Things to do
THE LONDON THAT NEVER WAS: A new exhibition opens today, showcasing The London That Never Was. See designs and plans for buildings that never came into existence for one reason or another, including a crystal Tower Bridge, and a colossal burial pyramid looming over Primrose Hill. Guildhall Art Gallery, free, just turn up, 6 September-8 December
ART BOOK FAIR: Art books and magazines from around the world are for sale at the London Art Book Fair. Small- and large-scale publishers are represented, with work by artists, curators and poets available. Whitechapel Gallery, free entry, just turn up, 5-8 September
BOAT FESTIVAL: Say 'ahoy' to the Classic Boat Festival as it moors up in east London. Ogle more than 40 beautiful vintage sailing and motor boats. Some, including Dunkirk Little Ships, are open for the public to hop on board and have a look around. Back on dry land there's craft workshops, talks, live music and street food. St Katharine Docks, free, just turn up, 6-8 September
CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE: All manner of very rare (read: expensive) cars park up in Hampton Court Palace's Fountain Garden for Concours of Elegance, a very upmarket classic car show, which also involves some of the UK's most prestigious car clubs. Today's the VIP preview day, but if your pockets aren't quite that deep, tickets for Saturday and Sunday are cheaper. Hampton Court Palace, from £40, book ahead, 6-8 September
PODCAST FESTIVAL: London Podcast Festival begins today, bringing famous and little-known podcasts to the stage for live recordings. Kick things off with George the Poet or Katy Brand and Katherine Parkinson, then browse the programme to see what's coming up over the next nine days. Kings Place (King's Cross), various prices, book ahead, 6-15 September
THAMESMEAD WALK: Thamesmead is an often-overlooked area of London, but this Totally Thames walk is a chance to learn about it. Did you know that much of the land was top secret until the 1950s, as tanks and torpedoes were tested nearby? Hear about this history, the development of the New Town in the 1960s, and how the area is still changing today. Plumstead station, £12/£9, book ahead,2pm-5.30pm
PALACE GARDENS: It's the final 2019 opening of Lambeth Palace Gardens, the private grounds of the Archbishop of Canterbury's London residence. Donate £5 to charity to get inside, and spend the afternoon wandering among fountains, trellises and pagodas. Lambeth Palace, £5, just turn up, 12pm-3pm
VEGAN VIBES: Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet combine a night of dancing with vegan food and Vegan Vibes. Don your best disco outfit, and bop the night away to 70s and 80s tunes, refuelling on vegan Greek, Ethiopian, Italian, Jamaican and Korean dishes. Greenwich Market, free entry, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm
BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM: Watch 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham at this pay-what-you-feel screening. It's the story of a football-mad 18 year old who defies her orthodox Sikh parents to join a local football team. The film is followed by a Q&A with local charity Young Roots, which works with refugees and asylum seekers. Harris Academy South Norwood, pay what you think, book ahead,7.45pm
DUCKIE LOVES FANNY: Here's a surreal homage to the late TV cook Fanny Cradock: 25 identical dragsters, kitted out like the First Lady of Food. A fleet of trolley dollies serves retro bites, and there's music from Fanny's era (think Alma Cogan Kathy Kirby, Tina Charles). Walthamstow Assembly Hall, £15, book ahead, 9pm-2am
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Thought Experiment: Wouldn't the tube roundels look so much better if they were written in Comic Sans rather than New Johnston? See how striking it would look. Let's do it — and convert the rest of London to Comic Sans while we're at it. Send howls of derision to Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for Conflict Cafe on 21 September. The supper club-style event is a chance to find out more about the Philippines through its cuisine and its stories, and raises money for peace charity International Alert. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- Hammersmith Bridge repairs could cost £120m.
- Backlash over plans to build tower block behind art deco Hoover Building.
- Facial recognition cameras at King's Cross to be switched off for good.
- New York Times considers Notting Hill 'outside of London's most elite neighbourhoods'.
