Visit Pooh Corner in Hartfield. Image: Londonist

Through copse and spinney marched Bear; down open slopes of gorse and heather, over rocky beds of streams, up steep banks of sandstone into the heather again; and so at last, tired and hungry, to the Hundred Acre Wood.

So writes author AA Milne in Eeyore Loses A Tail, one of his many stories about Winnie the Pooh and friends. The landscape is instantly recognisable to anyone who knows the Ashdown Forest, the slice of East Sussex where Milne wrote and based the books. Almost a century since the publication of Winnie the Pooh's first adventures, the gorse- and heather-strewn landscape has barely changed, and many of Milne's landmarks remain, still recognisable as the homes of various woodland creatures.

Views over the Ashdown Forest in 'Pooh Country'. Image: Londonist

Known affectionately as 'Pooh Country' or 'Winnie the Pooh Forest', the Ashdown Forest draws visitors from all over the globe each year, all keen to follow in the footsteps of the world-famous bear.

AA Milne's links to the area began when he bought Cotchford Farm as a country home in 1925. The farmhouse is still standing today on the outskirts of the village of Hartfield, albeit privately owned and situated on a private lane — so don't go hunting it out as part of your 'expotition' (though do keep an eye out for occasional garden open days at the property).

Image: Londonist

Milne wrote all of his Winnie the Pooh books there, inspired by his explorations of the forest with his son, Christopher Robin, and he died at Cotchford Farm in 1956 (bonus fact: Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones drowned in Cotchford Farm's swimming pool in 1969).

Image: Londonist

So important was the landscape in which Milne set his tales, that he brought EH Shepard to the area to capture it in his illustrations for the books. The iconic map of Hundred Acre Wood is based on the Ashdown Forest — though don't try using it to navigate to the landmarks today. Whimsical it may be, but its geographical accuracy leaves a lot to be desired.

Where to find Winnie the Pooh landmarks in the Ashdown Forest

Visit the real Pooh Sticks Bridge

Pooh Sticks Bridge in the Ashdown Forest. Image: Londonist

Which Winnie the Pooh landmarks can be found in Pooh Country today? The best-known is Pooh Sticks Bridge (originally called Posingford Bridge), located over a stream in a wooded area, a few minutes' walk north of Pooh Car Park. The original bridge is long gone, but due to public interest, a replacement was built in the 1970s, officially named Pooh Sticks Bridge, and opened by the real Christopher Robin. When it needed repair work by the late 1990s, Disney contributed to the cost.

The OG Pooh Sticks location. Image: Londonist

The route from Pooh Car Park on Chuck Hatch Lane to Pooh Sticks Bridge is well signposted, via a wide path through the woods, largely gravel, though it can get muddy in places. As you head down the hill, keep your eyes high in the trees on the right and you might spot Owl's house.

Owl's House near Pooh Sticks Bridge. Image: Londonist

A couple more minutes walking takes you to the bridge itself. Other than the discreet signs explaining the rules of Pooh Sticks, it looks like any other wooden bridge over any other stream in the English countryside. Consider taking some of your own sticks to avoid damaging the forest, and as Pooh himself said, "always watch where you are going. Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the forest that was left out by mistake."

Stick to the Pooh Sticks rules. Image: Londonist

Once you've played a few rounds of Pooh Sticks, continue across the bridge and follow the footpath uphill. After a couple of hundred metres, a gap in the hedge on the left opens up to reveal Winnie the Pooh's house, complete with 'Mr Sanderz' sign, and, on our visit, pots of 'hunny' left as gifts by previous visitors.

Winnie the Pooh's house near Pooh Sticks Bridge - note the jars of 'hunny' left on top by adoring fans. Image: Londonist

From here, if you're feeling strong you can continue your walk towards Pooh Corner in Hartfield (more on which below) or turn back towards Pooh car park to explore the rest of the forest.

Other Winnie the Pooh landmarks can be found about 1km further south — either take a walk through the forest, but be warned it's hilly, or drive down Chuck Hatch Road, which dissects Pooh Country, and park up in one of the other car parks (Piglet's, Quarry and Gills Lap are closest to the landmarks). Maps tend to vary on the exact location of some of the landmarks, but we found Footpath Map to be fairly accurate.

Visit the AA Milne and EH Shepard Memorial

Memorial to AA Milne and EH Shepard in the Ashdown Forest, with flowers left by a previous visitor. Image: Londonist

The AA Milne and EH Shepard memorial is the most obvious Pooh landmark in this area. Situated in a small clearing at the top of the hill, just a couple of minutes' walk from both the Piglet's and Quarry car parks, a large stone is topped with a plaque dedicated to both the author and his illustrator, EH Shepard. Scenes from 2017 film Goodbye Christopher Robin were filmed here, and the views across the forest are spectacular.

Views across the Ashdown Forest from the AA Milne and EH Shepard memorial. Image: Londonist

Visit the Heffalump Trap and Lone Pine Tree

From here, continue along the main footpath and branch right to visit the Heffalump Trap and Lone Pine Tree, located on a cliff edge with more of those spectacular views.

No heffalumps today. Image: Londonist

At least, it's what's generally believed to be the Heffalump Trap — no-one knows for sure where exactly some of Milne's landmarks are these days, which can make it tricky to track some of them down.

Visit The Enchanted Place/Galleons Lap

Known to Pooh and friends as The Enchanted Place. Image: Londonist

No heffalumps have been trapped on our visit though, so we wander back to the main track and branch left towards a clump of tall pine trees. It's officially called Gills Lap but was given the name Galleons Lap by Milne, and known to Pooh and friends as The Enchanted Place, due to the fact that nobody knows if there are 63 or 64 trees there.

Count the trees in The Enchanted Place. Image: Londonist

We've never counted ourselves, but it's something to keep the kids busy for a few minutes while you have a rest and enjoy the scenery.

Visit Roo's Sandy Pit

Roo's Sandy Pit is inaccessible to visitors. Image: Londonist

Roo's Sandy Pit is nearby too — it's the old quarry which gives the Quarry Car Park its name, and being sunk into the ground, isn't all that accessible to anyone on an 'expotition'.

Visit The North Pole and Eeyore's Gloomy Place

The view towards Five Hundred Acre Wood from The Enchanted Place. Image Londonist

The final stops on the Winnie the Pooh tour of the Ashdown Forest are on the other side of Chuck Hatch Road, towards the area called Five Hundred Acre Wood, which no doubt inspired Milne's own Hundred Acre Wood. Take the footpath almost opposite Quarry Car Park and bear right through the woodland until you reach a bridge at the bottom of the valley, which was Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin's North Pole. Eeyore's Sad and Gloomy Place is nearby too but again, exact locations are hazy — even the adult Christopher Robin couldn't be sure where it was.

Ashdown Forest views. Image: Londonist

Despite the obvious tourism benefits that would arise from making a bigger deal of the forest's famous fictional resident, visitors are left in no doubt that this is the world of AA Milne and EH Shepard's Pooh, rather than the later, Disneyfied version. It remains a forest rather than a theme park, with the landmarks left in completely natural environment, the only clue to their significance being the occasional wooden signpost. Though the lack of directions can be frustrating for tourists on the Pooh trail, it's an understandable and admirable decision by those managing the forest.

Visit Pooh Corner tea room and museum, Hartfield village

Pooh Corner in Hartfield village. Image: Londonist

That said, there is one place where Pooh fans can really go nuts — Pooh Corner. Located inside a cottage in the village of Hartfield, Pooh Corner is a tea room, shop and small museum dedicated to all things Winnie the Pooh.

Tea and toast at Pooh Corner. Image: Londonist

Rumbly in your tumbly? Tuck into sandwiches, cakes or Pooh Bear shaped toast, and drink tea from a Pooh teapot, either inside in the tea room, or outdoors in the garden, before visiting the small museum and gift shop. Posters and prints of all versions of Winnie and friends line the walls, the museum tells the Pooh story, and cuddly toys, keyrings, books and other souvenirs are available to buy.

There's a museum and shop at Pooh Corner in Hartfield. Image: Londonist

From Pooh Corner, a walking route to Pooh Bridge is signposted, but from our experience, it's one for the more intrepid walkers, and certainly not for families with young children in tow.

It's quite a walk... you've been warned. Image: Londonist

Heading south-west from the village centre along Newtons Hill, the route then joins a somewhat overgrown (and in August of the extremely wet summer of 2021, very muddy) footpath around the back of some houses, before crossing a field on quite a steep hill downwards.

The walk from Pooh Corner to Pooh Sticks Bridge, August 2021. Image: Londonist

A couple more fields, a private lane and another footpath later brings you to the bridge. Allow at least 45 minutes walking time each way between Pooh Corner and Pooh Bridge, and wear footwear that's suitable for serious walking.

Visiting Pooh Corner and the Ashdown Forest

Pooh Corner in Hartfield. Image: Londonist

Pooh Corner can be found on Hartfield High Street, TN7 4AE. There is limited, free on-road parking in Hartfield village, but finding a space can be tricky. If you can bear (!) the walk, head to Pooh Car Park and walk up from there. All Ashdown Forest car parks are free to park in at time of writing, but note that there are plans to introduce charges in the not too distant future. Spaces are limited and they get full quickly when the weather's good. This Ashdown Forest map is useful for tracking down the Winnie the Pooh landmarks.

Nods to Pooh and co are spread throughout the Ashdown Forest. Image: Londonist

Arriving by public transport is slightly more tricky, but Pooh Corner offers some useful directions. Bear in mind that the Ashdown Forest is exactly that — a forest — so facilities such as toilets and cafes are limited. The only official Ashdown Forest toilets are in the Visitor Centre, a couple of miles away from the Winnie the Pooh attractions, though there are pubs and tea rooms dotted all over the forest.

Where will you visit first? Image: Londonist

The Big One Hundred: Winnie the Pooh centenary celebrations in the Ashdown Forest

Image: David Levene

In summer 2026, the centenary of AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh is celebrated in a series of events in the Ashdown Forest and surrounding areas. Despite its inspiration, The Big One Hundred has very little to do with Milne's familiar characters, and instead celebrates the local landscape while inspiring people to protect it for future generations. Poppet, the giant inflatable puppet (pictured above) takes centre stage, and the summer of events begins with a launch weekend at Ashdown Forest Visitor Centre on 18-19 July.

