Turning the Tide is one of countless riverine events taking place across September. Image: Catherine Yass/Becky Bailey

Totally Thames — London's annual celebration of everything riverine — is back this September. Here, we dip our toe into the cultural waters, to bring you our pick of events.

Hosted by the Thames Festival Trust, Totally Thames runs across 20 boroughs (including the City) from 1-30 September 2026. It's awash with exhibitions, performances, art installations, boat trips, walks, talks and more — all designed to help you learn about, and appreciate, the Thames. London's multitude of other rivers, docks, and beaches are celebrated too.

The Great River Race returns on 12 September. Image: Hannah Smiles

Here's a smattering of happenings that've caught our eye:

🌊 Kayaking for Beginners at Kew Bridge (5-6 Sept): Newbies to kayaking can take to the water with the help of Chelsea Kayak Club experts, at these Kew Bridge taster sessions.

🌊 Culture Cargo (5-19 Sept): The sailing barge SB Raybel is transformed into a floating venue, staging live music, conversations and more as it flits from Gravesend to St Katharine Docks to Royal Docks.

🌊 Scratching Out a Living: The Medieval Female Proletariat (12 Sept) Laura Agustín takes you on a walk along the Thames, where you'll 'meet' six medieval women — scullery maid, victualler, laundress, alewife, sex worker, huckster — who once worked and lived here.

🌊 Sing For Water (12 Sept): Over 40 choirs join forces to form a 'super choir', singing a repertoire of (we assume) water-themed songs at the Oxo Tower Courtyard.

Helen Epega presents multisensory, site-responsive opera, Where the River Holds Us. Image: Dele Oluwayomi

🌊 Great River Race (12 Sept) 250+ boat crews compete in this extraordinary marathon along the Thames from Millwall to Richmond.

🌊 Ganga Aarti on the Thames (13 Sept): This free afternoon/evening out at Greenwich's Old Royal Naval College features food, music, live entertainment and cultural celebration inspired by Indian traditions, culminating with a Ganga Aarti, a traditional ceremony of light giving thanks to the river.

🌊 Turning the Tide (17-20 Sept): The columns of the disused Blackfriars Railway Bridge become a canvas for Turner Prize-nominated artist Catherine Yass' installation, which makes visible Deaf/deaf and disabled people, and is created in partnership with disabled-led theatre company Graeae.

🌊 Where the River Holds Us (27-28 Sept): Helen Epega presents this multisensory, site-responsive opera, which blends music, storytelling and audience participation, inviting us to explore our relationship with water, climate and place.

Totally Thames, London-wide, 1-30 September 2026. Some events are paid-for, others are free. Find out more on the official website.

Free things to do in London this week.

Entertain the kids at a free Playday. Image: Coram's Fields

Walk The Line

A reminder that The Line — a walkable free art trail stretching between North Greenwich and Stratford — invites you to complete as much (or as little) of it as you fancy, admiring installations by the likes of Rasheed Araeen, Gary Hume, Abigail Fallis, Madge Gill and Yinka Ilori. What's more, every weekend throughout the summer, a cohort of friendly Youth Guides is scattered along the trail, happy to engage in a chat, and impart further insights into the artworks.

All summer.

The Solar System in Kingston

If you happen to be around Fairfield Recreation Ground in Kingston with the kids this summer, there's a chance keep them distracted for a while, with To the Moon & Beyond: Kingston's Solar System Walk. Stuck up around the park are information sheets on the Sun, Moon and various planets — providing a fun and free way to get steps in, while brushing up on stellar stats.

Until 30 September.

Summer Screens

There are two chances to catch a film at the free Canary Wharf Summer Screens open-air cinema this week.

Make like it's summer 2023, with Greta Gerwig's Barbie on Tuesday evening. Margot Robbie stars as the eponymous toy steps into the real world and gets a reality check. As for Ryan Gosling? He's just Ken.

Then on Saturday morning, there's a family screening of Pixar film Wall-E, about a lonely robot who falls in love.

4 and 8 August.

London meets Goa

Image: Marcio Menino Fernandes

Willesden Gallery, located within Willesden Green Library, opens a new exhibition on Tuesday, showcasing portraits from daily life in both London and Goa. Daily People is the work of London-based artist Marcio Menino Fernandes, and celebrates the diversity of our city through quiet moments and everyday faces.

4-16 August.

Coram's Fields Playday

The annual Coram's Fields Playday — taking place on Wednesday — sees families invited into the Bloomsbury park for a free day of activities celebrating Article 31 of the United Nation's charter on the Rights of a Child, which states every child has the right to play. Trampolines, an inflatable obstacle course, a stage, a sports zone and a reading corner are all part of the event, which also marks an impressive 90 years since Coram's Fields opened.

5 August.

Pocket Garden Sessions

Rising Shropshire songwriter Danny Griffiths brings his indie-alternative anthems to the riverside for a free lunchtime concert on Thursday. Part of the Summer by the River programme, the performance takes place in the Putting Down Roots Pocket Garden near Morgan's Lane. Catch a lunchtime set from an emerging artist known for big, melodic hooks.

6 August.

Get a free beer on Friday (details below). Image: Guinness

London's odd traditions

We're huge fans of the bizarre rituals and ceremonies which take place in London every year. If you are too, head to Guildhall Library on Thursday afternoon for a free talk about the capital’s many fascinating customs and observances.

6 August.

Japanese film screening

Watch a free screening of documentary Bon-Uta: A Song from Home, which follows residents of Fukushima who were displaced by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of 2011. The film — which is screened at Japan House London (Kensington) on Thursday — looks at the potential loss of their centuries-old Bon dance traditions as a result of the displacement.

6 August.

Free Guinness

To mark International Beer Day on Friday, the Guinness Open Gate Brewery London in Covent Garden is giving away free brews (craft, pint of Guinness or pint of Guinness 0.0). Head to the on-site Old Brewer's Yard pub from 12pm, and if you're among the first 100 people to order, your beer is on the house (of Guinness).

7 August.

Sun yourself on a south London rooftop. Image: Costa Del Croydon

Upgrade Yourself

Somerset House hosts Upgrade Yourself Festival, a free two-day event for 16-30 year-olds hoping to work in creative industries. Rather than a traditional careers fair, it's a chance for young people to connect with industry experts through workshops, mentoring sessions and creative activities.

7-8 August.

Costa Del Croydon

A pop-up beach once again appears on a car park rooftop in central Croydon — ideal for free summer holiday entertainment. Feel the sand between your toes in a giant sand pit, try bungee trampolines, a water splash zone... and, new for 2026, adults-only evenings on Thursdays. Who needs Brighton anyway?

7-31 August.

Thamesmead festivities

Image: Stephen Chung for Peabody

The free Thamesmead Festival pitches up on the banks of Southmere Lake on Saturday. Four stages are filled with local performers showcasing their talents, spanning R&B, soul and rap music — and headlined by 10-piece collective Natalie Williams & the Soul Family Band. Also happening: craft workshops, kids' entertainment, a local market and loads more.

8 August.

Family fun in Paddington

To mark the launch of a new Paddington-themed Monopoly board, a free Family Fun Day is being thrown in Norfolk Square Gardens, featuring live music, face painters, a helter-skelter, family-friendly inflatables and a giant Mr Monopoly you can have your photo taken with.

8 August.

Art in the Park

Take the family to Windmill Gardens, alongside Brixton Windmill on Sunday, for an afternoon of free al fresco crafting. Art in the Park is a chance to take part in various craft workshops including paper flower making, t-shirt painting, junk plants, nature collages and kaleidoscope making. Different activities are available for children, adults and families, so the event is suitable for all ages.

9 August.

Some serious monkey business went down in London late in 1926. Image: Matt Brown/Bob Brewer via Pexels

Yes, you did read that right. The hijinks-laden escapade of 13 monkeys — all members of a travelling 'jazz band' — really did happen in London, 100 years ago.

The place: Notting Hill. The time: Friday 19 November 1926. Thieves break into the premises of 'amusement caterer' Mr T Murphy on Latimer Road. They're about to get more than they bargained for.

Spying a wooden, coop-like structure, they crack open the door, expecting a hen or two to waddle out. Instead, out pour 13 more-than-cheeky monkeys. The alarmed thieves scarper. So do the monkeys – making for the rooftops, then on to nearby Latimer Road station, where they entrench themselves beneath the railway arches/platform.

The monkeys, by the way, are pro musicians. In town for an engagement at the World's Fair, to be held at the Agricultural Hall on Christmas Eve. Reports do not suggest they take their instruments with them as they flee. (When you're on the lam, a drum kit is not your best friend.)

One monkey broke into a confectioners, troughing a pound of peppermint creams. Image: Phil Beard, Creative Commons

Keeping up with the rambunctious escapades of the monkeys isn't easy — especially as newspapers give slightly differing reports as to their names, crimes and whereabouts. But in a roundabout way, here is what unfolds:

🙊 From their makeshift Latimer Road lair, the escapees sally forth with all manner of monkey business — frightening old ladies, breaking into homes, yanking off roof tiles, tearing down curtains and making frequent raids on grocers' shops and stables ("One this morning was observed sitting on a horse's back"). Snookums, a cymbalist, helps himself to cigarettes. The drummer, Jennie (or Jenny or Jeannie, depending which report you read), ransacks a local sweetshop, troughing a pound of peppermint creams. She is caught soon after by "an old army man who had been in Singapore and understood monkeys".

🙊  The mood is not so humorous as it is threatening. Any attempt to approach the monkeys is met with a volley of banana skins and nutshells. One monkey finds a tobacco pipe and "puffed this while he gazed with scorn at his would-be captors." Another — or perhaps the same psychotic simian — "clutched at a hammer and brandished it with threatening intent."

🙊 Three of the sax players head to Notting Hill Gate station, where they take up residence and hurl chunks of wood at children.

🙊 "Smart little trumpeter" Issacs lets himself into the bedroom of a Mrs Harris of Mersey Street and her baby, almost scaring the former to death. "Issacs," writes the Province, "has already established a reputation for 'frightfulness' in the area".

🙊 Another monkey plays Santa, by sliding down a succession of chimneys (well it is almost Christmas). A woman taking tea spots the be-sooted monkey on her dresser and faints, the tea tray crashing to the floor. The monkey nicks a slice of bread then scarpers back up the chimney. "Another woman who has lived with her window open for ten years," writes the Courier and Advertiser, "has now nailed it up".

🙊 Reports from startled locals files steadily into police stations: "Latimer Road indeed has an endless supply of jungle tales." Mr T Murphy receives bills left, right and centre for everything from stolen chocolates to broken crockery, It's a wonder he doesn't suffer a nervous breakdown.

A photo of one of the captured primates (which one exactly we're not sure). Image: British Newspaper Archive

🙊 A group of the monkeys (reported as seven, but possibly six otherwise the figures don't add up) get hungry and bored, and are easily lured back to their cages.

🙊 Two more monkeys are captured the next day, as is Issacs.

🙊 That still leaves four: Bimbo, a drummer; cymbal crasher/cigarette snatcher Snookums; Sandy (specialist instrument unknown); and Franko, the band's leader — a dab hand with the baton, and described by the Daily News as "a saxophonist with ambitions for a cabaret career in the West End". Franko is worth over £100, and the show can't go on without him, says Mr T Murphy. A £25 reward is offered for his capture.

🙊 Some 20 people are now part of the hunt for the remaining fugitives: station staff, police, livid shopkeepers, bounty hunters. Traps are set, but the monkeys are wily/quite violent. The press know a good story when they see it. "I went monkey hunting in Notting Hill yesterday," writes an excited reporter for the Daily News.

🙊 Snookums is eventually captured, although not before an acrobatic display around Latimer Road station, which crescendos with him biting the hand of his captor.

🙊 Franko is spotted jumping on the roof of a Paddington-bound train (some say he boards the train), before vanishing into the night.

🙊 Meanwhile, Mr T Murphy receives a telegram from Tom Norman, a travelling showman at the Saracen's Head in Rugby:

Monkey captured here this morning, after doing considerable damage, for which I shall expect you to pay. Am sending him passenger to Euston.

It's Bimbo! In RUGBY ffs! And Norman has managed to bag him up in a sack, and send him back to London. Writes the Guardian: "The monkey, looking cold and crestfallen, struggled vigorously when the guard led it on a chain to the Parcels Office. It took three porters to hold it down while press photographers secured a 'snap'".

