Must-read stuff
- We have one particular Londoner to thank for the August bank holiday.
- Where is London's tallest tree?
- Contactless or Oyster — which is cheaper?
Things to do today:
SUPREME COURT: Visit the Supreme Court, explore the triple-height Library and the Lawyers' Suite with a view over Parliament Square. Free, just turn up, 9.30am-4.30pm
PADDINGTON COVERS: No ticket for Reading Festival? No problem — get yourself down to Norfolk Square Gardens in Paddington for Paddington Covers, an afternoon of live music, plus free face painting, stilt walkers and more. Free, just turn up, noon-7pm
MUSEUM LATES: Chat to scientists, find out why bees dance, create an origami lotus and discover the secret language of horny shrimps at Natural History Museum's monthly late night opening. Free (charge and advance booking for some events), just turn up, 6pm-10pm
BURLINGTON HOUSE LATES: Listen to a comedy lecture from the Royal Society of Chemistry, look at 82 portraits by David Hockney or sign up for a private tour of the Society of Antiquaries' library at Burlington House Lates on Piccadilly. Free entry (some events charge and require booking), 6pm
GIN FESTIVAL: Pick from over 100 different gins to sample at London Gin Festival, which takes place all weekend at Tobacco Dock until Sunday. £12.50, book in advance, 6.30pm-11pm
RETRO DISCO YACHT: Play 90s games including SEGA Rally, Sonic 2 and Alien Storm before partying at a silent disco aboard a yacht, moored in Royal Victoria Dock. £20, book in advance, 7pm-midnight
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Grab a drink from the ale festival and cheer on London Skolars' first rugby team as they play league leaders Toulouse Olympique in Wood Green. £10/12, book in advance, 7pm
Good cause of the day
ART LOTTERY: Enter an art lottery for your chance to win artworks by Jake and Dinos Chapman, Thibaud Herem and David Bray. All profits go to The Hepatitis C Trust. Tickets are £10 and the lottery closes on 1 September.
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Our daily pick of Funzing events
SUSHI CLASS: Make Nigiri, Hosomaki and other sushi treats with Will, main instructor from London Cookery School. Book your place now to uncover the art of sushi making. £35, 1 September
SECRET LONDON TOUR: Cross gas-lit alleyways, visit the most superstitious hotel in London and discover what was once the world's smallest police station on a walking tour around London — book your place now. £12, 26/28 August