All weekend

See a Kensington landmark in miniature. Image: Jaron James/Leighton House Museum

WORLD CUP FINAL: Big weekend in football, as the 2026 World Cup comes to a close. The third place play-off match takes place on Saturday (K/O 10pm) followed by the all important final (8pm on Sunday). At time of writing, we don't know which teams will make it that far in the competition, but check out these London bars, pubs and other venues which are doing screenings.

GREENWICH COMEDY GARDEN: Jack Dee, Sara Pascoe, Jen Brister and Thanyia Moore are on the bill for the final couple of days of Greenwich Comedy Garden, a laughter-inducing festival taking over the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College for eight shows across five days. There are street food stalls and pop-up bars aplenty too. 15-19 July 2026

LEIGHTON HOUSE MINIATURE: To mark its 100th anniversary as a public museum, a one-twelfth scale miniature of Kensington's Leighton House is on display for just a few days. Head to (the real) Leighton House to view the 2.5m-wide replica, which showcases the Silk Room, the Narcissus Hall and the Arab Hall in painstaking detail. 15-20 July 2026

GRAYSON THE MUSICAL: Catch the preview run of a new musical comedy inspired by the life and work of Sir Grayson Perry. The show tells the story of one of Britain's most celebrated contemporary artists — though note that Perry doesn't appear in the performances — at Soho Theatre Walthamstow. 16-19 July 2026

Jack Dee is on Saturday's line-up. Image: Greenwich Comedy Garden

CLOTHES SWAP: SoLo Craft Fair hosts its first clothes swap in the City, taking over Leadenhall Market for four days. Take along clean and undamaged items from your wardrobe which you no longer need, and swap them for tokens which can be used to collect garments donated by others. Mending and crafting workshops are also part of the fun. 16-19 July 2026

SUMMER SERIES: Lightning Seeds and Thee Sacred Souls, are the headliners for the first weekend of this year's Somerset House Summer Series, a programme of open-air gigs taking place in the building's courtyard, continuing into next week. 16-26 July 2026. See other music festivals taking place in London this summer.

CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL: Over 100 breweries are expected to pour into London Craft Beer Festival, which moves to Southwark Park for 2026. Sample from 800+ different brews from established and newer breweries. All beers are included in your ticket. 17-18 July 2026

ROUGH TRADE 50: Check out the programme for a three-day takeover at Southbank Centre marking 50 years since the first Rough Trade shop opened. The line-up mixes gigs, film, live performance and literature, with highlights including Pulp, Scritti Politti, caroline + My New Band Believe, and a live soundtrack screening of Ken Loach's Kes introduced by Jarvis Cocker. 17-19 July 2026

Watch Kes, accompanied by a live soundtrack. Image courtesy of Park Circus/Amazon MGM

SUMMIT PHOTO: The Royal Geographical Society hosts the three-day Summit Photo featuring talks, exhibitions and practical workshops that look at how photography and filmmaking can drive positive change. Confirmed speakers include Areeba Hamid (Greenpeace), climate change photographer James Balog, National Geographic photographer Bertie Gregory and human rights defender Shahidul Alam. 17-19 July 2026

SWAN LAKE: The State Ballet of Georgia brings Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake to the London Coliseum, with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia in the pit. The production tells the story of Prince Siegfried, Odette and the evil Rothbart, with a 12-performance run. 17-26 July 2026

BBC PROMS: We can't even type those words without Land of Hope and Glory firing up the record player inside our heads — but that's Last Night of the Proms, and there's almost two months' worth of live music to enjoy before that. For all your info on tickets, highlights, promming and the like, peruse our guide to the BBC Proms 2026. 17 July-12 September 2026

Saturday 18 July

Work out on high. Image: Sky Garden

SKY GARDEN PILATES: Begin your weekend 36 floors above London, with a pilates session in the Sky Garden. Women's fitness platform Shreddy leads today's session, which is a full-body pilates sculpt session followed by a post-workout smoothie and pastry. 8.30am-10am

GORES BROOK REVIVAL: Help restore the riverbank in Dagenham by joining a community conservation day at Gores Brook. Work alongside the Thames21 team to remove litter and tackle invasive non-native species to help local biodiversity flourish. All necessary equipment, including waders and wellies, is provided on-site, and there are even biscuits and tea to keep you going. FREE, 11am-3pm

ELSYNG PALACE: Discover the royal history of one of Enfield's most significant Tudor sites. This family-friendly day at the Forty Hall Estate offers a rare chance to watch archaeologists excavating the grounds of Elsyng Palace and examine 400-year-old artefacts uncovered from the site. Younger visitors can join in with a hands-on mini dig in a dedicated sandpit excavation area. FREE, 11am-4pm

FAMILY DANCE DAY: Take the kids along to Family Dance Day, a programme of free performances and interactive workshops at Coram's Fields in Bloomsbury. Aimed at children up to 12 and their families, the schedule includes interactive workshops and live dance performances. FREE, 11am-4pm

JURASSIC JUNGLE: Meet a roaming T-rex, Bumble the Brontosaurus, a Megalosaurus, two baby dinosaurs, and another two dinosaurs which you can climb on and ride, all at Jurassic Jungle at the Brunswick Centre in Bloomsbury. The free, family-focused event includes meet-and-greets, photo opportunities and dinosaur encounters. FREE, 11am-4pm

ILLUSTRATORS' FAIR: Over 100 hand-picked illustrators and collectives sell prints, zines, comics, cards, pins, stickers, ceramics and children's books at the Illustrators' Fair in Granary Square. Buy directly from both emerging and established artists. 11am-5pm

Buy direct from artists at the Illustrators' Fair. Image: King's Cross

WHARFSIDE WATERCOLOURS: Artist Annamaria Antonazzo leads a relaxed afternoon of plein air painting by the water at Royal Albert Wharf. Experiment with watercolour techniques while enjoying live music from Jon Howell's jazz duo and a provided picnic spread of vegan and vegetarian sandwiches. The session is open to all skill levels, with all necessary materials provided. FREE, 12pm-3pm

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: An outdoor production of Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream is on at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre until today, telling the enchanting story of a bitter dispute in the fairy kingdom, and four fleeing lovers who find themselves in an enchanted forest. 12.30pm/7.45pm

FOOTBALL EMBROIDERY: Artist Nicole Chui and the Migration Museum lead an embroidery workshop at the Whitechapel Gallery exploring the intersections of sport, migration and belonging. Take your own football jerseys along to learn hand-embroidery techniques, transforming your shirt into wearable archives of personal heritage and identity. FREE, 2pm-3.30pm

KOKUM GRILL-OUT: East Dulwich Indian restaurant holds a hands-on grilling workshop on its terrace teaching you how to whip up Indian-spiced smash burgers, seekh kebabs and charred sweet potato over live flame. Marinades, charcoal technique, heat zones and flare-ups are also covered in the session, after which you can eat what you've cooked. 2pm-5pm

THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND: Last chance to see The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind at Soho Place, a musical about William Kamkwamba. Based on his book and Chiwetel Ejiofor's film, the show tells the story of a boy who figures out how to build a windmill to save his village from a devastating drought. 2.30pm/7.30pm

GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS: David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Glengarry Glen Ross is at The Old Vic in a production featuring an all-female cast, coming to a close today. Set in a cutthroat Chicago real-estate office, the play charts four salespeople as a brutal competition unfolds. 2.30pm/7.30pm

TRANSATLANTIC FOOTIE FRIENDLY: East London's fan-owned club, Clapton CFC, welcomes American visitors for a special exhibition match at the Old Spotted Dog Ground in Forest Gate. The CCFC Men's First Team vs New York International fixture offers a rare cross-continental meeting at London's oldest senior football ground. 3pm

THREADS OF SOUND: Emerging musicians from the Waltham Forest Music Service take over the café at the William Morris Gallery for a summer evening of live performance. The show features local bands playing a mix of original material and covers in the gallery's ground-floor Deeney's Café. FREE, 4.30pm-6.30pm

HUW LEMMEY: Radical author Huw Lemmey visits Housmans Bookshop in King's Cross to celebrate the reprinting of his cult novels, CHUBZ and RED TORY. In a conversation with Juliet Jacques, Lemmey discusses his visceral satires of the last decade, which blend eye-watering sexual potency with a terrifyingly predictive look at British political life. FREE, 7pm-9pm

AFRIQUE EXPRESS: Collective AfroDesi takes over the decks at SJQ in Dalston for Afrique Express, a vinyl-only journey through the sounds of Bamako, Lagos, Abidjan and Kinshasa. Expect a night of analog heat featuring rare Afro-funk, driving Afrobeat and vintage Congolese rumba played entirely from wax. 9pm-2am

POUR IT UP: Unpretentious party vibes take over the upstairs club room at the Old Queens Head in Islington for a late-night session of R&B and hip-hop. Pour It Up features a heavy rotation of club bangers from the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Peggy Gou and Burna Boy. 11pm-3am

Sunday 19 July

It's festival time at Walpole Park. Image: LatinoLife

VINTAGE FAIR: Around 50 vintage traders are selling mid-20th-century furniture, lighting, homeware, posters, maps, books, records and summer fashion in and around Beckenham Place Mansion, as the So Last Century vintage fair returns. Outside, the Beckenham Place Park Food Market offers about 15 food stalls, and the Mansion Bar and Café is open for drinks and snacks. 10am-5pm

CRAFTY FOX MARKET: Crafty Fox brings more than 100 independent designers and makers to The Crossing in Granary Square (King's Cross) for a one-day summer market. Browse handmade jewellery, artwork, clothing, ceramics and homewares at the free-entry event. 11am-5pm

LATINOLIFE FESTIVAL: The UK's largest Latin Festival, LatinoLife celebrates its 10th edition at Walpole Park in Ealing. Britain's only Latina-curated festival offers salsa, reggaeton, samba, jazz, fusion, folk, funk, bolero, tango, hip-hop and more across four stages. 12pm-10pm

SOHO VILLAGE FETE: A tug of war between the police and fire brigade, a best in show where pooches must dress like royalty, and a music stage are all part of the Soho Village Fete. But surely the highlight is the Soho Waiters' Race, which sees serving staff from different restaurants legging it around the area while balancing a bottle of fizz, wine glass and ashtray on their tray. FREE, 12pm-6pm (Waiters' Race at 3.15pm)

Entertainment galore at the Soho Village Fete. Image: Peter Clarke/Soho Village Fete

