If you suffer strongly from FOMO then I suggest you look away now, as there’s SO much going on this August bank holiday. Shake your tail feather at the epic, outrageous street party that is Notting Hill Carnival, let Fido (my generic name for all dogs) feast on London’s first ever burger for pooches, or indulge your weird and wonderful side at the Curious Arts Festival. If cocktails, fine fare and nipple tassels are your bag then it’s likely you’ll have a fabulous bank hols…
The Glasshouse At Searcys At The Gherkin
Believe it or not there’s an oasis of greenery hidden at the top of one of London’s most ironic skyscrapers, The Gherkin. Scattered with exotic plants and florals sprouted in and around every corner, The Glasshouse, has been created in partnership with Perrier-Jouët Champagne, allowing guests to soak up the last of the summer sun, albeit under a glass roof. But hey, it’s better to be undercover than caught in a torrential downpour!
Running until 1st September
Where: The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, EX3A 8EP
Website: www.searcysatthegherkin.co.uk
Forget Dippy, Visit The Unnatural History Museum
The Natural History Museum has some weird stuff; a Tyrannosaurus Rex called Stan, for example. Want to view the penis bone of a sea lion? They’ve got your back. But imagine how intriguing an exhibition curated around the UK’s unnatural history, or more precisely, UK folklore stories you haven’t heard of… Welcome to the eclectic, immersive tapestry that is Audible Live: Hag.
This interactive, free exhibition is set to charm London, introducing award-winning authors and Sunday Times best-sellers and creating an immersive storytelling experience through the Instagram-worthy exhibits. Famed female wordsmiths will come together to delve into the DNA of reimagined, unknown British myths, fables, folklore and fantasy, drawing on historical manuscripts, ancient objects and fascinating photographs to create eight, fully immersive short stories.
Website: FREE Tickets This Way...
Summer Of Culture: Tenegui Workshop With Japan House
The Leopard Bar is hosting a tenegui workshop, where guests can learn the art of wrapping the beautiful Japanese fabric used for gift wrapping. An expert from Japan House will run the event and teach attendees how they can replace disposable gift wrapping materials by using tenegui. A selection of Japanese cuisine and a cocktail menu will accompany the event.
Friday 23rd August
Where: The Leopard Bar, Buckingham Palace Road
Website: Come This Way...
Fentimans Secret Spritz Garden
In search of a new boozy hideout? The Fentimans Secret Spritz Garden pop-up is the hidden oasis you’ve been waiting for. Tucked away in busy Farringdon, you’ll find a green paradise littered with herbs, shrubbery and, of course, spritz cocktails. Soak up the last of the summer weather, sipping on refreshing spritz while surrounding by fairy lights and a 200-year-old olive tree. It’s the perfect spot for a quick ‘gram too!
Running until Friday 30th August
Where: St John's Cloister Garden, St John's Lane, Clerkenwell, EC1M 4DA
Website: www.fentimans.com
Bumble's Miami Vice Party
Single pringles, you’ve got this! THIS is your time to shine. It’s time to throw in the hat and get your dating on. Where? Well, at the Bumble (dating app) Miami Vice-themed singles party of course! This swipe-right event takes place on Wednesday 28th (so not technically this weekend) but it’s worth a shout about because there’ll be interactive games and ice-breaker challenges, love limbo and Zodiac matchmaking so it’s well worth a visit! Don’t fumble, get down to Bumble!
Tickets are free, but you will need the Bumble app to get one. Go onto date mode and match with ‘Bumble Pool Party’ to apply for a ticket for yourself and a (single) friend.
Website: www.bumble.com
Hotel Café Royal
There is a new summer terrace in town for the summer at Hotel Café Royal. The Green Bar has been extended to a pop up summer terrace in partnership with Verve Clicquot. It a flora and fauna filled retreat from the cacophony of the city streets, allowing guests to sip on cocktails and enjoy a selection of light treats and new sushi creations.
The Green Bar Summer Terrace is open daily from 12pm to 10pm until late September.
