Things to do Today in London is sponsored by Covent Garden Lates.
Must-read stuff
- Westminster Abbey: now on Google street view.
- Was King's Road in Chelsea really named after a king?
- You wouldn't want to go to London's Bankside in 1599...
Things to do today:
CYCLING SHOW: Head to ExCel to hear talks from cycling coaches, sports nutritionists, and Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy — then peruse stalls selling cycling wares. Free, just turn up, all day from 10am (until 30 July)
SALAD PLANTING: Spend your lunch hour planting a summer salad you can keep on your desk. Free, just turn up, noon
PIMLICO IN THE WAR: Find out the effects of the first world war on Pimlico and Victoria in a talk focusing on people, places and events. There's a guided walk around the area covered in the talk on 31 July. £10, book in advance/just turn up, 6.30pm
SHAPPI KHORSANDI: The leading comedian is talking to Viv Groskop about teenage life and what it means to be an adult at the launch of her debut novel Nina is Not OK. £14.50-£25, book in advance, 7pm
BEER AND PIZZA: Sample brews from London Beer Factory's Tap Taxi and nibble on pizza by London Pizza Festival winners, Made of Dough, while grooving to tunes from DJ collective Contact. £10, book in advance, 7pm
ROOFTOP FOLK CONCERT: Bring your brolly and pillows for a double bill of Vietnamese and Haitian music on a roof garden on the Southbank as part of the Folk With Altitude series. £14 (+booking fee), book in advance, 7.30pm
JEWISH JOKES: Giggle at old Jewish jokes with a modern twist, regaled by Hampstead Comedy Club founder Ivor Dembina. £5/£10, book in advance/just turn up, 7.30pm
THEATRE: The Lounge farcically shows how Britain copes with old age. Artsdepot. £10, book in advance, 7.30pm
Treat yourself to late night shopping in Covent Garden
It's your last chance to put some sparkle in your evenings with a spot of retail therapy at the late night shopping in Covent Garden.
Until Saturday, favourites like Bobbi Brown, Sandro, Hackett, Godiva and NARS will be open until 9pm so you can give your wardrobe a revamp.
If you find all that shopping is thirsty work, grab a pick-me-up from pop-up bar Portobello Road Gin before sampling signature dishes from Shake Shack, Balthazar, Southern Joe's, Maxwell's Bar & Grill, Sophie's Steakhouse and Pizza Pilgrims at a food festival in King Street. There'll also be DJ sessions, and hair braiding from Aveda.
Finally, see the city looking beautiful at dusk with an Instagram gallery of photos marking the last few days of #CGAfterHours, at the Portobello Road pop-up gin bar.
Shops are open until 9pm, Thursday-Saturday. For more information on Covent Garden After Hours visit the website.
Good cause of the day
RACE & IMMIGRATION DISCUSSION: Nikesh Shukla discusses topics like misappropriation and casteism with contributors from the essay collection The Good Immigrant, which was crowdfunded in three days. Proceeds go to Hope Not Hate. £9 (+booking fee), book in advance, 7pm
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Our daily pick of Funzing events
WINE TASTING: Learn how to taste wines like an expert, and pick up wine and food pairing tips in Greenwich. £25, 28 July/3 August
FLY FIRST CLASS: Discover how to fly first class for a fraction of the price and other money-saving tips at a talk by Nicky, The Miles Mogul. £10, 20 September