🙊 Fears grow that Franko and Sandy may have perished from exposure. But then, on 27 November, the Daily Express reports that Sandy has demonstrated that very morning that such reports are exaggerated, "by sitting on a pile of logs in a wood yard... and hurling lumps of wood at the custodian." Classic Sandy.

🙊 After this, the reports peter out. Was Sandy ever captured? And what became of Franco? We like to think that, as the Lancashire Daily Post suggested, he made it to Paddington and the Cornish Express, on which he journeyed to the softer climes of the English Riviera, living happily ever after. Hard to swallow perhaps, but then so too are the previous 1,000 words.

Your weekly roundup of Londonist news and features.

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Notting Hill Carnival 2026 Guide: When, Where And How To Do London's Caribbean Festival

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The Tube Looks Tiny At This Model London Underground Exhibition

All aboard... oh hang on, we won't fit.

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London Month Of The Dead - A Spine-Chilling Array Of Events

Lots of things happening by candlelight 🕯️

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1746 In Colour: To The Edge Of The East End

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How To Navigate The BBC Proms 2026 Like A Pro

The best shows still to come at this year's festival. (sponsor)

Explore The Hellfire Caves Of West Wycombe

Sir Francis Dashwood would make a fine Bond villain.

How To Ride A London Bus In The 1830s

Including a ban on manspreading from two centuries ago.

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The Great River Race 2026: The London Marathon... But On The Thames

Passing beneath 28 bridges.

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What Is The Laver Cup? A Guide To The Unique Tennis Tournament Coming To London This September

Rivals become teammates at this star-studded event. (sponsor)

See These New Weaver Line Mosaics At Bethnal Green Station

The latest arty roundels to hit the network.

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What It's Like Being Woolwich Ferry's First Woman Captain

Emma Lewis didn't step on a boat until she was 21.

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Shed Heaven: London's Best Sheds And Huts

(Doesn't include branches of Pizza Hut.)

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London Podcast Festival 2026: Wrong Turns, No Such Thing, And Beef And Dairy Network

Veritable audio orgy.

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Brompton Cemetery Comes To Life With This Annual Open Day

It's free, too.

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Looking Ahead: Things To Do In London This Week: 3-9 August 2026

The top events happening in London over the coming days.

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Rounding up the best new pub openings from the past year or so.

Pubs are struggling. No question. We read about old favourites closing all the time. It's not quite a story heading in only one direction, however. New pubs open, too, and some of them are very good indeed.

Below, we've rounded up some of the better openings from the past year or so, including a handful of reopenings. We'll aim to renew this list every six months or so.

The Black Cap, Camden Town

The Black Cap, 171 Camden High St, NW1 7JY

Image: The Black Cap

Not so much a new pub as a welcome return for one of north London's most celebrated LGBTQ+ pubs. The Black Cap closed down in 2015 amid much acrimony. Fortunately, a vociferous community campaign led to the Black Cap's reopening in March 2026. Once again, the joint sparkles with drag bingo and karaoke sessions — and if you have a particularly good night here, you can even book a room.

The Black Eel, Dalston

The Black Eel, 41 Kingsland High St, E8 2JP

Image: Matt Brown

You *think* you're going to booze in an old pie-and-mash shop... and you are. But the Black Eel has hidden depths. Progress through to the back rooms and you'll find an assortment of handsome drinking spaces, plus a games room and a sizeable rear garden. One of the best new openings of recent times.

The Golden Tooth, Stoke Newington

Golden Tooth, 79 Green Lanes, N16 9BU

Image: Matt Brown

Arguably a restaurant with a pub tacked on the front, the Golden Tooth is a follow-on project for chef Matthew Scott, who wowed the crowds with London Fields restaurant Papi. The GT's drinking area is, however, also very welcoming, with around a dozen tables, a hearty range of kegs up on the chalkboard (no cask), and Dexy's Midnight Runners followed by ELO on the speakers. Great vibe.

Hand and Marigold, Bermondsey

Hand and Marigold, 244 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UH

Image: Matt Brown

What a charmer this place is. Independently owned (well, in a microchain with the much-loved Trafalgar in Merton), the H&M stocks an ever changing range of cask from small breweries. The interior looks like a survivor from the early 20th century, but it's mostly (good) pastiche.

The Horsemen, Broadgate

The Horsemen, 1 Broadgate, EC2M 2QS

Image: Matt Brown

Ostensibly an 'American-Irish' pub, but any cultural niceties are lost in the mega-scrum for the bar. As Broadgate's only proper pub (the White Horse is now closed), this place can get decidedly busy of a weekday evening. Come a little earlier, though, and you can enjoy a pleasantly wooden bar with prominent Guinness taps reminding all and sundry that this is supposed to be an Irish pub.

Mary Wollstonecraft

Mary Wollstonecraft, 181 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UL

Image: Matt Brown

A slim, attractive bar, not unlike the nearby Auld Shillelagh in layout. The offering is very different, however, with a veritable xylophone of fun keg choices, and an octet of cask, mostly from small breweries. There's a bit more space in the garden out back, which was in use for a wedding on our visit... hence no photos. The pub is, of course, named after the early feminist writer and mother of Mary Shelley, who started a boarding school down the road in Newington Green, which also boasts an unusual sculpture/statue of the writer.

Ninety One, Brick Lane

Ninety One, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL

Image: Matt Brown

Having opened earlier this year inside the former Brewmaster's House on Brick Lane, Ninety One already boasted an enviable courtyard for summer sips. Now it's teamed up with the Jamaican/Turkish mash-up maestros of Jurkish, to serve dishes like plantain hummus and curry goat manti. They even do a twist on the Sunday roast. The main area manages to feel simultaneously like a bar and a classic pub, with cosy corners circling the more open-plan floor in front of the bar. Fun place.  

The Pocket, Upper Street

The Pocket, 25 Canonbury Lane, N1 2AS

Image: Matt Brown

Widely feted since its opening in March 2025, The Pocket has quickly established itself as one of London's best pubs. This is hardly surprising, seeing as it's from the same team behind the Southampton Arms in Gospel Oak, long held as the gold standard in craft ale pubbery. The Pocket is an utter joy for beer (or cider) fans, with two dozen options on keg and cask. And it's bigger than it pocket-sized, too, with plenty of space at the back and an upstairs room.

The Stranded, Strand

The Stranded, 430 Strand, WC2R 0JR

Image: Matt Brown

Strand has always been a bit lacking in pubs, bar the wonderful Coal Hole and the George. The Stranded has more of a bar feel about it, but it does serve proper fancy beer, and comes from the same people as the Euston Tap and the Jackalope, so gets the nod in our book. Expect a strong range of continental lagers and ales, leading on variations of Budvar.

The Trafalgar, Chelsea

The Trafalgar, 224-226 King's Rd, SW3 5UA

Image: Matt Brown

King's Road really needed a good pub. The Cadogan Arms looks gorgeous, but also feels a bit cliquey and exclusive. The Trafalgar, converted from an old NatWest banking hall, definitely has the touch of 'posh' about it, but the place is very open and friendly. A side room handles the gastro-seekers, but the main bar is a glorious drinking space, easily the best in the area. Also: Harvey's on cask... you don't see that very often in this here London.

Walham Green, Fulham

Walham Green, 472 Fulham Road, SW6 1BY.

Image: Matt Brown

A poke in the eye to anyone who's snobbish about Wetherspoons, Walham Green is one of those must-visit pubs with heritage aplenty. Built into the former Tube ticket office, the place is a time capsule of old rail paraphernalia. All this with Wetherspoon prices (Ruddles £1.99? Yes please), and we have a winner. The chain has opened numerous other bars recently, notably at Waterloo, London Bridge and Paddington, but this is the only one to write home about.

The Wild Swan, Holborn

The Wild Swan, 99 Fetter Lane, EC4A 1BT

Image: Matt Brown

Hard to credit it when you step in the door, but this is a completely new build. The pub is simultaneously modern and fresh, yet also somehow olde-worlde. Not sure how it pulls the trick off, to be honest. The pub is tied to Yorkshire brewer Thornbridge, and thereby has an exotic (to us Londoners) range of cask ales. If the downstairs is busy, try the well appointed room upstairs.

Coming soon...

Benjamin Franklin, a new Wetherspoon's at 11 Strand (24 November 2026). The website makes it sound like the pub will be in Franklin's old house on Craven Street, but it's actually in a modern-ish office building.

The Hero’s Return, Pink Floyd-themed pub at Battersea Power Station (late summer 2026)

Kong, a Chinese-style pub in Norton Folgate, on the site of the Water Poet (late 2026)

Piccadilly Hall, a giant Wetherspoon's on Shaftesbury Avenue (13 October 2026)

Talli Queen, Indian pub in Shepherd's Bush (late summer 2026)

Image courtesy First Rail London

Four new community roundels have been installed at Bethnal Green station.

Head over to Bethnal Green station (the Overground one, not the Underground) and you'll find that it's been decorated with four eye-catching roundel mosaics.

Each one was pieced together at community workshops with contributions "from babies as young as six months old to residents aged 85".

The mosaics are inspired by the Weaver line, which runs through the station and is itself named for the rich textile history of the area. Look closely at the artworks and you'll see numerous references to Huguenot weavers, bobbins, warps, wefts and looms.

Image courtesy First Rail London

The roundels also weave in references to other features of the area, such as Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, the Museum of Childhood and even local bus routes. Some of the tesserae namecheck local notables such as textile designer Anna Maria Garthwaite and boxer Daniel Mendoza.

The project was overseen by Maud Milton of Artyface, who has created mosaic roundels for numerous Overground stations. This batch were created with the help of First Rail London (who operate the Overground on behalf of TfL), Good Shepherd Mission and Young V&A.

Image courtesy First Rail London

These are such joyous objects, which not only look gorgeous but also involve local communities. We can only hope that similar creations one day beautify every station on the network.

Dodgy stuff definitely went on in these tunnels, though nobody is really sure quite what. Image: Matt Brown

If you're looking for a family-friendly attraction that used to host subterranean sex romps and pagan rituals, then Buckinghamshire's Hellfire Caves tick every box.

I recently bumped into Benjamin Franklin deep beneath the Chilterns.

On their way to a Stygian orgy? Image: Matt Brown

There goes the Founding Father on the right, accompanied by Sir Francis Dashwood, the man who had the caves excavated in the 1750s. The facsimile statesmen may simply be inspecting the caves, or they may be on their way to a Stygian orgy. Dodgy stuff definitely went on in these tunnels, though nobody is really sure quite what.

Today, the caves are a superbly atmospheric visitor attraction, extending a quarter of a kilometre under the chalk of the Chilterns. They offer a spooky but family-friendly experience, with plenty of dark corners to explore and information panels to read. But rewind 250 years and who knows what you might have stumbled upon down here...

The soft chalk walls are covered in graffiti and carvings of various date. Image: Matt Brown

Saucy parties

Sir Francis Dashwood was a wealthy aristocrat, politician and notorious party animal who lived in the nearby West Wycombe mansion. It was he who had the caves excavated. Why? Officially, this was an act of local philanthropy. Dashwood paid farm labourers to dig out the chalk, which was then used to build a new road connecting West Wycombe to High Wycombe, at a time when poor harvests had left many villagers without work.

But the dark knight had a hidden agenda. Dashwood used the newly excavated tunnels as a meeting place for his infamous club, the Order of the Friars of St Francis of Wycombe, later dubbed the Hellfire Club.

We don't know exactly what they got up to in the caves, but fragmented accounts speak of pagan rituals, drunken orgies and Bacchanalian behaviour. Ben Franklin was an occasional visitor, though there's no evidence he personally got up to any naughtiness.

The 'Inner Sanctum', presumed to be a site of pagan ritual. Image: Matt Brown

There's little evidence, indeed, about anything that happened in the caves. The Hellfire Club was, after all, a secret society whose members included some of the most powerful men in Georgian Britain. The women involved are thought to have been willing courtesans, but we can't be sure something darker wasn't going on down here. It's a lingering misgiving as I explore these shadowy caverns with my family.