COMICS AND ZINES: Small press creatives and independent publishers gather at Stanley Arts in South Norwood for the fifth instalment of the South London Comics and Zine Fair. Browse a diverse range of graphic novels, picture books, and zines, or head to the room hosted by WIP Comics to discover work from first-time exhibitors. The afternoon also features a free programme of panels and talks alongside an extra-large communal table for sharing new work. FREE, 12pm-6pm

IRISH MUSIC: The Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith opens its summer season of live performances with the ICC Concert Session. Host and guitarist Tad Sargent is joined by uilleann piper James O'Grady and flute player John Rynne for an afternoon of traditional Clare tunes and set-dance music. O'Grady, a veteran of Cara Dillon's touring band, and Rynne, a co-founder of the Ennis Trad Festival, bring a wealth of experience to this intimate session. FREE, 1pm-3pm

SLACKER SHAKESPEARE: The Slacker Shakespeare season continues at the Rio Cinema in Dalston with a screening of 1998 rom-com Shakespeare in Love. Season curator Travis Elborough introduces the film, about the famous playwright overcoming writer's block when he falls for a woman who disguises herself as a man to appear in one of his plays. 2pm

THE ODYSSEY LIVE: The London Literary Salon presents readings from Homer's Odyssey, performed by Toby Brothers with actor Jane Wymark at Theatro Technis in Camden. The reading is followed by a Q&A, and brings key episodes such as the Cyclops, the Sirens and Circe to the stage. 3pm-5pm

DIVERGENT BOOK CLUB: Dystopian YA novel Divergent by Veronica Roth is the subject of a special book club at Rooftop Cinema Club in Peckham, led by Caitlin Curry from London Girls Book Club. Discussion focuses mainly on the first book in the Chicago-set post apocalyptic series. 5.45pm, followed by a screening of the film adaptation (7.45pm)

Norman Osland knows his pie and mash. After visiting over 70 establishments in London and beyond, he turned his experiences into a guidebook, Norman's Conquest. Here, he writes about his love affair with that most Londony of dishes.

The author at Barney's in Walthamstow. Image: Norman Osland

I was just two when I first had mash and liquor. I then moved up to pie when I was about four.

I've always loved the shops' link to tradition. It must be the only sit down meal that you can still get that you could get over 100 years ago. A number of shops have tried to stay original with their fixtures and fittings (Manze's in Tower Bridge Road and Peckham are two of many). You can look around and remember back to days gone by very easily. Remember, the Tower Bridge Road shop has been an M.Manze since 1902, and a lot of it has remained the same... and looks superb.

Castle's of Camden. Image: Norman Osland

I decided to undertake the 'conquest' following a number of comments on a Facebook group when I posted up little reviews of the three shops I would normally visit, and I got many comments to say I should try certain others. I started to do just that, but the list of pie shops that others thought I should try was growing... I upped the list to 20 shops to try, but still the list grew. At this point I thought 'What the hell, let's just do them all!' And that is exactly what I did. I'm still doing it too, as new pie and mash outlets open.

Eastenders Pie & Mash, Poplar. Image: Norman Osland

If I had to pick one pie and mash shop to eat in for the rest of my life... while G Kelly in Bow is my favourite, if there was only one shop left, I would like it to be Manze's in Tower Bridge Road — such an iconic shop, steeped in history. Every visit I make is memorable.

M.Manze of Tower Bridge Road. Image: Norman Osland

Though I've never spotted a celebrity in a pie and mash shop personally, many notable figures are known to enjoy it: David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Jimmy Tarbuck, Tommy Steele (a fellow Bermondsey boy), Ray Winstone too. If you asked that question of other people, some might even say me! I actually get recognised in the street from time to time by people that have seen social media and local news posts about me, and have even done a few selfies with them.

A poem written in honour of Norman's conquest. Image: Norman Osland

The biggest loss to London's pie and mash scene in recent years was when Manze's in Deptford closed. It was a memorable place to go and the last time I went, a month or so before they closed, highlighted that while chatting to George Maskell, the owner. Prior to that would be Manze's in Walthamstow — always a fantastic shop to visit. The atmosphere was awesome.

Manze's of Peckham. Image: Norman Osland

There is, however, a newfound appreciation for pie and mash among some Londoners — not just with the newer shops like Barney’s in Walthamstow and Hughes in Ruislip opening — but also the whole social media thing. People like Alfie Hak (Noted Pie & Mash in Leytonstone) is often doing Instagram posts with a little GoPro on his head, doing videos showing things he does in a typical day, and responding to comments by showing the answer in a video.

Robins of Wanstead. Image: Norman Osland

Then, of course, there is Robins; six shops in key locations; they are always rammed with people of all ages enjoying pie and mash, often for the first time.

Hughes of Ruislip. Image: Norman Osland

Given I have eaten pie and mash about 250 times since I started researching the book back in March 2024 — and because I used to eat it a lot in my late teens/early 20s too — I would suggest I've eaten it approximately 600 times.

Norman's Conquest, by Norman Osland

Free things to do in London this week.

Image: Be In Vauxhall

Lancelot Ribeiro

As part of South Asian Heritage Month, Swiss Cottage Library hosts Lancelot Ribeiro: A Retrospective Revisited, bringing together works from the late Expressionist painter, who hailed from Mumbai and experimented with polyvinyl acetate and oil paints.

Until 6 August.

Cool Runnings outdoors

One of London’s much-loved free outdoor cinemas fires up the screen on Tuesday evening. Vauxhall Summer Screens turns Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens into an open-air movie theatre to show Cool Runnings, the 1993 Disney film about the plight of an unlikely Jamaican bobsled team. Free tickets available here.

14 July.

Experimental poetry

The Horse Hospital in Bloomsbury marks 60 years of small press collecting at UCL with Slowly, slowly, the tongue unrolls, a showcase of performance poetry and sound art. The Tuesday evening event features veteran poet Allen Fisher alongside contemporary artist Tris Vonna-Michell and the experimental choir Vocal Constructivists. Expect a blend of sonic projects and rare cassette sound poetry dislodged from the university's archives.

14 July.

Coffee dans la maison

Image: Paul

Tuesday is Bastille Day, and to mark it, French bakery PAUL is slinging 50 free barista-made drinks to the first 50 folks at its outposts (including various ones in the capital) between 8am-9am. Note: you must be wearing stripes (whether a Breton top, trousers, scarf or chic beret) to qualify. From 3pm the same day, the PAULs at Kings Road, Marylebone, Marble Arch, Holland Park and South Kensington are each handing out 200 free baguettes. Pain-tastique!

14 July.

Lying-in-State

The Palace of Westminster opens its new, free exhibition, A Historic Farewell: Elizabeth II's Lying-in-State, on Tuesday. On display in Westminster Hall, the exhibition showcases works by six artists depicting the Lying-in-State of the late monarch in 2022. Both ceremonial aspects and wider activity surrounding the tradition are covered.

14 July-October 2026.

Backyard Biennial: East

Whitechapel Gallery launches its free summer arts festival Backyard Biennial: East this week. Exhibitions, installations, screenings, performances, workshops, residencies, walks, open studios and special events take place at venues, and through organisations, across the East End until September.

15 July-6 September.

We Go Way Back

Ancient DNA research comes under the microscope in We Go Way Back, a free exhibition opening at the Francis Crick Institute in St Pancras. Find out how ancient DNA — fragments extracted from the bones and teeth of generations long past — is revealing new insights into human evolution, migration, culture and disease. Learn how cutting-edge science can add context to known historical events, or surprise us with new ones, from the Neanderthal and Denisovan times, through the metal ages and the Roman period.

From 16 July.

Free ice cream

Image: Charlie McKay

Marylebone restaurant Kitchen at Holmes teams up with Hackney Gelato to give away 500 free scoops of gelato on Friday, ahead of National Ice Cream Day on Sunday.

Head to the summer gelato terrace on Baker Street from 12pm on Friday to claim your free scoop, with flavours including including clotted cream & strawberry, pistachio, and alphonso mango sorbetto. It's one scoop per person, subject to availability, and doesn’t include toppings, cones or extras.

17 July.

Songs on the Steps

Once again, performers from Opera Holland Park offer a free lunchtime performance, open to everyone, on Friday. Songs on the Steps takes place on the open-air stairs outside the seasonal venue, with artists from the company putting on a 40-minute show for passers-by. No ticket required.

17 July.

Thai festival

The Royal Thai Embassy takes over Potters Fields Park by Tower Bridge for three days of free-entry festivities celebrating (and let's be honest, plugging) Thailand, courtesy of stalls selling Thai cuisine, wellness and aromatic workshops, a marketplace showcasing Thai fashion — and plenty more.

17-19 July.

Jurassic Jungle

Image: The Brunswick

Meet a roaming T.-rex, Bumble the Brontosaurus, a Megalosaurus, two baby dinosaurs, and two others which you can climb on and ride — all at Jurassic Jungle at the Brunswick Centre in Bloomsbury on Saturday. The free, family-focused event includes meet-and-greets, photo opportunities and dinosaur encounters.

18 July.

Family dance day

Dance theatre The Place takes over Coram's Fields in Bloomsbury for a free Family Dance Day on Saturday. Aimed at under-12s and their families, the programme includes interactive dance workshops to get everyone moving, as well as a series of performances. Bug sees performers dressed as giant insects, while Prisma is inspired by children's books, and No Sugar No Milk combines physical theatre, martial arts and circus stunts.

Note: Coram's Fields is a very short walk from the Brunswick (above), with both events running 11am-4pm, so you could easily fit in both for a free family day out.

18 July.

Soho Village Fete and the Waiters’ Race

Image: Peter Clarke

It's the Soho Village Fete this Sunday, offering a glut of live music, a dog show, a spaghetti-eating contest, morris dancing, and a tug-of-war between the police and fire brigade. The most anticipated event of all is the Soho Waiters' Race, which sees service staff from local restaurants dashing around the area, while holding a tray laden with a bottle of fizz, a glass and an ash tray — all in one hand. It's an absolute hoot, and free to enjoy/cheer on.

19 July.

Grosvenor Square has had a woodland style makeover. Image: Grosvenor

Grosvenor Square will reopen to the public for the first time in over a year on Monday 20 July, following a £25m makeover.

Owned by the Grosvenor Group — the Duke of Westminster's private property company, which also owns swathes of Mayfair and Belgravia — Grosvenor Square closed last June to undergo its fourth major redesign since it was first constructed in the first half of the 18th century.

