Things to do
BUTTERFLY BIOSPHERE: An iridescent butterfly biosphere pops up in Mayfair, the work of immersive experience experts Bompas & Parr. Wander through the shiny pink cavern getting up close to the creatures, try a sip of nectar, and learn about the difficulties facing butterflies in the wild. Grosvenor Square (Mayfair), free, just turn up, 5-15 September (10am-7pm)
CITY AT SUNRISE: Get up and at 'em early and join this 6am walk through Chelsea and Battersea at dawn. The creative walk goes down Kings Road, passing the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Chelsea Physic Garden, crosses the iconic Albert Bridge and ends in Battersea Park. Sloane Square (Chelsea), £25, book ahead, 6.30am-9am
STREET FOOD: This lunchtime sees the final summer outing of Cabot Street Bites. The street food market brings 15 culinary traders to Canary Wharf for one final hurrah, offering an alternative to the chain food shops and cafes of the area. Cabot Square (Canary Wharf), free, just turn up, 11am-3pm
FIRE NIGHT: National Trust property Rainham Hall hosts an evening of fire in its garden. Toast marshmallows and make a smore, fire your own tile, and make a recycled tin lantern to take part in a parade. The hall itself stays open late until 8pm, to give you a chance to explore it after hours. Rainham Hall (Dagenham), £10 (free for RM13 residents), book ahead, 6pm-9pm
HISTORIANS LECTURE: Arthur Burns, Professor of Modern British History at King's College, is the guest speaker at this year's London Historians Annual Lecture, focusing on the town clergyman in Hanoverian and Victorian London. The stereotype of the 'country clergyman' exists, but the 'town' clergyman has received little attention. Find out more about the 'slum clergyman', a common figure in the 19th century East End. Barnards Inn Hall (Holborn), £10.50, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm
CERAMIC PAINTING: Unleash your creative side at this ceramic painting session. Choose from mugs, plates, bowls, tiles and ornaments and learn how to transfer a design onto your piece — either a ready-made design, or one you've created yourself. No experience necessary, and it's BYOB. Southwark (address provided on booking), £38, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm (sponsor)
VOICES FOR THE WILD: A group of inspirational speakers comes together to share personal stories of experiences in nature and transformations in the wild, in aid of The Wilderness Foundation UK. Enjoy stories, a raffle, an auction and a book launch, all raising money for the charity which helps people enjoy the benefits of nature. Royal Geographical Society (Kensington), £15, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm
POST-STONEWALL: 50 years since the Stonewall Riots, what do the rights of LGBT+ people look like today? Hear how things have changed in the past half century, but also, learn about the serious human rights and psychosocial issues which remain for LGBTQ+ people today. British Library, £10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.15pm
ILLUMINATED RIVER: The first of a series of lectures celebrating 125 years of Tower Bridge takes place tonight. Hear Illuminated River’s director Sarah Gaventa and project architect Chris Waite talk about the programme to light up the Thames bridges, and what role Tower Bridge plays in that. Tower Bridge, £20, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
RICHARD AYOADE: Writer/director Richard Ayoade chats to comedian Adam Buxton about his career so far. Hear how Ayoade went from a role in The IT Crowd to co-writing and directing on other projects, and why he considers 2003 film View From The Top to be a cinematic masterpiece. Southbank Centre, £15-£35, book ahead, 7.30pm
FREDDIE MERCURY: London's original Hard Rock Cafe celebrates Freddie Mercury's birthday with Freddie For A Day, an event raising money for the Mercury Phoenix Trust. Don your best Freddie fancy dress and dance the night away to a live Queen tribute band, and a special 'Freddie's moustache' boozy milkshake. Hard Rock Cafe (Mayfair), £8, book ahead, 7.30pm-11pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
For those who haven't heard, a branch of the Overground is offering free journeys for the rest of the month. Just touch in/out with your Oyster or contactless card, and the Gospel Oak to Barking (Goblin) line won't charge you a penny (technically, you will be charged the full fare, but then reimbursed the next day). It's all by way of apology from TfL for the problems that have beset the line over the past year. The route passes by Hampstead Heath, Green Lanes, Walthamstow, Wanstead Flats and on to Barking, so there's plenty to see. Take a look at our guide, which shows two things to see or do at every Goblin stop. Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Put Monday's public meeting in your diary and help save the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Speakers including historian Dan Cruickshank talk about their support for the campaign to preserve the facility's history.
What we're reading
- HS2 to be delayed by up to five years.
- The new face of London's nightlife.
- Lost Rossetti painting goes on display at British Museum.
- London is changing its skyscraper designs to favour cyclists.