Spooky corners

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the caves have an otherworldly feel. Image: Matt Brown

The interpretation boards, perhaps wisely, focus more on the lives of the workers who dug these tunnels, as well as the Dashwood family estate, and the supposed supernatural happenings in the caves. We're told that at least two spirits are thought to haunt the space, and learn that the 'Most Haunted' TV show spent a productive night down here in the Noughties.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the caves have an otherworldly feel. They are entirely manmade, so twist and turn with mysterious purpose. Occasionally, you'll be met with a choice of ways, but everything connects up in the end:

The interpretation boards, perhaps wisely, focus more on the lives of the workers who dug these tunnels. Image: Matt Brown

Occasionally, the narrow passages open out into voluminous caverns, most impressively the 'Banqueting Hall', where Dashwood and Co. enjoyed the pleasures of Dionysius and Venus. The barred niches around this room are thought to have been used as spaces where the lusty could enjoy some privacy.

Supposedly the largest manmade chalk cavern in the world. Image: Matt Brown

Elsewhere, we encounter a water feature dubbed the 'River Styx', though candidly it's more of a puddle than a river. No need to pay the ferryman a silver coin; you could cartwheel across it.

The caves take roughly 45 minutes to explore in full, perhaps a bit longer if you read every interpretation board. The site also comes with a small cafe and gift shop housed in this suitably ominous forecourt:

Image: Matt Brown

You could, however, easily spend the day in the area. Above the caves stands the hexagonal mausoleum of the Dashwood family — a fortress-like hexagon that dominates the hillside. The views are majestic, and you won't find a better spot for watching the ubiquitous red kites hovering and swooping over the Chilterns.

Dashwood Mausoleum. Image: Matt Brown

Next-door is St Lawrence's church, also built to the whims of Dashwood. Its famous tower supports a huge golden ball, which was another reputed meeting place for the Hellfire Club. With his secret caves, dodgy dealings and golden meeting rooms, Dashwood would make a fine Bond Villain.  

Image: Matt Brown

The mausoleum hill and surrounding lands are criss-crossed with footpaths and enjoyable walking routes. Meanwhile, at the foot of the hill, is West Wycombe Park and Hall, Dashwood's old pile now in the care of the National Trust (though family members still live on site). Note that it's only open for three hours a day.

Nearby, and beside the main car park, is the lovely Walled Garden cafe, which is well geared up for families, with playground and softplay.

Hellfire Caves and surrounding attractions are in the village of West Wycombe, a short cab ride (or hour's walk) from High Wycombe station. Several car parks can be found in the area, including a large one next to the Walled Garden at HP14 3AP

See Tube trains in miniature. Image: Les Chatfield via creative commons

A chance to see scaled-down Tube trains do their thing.

You might already know about King's Cross' Model Railway Club (MRC). We visited in 2023 (watch our video further down in this article), and even if you're not altogether au fait with your OO gauges or Tenshodo coreless motor bogies, it's magical to admire the functioning layouts — each one thousands of painstaking hours of passionate craft in the making.

On Sunday 6 September 2026, things take a decidedly London-centric turn, as the MRC teams up with the London Underground Railway Society for London's Transport in Miniature.

At this special one-day exhibition — which anyone can attend (it's £10 if you buy tickets in advance) — you'll see various layouts including the fictional/semi-fictional Waddesdon Manor, Carlton Vale and Lammas Lane. Made by the likes of people with names like 'Underground Eric', the sheer attention to detail has to be seen to be believed.

The club's flagship Copenhagen Fields — an interwar reimagining of the area to the immediate north of King's Cross, complete with with street running trams in Caledonian Road and both Piccadilly line stations at York Road and Caledonian Road — will be on display. Check out a few images of what to expect on the website.

Snacks and drinks will also be available to buy.

London’s Transport in Miniature at the Model Railway Club, 6 September 2026, 11am-4pm

Adapted from a feature that first appeared in August 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.

A cartoon from 1831 lampooning bus travel. Image on display at London Transport Museum, photographed by Matt Brown

Should you ever find yourself miraculously transported back to pre-Victorian days, then you will assuredly want to ride on one of the new-fangled London omnibuses, recently introduced by Mr George Shillibeer (see the previous article).

These early buses came with their own codes of conduct, just as today we all habitually stand on the right-hand side of escalators and give up our seats for those in greater need (well, some of us do).

In January 1836, The Times codified these rules for their readership. Here they are, with my own comments in square parentheses.

The Laws of the Omnibus

The omnibus could get a little cramped. To reduce conflict, a set of norms and courtesies developed. This engraving is from 1859, some 30 years after the first omnibuses. Image: Public domain

1. Keep your feet off the seats.
[Still a good one to observe. In the 1830s, feet would have been all the dirtier, thanks to a preponderance of horse dung.]

2. Do not get into a snug corner yourself, and then open the windows to admit a northwester upon the neck of your neighbour.
[To this day, I occasionally hear cries of ‘can you shut the window please’ on the top deck in wintertime.]

3. Have your money ready when you desire to alight. If your time is not valuable, that of others may be.
[A forerunner of the message played in Tube elevators that reminds us to have ‘Oyster Cards, tickets and PAYG cards ready for the barriers’. Omnibuses, it seems, charged passengers at the point at which they got off.]

4. Do not impose on the conductor the necessity of finding you change; he is not a banker.
[Typical fares were a shilling or 6d. Most passengers would have coins to these values in their purse. Bank notes were not normally used for day-to-day transactions at this point.]

5. Sit with your limbs straight, and do not let your legs describe an angle of forty-five, thereby occupying the room of two persons.
[Is this the first description in recorded history of manspreading?]

6. Do not spit upon the straw. You are not in a hog-sty, but in an omnibus, travelling in a country which boasts of its refinement.
[If this vehicle is so refined, you might ask, then why is there straw on the floor in the first place? It functioned as a renewable floor covering, which could be swept out and replaced once it had got too claggy with mud and horse dung. Spitting was not uncommon in Regency and Victorian times thanks to high rates of smoking and snuff use. I suspect that the sooty fogs of the age would also have irritated the airways, encouraging a surfeit of phlegm.]

The Victorians were not known for succinctness. This verbose ‘No Spitting’ sign is from a railway, but similar signs might have appeared on the omnibus. Image: Matt Brown

7. Behave respectfully to females, and put not an unprotected lass to the blush because she cannot escape from your brutality.
[Shudders.]

8. If you bring a dog, let him be small and confined by a string.
[Lapdogs only. Early omnibuses could be cramped spaces, so not an acceptable domain for a mastiff. Modern London buses allow dogs of all shapes and sizes, but they must be kept on a lead and off the seats.]

9. Do not introduce large parcels; an omnibus is not a van.
[Worth remembering if you were going to try and sneak your friend on in a crate.]

10. Reserve bickerings and disputes for the open field. The sound of your own voice may be music to your own ears—not so, perhaps, to those of your companions.
[A rule still observed to this day on the Tube, where even the most nugatory comment is frowned upon. Silence is golden. Not so on the buses, where you’re now almost guaranteed an intense auditory experience on the top deck.]

11. If you will broach politics or religion, speak with moderation; all have an equal right to their opinions, and all have an equal right not to have them wantonly shocked.
[Can we have that one over on social media today, please?]

12. Refrain from affectation and conceited airs. Remember you are riding a distance for sixpence which, if made in a hackney-coach, would cost you as many shillings; and that should your pride elevate you above plebeian accommodations, your purse should enable you to command aristocratic indulgences.
[The 19th century equivalent of moaning that the Piccadilly line is not as swish as the Heathrow Express.]

1929 replica of an 1829 Shillibeer omnibus, at London Transport Museum. Image: Matt Brown

Modern Omnibus Law

Given that these instructions are now approaching their 200th birthday, it’s high time that someone updated them. Here, then, are my rules for catching a bus in 21st century London:

1. Do NOT form an orderly queue at the bus stop. That is for provincials. Instead, stand where you will, and examine your phone until the bus arrives.

2. If your bus is taking a long time, do not consume 50 bottles of Smirnoff and arrange them mysteriously in groups of five behind the bus shelter… unless you’re in the village of Bedfont near Heathrow, where this seems to be a thing:

Image: Matt Brown

3. DO say hello to the driver. It gives them an enormous sense of wellbeing to ignore you completely, but at least you made the effort.

4. Do not try to pay with cash. It is an unheard-of commodity on the London bus. Travel cards will work, but you’ll immediately mark yourself out as a tourist. Even Oyster cards and debit cards are passé these days. Smartphone or smartwatch payments are the overwhelming norm.

5. Do not offer to show your ticket to the conductor. No London bus has employed a conductor for decades. If you do see a conductor, then either you’ve just consumed 50 bottles of Smirnoff, or it’s a ghost.

6. Select a seat somewhere towards the middle-back. The options nearest the driver are for those who most need a seat. The benches nearest the middle doors are for those looking after buggies or wheelchairs. The back seat is reserved for troublemakers. This leaves just a handful of seats, and so you may want to head upstairs.

7. If heading upstairs, stay as far from the back as you can. The rear five rows are typically taken by passengers who like sharing their music with the whole bus.

8. The front-top seats are reserved for younger passengers who might “pretend to drive the bus”.

9. The bus will inevitably pause five minutes from your destination “to regulate the service”. It is expected that you will emit a mild groan at this juncture.

10. Always ring the bell if you’d like the bus to make a stop. Without a bell, drivers will studiously not stop, and will even accelerate if they can see that people are agitating to get off.

11. Shout “Thank you driver!” as you effect your egress. This once neglected custom has seen a resurgence in London in recent years. And, despite my joshing, bus drivers are among the great unsung heroes of London, and deserve our thanks.

The ill-conducted Conductor

A horse-drawn double-decker from much later (circa 1890) at the London Bus Museum (actually in Surrey at Brooklands). Image: Matt Brown

In 1841, The Times followed up their Omnibus Laws with two new lists. One set out the behaviours of a ‘well-conducted conductor’ and the other essayed the habits of an ‘ill-conducted conductor’. The first list is essentially a ‘good’ version of the second, so here I reproduce only the six hallmarks of the bad busman:

An ill-conducted conductor…

1. Always bawls out “Bank—Bank—City—Bank—Bank—Bank—City—City—Bank—Bank—Bank!” by which disgusting noise his own lungs are injured, the public peace is disturbed, and not any advantage gained.
[Modern buses are pretty good at giving out just the right amount of information. “The next stop is…” and “This is the 107 service to New Barnet”. The Tube, however, still favours an exhausting onslaught of safety messages. See it. Say it. Sorted.]

2. Always bangs the door so violently that if you are sitting next the door you are likely to be deafened for life.
[No such thing as automatic hydraulic doors in the early Victorian period. Manual slam-doors only. I am old enough to remember slam doors on trains, however.]

3. Never provides any check-string, but compels the passengers who want to be set down to use their sticks, canes, and umbrellas, and loud shouts into the bargain, thereby creating a most intolerable nuisance.
[The check-string was a simple mechanism whereby the pull of a cord would ring a bell, alerting the driver to stop… much like the buzzer-bells on modern buses.]

4. Always takes up and sets down his passengers in the middle of the street; by which rudeness they are sometimes bespattered with mud and always exposed to danger.
[Some omnibuses had check-strings on either side of carriage; passengers would pull the appropriate string to indicate which side of the road they would like to set down on. This was possible because doors were typically at the back of the bus, rather than on one side.]

5. Always stands at the door of the omnibus staring in upon the passengers, particularly after he has been eating his dinner of beefsteak, strong onions, and stale beer; and generally has some cad or other crony standing and talking with him. The air that would otherwise circulate through the omnibus, in the way of ventilation, is obstructed and poisoned.
[London’s buses have their problems today, but I think we can all be grateful that the menace of the beefy-breathed conductor haunting the rear window is a thing of the past. The engraving near the top of this article shows one such man.]

6. Always bawls out “All right!” before the passengers have taken their seats, by which gross carelessness, great inconvenience and even danger are often occasioned.
[This still happens today. We’ve all been on buses that have moved off before new passengers have sat down, only for a tumble to ensue. I’ve seen it happen to a parent carrying a baby.]

This is a sponsored article on behalf of BBC Proms.

Summer in London means many things, but to music lovers one thing trumps all else: the BBC Proms season.

The BBC Proms 2026 are now under way. The iconic First Night of the Proms, a celebration of prog rock, and a sizzling set by the Spanish National Orchestra are among the concerts you've already missed this year.

But hold your FOMO: with a tantalising six weeks left of this year's Proms, there are dozens of shows — and hundreds of magical moments — still to come. We're here to help you narrow down the choices and perfect your Proms experience.