There's a new cafe kiosk. Image: Grosvenor

Taking on a woodland theme with winding paths, Grosvenor Square is now filled with some 150,000 plants and bulbs, 44 new trees and two (admittedly small) wetlands — a vivacious contrast to its previous austere, be-lawned layout. "At a time when conversations about heat, flooding and the future of our cities couldn't be more relevant," says Grosvenor, "the project asks a simple question: how can urban green spaces work harder for both people and nature?"

Loving the benches too. Image: Grosvenor

One practical answer to this is that the Square can now absorb up to 1.4 million litres of stormwater at a time, doing its bit against urban flooding. We're also told that wildlife is already returning, with ducks, butterflies and dragonflies all sighted in the last few weeks. An education centre run by London Wildlife Trust has been installed, along with a new café kiosk.

The paths are now winding, rather than straight and austere. Image: Grosvenor

Set out by gardener John Alston in the 1720s, Grosvenor Square was initially reserved for the use of the Square's residents, only opening to the public after the Second World War. From 1938 until 2018, the US Embassy overlooked the Square, making the green space a popular spot for protests, including those against the Vietnam War.

This latest revamp has been largely funded by Grosvenor Group, which, it's fair to say, has a few quid kicking around. In 2017 the Guardian revealed that, benefitting from previous offshore investment in the dukes of Westminster empire, the current Duke of Westminster, billionaire Hugh Grosvenor, didn't have to pay the 40% death duties imposed on most British taxpayers.

Can you track down these 14 oddities of Covent Garden?

Click/tap for larger version. All images: Matt Brown. Background map: OpenStreetMap, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors

Just for a bit of fun, we've put together this 'oddity hunt' around Covent Garden. Can you track down all 14 of the plaques, sculptures and other features?

We've deliberately left the precise locations vague. Each oddity could be anywhere beneath the photograph that represents it. The idea is that you have fun trying to track them down, while paying closer attention to the streetscape.

You can tackle the 14 oddities in any order you choose. It's suitable for all ages, though might make for an intriguing family activity.

Further clues

Each of the photographs covers a sizeable chunk of land, so you might have to hunt hard to find some of these. If you need a little help, here are some further clues, listed in alphabetical order.

Che Sara Sara: Look up, and you'll encounter no im-pediment to finding this phrase, which is the ancestral motto of the land-owning Russell family. You'll have the song in your head all day now.

Dancer and Pride phone boxes: An easy one to find; no clue needed.

Giant coin: Penny from heaven? Well, it's certainly close to a church.

Inventor of the fire extinguisher: Half-way up the hill.

Magic memorial: One of many unusual bench plaques in the church yard.

Market rules: One of two giant wooden boards within the market. Find them both.

Mathematical facade: Log this one by looking up.

Mercers' maid bollard: The symbol of the Mercers can be found all over the area. To see this bollard, it (cryptically) sounds like you should kneel.

No bells: Near a crossroads for pedestrians.

Pelican and hummingbird: You don't need wings to reach this peculiar plaque.

Picasso woz ere: Did Picasso paint flowers?

Poet nearly done to death: You'll find two plaques saying this. The one here is higher up.

Stabbed archbishop: One of a number of miniature scenes in the alleys around a famous map shop.

Tiny sculpture: A portable house, beside a business that sounds like one?

Your weekly roundup of Londonist news and features.

Flying Over London In The Goodyear Blimp

What does the capital look like from above?

Image: Matt Brown

What Might A Count Binface Cabinet Look Like?

If the space warrior were to go all the way to the top of the rubbish heap.

Image: Count Binface

Free Things To Do In London In The 2026 Summer Holidays

Family-friendly activities that won't cost a penny.

© David Parry courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London

A Ride On The Tube In 1911

What was it like to catch the Underground in the early 20th century?

Image: public domain

Brixton Village And Market Row Listed As Assets Of Community Value

Points scored for local community.

Image: Matt Brown, Creative Commons

The Best Picnic Spots In London

Pack your blanket and tuck in.

Image: maggie jones., Creative Commons

Ride On A Vintage Tube Train This July

Met line goes heritage for three days.

Image: Roger Carvell, Creative Commons

What Did Norway Ever Do For London? Lots...

The close ties between London and Norway.

Image: Matt Brown

This Vintage Open-Top Double-Decker Is Doing A Free Pub Crawl Of South London

One bus, three pubs.

Image: Shirk, Rust & Pray

Prawn On The Lawn: Islington Seafood Restaurant Closes This Week

Three Padstow outlets will remain.

Image: Kake ., Creative Commons

50 Years Of The City's First Skyscraper

The NatWest Tower's half-century on the skyline.

Image: Colin Park, creative commons licence

London Trans+ Pride Returns This July

Most "politically urgent" year in march's history.

Image: Max Seigel/London Trans+ Pride

Memories Of A Post-War East End Street At Night

An extract from Juniper Street.

Image: Henry Say

Once-In-A-Year Chance To Visit These Victorian Ice Wells In King's Cross

Special Sunday at London Canal Museum.

Image: London Canal Museum

Are You A Labyrinth Hunter? There's An App For That

Keep track of all the Tube labyrinths with this free app.

Image: Matt Brown

The Wandering Tomb Of Richmond: Inside the Kilmorey Mausoleum

A visit to a hidden tomb in Richmond.

Image: Matt Brown

Looking Ahead: Things To Do In London This Week: 13-19 July 2026

Free outdoor cinema and a certain cup final.

Image: Tom Webb/Boxpark

Click or tap for larger size. Image: Matt Brown

What are the commonest baby names in your borough?

Every year, the Office for National Statistics releases data on the commonest baby names registered over the past year. The 2025 data have now been released. As usual, the London stats are broken down by borough, allowing us to make the graphic above.

Commonest girls' names in London boroughs

Among girls, Sophia and Sofia are the commonest name, topping 10 boroughs between them. That's quite a surge, as the name only featured in two boroughs last year. Maryam is also on the rise. Last year, only Tower Hamlets recorded this as the most popular choice; now five boroughs do.

The biggest decline is in Amelias. A whopping 14 boroughs favoured the name in 2024, now it's just two. Olivia has also stagnated, from seven boroughs last year to seven this.

And welcome to the new entry of Rehmat, the commonest girl's name in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

Image: Matt Brown

Click or tap for larger image.

What if Count Binface became Prime Minister?

It could never happen, of course. (Could it?) But in a flight of trash-can fantasy, we thought we'd speculate about his potential cabinet, were he to become PM.

We've assumed that he would choose fellow bin-shaped individuals to form his Government. So we've rounded up some of London's most charismatic rubbish receptacles to put together a prospective team.

All images are by Matt Brown, except the photo of Binface (from Count Binface himself), and the background image, by jpdfive, creative commons licence.

Croydon Pride returns in August. Image: Croydon Pride

London's major Pride festival might be over for another year, but fret not, because Croydon Pride is on the horizon!

The event returns on Saturday 15 August 2026, with a glitzy parade making its way through town — starting outside M&S on North End at 11.30am, heading southward, and finishing up outside Grants on High Street. The route is fully step-free, and you can register to be a part of it here.

Image: Croydon Pride

Community stalls and an acoustic stage can be enjoyed from 10am-4pm at Croydon Town Hall, while over at Boxpark Croydon, drag performers, singers and dancers do their thing from lunchtime till late. (It's all free, but you must pre-book a ticket for Boxpark).

The event is free for all to enjoy. Image: Croydon Pride

Croydon Pride, Saturday 15 August 2026, free, book ahead for Boxpark

You wait ages for one vintage Routemaster, and then 25 turn up at once. Image: Peter Hendy, with permission

What's that coming over the hill — is it a 'master, is it a 'master?

Actually it's over 25 Routemasters. This is Imberbus — the annual parade of double-decker London buses from Warminster to Chitterne — via Salisbury Plain and a collection of bucolic villages, including Imber (hence the event's name).

Ohh, a green one. Image: Shutterstock

The uncanny sight comes with a backstory to match. Residents of the small village of Imber in Wiltshire were turfed out of their village by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 1943 so the land could be used for military exercises. They were promised their village back at the end of the war. That never happened.

You may spot the odd modern Routemaster too. Image: Imberbus

Fast forward to a tipsy conversation in a Bath pub in 2009, some schmoozing with the MoD's top brass, and the concept of Imberbus was born. Imber may not have any residents, but by heck, it was going to have a (once-annually) bus service.

Imberbus has since ballooned into a cult event, some bus fanatics even coming from overseas to take part.

You ain't seen nothing quite like Imberbus before. Image: Imberbus

So, how DO you take part? All you need to do is get to Warminster station in Wiltshire on Saturday 15 August 2026. Trains from Paddington to Warminster take as little as 1 hour 35 minutes.

Not the usual view you get from a London bus... Image: Ed Webster via creative commons

The 2026 timetable is now live, with the first vintage Routemasters of the day running from Warminster to Imber at 9.30am, and then throughout the day every 15 minutes or so until late afternoon.

On arrival at Imber, some buses from Warminster will carry on to Gore Cross, then either to Brazen Bottom and the Lavingtons or to Tilshead & Chitterne. Extra buses link Tilshead, the Lavingtons, Gore Cross and New Zealand Farm Camp.

In the pretty village of Chitterne. Image: Imberbus

There are various landmarks, events and refreshments to get stuck into, including Imber Church, Caspers Cafe at Warminster Station, the village halls in Tilshead and Chitterne, and the refurbished Market Lavington Museum.

London's urban sprawl is getting ridiculous... Image: Imberbus

Day tickets for Imberbus are £10 (children ride for just £2). This allows unlimited rides, allowing you to try different buses, and stop off in various villages along the way. There's no need to book ahead — in fact you can't. Buses only accept cash, although you can purchase tickets from a special desk at Warminster in the morning using a card/contactless. Cash machines are also available in Warminster Market Place, five minutes walk from the rail station.

In recent years, the event has raised tens of thousands for the Imber Church fund and the Royal British Legion, so your cash is going to a good cause.

Battle bus! Image: Imberbus

By the way, cars, motorbikes, cycles, scooters and pedestrians are NOT permitted access to the military roads on Imberbus day, so don't try to join in that way.

Imberbus, Saturday 15 August 2026.

The Baker Street labyrinth. Image: Matt Brown

Are you the sort of person who takes photos of every Tube station labyrinth? This app might help.