Where: 68 Regent Street, Piccadilly, W1B 4DY
Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus (0.1 miles)
Website: www.hotelcaferoyal.com
Treats Club Dessert Bar
Ice, Ice, Baby. Prepare to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings as Treats Club launch their first pop-up right in the heart of London, helping to carry you through the last few weeks of summer. You’ll be able to escape the heat by indulging in premium soft-serve ice cream or digging into a freshly iced doughnut. They’ll be rotating the flavours weekly to keep you wanting more. We’ll have five of each please!
Running until Saturday 7th September
Where: Old Street Roundabout, Old Street, EC1Y 1BE
Website: www.thetreatsclub.com
Tell Your Friends LA Takeover
Renowned for its fresh, hearty and comforting plant-based goodies, Tell Your Friends is hitting up the summer with an LA themed summer takeover. Owned by Made in Chelsea stars, Tiffany and Lucy Watson, the resto is teaming up with the Moving Mountains hot dog so you can bask in an American summer of fun! Oooh yeah, I’ll have one of those dogs!
Running until 31st August
Where: 175 New King's Road, Fulham, SW6 4SW
Website: www.tellyourfriendsldn.com
Notting Hill Carnival
This one’s a given but it’s Notting Hill Carnival season baby! Striding in this August bank holiday, Notting Hill will become home to one of the world’s largest street carnivals celebrating Caribbean heritage on the city streets. Think costume-clad Caribbean dancing, reggae filling the air and street vendors serving up traditional jerk chicken and goat stew. Oh boy it’s gonna be a holiday to remember!
Running 25th – 26th August
Where: Notting Hill
Website: www.thelondonnottinghillcarnival.com
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace food festival is set to return at the iconic landmark. The event will see a line-up of chefs, culinary experts, artisan producers, entertainment and live music.
Saturday 24th – Monday 26th August
Where: Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, KT8 9AU, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Hampton Court (0.2 miles)
Website: www.hrp.org.uk
Kricket
We’re still clinging onto summer menu’s with every mouthful, and helping us to do just that is Kricket, pushing out moreish and alluring British ingredients. Try out their offerings this bank holiday, and feast on bread based dishes such as ox cheek paratha and whole wheat roti. Focusing on farm to table, veggies will also be rife in the form of tomato, sesame raita, spring onion and coriander salad and Cornish mackerel crudo with peas, almonds and panch poran. The refreshing dishes, found at all Kricket outposts, make a welcome addition to London’s foodie scene.
Where: Kricket: Soho, White City and Brixton
Website: www.kricket.co.uk
Ivory Vaults
Pull up a pew with King Henry VIII as he puts on a hearty spread fit for queens, knights, acrobats and jesters alike! It’s a real insight into the life of the intriguingly terrifying King, and the event will see you slapping your knee, dancing with unicorns and delving into a real ‘COOKED’ banquet made to fill up a real big sweaty knight. Cor blimey!
Ivory Vaults are the immersive giants who know exactly how to throw a party. The eccentric package will include a 4-course meal, wine, ale (obvs), a two hour live medieval extravaganza and a disco until late… naughty!
Where: Ivory Vaults Ivory House St Katharine Docks London, E1W 1BP
Nearest station: Tower Hill (0.4 miles)
Website: www.ivoryvaults.com
VIVI
Renowned for their banter-filled brunches, that the Love Island team pulled up a pew to enjoy, VIVI is the best place to go for bottomless booze and a tap-footing tune this bank hols. Expect a three course meal with faves such as avocado on toast, prawn cocktail or VIVI’s famous Hereford beef burger being plated up, as techno champs Charlie Weaver and Joel Evans bust it out on the decks.
It’s an Instagrammable dream (and cocktails often have candy floss in)!
Where: 11 St Giles Square, London WC2H 8AP
Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road (0.1 miles)
Website: www.vivirestaurant.co.uk
Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar
Although named after eighteenth century caricaturist, James Gillray, Gillray’s opened in just 2012. You wouldn’t guess, though, as the feel inside is timeless, like it’s been here forever. You literally can’t miss it, on the Southbank, the ginormous Romanesque palace sort of opposite Parliament. And views are incredible; you can cop an eyeful of all the staple tourist spots at a glance, whilst enjoying something off their steak-heavy, wholesome menu, which can be walked off along the South Bank afterwards…
Where: Gillray's Steakhouse & Bar, Westminster Bridge Road, London, United Kingdom
Nearest station: London Waterloo (0.3 miles)
Website: www.gillrays.com
Rose Theatre at Blenheim Palace
Knock, knock! Who’s there?