A little primer for those not familiar with the set-up: The BBC Proms is a (predominantly) classical music festival with more than 80 shows taking place between July and September. The majority are at London's most iconic music venue, the Royal Albert Hall (incredible acoustics, and quite the looker too!).

Seats for individual shows start from just £12.20 when booked in advance. Or you can get on-the-day Prommer tickets* for just £8 — that's cheaper than a round down the pub! With a Promming ticket in hand, you can choose between soaring views from the gallery, or the electric atmosphere down in the arena, up close to the performers.

Prom 55: Stravinsky and Prokofiev with the Oslo Philharmonic

Here's a melodic earful of what we're looking forward to over the coming weeks:

🎻 Elder Conducts Weber's Oberon (6 August): A fresh take on Weber’s final opera — first performed 200 years ago — with the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, Monteverdi Choir and star soloists adding a sprinkle of wit to this chivalric fantasy of shipwrecks and magic horns, conducted by Sir Mark Elder.

🎻 Evelyn Glennie and the Fantasia Orchestra (11 August): Only at the BBC Proms would you hear music by Duke Ellington, Antonín Dvořák, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Radiohead (plus myriad others) performed in a single show. Grammy Award-winning percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie joins the Fantasia Orchestra and BBC Singers to do the honours.

🎻 Swedish Chamber Orchestra: Beethoven and Baroque (16 August): We're in classic BBC Proms territory, as the Swedish Chamber Orchestra and Maverick clarinet virtuoso Martin Fröst takes the audience through a programme of Rameau, Hans Ek, Handel and Bach, peaking with Beethoven's Symphony No. 7.

🎻 The Met Orchestra plays Strauss (26 August): All the way from New York, the Metropolitan Opera's Met Orchestra and Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin team up with celebrated South African soprano Elza van den Heever to dedicate an evening to Strauss, including the final scene of the composer's Salome.

Prom 52: The Met Orchestra plays Mahler

🎻 The Met Orchestra plays Mahler (27 August): Making their journey across the pond worthwhile, the Met Orchestra returns for a second night, joined by Joyce DiDonato for a rousing rendition of Mahler's Rückert-Lieder.

🎻 Ultimate Calm (27 August): A rather special and intimate late-night experience at the Royal Albert Hall, to chill you out just in time for the bank holiday weekend: Scottish composer Erland Cooper and special guests perform a concert of classical and ambient music inspired by Radio 3 Unwind's Ultimate Calm series. Aaaand breathe.

🎻 Altın Gün (28 August): A swerve away from the classical music for which the BBC Proms is known, as Dutch-Turkish psychedelic rock band Altın Gün join forces with special guest Derya Yıldırım, Jules Buckley and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

🎻 Stravinsky and Prokofiev with the Oslo Philharmonic (29 August): Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and the Oslo Philharmonic join maverick virtuoso Patricia Kopatchinskaja for Stravinsky's Violin Concerto, alongside Øyvind Torvund's symphonic poem Forest Morning and excerpts from Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet.

🎻 Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust (30 August): An international cast of soloists, including American tenor John Osborn, Gerald Finley and Véronique Gens join Jakob Lehmann and period-instrument group Les Siècles in a concert performance which brings to life Berlioz's Dramatic Legend.

Prom 54: Altın Gün

This is all just a taster of what's still to come at this year's BBC Proms. We recommend hopping over to the BBC Proms website, checking out the full programme — and booking anything that takes your fancy before it sells out. Whatever you're into, you'll find something that takes your fancy: Bond theme tunes, classic Disney scores, a tribute to Marvin Gaye and a barn-storming celebration of American music are also on the bill.

BBC Proms continue until 12 September 2026, with seats available from just £12.20.

*Promming tickets are standing, though there are accessible Promming options.

The Beef and Dairy Network is in town. Image: © Kings Place/Viktor Eric Emanuel

For anyone who ever said podcasts were a fad, the 11th edition of the London Podcast Festival lands in King's Cross this September, with 11 days of tantalising live shows.

Taking place in Kings Place from Thursday 3-Sunday 13 September 2026, the festival is a heady mix of appearances from some of the biggest names in British podcasting, covering trivia, gardening, history, film... Below are some of the shows to get excited about.

🌳 Outsiding: Caitlin Moran and Adam Frost come indoors for a change, for a recording of the nature-embracing Outsiding. The cosy-cast provides practical gardening tips, seasoned with Moran's insatiable wit. Previous guests have included Bob Mortimer and Kerry Godliman. (4 Sept)

🧥 Wooden Overcoats: This P.G. Wodehouse-flavoured sitcom set in a funeral home records an all-new episode, the enticingly-titled Rudyard On The Moon. (6 Sept, online stream also available)

😂 Wrong Turns: Jameela Jamil celebrates everything that's gone to pot for her and her guests, with humiliating stories and anti-inspiration aplenty. (11 Sept)

No Such Thing As A Fish return, this time with Drop Me a Line. Image: © Kings Place/Viktor Eric Emanuel

👩🏾 Black Prose: Yolanthe Fawehinmi heads up this podcast in which she speaks to Black journalists, authors, songwriters and rappers. In this live recorded episode, there's a five-minute writing exercise plus an audience Q&A. (12 Sept)

🐟 No Such Thing As A Fish: Podcast deities the No Such Thing gang receive a LOT of audience feedback — so much so, in fact, they've created a spin-off show, Drop Us A Line — which they're doing live. (12 Sept, online stream also available)

🐂 Beef and Dairy Network: The hilarious Beef And Dairy Network Podcast — "the number one podcast for those involved or just interested in the production of beef animals and dairy herds" — rocks up at this distinctly urban setting, for a brand new live show. (12 Sept, online stream also available)

London Podcast Festival, Kings Place, Thursday 3-Sunday 13 September 2026

Afternoon tea with drop-dead stunning views over London. Image: Duck & Waffle

Afternoon tea in London has become incredibly popular in recent years, for celebrating special occasions, catching up with friends or just doing something a bit different. But the capital is SO packed with afternoon tea options, choosing where to go for your sandwiches, scones and teeny cakes can be overwhelming.

To make things easier, we're rounded up the top afternoon teas available in London right now.

See also:

🫖 London's best themed afternoon tea

🫖 London's best afternoon tea for children

🫖 London's most affordable and budget-friendly afternoon tea

What's the best afternoon tea in London?

What a question. There are so many different afternoon teas in London catering to all manner of tastes, budgets, styles, dietary requirements and other factors that it's hard to compare them all (that said, these experts did). Read on for some of our favourites.

London's best afternoon tea with a view

When you want an afternoon tea that's as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds, book one of these offerings, with spectacular views of the capital to enjoy as you tuck into delicate finger sandwiches and tasty pastries.

Afternoon tea at The Shard

Scones with a side of London. Image: Shangri-La The Shard

London's tallest building seems the obvious place to head for a view of any sort, and afternoon tea fans are catered for at the Shard in abundance. Aqua Shard on the 31st floor usually offers a nostalgically-themed one: at time of writing it's the Peter Pan afternoon tea completely with fog-enshrined pirate ship.

Further up, a more traditional afternoon tea is served in the Shangri-La Hotel, in Ting on the 35th floor. The menu here chops and changes as frequently as the London skyline, so check what's serving before you book,

Afternoon tea at Duck & Waffle

Trumping The Shard's offerings in height is Duck & Waffle's Sky High Afternoon Tea. Head to the 40th floor of the 110 Bishopsgate skyscraper for an afternoon tea menu served on an ornamental hand-painted duck egg, a nod to the restaurant's name and signature dish, with views across London to boot.

The Library afternoon tea with Thames views at Marriott County Hall

Watch the river traffic as you eat. Image: London Marriott Hotel County Hall

Watch traffic chug by on the River Thames, and gaze across at Elizabeth Tower at The Library, inside The Marriott at County Hall, which is located next to the London Eye. Choose your seat carefully for views of the ever-rotating wheel, or across the river to the splendid buildings of Westminster. Tuck into traditional afternoon tea while watching the world — including a constant stream of boats — go by. And take time to look around inside too; this gorgeous book-lined establishment is like a great big hug.

Afternoon tea at the Oxo Tower

Another river view, this one further east, focusing on St Paul's Cathedral. Located on the eighth floor of the South Bank structure, Oxo Tower Restaurant serves a traditional afternoon tea, its glass windows offering views of the City skyline.

London sightseeing afternoon tea tour bus

Pack several London sights into one afternoon tea. Image: Brigit's Bakery

Can't settle on just one landmark to gaze on while you graze? See multiple London sights on a Brigit's Bakery afternoon tea bus tour. Book your seat on a specially kitted out double decker, and board at either Northumberland Avenue or Victoria Coach Station. Several themed buses usually run at the same time: at the moment, Paddington, Monopoly and Peppa Pig are among your options.

As tea is served, the bus takes a route passing the likes of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Hyde Park, the Royal Albert Hall, Marble Arch and Trafalgar Square. A word of warning — there are no toilets on board, so go easy on the tea refills.

Best afternoon tea in London museums, galleries, and attractions

Dine like royalty with afternoon tea at Kensington Palace. Image: Tips For Travellers, Creative Commons

Combine a day out at one of London's world-class museums or attractions with a couple of hours of calm as you enjoy afternoon tea. Many museums, galleries and tourist attractions across the capital serve afternoon tea in their cafes and restaurants. These are some of our favourites:

Afternoon tea at Kensington Palace

Dine like royalty, with afternoon tea in The Orangery at Kensington Palace. As you'd expect at an Historic Royal Palaces restaurant, the menus tend to have a regal theme, though they change seasonally. Whatever's on offer during your visit, dine among 24 white Corinthian columns and ornate carvings by esteemed sculptor Grinling Gibbons, just a short distance from the palace itself.

Afternoon tea at the British Museum

The British Museum's Great Court restaurant, located on the mezzanine level beneath its famous glass roof in the centre of the building, serves traditional afternoon tea to visitors. The menu consists of scones, a selection of sandwiches and delicate cakes.

Afternoon tea at the Science Museum

Food you CAN play with. Image: Science Museum

As well as viewing the exhibits, get hands-on with the science yourself at Science Museum's afternoon tea, with plenty to keep kids entertained — think petri dish jelly, cupcakes to decorate using a syringe, and a chance to create your own fizzy drink through some sort of scientific wizardry.

Afternoon tea at the Cutty Sark

The world's only surviving tea clipper vessel is an apt place for afternoon tea. Descend beneath the hull of the Cutty Sark to its glass atrium cafe, and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea menu as you gaze up at the historic ship.

Afternoon tea at Westminster Abbey

Take afternoon tea in a medieval setting. Image: Westminster Abbey

The Benugo-operated Cellarium Café & Terrace, set in Westminster Abbey's medieval cellarium, offers a seasonally-changing afternoon tea menu. Dine among historic stonework, or on the more modern light-filled glass terrace, at the centre of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Afternoon tea at the Natural History Museum

Dine in a part of the museum which few visitors see. Image: Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum's Anning Rooms restaurant — named after fossil hunter Mary Anning — is usually reserved for Members and Patrons. But members of the public can get access to this special inner sanctum of the South Kensington institution by booking for afternoon tea, which is suitably themed, with items including a dinosaur footprint macaron.

Afternoon tea at the Royal Albert Hall

Have afternoon tea within the historic walls of the Royal Albert Hall. Afternoon tea has been served here for over 100 years, and today it has a French-inspired Fête de Versailles theme. It's served in the Coda Restaurant, and can be paired with a tour of the concert hall, if you're so inclined.

Afternoon tea at the National Portrait Gallery

Deep in the vaults of the National Portrait Gallery, Larry's is better known as a bar — and a fine spot it makes for evening drinks — but afternoon tea is also available during the day. Often themed on a current exhibition, slide on into a booth and tuck in, in uber-stylish surroundings.

Afternoon tea at the National Gallery

Next door at the National Gallery, Ochre Brasserie serves a traditional British afternoon tea — and at £35 per person, it's well-priced considering its location on Trafalgar Square.

Afternoon tea at the Wallace Collection

The pretty pastel pink cafe at the Wallace Collection in Marylebone serves afternoon tea, often themed on a current or upcoming exhibition, and occasionally with themed cocktails available too. Explore the varied collections (the armour room is an unexpected treat) before kicking back in the light and airy courtyard-style eatery.

International afternoon tea in London

Eat your way around the world, with these afternoon tea menus inspired by international cuisines.