Do you know about the Tube labyrinths? Every station has one; all 272 of them.

The labyrinths were created in 2013 by artist Mark Wallinger, as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the London Underground. Each one has a different pattern, and each is individually numbered from 1 to 272.

'Collecting' the labyrinths is a surprisingly common pastime. Some set out to photograph the designs methodically; others (like myself) collect them ad hoc, whenever we happen to chance across one.

To do this, you need some way of keeping track. Personally, I cross them off on a Tube map, and upload my photos to a dedicated folder on Flickr.

Now, there's an easier way.

Ryan Dobson has developed a free app for iPhone and Android that gives labyrinth-baggers all the tools they need to locate and document the art works.

Screenshots from Mind the Maze.

Mind the Maze is really simple. You tick off each labyrinth as you discover it, and upload a photo. This releases some digital confetti, and unlocks three fun facts about the station. If you can't find a particular labyrinth (and some of them are quite well-hidden), then you can ask the app for a clue. Finally, all 'got' stations are displayed on a map with a different coloured map pin to the unclaimed stations. You can see at a glance where you still need to go.

It's a basic but very useful app... if 'useful' is the right word for the frivolous pursuit of wall-mounted labyrinths.

A selection of Tube labyrinths collected by Matt Brown.

"What I’ve found fascinating," says Ryan, "is that there’s a small but enthusiastic community of people using the labyrinths as a reason to explore parts of London they’d never otherwise visit. Hunting them has taken us to stations, neighbourhoods and corners of the network we would have completely overlooked."

Incidentally, the order of the labyrinth numbers has a hidden meaning. They follow the sequence of stations on the optimal route of the Tube Challenge — the oft-attempted mission to visit every Underground station in one day.

The addition of Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station in 2023 was a slight hiccup to the system; rather than tack them on the end as numbers 271 and 272, they've been numbered 110a and 110b, so they're numerically adjacent to nearby Kennington (110).

Anyway, happy hunting!

Download Mind the Maze for free via links here.

Adapted from a feature that first appeared in July 2025 on Londonist: Time Machine, our much-praised history newsletter. To be the first to read new history features like this, sign up for free here.

It has to be one of London’s largest tombs. It’s certainly one of the least-noticed. This is the Kilmorey Mausoleum in Richmond. Locked away behind a three-metre-high wall in the rarely-visited suburb of St Margaret’s, it remains little known outside the local area. Yet this mighty structure has a very peculiar backstory because, to go alongside the other superlatives, this is also London’s most peripatetic mausoleum.

It’s hard to get a sense of the mausoleum’s scale from a photograph. It’s huge. It is to tombs what the Airbus A380 is to passenger planes and, fortuitously, there was one flying overhead when I took this shot. Image: Matt Brown

In the summer of 2025, a group of 20 Londonist: Time Machine readers were given special access to this furtive landmark. We not only got to see inside the walled garden, but were also able to step within the tomb. I would like to thank at the outset local historian Andrew George, who led the tour with such sparkle.

Before we look at the tomb itself, we need a bit of backstory…

Who was this Kilmorey fellow?

The Egyptian-style tomb was built in the 1850s at the behest of this man, Francis ‘Black Jack’ Needham, 2nd Earl of Kilmorey:

The 2nd Earl of Kilmorey. He came at a much-higher resolution in real life. Image: public domain

Kilmorey was one of those aristocratic gads-about-town, with money to burn, wagers to contend, and women to woo. He briefly served as an MP and a sheriff but, otherwise, the first half of his biography might be abridged as “a catalogue of sporting anecdotes”.

The defining moment of his life came in 1843 when the Earl, then aged 56, eloped to France with his ward Priscilla Anne Hoste (aged 20). This was scandalous. Not because of the age gap, but because Kilmorey was already married to Jane Gunn-Cunninghame (though they had long ago separated).

They soon returned to England but, for the sake of unmarried propriety, dwelt in adjacent houses. The controversial couple would not, however, live happily ever after. Priscilla suffered from a heart condition and began to slip away. When it became clear that she would not recover, the Earl commissioned the elaborate tomb, designed to one day hold both their bodies. Priscilla passed away on 21 October 1854 and was placed within the sepulchre.

The Earl would live another 26 years, remarrying yet regularly returning to the tomb. It would, in June 1880, become his final resting place, too.

The wandering tomb

I say “final resting place”, but with the Kilmorey tomb you never can tell. Its current site in St Margaret’s is actually the fourth location in which it has stood.

The tomb, designed by Henry Edward Kendall, was put together at the Alexander MacDonald’s works in Aberdeen, making use of local pink and grey granite. It would have been assembled at the firm’s yard, to check all the pieces knitted together properly. It was then disassembled and shipped down to London.

The Earl initially had it erected in Brompton Cemetery in 1853, just in time to receive the earthly remains of Priscilla the next year. Here it stood close to the similar, though smaller, tomb of Hannah Courtoy, which my good friend Stephen Coates would have you believe is a working Victorian time machine.

The Courtoy tomb. Image: Matt Brown

I think Stephen’s chasing the wrong tomb, however. The Courtoy mausoleum has remained stationary since it was erected in 1854. Kimorey’s monument could not sit still for a decade before it was transported, Priscilla and all, to Woburn Park near Weybridge in Surrey, some 17 miles away. The Earl had bought a new house, and wanted his late mistress to move in with him… well, into the garden at any rate.

Here, the partially corporeal couple remained for a little more than a decade. Kilmorey remarried in 1867. His new wife Martha must have been a very understanding woman, to accommodate her husband’s obsession with his ensepulchred mistress. When they moved to St Margaret’s in 1868, the tomb came with them.

(See also: London buildings that have moved around)

According to legend, the Earl had a tunnel built between his house and the parcel of land where the mausoleum now stood. This seemed to be one of those “ha, pull the other one” stories until, in 1966, the passage was rediscovered.

There’s more to say about the Earl and the many women in his life. Andrew George has written a brief account of Kilmorey here, while Daisy Pullman has discovered much about Jane, Priscilla and Martha. But I think it’s time we stepped into the tomb…

Tomb with a view

Time Machinists await their turn in the Kilmorey Mausoleum. Image: Matt Brown

You don’t need to be a stonemason to appreciate the craftsmanship of the Kilmorey Mausoleum. Its slanted granite walls are solid and sleek, and look like they could withstand a nuclear blast. Granite is a tough stone. Carving those elaborate Egyptian patterns must have taken much effort. The Earl spent £30,000 on it, which the National Archives currency converter suggests would be worth about £2.5 million today.

The door is made of bronze and weighs a tonne. Even so, it swings with ease upon its 170-year-old hinges — another testament to the craftsmanship. Now, I’ve never stepped inside a tomb before, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when that door opened. This was my first glimpse:

Image: Matt Brown

Yes, that’s an actual coffin. The 2nd Earl of Kilmorey lies within. Meanwhile, Priscilla’s older coffin is to the right of the door, and has fared rather the worse over the years:

Image: Matt Brown

Yikes! Fortunately, Priscilla’s remains are contained in an inner-coffin, and cannot be seen through the gap.

The other object of interest within the tomb is this exquisite marble bas-relief:

Image: Matt Brown

Carved by the noted Rome-based sculptor Lawrence Macdonald, it shows Priscilla on her deathbed. The Earl holds her hands, while their son Charles looks forlornly at his stricken mother. Above, an angel points the way to heaven… or perhaps Weybridge.

The chamber is bathed in a ethereal yellow light, issuing from four stars in the ceiling.

Image: Matt Brown

It’s coincidence, but I like to think that they symbolise the four resting places of the Kilmorey Mausoleum: Aberdeen, Brompton, Weybridge and St Margarets. As final resting places go, they don’t get much grander than this.

Our visit over, we leave the tomb and the walled garden and cross the road to the wonderful Ailsa Tavern, which claims to have remnants of Kilmorey’s tunnels in its cellar. Here we raise a toast to the Earl, Priscilla, their wandering tomb, the Habitats and Heritage charity who look after the mausoleum, and to our wonderful guide Andrew George, who made our visit possible.

Want to see inside yourself? The mausoleum holds annual open days when the public can see inside. It is also sometimes open as part of September's Open House Festival.

My thanks once again to Andrew George, who has written a couple of short books about the mausoleum.

Image: Matt Brown

What's it like to float over London just a little higher than the Shard?

We recently received an invitation to fly over the capital in the Goodyear Blimp. There is only one word of reply to an invitation like that, and it is "Squuueeeeeeeeeeeyesplease!".

The Goodyear Blimp has been flying in one form or another since 1925. It's a familiar non-fixture in the skies over major US sporting events and other celebrations.

Regent's Park from the Goodyear Blimp. Image: Matt Brown

It has flown over England on numerous occasions before. The first time was in 1972, when it visited the famous Cardington airship hangers in Bedfordshire. It's since returned for at least two royal weddings, a cup final and the 1985 Live Aid concert at Wembley, and was last over the Thames in 2022.

The blimp casts a shadow over Woolwich Common. Image: Matt Brown

For 2026, the blimp has returned to mark the Fourth of July week (Goodyear being an American tyre and rubber brand, of course). They chose a particularly good week, with clear skies and bright sunshine. We were able to get some spectacular shots of the capital in all its parched summer glory.

The blimp casts a shadow across Somerset House. Image: Matt Brown

Our flight took off from Damyns Hall Aerodrome, to the extreme east of the capital in the London Borough of Havering. Ascent is smooth, quick and much quieter than in a helicopter (though the three engines do make a reasonable hum). We immediately headed south to the QEII Bridge and Rainham, before following the Thames west into central London.

Have you ever seen the Changing of the Guards from above? Image: Matt Brown

The passenger cabin is small, with room for about a dozen people. There is no door between the passenger area and the pilots' seats, and we were able to chat to the crew throughout.

This is one of four Goodyear blimps. It is the only one not based in America, and usually spends its time in the south of Germany. Flying over London is something of a novelty for the crew as well as the passengers.

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Image: Matt Brown

From on high, we watch the sleek shadow of the airship pass along the roads below. Each time it envelops a vehicle, we wonder if the driver is startled into looking up, to see our 75-metre-long craft passing overhead. Most Londoners will never have seen a Goodyear blimp over their city before.

Charing Cross station. Image: Matt Brown

Except for take-off and landing, we are free to roam the cabin, taking shots from any of the wide windows. Two of them open, allowing reflection-free photography. There's even a toilet with a view — like the one in the Shard but even higher.

