Things to do
QUEER HISTORY: Southbank Centre launches new tours, delving into the queer history of the building, part of its series of events celebrating LGBTQI+ artists and performers. Find out info such as how 6,000 people celebrated the Marriage Act there in 2014. Southbank Centre, £10, book ahead, 15-18 August
STREET FOOD: Ditch your soggy sarnie and head to Cabot Street Bites for lunch. The Canary Wharf street food market has 15 different stalls, selling dishes ranging from pasta to bao buns to steak and chips. No single-use plastic is used at the market, and there are picnic benches nearby for you to get stuck into your nosh. Cabot Square (Canary Wharf), free entry, just turn up, 11am-3pm
RIVER WANDLE: Tying in with the current Secret Rivers exhibition, join the Museum of London Docklands for a walk along the lost waterway of the River Wandle. Begin at Morden Hall Park and trace the route of a river which was once home to hundreds of mills, and winds past a Victorian estate, early railway and royal abbey. Morden Hall Park, £20, book ahead, 11am/2.30pm
TALES OF THE TURNTABLE: New family-friendly musical Tales of the Turntable is a lively, whistle-stop tour through musical history, from the early origins of hip-hop, funk and soul through to disco, house and rap. Follow the story of Eric and his grandfather as they go time-travelling and find out what they have in common. Southbank Centre, £25, book ahead, 2pm/7pm until 26 August
OPEN GARDENS: There's a rare chance to see inside the gardens of the Charterhouse, on a special open evening. Head there after work and wander among the plants on the seven-acre site, before getting stuck into a barbecue and bar. The Charterhouse (Clerkenwell), £10, book ahead, 5.30pm-8.30pm
SEASHAKEN HOUSES: Author and building conservationist Tom Nancollas makes an appearance to talk about his new book, Seashaken Houses. It's a history of 20 lighthouses built between 1811 and 1905, looking at the people who built and restored them, and the communities they served. Daunt Books (Hampstead), £5, book ahead, 6.30pm
BEER IN SOUTHWARK: A cathedral isn't the obvious location for a talk about beer, but that's not stopping George Hoyle. He reveals the history of beer brewing in Southwark, and the links the industry has with the cathedral itself. Songs and a beer-drinking opportunity also feature. Southwark Cathedral, £10, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
CATHEDRAL LATES: Stay late in St Paul's Cathedral, and enjoy Wren's beautiful building at dusk. Head up to one of two viewing galleries and watch the sun set over the city, before exploring the cathedral floor and crypt. There's also a special exhibition about the closure of the building on Christmas Eve 1924 and subsequent restoration. St Paul's Cathedral, £12.80, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
NIGELLA LAWSON: Chefs Nigella Lawson and Yotam Ottolenghi take part in the Authors on Stage series. They chat to author and journalist Bee Wilson about how food and place shape who we are, including Ottolenghi’s Italian and German heritage, and how Lawson's mother and grandmother inspired her love of cooking. National Theatre, £15-£45, book ahead, 7.30pm
THE COLOUR CONTEST: What's the best colour? Expect a lively discussion as a panel debates the issue, revealing the emotional significance of different shades. The event takes place in the pop-up Colour Palace, in the gallery's garden, so dress for the outdoors. Dulwich Picture Gallery, £10, book ahead, 7.30pm
CHIHULY NIGHTS: Kew Gardens stay open late for the first of its new Chihuly Nights events. See the Dale Chihuly glass sculptures illuminated in all their colourful glory in the gardens and conservatories, accompanied by a specially-commissioned soundtrack. Kew Gardens, £18/£12, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm (every Thursday-Saturday until 26 October)
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Head to the north-west corner of the Bank of England and you'll find this grille taking up a fair portion of the carriageway. A sign handily tells us what it is — the DLR overun tunnel. This is the western-most section of the DLR, and the bit in which trains change direction (minus passengers) just beyond Bank. My thanks to tube know-it-all Geoff Marshall for taking me to see this overlooked feature. Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for next Wednesday's Absolutely 80s evening, raising money to fund an NHS specialist Cancer Clinician at the Imperial College NHS Trust. A live band performs 80s tunes from the likes of The Pet Shop Boys, Phil Collins and Pink Floyd, with a chance for you to strut your stuff too. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- British Museum acquires anti-Brexit banknotes.
- A PC in the Metropolitan Police is appearing on Nigerian Big Brother, despite being denied permission to do so.
- Legal row halts contract signing of £1bn Silvertown Tunnel.