Masala High Chai at Cinnamon Bazaar

London's most colourful afternoon tea? Image: Cinnamon Bazaar

Chef Vivek Singh's Indian restaurant Cinnamon Bazaar — with branches in Covent Garden and Richmond — offers a High Chai, a traditional British afternoon tea infused with Indian flavours. Dishes include masala fish finger sandwiches, spiced paneer rolls and selection of sweets, served in colourful, Indian-inspired settings.

Indian Jasmine afternoon tea at Kona

Kona, located within the Taj51 hotel in St James's, Kona hosts an Indian Jasmine afternoon tea, inspired by traditional spices from across the country, and a love of tea. It's been running for several years now, so they must be doing something right. Items on the menu include a masala mutton keema pinwheel, a khandvi chutney tart, a cheesecake raspberry sonpapri floss and a gulabi trifle served with mini rasmalai (sweetened balls of cottage cheese).

Japanese afternoon tea at The Prince Akatoki

Marylebone's Japanese hotel The Prince Akatoki offers a Japanese-inspired afternoon tea, serving dishes including yellowtail and tuna nigiri; smoked salmon served with yuzu créme fraiche; and a passion fruit and yuzu Swiss roll. A sake pairing is optional.

Japanese afternoon tea at Aki London

Traditional scones are replaced with fluffy dorayaki pancakes at Marylebone-based Japanese restaurant Aki London. The afternoon menu also includes Japanese sandos with fillings including chicken katsu with tonkatsu dijon mayo; and green tea smoked salmon with yuzu curd. Certainly a bit different from egg and cress.

Middle Eastern afternoon tea at The Greenhouses

A Middle Eastern take on afternoon tea. Image: The Greenhouses

The botanical-themed private dining rooms at The Greenhouses (locations at One Marylebone and One Smithfield) offer a Middle-Eastern afternoon tea menu. Dine on spice-infused foods including pomegranate-cured salmon and roast marinated beets; a Valrhona chocolate delice; and spiced fruit scones, paired with fig and molasses jam.

Italian afternoon tea at Harry's

Live La Dolce Vita. Image: Harry's

Mediterranean delights including beef carpaccio, creamy burrata with tomatoes and basil, Amalfi lemon tart and Sicilian cannoli populate the Italian afternoon tea menu at the Knightsbridge branch of Harry's, taking you on a whistle-stop tour of the country's most loved flavours.

Chinese afternoon tea at Dim Sum Library

Tea Tales at Covent Garden restaurant Dim Sum Library is a playful take on afternoon tea. Diners roll the Lucky Dice to reveal one of five legendary Chinese teas, which can be enjoyed as a cocktail, mocktail, bubble tea or traditional hot tea. The food element is served on an elegant birdcage stand and includes wagyu beef puff with black pepper; baked barbecued pork puff; and classic egg tarts.

French afternoon tea at Kettner's

The legendary French bistro now serves afternoon tea. Image: Kettner's

London's original French bistro Kettner's has launched its first ever afternoon tea, offering a French twist on the British tradition. Menu items include a Brie de Meaux and jambon croffle (a croissant-waffle hybrid); lobster vol-au-vent with Marie Rose sauce; apple tarte tartin; and Madeleines baked to order.

London's best luxury afternoon teas for a special occasion

The Savoy offers afternoon tea for extra special occasions. Image: Christian Lendl, Unsplash License

'Best' is of course subjective when it comes to afternoon tea, and depends what you want from the experience. If you're looking for a rather upmarket setting for a very special occasion (and yes, a bill to match) these hotels are considered to offer some of the finest afternoon teas in London. Just bear in mind that the prices put them into 'bucket list' territory rather than 'casual lunch' for the majority of Londoners and visitors.

Afternoon tea at The Ritz, Piccadilly

Probably the most iconic afternoon tea in London, 'Tea at The Ritz' is synonymous with feeling fancy. Have a seat in the hotel's Grade II* listed 18th century Neo-Palladian townhouse, William Kent House, and watch the treats roll in... quite literally. Afternoon tea here comes with tableside service, including cakes served from a guéridon trolley, alongside the traditional finger sandwiches and scones. The Ritz London is the only hotel in the UK with a certified Tea Master, who travels the world to find the best blends. Note the dress code for this one.

Afternoon tea at The Savoy, Strand

On a par with The Ritz is The Savoy's own afternoon tea, served in the quiet glamour of the hotel's Gallery restaurant — think warm, peach-lit interiors beneath a stained glass dome. Worth noting is the Twilight Tea, served from 6pm-9.30pm, offering the daytime afternoon tea experience for anyone who wants to dine a little later — and served with a cocktail, as is befitting of the hour.

Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly

Winnie the Pooh afternoon tea for summer 2026. Image: Fortnum & Mason

Head up to the fourth floor of foodie-centric department store Fortnum & Mason, and enter the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon for a moment of calm away from the hubbub. Afternoon tea has been served in the store for more than a century (and these days it's available at the Royal Exchange branch in the City too), and since 2012 in this bright and airy room, accented in Fortnum's signature pastel teal shade. The afternoon tea menu changes seasonally (summer 2026 offers a Winnie the Pooh theme) but it's reliably served on a shiny silver tiered stand, with all the traditional finger sandwiches, scones and dainty little cakes you'd expect.

Afternoon tea at The Landmark London, Marylebone

A dreamy setting for afternoon tea. Image: The Landmark London

Top of our London afternoon tea bucket list is a trip to Marylebone hotel The Landmark London, where afternoon tea is served in the decadent Winter Garden, surrounded by palm trees, and flooded with natural light from the glass ceiling. Themes change seasonally, and it's not uncommon for live musicians — or, on very special occasions, ballet dancers — to perform as you dine.

Afternoon tea at The Langham London, Marylebone

They know afternoon tea. Image: The Langham London

This central London establishment claims to have been "the first Grand Hotel to serve the experience [afternoon tea] to the public" in London, when it opened its doors all the way back in 1865, and has recently published The Langham Afternoon Tea Book, so fair to say it knows its stuff. These days, the tradition continues inside the Palm Court restaurant, where a traditional and seasonal afternoon tea menu is served daily, accompanied by live piano music to elevate the occasion.

What time is afternoon tea served in London?

Afternoon tea serving times vary between different establishments — we've seen it served as early as 11am, and as late as 6pm (for later than this, see The Savoy, above). The core hours are between 2pm-5pm. Some restaurants serve it in sittings, while others allow you to book a time slot of your choosing any time in the opening hours.

What's the dress code for afternoon tea in London?

Again, this varies between different restaurants. Some will be fine with you turning up in jeans, while others expect more formal attire (especially if located within an upmarket hotel). Some — such as The Ritz — specify a dress code.

We cover all kinds of buildings on Londonist, but one genre that's been severely lacking in appreciation is the humble shed/hut. That ends now.

The Faraday Effect, Trinity Buoy Wharf

Takes slightly less time to look around than the V&A. Image: Matt From London, Creative Commons

If you count the Faraday Effect as a museum, then it's one of London's smallest. Giving off fisherman's hut energy, it's actually a recreation of Victorian electromagnetist Michael Faraday's workshop (though Faraday himself didn't work in a shed), from which he experimented with electric lighting for lighthouses. For years, another shed (of a kind) stood nearby in the form of Fat Boy's Diner. Sadly it, and its delicious cheeseburgers, have now skedaddled.

British Vintage Wireless and Television Museum, West Dulwich

Talk about a multi screen setup. Image: Londonist

The late Gerry Wells' trove of antique wireless sets and TVs was started in his West Dulwich garden, and continues to be housed here in a huddle of outbuildings, open most Friday afternoons, as well as for heritage events. Adding to the shed-like credentials are the various furrow-bowed volunteers found tinkering with wires and circuitboards by lamplight. Fittingly, some of the exhibits are rented out to production companies, and end up on screens themselves. Another Dulwich shed hit the headlines in 2017; Oobah Butler's social experiment The Shed at Dulwich only served guests microwave meals, which didn't stop it becoming TripAdvisor's top-rated restaurant in the whole of London. Intriguingly, the website is still live...

Wandsworth Prison Museum

Just make sure you don't get locked in. Image: Londonist

Another shed museum! In scope, Wandsworth Prison Museum sits somewhere between the Faraday Effect and the British Vintage Wireless and Television Museum, above. You can make your way around this large shed — which sits in the shadow of the severe-looking prison — in 20-30 minutes, scanning objects which include inmates' denim jackets, and a grisly section about Albert Pierrepoint, the notorious hangman who executed Lord Haw-Haw among hundreds of other prisoners. If you were to read everything in detail, you'd be here a lot longer. But then, you wouldn't want to get locked in — the museum only opens occasionally.

Timbered hut, Soho Square

One of London's more interesting huts — and a heck of a history, too. Image: Matt From London, Creative Commons

Every now and then when passing through Soho Square, the doors of its mock Tudor hut are left ajar, allowing a tantalising glimpse beyond. It's had quite the past: built in 1925 as an elaborate entrance to an electricity substation, it later served as the entrance to a bomb shelter. One thing it never was: a secret portal to Buckingham Palace — no matter how much we'd love that to be true. And nowadays? Recent peeks inside have revealed little more than a trestle table, a bin and a handful of gardening tools. In short, it's glorified shed — but how glorious!

Writer's Shed, Dalston

If you ever envied Roald Dahl and his bottom-of-the-garden writing outpost, best look away now — because Weston Surman & Deane's Writer's Hut — constructed in 2013 in the garden of an author/illustrator  — is far snazzier than anything the Matilda author had. The jauntily-angled outhouse comes replete with wood burning stove, bookshelves and its own toilet. Most writers living in London would struggle to afford this as a rental property, let alone a whimsical writing space. Wonder how easy it'd be to steal this...

Highgate Woods Information Hut

Got half an hour or so to kiln? Image: City of London

While Queen's Wood Cafe in Highgate Wood gets all the glory on the socials, our interest lies with a humbler abode close by, namely Highgate Woods Information Hut, now home to a Roman kiln which was excavated in the woods back in 1962. They even do occasional kiln-firing sessions outside. Note: the hut is currently undergoing repairs, and expected to reopen in September 2026.

Shell huts, Victoria

Victoria's shell-studded huts was built in 1952. Image: Matt Brown/Londonist

OK, so you can't explore the shell huts of Victoria's Grosvenor Gardens like you can Margate's famous Shell Grotto. But they are an interesting quirk to admire on your lunch break. Designed in 1952 by Jean-Charles Moreux (he was also behind the somewhat grander Institut Francais library in South Kensington), the twosome of huts formed part of the new-look French-style gardens, and are studded with an Anglo-Franco alliance of shells plucked from the beaches of both England and France. Originally, one hut was reserved for the garden attendant (handy when it was raining, no doubt); the other to store tools. As of 2012, one of the huts was still being used for tools and a mower.

Sweheat Sauna, Victoria Docks

When you think about it, saunas are essentially very hot sheds, right? Well anyway, such dubious pigeon-holing is enough for us to include Sweheat Sauna here. Really, this place is more of a petite wellness village — inviting you sweat it out in a communal or private sauna, or to take part in events, including a full moon sauna with singing bowl sound ceremony.

Blackheath Tea Hut

More of an icon than the Cutty Sark. Image: Gillian Fisher

As any local will tell you, Blackheath Tea Hut has been docked in this part of south east London far longer than the Cutty Sark tea clipper — and it serves a better cuppa too. A favourite with bikers pulling off the roaring B210, the hut is legendary for its generous burgers and breakfasts, and — as we found out in 2022 — is an uncharacteristically chatty spot for London too.

Cabmen's shelters, across London

The quintessential London shed? Image: oyxman, Creative Commons

While there's only one Blackheath Tea Hut, there are 13 cabmen's shelters; these bright green huts — built between 1875 and 1950 to keep taxi drivers out of the boozers — are perhaps the quintessential London shed. While you'll need to possess Knowledge to pull up a seat inside, anyone can order a cup of tea to take away.

Never been to Notting Hill Carnival? Need a refresher? If you're heading to Carnival, read on for all you need to know to about one of London's (and Europe's) biggest parties.

Costumed dancers aplenty at Notting Hill Carnival. Image: Shutterstock

What is Notting Hill Carnival?

Notting Hill Carnival is a huge, free street celebration centred around the Caribbean community. It's Europe's biggest street festival, and the world's second largest carnival (Rio takes first place) — bringing bangin' beats, lashings of street food (jerk chicken is a staple), razzle-dazzle costumes and utterly fabulous parade processions.