Image: Matt Brown

Goodyear blimps are, the pilot reassures us, about as safe as an aerial vehicle can be. They have three engines, and can still function on only one. Even if that fails, the craft will remain buoyant, and can be brought down gradually by releasing ballast. Their semi-rigid frames are inflated with helium (non explosive). This is kept at low pressure, so small holes would not cause the blimp to burst or whiz around like a party balloon.

Kensington Gardens and Palace. Image: Matt Brown

The ride is smooth, with only occasional light turbulence from what little wind there is. I'm impressed at how green London is from above, whether parks, gardens or open fields. Even the centre has a wealth of greenery thanks to the many mature street trees.

Image: Matt Brown

We make a turn near Battersea Power Station and head back along the river. Before returning to base, we take a few turns around the QEII Bridge. The two giant shopping centres of Bluewater and Lakeside stand like commercial fortresses on the edges of Kent and Essex, respectively. Nearby, I spotted the actual historic fort of Tilbury.

Tilbury Fort in Essex. Image: Matt Brown

We return to land after about two hours in the air. Two unforgettable hours and several hundred photographs. Passengers are offloaded in pairs, and replaced by two newcomers, to maintain optimal buoyancy during passenger loading. Incredibly, the blimp lands, changes passengers, and takes off again all within about five minutes.

Image: Matt Brown

What an incredible experience it was. Very few people get to fly in the Goodyear Blimp, and I am infinitely grateful to all at the Goodyear company who made it happen. Thank you!

The author, doffing his cap above the Shard. Image: Matt Brown

Prawn on the Lawn closes on Friday 10 July. Image: Kake ., Creative Commons

Islington seafood restaurant Prawn on the Lawn will shuck its last oyster this Friday, after its owners announced it is closing for good.

Established in 2013 by Katie and Rick Toogood, the fishmongers/small plates restaurant — a stone's throw from Highbury & islington station — was celebrated for its ever-changing menu of fresh fish, given an Asian/Mediterranean twist. A 2017 Guardian review described Prawn on the Lawn as "delight after delight".

The last day of opening is this Friday (10 July), after which the restaurant will shut up shop. It's not all bad news though: Prawn on the Lawn has expanded to three locations (Prawn on the Lawn, Little Prawn, and Barnaby's) in trendy Padstow, Cornwall, and these will remain open.

Say Katie and Rick Toogood: "London was our very first opening and will always be a special place for us. This feels like a celebration and a marker of everything we've achieved during this chapter of our lives. We want to say a huge thank you to our guests and everyone we’ve worked with along the way — it's been incredibly touching and emotional to reflect on it all.”

The Young V&A is free entry. © David Parry courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London

On a tight budget but need ways to entertain the children during the school holidays?

We hear you, and to that end, have compiled a guide to completely free kid-friendly places to visit and things to do in London over the summer break — so you can enjoy a family day out without spending too much. You can even take a packed lunch along to some. As for bypassing the gift shop... that one's on you.

Read on to plan your free family days out this summer, and take a look at our complete guide on things to do in London in the summer holidays for more ideas.

Free London museums to visit with children

Dinosaurs a-go-go at the Natural History Museum. Image: Matt From London

Us Londoners are lucky in that many of our biggest and best museums are free to visit — though most do accept (and encourage) donations to help with their upkeep, so consider dropping a couple of quid in the box if you can.

You can visit historic artefacts, world-famous paintings, dinosaurs and planes, without paying a penny — and, crucially, you'll stay dry and warm whatever the weather. Do note that although entry to these museums and their permanent collections is free, there may be a charge for special events and temporary exhibitions. There's often quite a queue to get into some of these during school holidays too, so it's worth booking your (free) entry ticket in advance.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: Probably London's most famous family museum, not least because of the dinosaurs. Best spots in the Natural History Museum for kids are the Dinosaur Gallery (the animatronic T-rex is a favourite, though we have seen it scare younger kids), the Mammals Gallery with its stuffed animals, and the Volcanoes and Earthquakes Gallery, featuring a simulator recreating the effects of the 1995 Kobe earthquake. The Earth Hall escalator (pictured above) is pretty damn cool too, and might even elicit a 'wow' from the most stubbornly unimpressable of teens. Plus, the museum has new gardens, complete with dinosaur, ideal if the weather's on your side. There's a picnic space on the lower ground floor.

SCIENCE MUSEUM: Next door to the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum has several big hitters of its own: planes, a prosthetic arm and the semi-recently revamped Space Gallery. The museum also has two picnic areas, on levels -1 and 3, so bring sandwiches if you like.

YOUNG V&A: The V&A's Bethnal Green London outpost, Young V&A was designed specifically for younger visitors when it reopened in 2023, so is the better option for summer holiday excursions. It's centred around three zones (Play, Imagine and Design), with plenty of interactive elements, from sandpits to a finger skateboard park, and with exhibits designed for babies through to teenagers. Nostalgic elements like a Kermit the Frog toy from the 1970s/80s are likely to impress parents and grandparents too.

Get stuck into space at the Science Museum. Image: Matt From London

HORNIMAN MUSEUM: Specialising in both natural history and cultural artefacts from around the world, the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill is exactly what a museum should be. Full of glass cabinets with fascinating things to look at, but plenty to make it appealing to younger visitors, and small enough that nobody gets bored/tired. Aromatic herbs used by Bhutanese ritual healers in the Himalayas, and intricate kites from Afghanistan are among the objects in the World Gallery, while the Music Gallery is home to all manner of unusual instruments. Note that the Natural History Gallery — home to the famous overstuffed walrus — is currently closed; instead make time to visit the gardens for spectacular views towards central London. The Horniman also has a free Octonauts Adventure trail (until November 2026).

LONDON MUSEUM DOCKLANDS: Sister venue of the currently closed London Museum, London Museum Docklands is based in a former sugar warehouse. Permanent displays cover topics including the history of this very building, as well as the Docklands during the Second World War, and London's links to the slave trade. Likely to be most popular with youngsters (and, if we're being completely honest, ourselves) is Sailortown, a recreation of a London district close to the Docks, complete with cobbled street, shopfronts and even a pub.

BRITISH MUSEUM: An absolute behemoth of an institution, the British Museum can be overwhelming even for adults. Thankfully, there's a special Families Desk (open weekends and school holidays), where visitors with children can pick up trails and activity packs to keep little ones entertained. Enter via the main entrance, go through to the Great Court and turn left to find it. Alternatively, explore the museum's 60+ galleries by theme, depending on what they're studying at school — Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and Sutton Hoo all have their own dedicated spaces.

LOCAL MUSEUMS: You might have a museum closer to home than you realise. Most boroughs and/or towns have their own museum, usually showcasing local history — and many are free to visit. You'll see the remains of a Tudor palace in one such museum, and some defaced books with a fascinating backstory in another. Finding out what happened in the past in their own local area might be just the ticket for getting the kids hooked on history.

Free days out in London with children

There's no entry fee for Kenwood House . Image: Jack Calverley

KENWOOD HOUSE: English Heritage property Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath offers free entry to everyone. If you've not been, it's a rather magnificent villa, formerly home to a Prime Minister, a Lord Chief Justice and a Russian Grand Duke — and now housing paintings by the likes of Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals. There's a special trail aimed at 5-11 year olds, with activities to take part in as they explore the house, particularly in the Housekeeper's Room. Once you're done with that, head outside; Kenwood is set in 112 acres of grounds — plenty of space to let off steam or settle down for a picnic. Beyond that is the vast expanse of Hampstead Heath.

FULHAM PALACE: Another place that feels-like-it-shouldn't-be-free-but-is, Fulham Palace is the former home of the Bishops of London. The palace itself is petite and fairly modern inside, with a museum spanning a few small rooms, plus a great hall and chapel. A brief introductory video is filled with enough trivia to interest most youngsters, and you could easily rush through the building in about half an hour if they lose interest. Once outside, the real fun begins: a large lawn sits beyond the palace, with plenty of space for running and playing, and there's a natural play area over to one side.

FREE VIEWING GALLERIES: A slew of free viewing platforms and galleries have opened in recent years, a result of the monumental growth of the London skyline. The Sky Garden in the 'Walkie-Talkie' is the best-known such space, now joined by Horizon 22 on Bishopsgate, The Garden at 120 on Fenchurch Street, The Lookout on Bishopsgate and The Post Office Building in Holborn. One New Change is usually a good bet too. Although they are free, visits to some of these places need to be booked in advance, with tickets made available a few weeks at a time.

Free culture for kids in London

Efectos Especiales is part of GDIF 2026. Image: GDIF

Keen to enjoy live music, theatre or cinema as a family, but on a budget? A few places put on entertainment for free:

SUMMER BY THE RIVER: Taking place on the south side of the Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, Summer by the River is a festival of free entertainment. Not everything on the programme is suitable for children, but there are several family-friendly film screenings, including Cars and a Wicked sing-along.

GDIF 2026: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival is a free programme of open-air performances spanning theatre, dance, circus and installations. 2026 will see three world premieres, five UK premieres and 10 London premieres. Among the events announced so far are Efectos Especiales, which uses cinema and live performance to take audiences behind the scenes of an action film set, and the perennially popular Greenwich Fair in Greenwich Park. 21 August-6 September

Free play areas for children in London

No unaccompanied adults in this central London playground. Image: Londonist

LONDON PLAYGROUNDS: For budget-friendly energy burning, you can't beat a free playground — and we know where the best swings, slides and roundabouts in central London are. Our own Little Londonists have tested out the majority, and we've mapped them, so you can always find your nearest, whether you're after a quick pitstop on the way to or from somewhere else, or want to make a whole day of it. Particularly special is a central London playground close to the British Museum, Postal Museum and other attractions, which adults aren't allowed to enter unless accompanied by a child.

PLAY FOUNTAINS: If the weather's looking decent, pack a towel and a change of clothes and head for one of London's play fountains. Parents can find a spot nearby to sit and supervise while kids dash in and out of the water, cooling down and wearing themselves out in the process. A win-win situation.

Plenty of London museums have their own indoor play areas and spaces, though as far as we know, the only one that's free is Ahoy! at the National Maritime Museum.

Get outdoors for free in the summer holidays

Image: Canary Wharf.