Only Europe’s first ever pop-up Shakespearean theatre arriving at Blenheim Palace! While nothing will beat how dreamy Leo looked as Romeo back in the film remake, we’re certainly excited to be transported back to the Elizabethan period at the Rose Theatre, even if for a few hours. Venture out of the city for an afternoon of Shakespearian fun. There’s four spectacular performances to peruse, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, and Richard III.
Running until 7th September
Where: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, OX20 1PP
Website: www.blenheimpalace.com
Wimbledon Park Food & Drink Festival
This year’s festival village will be filled with even more delicious produce and entertainment, creating a memorable day out that’s perfect for dedicated foodies and families alike.
You can sample fresh, regional food and drink from over 50 stallholders, from gourmet burgers to retro ice creams and artisan beers. There’s the chance to learn new skills from our expert cookery demonstrations and talks, and to relax in beautiful surroundings to the backdrop of live music. Picnic on straw bales, whilst the children play garden games, have their faces painted and listen to our dedicated storyteller.
Sunday 25th – Tuesday 27th August
Where: Wimbledon Park
Website: www.eatdrinkseek.co.uk
CURIOUS ARTS FESTIVAL
The CURIOUS ARTS FESTIVAL offers a glittering array of the cultural and creative and including comedy, music, literature and a packed children’s programme. From life drawing, insect walks, poetry and journalism workshops to pop-up theatre and fine dining and a choir, only CURIOUS offers anything like this dreamy, fun, stimulating, eccentric and inimitable weekend for questing minds of all ages.
Where: Pippingford Park Manor Liveries, Nutley, Uckfield TN22 3HW
Website: www.curiousartsfestival.com
Jaks Mayfair
Hey Jaks, how do you look so pretty?
Gosh, it doesn’t get more à Paris than Jaks seating arrangement, resting outside in white table-clothed, al-fresco glory! If you do anything this bank hols, make sure stopping by Jaks in Mayfair makes the cut. Their Mediterranean menu can be enjoyed alongside their boozy bank holiday specials menu, booming with beer, wine and cocktails. Aaaaand relax.
Where: Jaks Mayfair, South Molton Street, London, UK
Nearest station: Bond Street (0.1 miles)
Website: www.jakslondon.com
Mews of Mayfair
Where: 10 Lancashire Court New Bond Street W1S 1EY
Nearest station: Bond Street (0.3 miles)
Website: www.mewsofmayfair.com
Kimpton Fitzroy London
Kimpton Fitzroy immerses its guests in a flora and fauna filled summer garden for their afternoon tea experience, named The Summer Rose Garden. Guests can sit amongst roses at the Palm Court and overlook Bloomsbury Square whilst whetting the whistle with Laurent-Perrier Champagne.
Exective Pastry Chef Thibault Marchand, recently named the winner of Channel Four’s ‘Bake Off: The Professionals’, has interwoven his admiration of French rose gardens and summer, to create a sensational menu of intricately crafted pastries to match the notes of the Champagne. The floral fancies, including flavours of peach and verbena petit gateau, come presented in a vibrant colour palette and make for some charming pictures!
Sandwiches such as roast chicken, grain mustard, rocket salad and smoked salmon with fennel, apple and trout roe will be the savoury to your sweet pastries, and all can be washed down with Champagne or a summer tipple from Kimpton Fitzroy’s Director of Bars, Sean Fennelly’s curated menu.
The Summer Rose Garden afternoon tea will be available until the end of September
Where: Kimpton Fitzroy London Hotel, 1-8 Russell Square, London WC1B 5BE, UK
Nearest station: Russell Square (0.1 miles)
Website: www.kimptonfitzroylondon.com
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
50% OFF? SAY WHAT?