It's been taking place since 1966 — though a similar event took place before that, organised by Claudia Jones in response to race riots and hostility faced by the Windrush Generation in London. These days it boasts more Mas bands and sound systems than ever.

We expect things to be equally as electrifying in 2026, particularly as Notting Hill Carnival marks its 60th anniversary this year. Read more about the history of Notting Hill Carnival and the people behind it.

What date is Notting Hill Carnival 2026 and how many days does it last?

Notting Hill Carnival takes place each August. Image: David Sedlecký via CC BY-SA 4.0

Notting Hill Carnival takes place over the August bank holiday weekend. Officially, the main action happens on Sunday and Monday (30 and 31 August 2026) — that's when the parade is — but there's an extra event, the Panorama Steel Band Competition, on Saturday 29 August 2026, acting as a Carnival warm-up. More details in our Notting Hill Carnival schedule, below.

Where is Notting Hill Carnival 2026? Where does it start and what's the parade route?

Expect crowds aplenty at Notting Hill Carnival 2026. Image: Shutterstock

Unsurprisingly, Notting Hill Carnival takes place in Notting Hill, although it also spills out into the streets of Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park, Westbourne Grove and Bayswater. Vast swathes of W10 and W11 are pedestrianised over Notting Hill Carnival weekend to cope with the sheer numbers of people. Follow the crowds, the music and the street food aromas, and you'll find it alright.

The three main stages at Notting Hill Carnival 2026 can be found at Emslie Horniman's Pleasance Park, Powis Square and Meanwhile Gardens.

As for the parade route: it's over three miles long, starting near Westbourne Park station, wending down to Westbourne Grove, and back up towards Ladbroke Grove. Thankfully, the official Notting Hill Carnival website has much more information than it used to, including this Notting Hill Carnival map, available closer to the event.

Is Notting Hill Carnival 2026 free?

Yes, attending the carnival, watching the procession, soaking up the vibes and joining in the fun is completely free, no ticket required (with the exception of the Saturday event). That said, there are plenty of food and drink stalls (over 300!), where you can part with your pennies and get something scrummy.

If you did want to upgrade your Carnival experience, treat yourself to Grandstand seating. Introduced in 2025, the experience is back for a second year, offering a reserved seat to watch the parade pass by, for £30. Not convinced? Tickets include access to on-site toilets, meaning you can dodge the queues elsewhere...

How do I get to Notting Hill Carnival 2026? What's the nearest Tube station?

Be prepared to use alternative Tube stations or walk a fair way. Image: TfL

TfL knows how busy west London gets during Notting Hill Carnival, so usually avoids engineering works and closures on the Tube lines people use to get there — the same should apply in 2026, we'll know closer to the time.

🚇 The Central line stations of Queensway, Notting Hill Gate and Holland Park, and the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines serving Westbourne Park, Ladbroke Grove and Latimer Road, are all within walking distance of Notting Hill Carnival. BUT, be aware that these stations (and neighbouring stations) may be closed at any time due to overcrowding.

🚌 If you're coming by bus, be aware that roads around the carnival area will be pedestrianised, meaning that buses are rerouted and may terminate early.

🍺 Whichever route you're taking to Carnival, expect it to be a party in its own right. Just bear in mind that drinking alcohol is illegal on public transport.

Keep an eye on the TfL website for 2026 updates and last-minute changes closer to the time.

Notting Hill Carnival 2026 schedule

Go with the flow and you'll have a fab time. Image: Angel Ganev from Bath, UK via CC BY 2.0

Over 30 booming sound systems playing everything from house to calypso, and 50+ vibrant Mas ('masquerade') bands are usually on the programme, with details of 2026 participants available on the Notting Hill Carnival website.

Saturday 29 August 2026 - 4pm-11pm

Notting Hill Carnival begins on Saturday evening with the UK National Panorama Steel Band Competition, a family-friendly event in Emslie Horniman's Pleasance Park, near Trellick Tower. You'll need a ticket for this one. This event kicks off Carnival every year — it's the most respected annual steel pan event outside the Caribbean, with five bands each playing a 10-minute piece from memory, no sheet music allowed. Expect live music and a colourfully Caribbean atmosphere.

Sunday 30 August 2026 - from 6am

Sunday is family day at Carnival, so it's calmer than Monday — but it still gets very busy. The terrifyingly early J'Ouvert ('opening of the day') Carnival in Ladbroke Grove begins around sunrise at 6am (yes, that's 6am), with steel bands and African drummers parading through the streets.

Then, the official 2026 Carnival opening ceremony takes place at 10am, followed by the children's parade, with younger performers dancing through the streets in costumes. There's also the 'Dutty' ('dirty') or 'Fun Mas' parade, when brightly coloured paints and powder are thrown at spectators — accompanied by music, naturally.

Then from 12pm, the sound systems which Notting Hill Carnival is famous for take over the streets, with live stages at Emslie Horniman's Pleasance Park and Powis Square, going on until 7pm.

Monday 31 August 2026 - from 10.30am

Bank holiday Monday is the big one. Bands in spectacular costumes wander through the streets in the main parade, which begins at 10.30am. The entertainment on the multiple stages continues from Sunday, and around 40 sound systems pump out tunes all around the area from midday. It's loud, it's proud, it's mayhem. In the best possible way.

At 3pm on both Sunday and Monday, a 72-second silence is held in memory of the 72 people who died in the nearby Grenfell Tower fire. This moment of reflection also honours Kelso Cochrane whose racially motivated murder in 1959 led to racial tension in London and became one of the catalysts for the original Notting Hill Carnival.

Taking kids to Notting Hill Carnival 2026

Costumes are encouraged at Notting Hill Carnival. Image: Shutterstock

As mentioned above, Sunday is family day at Notting Hill Carnival, so if you've got children in tow, this is the day to go. That said, it still gets VERY busy, so keep them close at all times. We'd recommend packing snacks, as the food and drink queues can be long — as can toilet queues. Why not get them dressed up to get them in the spirit? Glitter (preferably biodegradable), sequins and feathers are all Notting Hill Carnival staples, the more the better. Plus the bright colours might help you keep track of them.

Toilets at Notting Hill Carnival 2026

Toilets are dotted about in the form of porta-toilets but the queues are loooong. Something to think about before you have that third can of Red Stripe. The rush for toilets usually leads to some enterprising locals charging for you to use theirs. It's also worth carrying your own tissue/hand wash with you. When available, the official Notting Hill Carnival map should show you the locations of toilets.

Food and drink at Notting Hill Carnival 2026

There are plenty of food stalls, especially Caribbean cuisine, at Notting Hill Carnival. Image: Shutterstock

More than 300 food and drink stalls are scattered around, focusing mainly on Caribbean food (curry goat, jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish) but other cuisines have crept in too, and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Again, expect to queue in the main carnival areas — but it's all part of the fun.

Worth knowing: four free drinking water points are dotted around the carnival area: at the end of Alderson Street; on Kensington Park Road at the junction with 6 Arundel Gardens; further down Kensington Park Road, outside Kensington Temple Church; and on Shrewsbury Road at the junction with 62 St. Stephen's Gardens. Expect to queue for a while for these, though.

How do I dodge the crowds at Notting Hill Carnival 2026?

Notting Hill Carnival dancers wear some spectacular costumes. Image: David Hawgood via CC BY-SA 2.0

You're joking, right? This is Europe's biggest street festival with two million people attending every year — dodging the crowds isn't an option. If you need to bring a bag, make it a small one (the crowds and noise are a pickpocket's paradise).

If you're meeting someone, meet them well outside the Notting Hill area — once you're in the throng, you've little chance of spotting them, and phone coverage can get patchy.

First-timer Notting Hill Carnival tips

Sequins and feathers galore at Notting Hill Carnival. Image: Shutterstock

Bring cash and cards — in the past, many of the food and drink stalls have only taken cash, and local cash points have had long queues (or run out of dosh entirely). More places are accepting contactless these days — then again, being reliant on mobile signal can be a problem. Having cash and card means you're covered.

Dress for all weathers — sunshine and showers — and wear comfortable shoes for all the walking.

You won't have much luck with mobile phones — with so many people in such a confined area, the struggle for signal is real. We repeat: do not try and meet up with anyone at carnival itself. It's not worth it.

The official programme of events is great, but don't stick rigidly to it. Magical moments happen every year at Carnival from the unlikeliest of sources. That might just be a guy with a rickety looking sound system in the street, blasting out bangers at a volume that shakes your very soul. It's not worth trekking across the Carnival and missing them if you're having fun right now. Go with the flow.

It's something of a tradition for police officers to be caught on camera dancing at Notting Hill Carnival. Not these ones, though. Image: Shutterstock

Also keep an eye out for that elusive Notting Hill Carnival classic moment: Police dancing to reggae (sometimes amazingly, sometimes not so much) hits the headlines every year.

Keep up to date on the official Notting Hill Carnival website, and on X, Facebook and Instagram. Last year, they offered live broadcasts on their social channels, so that's an option for keeping up with the action even if you can't be there in person.

Notting Hill Carnival 2026 after-parties and other events

Image: TfL

Plenty of venues all over London host Notting Hill Carnival after parties, and other Carnival-themed events, including:

🎉 West London pubs The Ladbroke Arms, The Mitre and the Prince Bonaparte host a series of Carnival 60 events to mark the 60th anniversary of the first Notting Hill Carnival. They range from panel discussions to guided walks to rum tasting, predominantly taking place before this year's main event.

🎉 King's Cross club Scala is taken over by Soca party organisers Release D Riddim for a carnival afterparty on Monday 31 August.

🎉 The Steel Yard in Cannon Street also sees out Carnival Weekend with a bang, with an afterparty headlined by kawina/kaskawi band La Rouge.

Find out more about Notting Hill Carnival on the Notting Hill Carnival website.

Over 250 boats are expected to take part. Image: Great River Race

Everyone knows the London Marathon. Everyone knows the Boat Race. But did you know that every September, there's a third major event that's a mash-up of the two? The Great River Race is a thrilling 21.6-mile long dash along the Thames. Here's the skinny on 2026's event.

What is the Great River Race?

In 2023, over 30 charities were supported by participants. Image: Great River Race

Starting out in 1988 as a relatively small event, the Great River Race has grown to feature over 250 rowing boat crews of all shapes and sizes. You'll see skiffs to regal-looking barges to Viking-style long boats. Participants row the 21.6-mile course along the Thames from Millwall to Richmond, all vying to win a coveted Great Race trophy. It makes for a seriously fun day out for spectators, and *whisper it* there's a far better chance the weather will be sunny, than during the more famous Boat Race.

When's it happening?

A cross between the Boat Race and the Marathon. Image: Great River Race

Saturday 12 September 2026. Crews set off from Millwall Riverside, Westferry Road, and congregate around here for a while beforehand. The race start time depends on tidal conditions, and at time of writing, the 2026 start time hasn't been confirmed. The fastest time for boats to complete the course is around two hours, but some will pootle along at a more leisurely pace, finishing up to four hours after starting, meaning you've got a while to catch some of the action.

Where's the best place to watch from?

The race passes beneath 28 bridges. Image: Great River Race

The 28 bridges beneath which the riverine marathon passes are solid spots for watching the action: any bridge, in fact, between Tower Bridge and Richmond Bridge. This schedule shows you roughly when the boats will go beneath major bridges. Alternatively, you can watch from the river bank — just make sure you get your timings right! To see crews set off, you'll want to catch them at the slips at Millwall Riverside, and to see them finish/handed trophies (then presumably head off down the pub), it's the bucolic stretch of water outside Ham House in Richmond.

Speaking of pubs, you may wish to watch the boats pass from the comfort of a riverside pub, in which case, booking a table is a sound idea. Also check out our roundup of London's best Thames-side pubs.

Can I take part in the race?

Some crews take just two hours to complete the race, while some take it easy and do it in double the time.Image: Great River Race

Like the London Marathon itself, although professional athletes compete in the Great River Race, plenty of amateur rowers — some raising money for charity, some in fancy dress — also take part. If you've got a boat — and you know how to row it — then yes, you can take part! Read the entry details here. Entries for 2026 are now closed, but you can still fill in a form to go on the waiting list.

Great River Race, Saturday 12 September 2026, free to watch.