PARKS: From Royal Parks to wild heathlands and open fields, London's chock-full of delightful green spaces, ideal for family walks, games, picnics, wildlife spotting — and generally getting out into the fresh air. Have a read of our guide to London's parks and green spaces and see how many you can tick off over the summer.

MILLENNIUM MAZE: Ever heard of the Millennium Yew Maze? Truth be told, we hadn't until a couple of years ago, but it's been sitting (and growing) in Brent Lodge Park for over 20 years, offering an arboreal labyrinth for visitors to get lost in, with no entrance fee. It has a viewing platform along one side, so parents/carers can keep an eye on exploring offspring, and a wooden tower in the middle where victorious adventurers can survey the path they've trodden. There's a free playground just a few steps away, and if you can spare a few quid, Hanwell Zoo is an excellent way to spend an hour or two (adult £5/child £4).

FREE MINIGOLF: How competitive is your family? Go head-to-head in a round of crazy golf, at a pop-up course in Montgomery Square, Canary Wharf. Minigolf by Craig & Karl is a colourful course in situ just for the summer, with clubs and balls available for free from the stewards on site. Top tip: The London Museum Docklands (mentioned above) is just a 15-minute walk away, if you want to make a day of it. Until 27 September 2026

WALKING ROUTES: Explore a new corner of London — or get to know your own area a bit better — on a walk. We've put together some walking routes to help get you out and about in the capital this summer, without needing to part with any dosh.

All a-beered! For one day only, south-east London is getting a free pub shuttle bus.

"We're all going on a Summer Holiday — to pubs!"

On Saturday 18 July 2026, an open top vintage bus service will loop its way around three south-east London pubs of repute (indeed they all feature in our 100 Best Pubs in London roundup): the Green Goddess in Blackheath, the Shirker's Rest in New Cross, and the Rusty Bucket in Eltham.

With Stephen from the Green Goddess at the wheel (he's a former bus driver), and Deserter duo Andy and Vince chipping in as conductors, it's bound to be a hoot — and what's more it's free. (The bus that is, not the beers.)

Says the Green Goddess: "It's often joked about the 286 and 53 buses being the unofficial shuttle buses between our respective public houses so we thought why not put our own bus on!"

Get your (free) ticket stamped at all three pubs to be entered into a prize draw.

The vehicle — a 1970s DMS2 127, and former Whipsnade Zoo tour bus — will run to an afternoon/evening timetable ("subject to traffic and shirking") visiting each pub four times. Each hostelry offers an excellent range of drinks (beers in particular) and will be doing food, as well as pouring a commemorative 'Shirk, Rust and Pray' pale brew. Passengers are also allowed to drink on the bus — take that, TfL.

One more bonus: if you get your (free) bus ticket stamped at all three pubs, you'll be entered into a prize draw.

The Shirker's Rest is one of the three sublime pubs on the route.

This really is shaping up to be the summer of the antique double-decker: other opportunities to hop aboard include Imberbus on Saturday 15 August and free Heritage Open Days rides on Saturday 13 September

Shirk, Rust and Pray vintage bus pub crawl, Saturday 18 July, free. Children and dogs welcome on the buses (kids' curfew at the Rusty Bucket is 7pm; Shirker's Rest and GG don't have one).

Brixton Village and Market Row have been listed as Assets of Community Value. Image: Matt Brown, Creative Commons

Brixton Village and Market Row have been listed as Assets of Community Value, following a suggestion that private equity firms were about to purchase them.

In June, we reported that the Brixton Traders and Community Association's (BTCA) had discovered it only had a few days to make a credible bid on the covered markets (collectively Brixton Market), with unnamed private equity firms champing at the bit to buy up the sites. The concern was that the markets would be taken out of community control, with independents ousted for larger chains in pursuit of higher profit. Almost 40,000 people subsequently signed a 'Buy Back Brixton' petition.

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The application for the Asset of Community Value — which was lodged by the Stour Trust — grants the local community more rights to help take greater control over the sites, including giving them the legal right to purchase, with six months to put together a bid.

Cllr Martin Abrams, the Leader of Lambeth Council, said: "This is a big step forward for the campaign for community ownership which aims to safeguard Brixton's heritage, and I am pleased the council has swiftly taken this important step."

The fight, of course, is far from over: figures in the region of £50m have reportedly been offered for Brixton Market, and some serious investment will be required. As the Lambeth Council video above says: "The hard work starts now."

Pack a picnic and enjoy summer in London.  Image: Kyrie Isaac

Finding the perfect picnic spot in London is both an art and a science. You need somewhere spacious enough to lay down your blanket; ideally it needs to be close to either shops or transport links (preferably both) so you're not lugging your edible treasure for miles. Toilets nearby are a good idea. If you've got kids, you'll need space for them to run around (and as fully-grown adults, we're partial to a picnic game of rounders or frisbee too). Also, you'll probably want somewhere with a decent view (because let's be honest, you haven't gone to all this trouble to stare at a brick wall).

With all that in mind, here are a few of our favourite picnic spots in London. Of course, the list could never come close to being exhaustive, and you may well have additional suggestions.

Picnic on Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath

Picnicking with views? It's got to be Parliament Hill. Image: Chesdovi, Creative Commons

For a green space with iconic London views, Parliament Hill is hard to beat. Lay your picnic blanket somewhere on the south-facing grassy slope (nearest station: Gospel Oak) and gobble up views of the London skyline as you scarf down your sausage rolls. Crucially, it's predominantly grass and trees around here, no flowers to attract those pesky wasps.

The higher you ascend the gradual incline, the better the views, and though there are a few benches scattered along the top, they're highly-coveted, particularly on fair-weather days. That said, the bottom of the slope is closest to the Parliament Hill Playground (one of London's more impressive free play areas, with splash zone included) and those all-important public toilets, so might be a better spot if you've got kids.

Also nearby is the Parliament Hill Lido, ideal if you fancy swimming a few laps there, followed up by lunch with a view on the hill.

Picnic on Primrose Hill, Camden

Phwoar, what a view! Image: Timur Valiev, Unsplash License

Offering similar views to Parliament Hill, but closer to central London, Primrose Hill centres around the eponymous mound, with ample grassy slope for spreading out and making the most of the views, whether you're planning an intimate picnic for two, or a larger group gathering.

The nearby Regent's Park Road, with its villagey high street vibes, has a few places where you can stock up on supplies — or take a diversion via Gloucester Avenue for sweet treats from the Primrose Hill Bakery.

A playground, cafe and public toilets can be found at the flatter grassy area at the bottom of the slope. Nearest station is Chalk Farm, around a 10-minute walk away, and the 274 bus stops at the bottom of the hill.

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Picnic with Persian ice cream

In need of some frozen treats to complete your al fresco feast? We enjoy a Mr Whippy as much as the next person but in London you can do SO much better. Darlish has artisanal ice cream parlours close to several picnic hotspots, serving up gloriously dense and unapologetically indulgent scoops in a variety of unique, Persian-inspired flavours.

Top of the list to try? Saffron, rosewater and pistachio (a truly sublime combo that’s a classic in Iranian cuisine but has, until now, flown scandalously below the radar here). We’re also big fans of Darlish’s Turkish coffee, sweet cream and sour cherry, and candied orange and pistachio-bejewelled orange blossom flavours. There are some top-tier vegan options too, from coconut and raspberry ice cream to sour cherry sorbet. Oh, and – forgive us for burying the lede here – you’re welcome to forgo the traditional cone or pot in favour of a baklava ice cream sandwich.

You’ll find Darlish in Bloomsbury (close to both Bloomsbury Square and Russell Square), Spitalfields (pick up some other bits in Spitalfields Market while you’re there and then simply stroll down Brick Lane to Allen Gardens), and Notting Hill (a short cycle to Kensington Gardens). There are also parlours further afield, at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire and in St Albans. Darlish is even on Deliveroo so, depending where you’re headed you just might be able to get sharing tubs delivered pretty much to your picnic blanket. Talk about luxury!

Picnic at Victoria Embankment Gardens, Charing Cross

Victoria Embankment Gardens is an excellent central London picnic spot. Image: Marathon, Creative Commons

Probably London's most central picnic spot if you class Charing Cross as the centre of London, Victoria Embankment Gardens are a beautiful location to while away an afternoon, the flower beds always offering a riotously colourful background. It's a popular lunch spot for nearby office workers, with a generous number of benches, and plenty of grass available if the benches are taken.

The sliver of park nudges up alongside the Thames around the back of The Savoy, and along the river on the other side of Northumberland Avenue too, handily located for picking up a few nibbles at the cafes and shops of Strand and surrounds (personally, we're fans of Gordon's Deli on Villiers Street which offers the likes of scotch eggs, pork pies, and ready-made picnic boxes). The eastern end of the park has a couple of cafes of its own, too.

A Changing Places toilet is located close to Embankment station, with further toilets inside Charing Cross National Rail station (though note the closure of this station in summer 2026). A small playground featuring swings, a short slide and a wooden ship can be found at the eastern tip of the garden, though if you've got older kids, or you're planning to spend a long time here, it might not be enough to keep them entertained. The diminutive size and slender shape of the park makes other games tricky.

Picnic in Bloomsbury Square

A picnic spot just around the corner from the British Museum. Image: William J Sisti from Morristown, NJ, USA, Creative Commons

Right along the street from the British Museum, Bloomsbury Square is a small park with a smattering of benches around the edges, and picnic-worthy grass dotted with mature trees in the centre. Popular with local workers on their breaks, but it also has a small playground in one corner, suitable for toddlers and younger children.

A couple of minutes walk away, Russell Square is a larger garden square. No playground here, but there is a popular Italian cafe in the north-east corner.

Note that neither Bloomsbury Square nor Russell Square have public toilets, but there are plenty of nearby pubs and the British Museum, whose loos you might sneakily use.

Picnic in Brent Lodge Park, Hanwell

Brent Lodge Park is home to a free maze. Image: Londonist

Around 10 minutes walk from Hanwell station on the Elizabeth line, and part of Section 8 of the Capital Ring Walk, Brent Lodge Park is home to a wealth of riches for a day out: a (FREE!) maze, a cheap zoo, a magnificent viaduct... and plenty of space for picnicking.

Most of the action takes place in the centre of the park: right between the zoo and the maze are a free playground, public toilets and The Burrow cafe, ideal for any picnic bits you might have forgotten. Further out, the park — which in encircled by the River Brent on two sides, if you fancy a riverside picnic — has ample fields and meadows where you can laze around to your heart's content.

