessions, where you'll be taught all the mechanic skills you need to start repairing these vital sets of wheels.