All weekend

High Road Unframed is part of Kilburn High Road Festival. Image: Emily Rees-Haynes

AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS: With a new month kicking off this weekend, bookmark our guide to the best London events in August, and make sure you don't miss out on the newest theatre shows and exhibitions, huge festivals and other things to help you make the most of summer in the capital.

A LIKELY STORY: Paintings and drawings by artist-in-residence Rosie Bayliss fill the Georgian rooms of Bell House in Dulwich for this solo exhibition. A Likely Story explores the psychological tension between domestic interiors and the gardens beyond, capturing figures in moments of quiet observation. The works, ranging from small fragments to larger canvases, were created to engage directly with the historic architecture and memory of the house. FREE, 1-2 August 2026

ROUNDHOUSE COMEDY FESTIVAL: Chuckle your way through the first half of August at Roundhouse Comedy Festival. The legendary Camden venue hosts the likes of Joe Lycett, Katherine Ryan, Alexei Sayle and Ayoade Bamgboye, offering a mix of established and up-and-coming talent. Frank Skinner leads the charge with Saturday's opening show. 1-18 August 2026

Plated London brings special foodie offers to west London. Image: Plated London

PLATED LONDON: New dining festival Plated London kicks off this weekend and continues throughout August, with more than 30 restaurants, bars and hotels across Chelsea and Knightsbridge taking part. Look out for exclusive menus and dishes, and special events at the likes of Harvey Nichols, Hawksmoor and the Cadogan Arms. 1-31 August 2026

AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHY: Step into a century of American city life at Dulwich Picture Gallery, which displays photographs of the people who built, inhabited and transformed urban spaces into living communities in new exhibition Portraits of a City. It features works by 34 influential photographers from 1907 to 2012. 28 July-4 October 2026

LAUGHTERAMA: Somerset House hosts brand new comedy festival Laughterama, with open-air shows taking place in the courtyard. Performers this weekend include Ed Gamble, Celya AB, Amy Gledhill, Phil Wang and Fern Brady. 9 July-2 August 2026

Take the kids to see Horrible Histories. Image: Mark Douet

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: Boudica, King John, the Magna Carta, Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin all feature in the latest Horrible Histories stage show, which tackles Barmy Britain. It's history with the nasty bits left in — because everyone knows that's what kids latch onto. See it at the Apollo Theatre throughout the summer holidays. 30 July-31 August 2026

KILBURN HIGH ROAD FESTIVAL: The Kiln Theatre hosts the Kilburn High Road Festival, 16 days of art and performance along the thoroughfare. Highlights this weekend include The High Road Unframed, an outdoor exhibition of large-scale installations by local artists. 31 July-15 August 2026

CHILDHOOD IN WAR: Lambeth's Imperial War Museum opens new free exhibition Childhood in War, exploring the experiences of children during wartime from 1914 to the present day. See how aspects of life including play, schooling, health, home life and safety are all impacted by conflict. FREE, 31 July 2026-February 2027

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Have a (free!) drink at London's pink pub takeover

Make a date with friends this weekend to be among the first to experience London's brand new summer destination — and bag yourself a free 7UP Pink Shandy to enjoy while you're there.

To celebrate the launch of this brand new beverage, Clapham pub The Perky Nel has had a suitably pink makeover — think pink walls, garden and lawn games to play, and plenty of summery merch including cool bags and hats to be won.

Plus, every visitor can claim a free tipple: a 7UP Pink Shandy (both alcohol-free and standard options are available) by speaking to a member of staff on arrival. Whichever you choose, you're guaranteed a colourful, refreshing twist on a summer classic, with an added burst of flavour thanks to a generous splash of 7UP® Zero Sugar Pink Lemonade.

The Pink Nel is open at 7-8 Cavendish Parade, Clapham, SW4 9DW, between 31 July-24 August 2026. Entry is free, with one free drink available per person.

Saturday 1 August

Head to Canada Water to bag a bargain. Image: Bottle Factory Flea Market

DUNKIRK LITTLE SHIPS: Start your August by the water, as a fleet of 16 Dunkirk Little Ships drops anchor at St Katharine Docks next to Tower Bridge. The vessels taking part in Dunkirks at the Docks are just a handful of those which were involved in Operation Dynamo, rescuing Allied troops from the beaches of northern France in 1940. FREE, 1 August 2026

FLEA MARKET: Vintage fashion, designer labels, furniture and homeware dealers join forces for Bottle Factory Flea Market, a curated market at Canada Water. Browse independent traders' stalls for pre-loved items alongside the water of the docks. 10am-4pm

BRILLIANT TREES: Photographer and curator David Bennet leads a relaxed, family-friendly photography walk through the summer greenery of Valence Park in Dagenham. You only need a smartphone to join the session, which explores the vibrant foliage and warm light of the park's trees following a successful community exhibition earlier this year. FREE, 11am-12.30pm

WHITNEY BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH: Between The Bridges on South Bank presents a Whitney Houston-themed bottomless brunch. A tribute act performs Houston's hits including I Will Always Love You and Greatest Love of All, with 60 minutes of bottomless bubbles included in your ticket, along with a DJ, singalongs, dance-offs, and games and prizes. Food is not included, but there are multiple street-food traders on site. 11.30am-3pm

THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE: After a successful run at the Open Air Theatre last summer, Roald Dahl's Enormous Crocodile snaps its way into the Lyric Hammersmith, with music and oversized puppets telling the story of the other jungle creatures summoning up the courage to stop his rampage. 12pm/3.30pm (and until 22 August 2026)

Make your own Matsumoto-style Tanabata doll. Image: Japan House London

AFRICAN REMEMBRANCE DAY: London Museum Docklands hosts a day of reflection, healing and renewal for African Remembrance Day. This year's event highlights Ethiopia's historic victory at the Battle of Adwa, featuring a keynote talk on the defence of African sovereignty by HE Ambassador Lalisa Birhanu. The afternoon also includes a traditional three-minute silence at 3pm and a libation ceremony led by an Ifa priestess. FREE, 1pm-4pm

MATSUMOTO TANABATA DOLLS: Have a go at making paper Matsumoto-style Tanabata dolls (double-sided paper dolls featuring painted faces of a man and a woman) in a family-friendly workshop at Japan House in Kensington. It's led by Mimura Takahiko and Mimura Shūko of Belleamie Doll Shop in Matsumoto. Learn about Matsumoto’s Tanabata-doll tradition before making a pair of dolls to take home. 1pm/4pm

MUCHO SOUL: Head to the Hackney Wick waterfront as Mucho Soul returns for a party at Grow. The live music session features Mucho Soul themselves alongside Basil Black II Basics, Miss Soxee and Damian Charles, moving through a genre-blurring mix of jazz, funk, broken beat and deep house. Music begins outdoors by the canal before shifting into the basement for a late-night set. FREE before 9pm, 4pm-2am

OUTDOOR CINEMA: London's open-air cinema season is at its peak right now, and Picturehouse pops up in Gunnersbury Park Museum Gardens for five screenings across this weekend and next. Shaun of the Dead is shown tonight, and each ticket includes a £7 credit towards food and drink. 6.30pm

CELLFIRE: Dalston's queer performance space The Divine hosts cabaret fundraiser Cellfire in support of Positive East, one of London's leading HIV charities. The evening features a guest speaker sharing lived experiences alongside a chaotic drag line-up including Jett, Lust, Alma Groin, Megan Mia Gemini and Rosacea Blemish. 8pm

Sunday 2 August

Watch Peter Rabbit in the open air. Image: Chris Frost/Chiswick House and Gardens

SHIPYARD TOURS: Step inside the working shipyard at the Golden Hinde (near Borough Market) for a guided visit that includes a 30-minute tour of the active restoration space and a 30-minute guided tour onboard the ship, explaining design, construction methods and conservation practices. The shipyard is an active industrial site so appropriate clothing and closed-toe footwear are required, while hard hats and high-vis are provided. 11am

LITTLE HOLLAND HOUSE: The monthly open day of Carshalton's Little Holland House invites the public inside for tours. The former home of artist and craftsman Frank Dickinson is Grade-II listed and packed with paintings, furniture, copperwork and other craft objects made by Dickinson. FREE, 11am-5pm

ZOO POP CULTURE: ZSL's 200th anniversary celebrations continue with a pop culture-focused tour of London Zoo. Join a guide for a wander around the Regent's Park site, finding out how the zoo's animals and architecture have inspired — and featured in — books and films, from Winnie the Pooh to Harry Potter. 11.30am

JAZZ CAFE FESTIVAL: For the third time, Camden's Jazz Cafe curates its own live music festival, spanning a range of genres and playing out in Burgess Park in south London. Singer-songwriter Ari Lennox, rapper Smino and singer/DJ Durand Bernarr are among this year's headliners. 12pm-10pm

KIDS RAVE: Babies, toddlers and their grown-ups are invited to SET Social in Peckham for a joyful Pride Edition of Scratch Sundays. This daytime rave celebrates queer families and community with feel-good, kid-friendly tunes from a special guest DJ. Dress in your brightest colours for an afternoon of dancing and play in a welcoming, inclusive environment. FREE, 12pm-1.30pm

Catch a screening of About Some Meaningless Events. Image: Barbican Cinema

THE BIG HOOPLA: Head to the garden of the Fox and Firkin in Lewisham for The Big Hoopla Family Day, a free afternoon of outdoor entertainment. The party features hula hoop performances and workshops, face-painting, and giant garden games like Jenga and Connect 4. Aspiring selectors are encouraged to bring their own vinyl and sign up for a 30-minute slot on the decks to provide the day's soundtrack. FREE, 2pm-7pm

FRAGRANCE BLENDING: The Greenhouses in Marylebone continues its series of special afternoon tea events with a hands-on fragrance-blending workshop led by experts from Ribbon & Bow. Learn about top, heart and base notes, and craft a 10ml blended fragrance to take home with you. Afternoon tea is also included in your ticket. 2pm-4pm

ABOUT SOME MEANINGLESS EVENTS: As part of its Project A Black Planet series, Barbican Cinema screens About Some Meaningless Events, a programme that looks at political memory, language and national cinema through three films, all filmed in Morocco in 1974. 2pm

PETER RABBIT: Quantum Theatre brings Michael Whitmore's adaptation of Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny to Chiswick House and Gardens. The family-friendly outdoor performance follows Peter and his cousin Benjamin as they get into scrapes in Mr McGregor’s garden. Take a blanket and a picnic to make an afternoon of it. 2pm/5pm

TOMORROW'S WARRIORS: Youth music ensemble Tomorrow's Warriors presents live sets from artists on its Young Artists’ Development Programme. Watch them for free at Southbank Centre, a chance to see emerging jazz musicians nurtured by the organisation. FREE, 4.30pm

ISLINGTON FESTIVAL FINALE: Head to Christ Church Highbury for the final show at this year's Islington Festival. The grand finale features works by Beethoven, Tolstoy and Janáček, with free tickets for under-18s and reduced prices for under-25s. 5pm

A month long festival of ghoulishness descends on London. Image: iStock/Daniel Lange

Even in this summer of heatwaves, there's a chill in the air, and we think we know where it's coming from... London Month of the Dead is looming on the horizon.

The ghoulishly good festival of death and the arts stalks into town for the entirety of October (these days, it creeps into November too), putting a cerebral spin on things that go bump in the night.

Expect fascinating talks on the macabre, candlelit cemetery concerts and screenings of classic horror movies with live piano accompaniment. Yes, it's wonderful for goths, necromancers and their brooding brethren — but Month of the Dead appeals to anyone who's culturally-curious.

The atmospheric Victorian Brompton Cemetery Chapel hosts a number of events.

Month of the Dead has quite the reputation these days, with events selling out FAST. Here's our selection of events that are still alive and kicking at time of writing. Many are served with a free gin punch/ginger biccie. Just the thing to settle any nerves.