A small and busy car park is available within the park, but don't bank on getting a space on a summer day.

Picnic at Thames Barrier Park

Thames Barrier Park is noted for its undulating hedges, but it also has plenty of flat picnic spaces. Image: Matt Brown

So you want a riverside spot, without the hustle and crowds of, say, Victoria Embankment Gardens? Thames Barrier Park is just a couple of minutes away from Pontoon Dock on the DLR, and ticks all the picnic boxes: views of the water (and the Barrier which gives the park its name), plenty of grass among the trees for setting up your feast, a children's playground, and a cafe with public toilets.

Beyond the flat grass, the park is home to some of the most interesting arboreal architecture in London, the 'Green Dock'. The sunken garden runs diagonally across the park, with wave-shaped topiary imitating the water nearby, and two footbridges crossing it to give you a bird's eye view.

Picnic in Battersea Park

Battersea Park sits right alongside the Thames. Image: maggie jones., Creative Commons

For river views from the other side, Battersea Park is your place. It offers several large open fields (though they're often used for sports, so check before setting up your picnic) alongside a selection of themed areas, including a winter garden, a subtropical garden and a herb garden, as well as a boating lake, a bandstand and a peace pagoda. In short: everything any self-respecting park needs. Toilets and the playground are in the south-west corner of the park, with further toilets just outside the children's zoo. Our favourite spot is the Russell Page Garden, a sunken fountain garden surrounded by a veritable army of benches.

Picnic at Allen Gardens, Shoreditch

Allen Gardens offers an alternative to London's bucolic picnic parks. Image: Simon from London, United Kingdom, Creative Commons

For a more urban take on picnic surroundings, head around the back of Brick Lane to Allen Gardens (a 10-minute walk from Shoreditch High Street station). The modestly sized park is close to Spitalfields City Farm at one end, with London Overhground trains whizzing past nearby, and the art from nearby "Graffiti Alley" spilling out onto the park's own walls. Meanwhile, Brick Lane is just a hop to the left.

Picnic at St Dunstan in the East

Enjoy a picnic in the remains of a church. Image: Donnchadh H, Creative Commons

Probably London's least secret so-called "hidden gem", St Dunstan in the East is an atmospheric garden set among the bombed-out ruins of a Wren-designed church. A wealth of benches offer City workers and picnickers somewhere to eat their lunch, though there is a small patch of grass for picnic-blanket purists. The interesting fauna and beautiful setting more than make up for the lack of facilities (no cafe/toilets, though there are plenty of coffee shops and the like nearby in the City). Another 'quirky' spot in the Square Mile is Postman's Park, which has a relatively large green space, and the famous 'wall of heroic sacrifice', with public toilets not too far away in Paternoster Square.

Picnic at Beckenham Place Park

Lakeside picnicking in south-east London. Image: Peter Trimming, Creative Commons

Fancy combining your picnic with a spot of open-water swimming? Beckenham Place Park is home to London's first purpose-built swimming lake, a 285 metre long body of water with bookable swimming and paddleboarding sessions (best done before you tuck into your lunch). Plenty of open grass and woodland areas are available for laying down your picnic rug, including a lawn overlooking the lake.

A cafe, toilets and more formal gardens can be found inside the stableyard of Beckenham Place Mansion (which itself often opens for events including craft markets). The park offers two playgrounds (though one is currently closed — updates here), as well as three different nature walking trails wending through the woodland (they're at their best in bluebell season) ideal for working up an appetite, as well as a bike trail. All this is easily accessible via Beckenham Hill or Ravensbourne National Rail stations.

Picnic at Brockwell Park

Image: stevekeiretsu, Creative Commons

South London's greatest park? It has to be a contender, what with the City views, miniature railway, playgrounds, varied landscape and, of course, the famous lido. Herne Hill station (Thameslink) is right alongside, as are numerous bijou cafes and shops.  

Picnic at Crystal Palace Park

Image: Matt Brown

Another great 'all-rounder' choice, Crystal Palace Park has views, gentle slopes, cafes, toilets, playgrounds... a maze, dinosaurs, and more history than you could shake a stick at (it's got lots of sticks, too). It's easily reached via Windrush line trains. And if you fancy a bit of a kickabout, know that 20 FA Cup finals were staged in the park during the early 20th century.

Picnic at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

The QEOP is huge, with ample picnic opportunities. Image: Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, Creative Commons

From industrial wasteland to cultural hub within a couple of decades, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a huge open space in east London offering ample facilities: playgrounds, cafes and restaurants, rivers and waterways, public toilets... not to mention a couple of massive museums.

For picnicking, you can stick to the lively southern end of the park (nearest stations: Stratford and Hackney Wick) where paths lined with benches criss-cross grassy areas. Picnic with views of landmarks including the ArcelorMittal Orbit and the London Stadium.

Alternatively, walk further north through the park for wetlands, woodlands, open meadows, and up into Hackney Marshes (or even further up into the Lee Valley Regional Park, closest station Lea Bridge). One of the best places to feel like you're in the countryside, without leaving London.

Picnic in Epping Forest

Space galore in Epping Forest. Image: PAUL FARMER, Creative Commons

Speaking of countryside in London — and Essex — Epping Forest is basically one large picnic spot, from open glades to shaded woodland clearings, though many are far from public transport so best accessed if you have a car. Particularly popular is the High Beech area surrounding High Beach Visitor Centre and car park, which is largely forest and woodland.

Picnicking in London's Royal Parks

Richmond Park has ample space for picnics. Image: Simon Wilkes, Unsplash License

What about the Royal Parks, you ask? With the exception of Primrose Hill, we haven't mentioned them above as they're already well-known and incredibly popular picnic spots in the capital, offering ample space, wildlife, and facilities such as public toilets, playgrounds and cafes/refreshment kiosks. Check out the Royal Parks website for further info on all of them, from the green pockets of central London to the sprawling wilderness of Richmond Park out west, and the gentle slopes of Greenwich Park to the east (head to the One Tree Hill end to avoid the tourist scramble).

Mapped: London's best picnic spots

We've put the above together into this handy map, so you can find your nearest place to plonk downw your picnic rug and make a day of it:

Image: Robert Lamb, Creative Commons

The surprising connections between London and Norway.

We've all heard of Tooley Street, the characterful road that slots between the Thames and London Bridge station. But did you ever wonder about the name? Turns out it's Norwegian.

Tooley Street is a corruption of St Olave's Street. Try saying it fast. It comes out something like S’Tooley Street. We can see this gradual change from Olave to Tooley on old maps.

St Olave's was a prominent church on the south bank, next to London Bridge. Here it is in the 16th century 'Agas map', where it's labelled as St Tovolles.

Image via Layers of London.

The St Olave remembered in the church's name, and in Tooley Street, was Olaf Haraldsson, an 11th century King of Norway. Before he became king, Olaf/Olave/Olav helped Æthelred the Unready to recapture London from Danish forces. According to legend, Olaf's men tied ropes to the piers of London Bridge, then pulled away until the span collapsed, thereby weakening the defenders who had heavily fortified the bridge.

The history is murky, but Olaf's Thames adventure possibly formed the origins of the nursery rhyme 'London Bridge is Falling Down'.

Olaf went on to become not only a King in his own right, but also a Saint, thanks to his work in converting Norway to Christianity. At least five London churches were dedicated to his memory, including the one beside London Bridge and the one to the east of the City noted for its connections to Samuel Pepys.

This was arguably Norway's most important contribution to London's history, but the Scandi nation has always held close ties with the capital.

🇳🇴 Another medieval figure who loomed large over London was Cnut, famous for commanding the tides to recede (probably apocryphal), and his lewd anagram potential. Cnut was Danish rather than Norwegian. However, he later went on to unite Norway with his other Kingdoms in England and Denmark under one 'North Sea Empire'. Cnut captured London in 1016, and was crowned King of England here the following year.

🇳🇴  As a neighbouring country and maritime power, there would always have been some Norwegian presence in the bustling port of London. These communities needed churches, and they were well served by various iterations of a St Olaf. The current Norwegian church stands in Rotherhithe and was consecrated in 1927.

The Norwegian church, St Olaf's (with a Bifröst in the background?). Image: barry.marsh1944, Creative Commons

🇳🇴  Timber from Norway was a major plank of London's imports for centuries. From the 19th century, wood was shipped in to a dedicated basin in the Surrey Commercial Docks in Rotherhithe. Most of those docks have since been filled in, but a remnant of Norway Dock survives, now surrounded by housing.

🇳🇴  Another import was ice. During the 1850s and 60s, ice cream pioneer Carlo Gatti imported huge blocks, which were sailed across the North Sea, up the Thames and along the Regent's Canal to his ice wells in King's Cross. (You can still seem them at the London Canal Museum.)

🇳🇴  Norway was invaded by the Nazis in 1940. Many political figures escaped and fled to London, where they continued as a Government in Exile. King Haakon VII led the government from his residence in Kensington (there's a blue plaque). They met regularly in Norway House near Trafalgar Square, where a golden Olav still gazes out:

Image: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, Creative Commons

🇳🇴  Meanwhile, another plaque inside what is now the Supreme Court in Whitehall records the use of the building as a courthouse by the Norwegian Government in Exile, along with four other violated nations.

Image: Matt Brown

🇳🇴  Every year, Norway sends London a Christmas tree as a thank-you for assistance in the Second World War. This is the one erected in Trafalgar Square each December, to both acclaim and ungrateful sneering.

🇳🇴  Another, lesser-known 'thanks for the support' gift can be found all-year-round in Hyde Park. Here, just south of the Ranger's Lodge, stands a lump of pre-Cambrian granite, sent from Norway after the war in commemoration of naval ties.

Image: Matt Brown

🇳🇴  The Beatles recorded their most intricate ballad, Norwegian Wood, at Abbey Road Studios. The track included a sitar — the first time the instrument was played on a western record — which was bought on Oxford Street. According to Beatles lore, the title is a reference to cheap Scandinavian panelling, then in-vogue, including in the London bedroom of Peter Asher (brother of Paul's girlfriend Jane).

🇳🇴  Speaking of the Beatles, a short walk from Paul McCartney's St John's Wood home is the much-lauded Oslo Court Restaurant, which comedian Matt Lucas chose as his Desert Island Discs luxury. Not much doing in the way of Nordic food, alas; it's classic French fare here. Your best bet is ScandiKitchen.