The Athenaeum has stood proudly next to Green Park since 1849 and is one of London’s most luxurious hotel offerings. A stay there can see visitors strolling through historic Shepherd Market where the 17th century notoriously bawdy ‘May Fair’ was originally held, or popping to Buckingham Palace to see Queenie. If this ruffles your feathers then listen up; this bank holiday, stay Saturday night and save 50% on the Friday or Sunday night. Now that’s an offer we wouldn’t refuse, you jammy things!
Where: 116 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7BJ, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner (0.4 miles)
Website: www.athenaeumhotel.com
Le Méridien Piccadilly
The Terrace On Piccadilly at Le Méridien Piccadilly serves classic cuisine with a contemporary twist infused with flavours from across the globe. With luscious greenery throughout the restaurant, this leafy suburban haven also provides a stylish setting for Afternoon Tea. This August bank holiday, enjoy al fresco drinks and fare at the wonderful sun-drenched (or so we hope) setting. It’s a Provençal oasis complete with lemon blossom inspired floral backdrops, chic panama hats, shabby chic furniture, and retro beach umbrellas and we simply adore it!
Where: Le Méridien Piccadilly, Piccadilly, London, UK
Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus (0.2 miles)
Website: www.marriott.co.uk
The Sheraton Grand London Park Lane
Of course one of London’s most dog-friendly bars in town has dog burgers on its books. Smith & Whistle, nestled inside the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, has an epic Burger Menu on offer to celebrate both National Burger Day and National Dog Day, meaning Fido the pooch won’t miss out on the Bank Hols frivolities either! You can pair your burger with a lip-smacking Unity Lager, whilst Fido enjoys the popular ‘Quarter Hounder’, London’s first Dog Burger. Woof-tastic!
Available from Thursday 22nd – Monday 26th August
Where: Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Green Park (0.4 miles)
Website: www.sheratonparklane.com
Zuaya
Raising the bar in Latin American food is Zuaya on Kensington High Street with its adventurous plates, beautifully crafted cocktails, show-stopping interiors and buzzy ambiance. This bank holiday weekend, grab yourself a slice of the action as the ravishing resto offers guests a 15% off and a complimentary glass of Champagne when dining at the venue – reeeesult! Whether you’re a pundit for a prawn, or balmy about bravas, there’s something for everyone (including loads of great cocktails) at the epic spot that is Zuaya.
Quote ‘The Handbook’ when booking or show this promotion to your server at time of being seated to enjoy this offer when dining on Friday 23rd August to Monday 26th August.
Where: Zuaya London, Kensington High Street, London, UK
Nearest station: High Street Kensington (0.3 miles)
Website: www.zuaya.co.uk
Lucky Voice
Do you like karaoke?
Well then, shake, rattle and roll your way to one of Lucky Voice’s many booming locations this August bank holiday, as the karaoke giants offer guests a whopping half price on private karaoke rooms. Simply tag the brand on Facebook or Instagram, and sing comfortably knowing that no-one expect your colleagues will hear your half-arsed attempt at Rocketman. There’s going to be music, there’s going to be a helluva lot of margaritas, so pick up your hairbrush and get practicing…
Where: Various Locations
Website: www.luckyvoice.com
Park Chinois
Say Champagne and most people’s heads turn… So, how about a Champagne brunch at the ultra luxe, celeb-graced Park Chinois in Mayfair this weekend? The hot-spot welcomes guests from 12pm, inviting them to sip Charles Heidsieck Champagne, cocktails, and delve into various Chinese dishes from the signature menu. Plus, there are DJs to provide the sountrack to your munching… now, you wouldn’t have that from your local takeaway would you? Don the decadence this weekend and treat yourselves to a bit of Park Chinois!
Where: Park Chinois, 17 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, W1J 8EA
Nearest station: Green Park (0.2 miles)
Website: www.parkchinois.com
Vegan Day Party
Get your plant-based party poppers out, it’s time to party! This weekend attend an epic Vegan Day Party at Brixton JAMM, courtesy of Erpingham House (Kalifornia Kitchen’s big sis, for any KK fans…)! There’ll be vegan food, drink, artisan shopping, health & wellbeing and more – wahoo!
Monday, 26th August
Where: Brixton Jamm 261, Brixton Road
Website: www.eventbrite.co.uk