💀 The Women Beneath the Stones: A walk through Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park reveals the women campaigners, pioneers, performers, explorers and trade unionists who helped shaped the East End, but were since left forgotten beneath moss-gathering tombstones. 3 October

💀 Death in Georgian London: In 18th century London, the living and the dead existed side by side. Historian Dan O'Brien explores the church crypts and dissecting rooms; the gibbet cages and curious medical practices that meant wherever you turned, mortality was staring you in the face. 8 October

💀 Who Killed Charles Bravo? Crime historian Angela Buckley invites you to accompany her as she rakes over the mysterious 1876 death of London barrister Charles Bravo, in Balham. The murder was never officially solved, although a certain Agatha Christie reckoned she knew who dunnit. 10 October

Learn how vampires are used to represent otherness, internal struggles, trauma and sex. Image: [1], Creative Commons

💀 The Pest Houses of London: As the Great Plague of 1665 ravaged London, pest houses were the first line of defence against the epidemic. Alison Wall delves into the history of these spaces, which played a vital role in protecting countless Londoners, yet were not somewhere you'd necessarily want to end up yourself. 11 October

💀 London Maps of the Dead: Londonist's Matt Brown gets his map collection out again, and this time he's exploring the hidden geography of mortality lurking beneath the modern metropolis. Cartography with added chill factor. 25 October

💀 Lost Soul Songs: Thomas Truax and his self-crafted 'band' of Tim Burtonesque instruments perform a set of atmospheric songs by candlelight at Kings Chapel. 25 October

💀 Creatures of the Night: It's fair to say we have something of a love-hate relationship with vampires, and in this talk, Katie Evans sinks her teeth into the way these fanged folkloric figures are used to represent otherness, internal struggles, trauma and sex. 1 November

That's just the tip of the tombstone — but as we say, some events are vanishing faster than a shy ghost, so get booking!

London Month of the Dead takes place across London 1 October-1 November 2026. Tickets are available here.

Free things to do in London this week.

John Nash leads you around central London. Image: Discover Marble Arch

Spaghetti Map

Nope, it's not a list of London's best pasta eateries; the Spaghetti Map is in fact a free leaflet spotlighting six permanent art commissions on the London Underground network, and encouraging kids with creative prompts and space to write and draw, inspired by what they've seen. A fantastic free distraction for the summer hols. Find it at the following Tube stations: Arsenal, Battersea Power Station, Blackhorse Road, Edgware Road (Circle line), Manor House, Nine Elms, South Kensington, St. James's Park, Tottenham Court Road, Westminster and Whitechapel.

Throughout the summer.

Round the Dock

Gorge on free cultural goodies six days of the week across the summer, at Canada Water's Round the Dock. A floating stage hosts live music, poetry and talks — plus on Thursdays you can master Latin dance steps. No need to book anything in advance — just show up and get stuck in.

Until 30 August.

The Anatomy of Looking/Against Disappearance

DESIRE: The Anatomy of Looking presents the work of 23 visual artists in residence across Sarabande's studios in Haggerston and Tottenham — featuring an eclectic range of mediums, including painting and ceramics. The Anatomy of Looking forms Part 1 of this arty twofer, running until 15 August. Part 2, Against Disappearance, takes over on 19 August and runs till early September. The exhibitions are free, but do reserve a spot.

Until 4 September.

Free ice cream

Aldi parks its Summer Cool Down ice cream van on Clapham Common this week, giving out thousands of free ice creams. Swing by between 11am-3pm (or while stocks last) on Monday or Tuesday to pick up a free frozen treat, including the brand's new white chocolate & mango ice cream and its popular chocolate & hazelnut ice cream cones.

27-28 July.

Marble Arch tour

Join a guide in character as architect John Nash for a free walking tour around the Marble Arch area on Tuesday afternoon. The designer of the central London landmark shows you the area through his own eyes, telling stories of royal occasions and protest movements, and taking you to spots including Speakers' Corner and the Tyburn tree.

28 July.

Find the free Spaghetti Map at 11 Tube stations. Image: Benedict Johnson

Outdoor cinema

Tuesday is the new Friday, with two FREE outdoor film screenings to choose from this week.

Catch a riverside screening of the Pixar classic Cars at London Bridge City Pier, as part of Summer by the River. The animated adventure follows rookie racecar Lightning McQueen as he discovers the value of friendship in the quiet town of Radiator Springs.

Elsewhere, Vauxhall Summer Screens continues in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. This week's film is the musical sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again — ideal for a spot of mid-week Greek island escapism.

28 July. Find other outdoor film screenings (both free and paid) in London this summer.

Free lasagne at Zizzi

Claim your free portion from midday. Image: Zizzi

Italian restaurant chain Zizzi marks National Lasagne Day on Wednesday by giving away free lasagne to the first 30 people through the door at each of its restaurants — making a total of 3,990 meals given away across the UK. To be in with a shot at bagging a free lunch, get to your nearest branch at midday — or as soon afterwards as you can, as stocks are limited — and order either the classic six-layer lasagne, or the chain's vegan rainbow lasagne. You will need to purchase a soft drink to enjoy alongside your meal to qualify.

29 July.

Fitzrovia Chapel tour

Former Middlesex surgeon James Thomson leads a 45-minute exploration through the history and architecture of the stunning Grade II* listed Fitzrovia Chapel on Wednesday lunchtime. This guided tour explores the ornate gold mosaics and marble of the former hospital chapel, which remains a hidden sanctuary in the heart of the city.

29 July.

Rubber duck race

3,000 rubber ducks are released into Paddington Basin at lunchtime on Thursday... all for a good cause. The annual rubber duck race raises money for local charity Cosmic (Children of St Mary's Intensive Care), by allowing the public to sponsor a duck. Later this evening, a dragon boat race takes place along the same stretch of water, also for charity.

It's free to watch both events and cheer the participants on, but consider making a donation to the charity if you're able to.

30 July.

Charles Dickens talk

Historian and author Lucinda Dickens Hawksley — the great-great-great granddaughter of Charles and Catherine Dickens — pops up at Bloomsbury's Charles Dickens Museum to give a free talk about Anny Thackeray. She was a close friend of the Dickens' daughters, as well as being the daughter of writer William Thackeray, and went on to become a novelist in her own right.

You can watch the talk either in person at the museum, or online via livestream. It's followed by a Q&A session with Dickens Hawksley.

30 July. Note that entry to the rest of the museum isn't included in this free ticket.

Matsumoto Castle

Discover why Matsumoto Castle is so special. Image: Japan House London

One of Japan's five castles designated as a National Treasure, hear about Matsumoto Castle in a free talk at Japan House London in Kensington. Kashiwazawa Yukikazu, Director of the Matsumoto City Tourist Information Centre in Nagano Prefecture, discusses how the impressive building went from fortress of strategic importance to National Treasure, and why it occupies a rather unusual spot on flatland, rather than atop a hill or mountain.

30 July. Also this week: Discover the 200-year-old tradition of Matsumoto Oshi–e-bina dolls in a free talk and live demonstration on Friday, also hosted by Japan House London.

Songs on the Steps

Friday lunchtime is your last chance to catch a free performance by Opera Holland Park performers this year. The final Songs on the Steps 2026 sees artists from the pop-up summer venue giving a free lunchtime recital on the stone steps in the park. It's open to everyone, no ticket or booking required, and lasts about 40 minutes — pack a picnic blanket and your lunch and soak up some free al fresco culture.

31 July.

Routes, Ruins and Reconnaissance

Next Monday (3 August), the Royal Geographical Society launches its new, free exhibition, Routes, Ruins and Reconnaissance, which tells the story of writer, traveller and archaeologist Gertrude Bell. Ahead of that, get an advance preview of the exhibition at the free private viewing on Friday evening.

31 July.

Childhood in War

Lambeth's Imperial War Museum opens new free exhibition, Childhood in War, on Friday. It explores the experiences of children during wartime from 1914 to the present day. See how aspects of life including play, schooling, health, home life and safety are all impacted by conflict, through exhibits including recreations of an evacuee train carriage and a Cold War-era kitchen, and a letter written by a nine year-old boy to Lord Kitchener, the Secretary of State for War.

The rest of the museum is free entry too, so worth leaving time to explore more of it while you're there.

31 July 2026-February 2027.

Loads going on at Brompton Cemetery on 6 September. Image: Poetarojo ., Pexels License

Brompton Cemetery springs into life with its annual open day.

Though you can visit the magnificent Victorian cemetery any time of the year, in September — as the last drops of summer are squeezed out over the grand, tree-lined boulevard — an annual open day welcomes a flurry of free activities and entertainment.

This year's Friends of Brompton Cemetery Open Day is on Sunday 6 September 2026, featuring:

🪦 Tours of the cemetery and its catacombs, running throughout the day
🪦 Birds of Prey behind the Chapel, with talks at 11.30am and 2.30pm
🪦 Children's storytelling and face painting
🪦 Stalls selling local honey, handmade soaps, jewellery, clothes, toys, books, paintings and more
🪦 A chance to meet Chelsea Pensioners
🪦 Children's activities courtesy of the Royal Parks Learning Team
🪦 Stalls selling ice cream, samosas, crepes, cakes and more

If you're unable to make this open day, Brompton Cemetery plays a key role in hosting the ever-popular London Month of the Dead, happening a little later on in the year.

Friends of Brompton Cemetery Open Day, 6 September 2026, free.

The Woolwich Ferry has been operating for over 700 years, but it only recently got its first woman captain. Emma Lewis writes about the joys and challenges of the role.

"My favourite is Dame Vera Lynn. She's the female boat and I find she glides so elegantly across the Thames." Image: TfL

Being the first female Captain of the Woolwich Ferry is such an honour. Especially being a normal girl from Birmingham who never even stepped on a boat until I was 21.

Crazy story, but my first ever time on a boat was on the River Thames. My first trip to London was for my 21st birthday and I went on the London Eye River Cruise. If someone had nudged me on the shoulder then and said 'You'll be a captain on this river one day', I would have giggled. But look at me now!

My career on the water started as a Customer Service Assistant for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. I sold tickets on the piers and helped passengers board. I fell in love with working outside and was really encouraged by how the crew enjoyed their job on board, so I choose to move over to that side of things.

I am not a lover of boats but gaining a new skill and working with such influential people triggered me to start my journey to becoming a captain. My time at Uber Boat by Thames Clippers was so valuable because I had no marine experience previously. The work was fast-paced. Gaining knowledge and experience was so much fun, and every day was different.

Emma Lewis hadn't even stepped on a boat until her 21st birthday. Image: TfL

"Dame Vera Lynn is the female boat and she glides so elegantly across the Thames"

My final shift as a captain at Uber Boat by Thames Clippers was on New Year's Eve — the hardest shift of the year. You have to keep your vessel completely still within a controlled area, with loads of boats around you. You don't get to enjoy the fireworks at all, as you have your back to them, so the back deck is exposed for the customers to have a good view. It was so intense, but I am so proud that I did it.

I moved to the Woolwich Ferry to challenge myself and to gain more knowledge as a captain. The boats here are vastly different from what I had been used to. I wanted change and the Woolwich Ferry was a great place to move to.

We have two ferries, Dame Vera Lynn and Ben Woollacott. My favourite is Dame Vera Lynn (DVL for short). She's the female boat and I find she glides so elegantly across the Thames.

"I do training with my crew daily, so I know they are prepared and ready for any emergency we may encounter." Image: Tom Page, Creative Commons

"With a boat you can't just stop anywhere and let people off"

As captain, my day starts by doing safety checks and a briefing with my crew to discuss daily operations. I navigate the boat from the North to South pier, keeping a watch for any traffic heading inward and outward bound. This is especially important as we are a 'give-way' vessel, so must give right of way to all vessels navigating the River Thames.

On certain days we may have short delays, especially if there are reporting vessels in the area, and sometimes you can have three at once. A reporting vessel is a boat that has right of way on the river and it must fit one of three rules: be longer than 40 metres, weigh 50 tonnes or more and go outside of the River Thames, or be a tugboat towing another ship.

Berthing was once described to me as a 'controlled crash'. We must berth a boat alongside a stable pontoon or pier without causing any damage. When you park a car you don't need to be alongside anything to get out or to stay still, whereas a boat can't just stop anywhere and let people off. So when you are berthing, you need to make contact without causing any damage. Can you imagine having to park a car with contact with the car next to you, without any damage?! The pontoons are protected by 'fenders' which essentially act as shock absorbers, acting as a buffer between the vessel and pontoon.

" I enjoy the sunrises and sunsets." Image: TfL

I do training with my crew daily, so I know they are prepared and ready for any emergency we may encounter. The operation is complex, and I always have to monitor the weather as it may cause delays, especially if it's extremely windy.

I love going down on deck and having a visual inspection of the boat as this gives me the opportunity to speak with customers. A lot of people are surprised we are a free service, so I love giving them the history of the ferry, which started out life in the 14th century.

My favourite part of working at the Woolwich Ferry is the people. I am so unbelievably blessed to call this my job, and I work with some lovely characters who make work seem less like a job. I also enjoy the sunrises and sunsets.