Looking For Weekend Plans? Here Are 15 Activities To Add To The List
September is in full swing and, with it, brings a whole host of seasonal activities. Whether you fancy celebrating Negroni Month well and truly in style or plan on discovering a brand new fashion exhibition at the V&A, this line-up has every base covered.
What to eat
Taste Northern Irish fire in Hackney
Hackney favourite Rocola is welcoming Great British Menu 2026 winner Lawrence Barrow for an exclusive three-week kitchen takeover running until October 3rd.
The Northern Ireland regional champion has crafted a contemporary menu inspired by his roots and international travels, celebrating rich, bold regional ingredients. Foodies can tuck into indulgent dishes like smoked eel boxty with black truffle, wild venison tartare on seaweed hashbrowns, and sea bass bathed in a Kilkeel crab bouillabaisse. Round out the feast with a slice of peat-smoked chocolate and stout cake before this limited-run residency packs its bags!
Where: Unit 3, 143 Mare St, London E8 3RH
Website: www.rocola.com
Grab a seat at London’s newest omakase counter
An intimate new culinary experience has landed at ALBA with the launch of its exclusive ten-seat omakase counter.
Led by Japanese Head Chef Takuya Kaneko and Creative Chef Dmytro Pak, the nine and twelve-course set menus showcase the day’s finest delicacies, from Hokkaido uni to bluefin otoro and Beluga caviar. With just a handful of spots available each evening, this is a must-book for high-end sushi lovers.
Where: 70 Brompton Rd, London SW3 1ER
Website: www.alba.com
Feast on this Sunday roast
For a traditional British feast in the heart of Covent Garden, head straight to Indigo at One Aldwych.
Set on the hotel’s airy mezzanine level, their Sunday Roast menu starts with sharing bites like warm milk buns and truffle crumpets with chicken liver parfait. For the main event, choose between sirloin of Hereford beef, Norfolk Black chicken with brioche and truffle stuffing, or Cornish saddle of lamb. Every roast comes fully loaded with Yorkshire puddings, crisp roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, and buttered carrots. If a roast is what you are after this weekend, this is the one to book.
Where: 1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ
Website: www.onealdwych.com
Book this Michelin-starred takeover
Foodies looking for next month’s ultimate dining experience will want to move quickly to snag a table for House of Tides’ one-night-only takeover at Solaya on Wednesday 7th October.
Led by Chef Patron Kenny Atkinson, the acclaimed Michelin-starred Newcastle institution is making the journey down to Shoreditch to serve an exclusive five-course seasonal tasting menu. Guests can expect refined British cooking paired with sweeping 25th-floor skyline views and bespoke cocktails for £95 per person. Tickets are guaranteed to sell out fast for this high-altitude feast, so be sure to secure your spot well in advance.
Where: 25th Floor, 1-3 Rivington St, London EC2A 3DT
Book here
In an era of small plates, Solaya’s family-style approach was a breath of fresh air, and filling too! Prepare for the best focaccia of your life. Other highlights include the roasted octopus and duck leg confit.
Flora, Senior Brand Partnerships Executive
Celebrate Oktoberfest in style
Brigadiers is bringing a unique Indian twist to Oktoberfest, transforming its City terrace into a Bavarian-inspired Bier Hall.
Guests can pull up a bench at the communal tables to enjoy live oompah music and Paulaner steins alongside a limited-edition Deutsche Daru food menu. Expect creative bites like Chilli-wurst Tikki Pao, Masala Currywurst Kathi Rolls, and Apple Jalebi topped with cinnamon rabri. Wash it all down with a gold-flecked Barfi Schnapps shooter or a Jägermeister-infused Bavarian Old Fashioned for a festive knees-up in the Square Mile.
Where: 1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR
Website: www.brigadiers.com
Sip the drink of the season
Negroni Month has officially arrived, and Campari is elevating the ultimate Italian aperitivo by partnering with cult foodie favourite Perelló Olives to launch the drink of the moment: the Dirty Negroni.
Riding the wave of the savoury “swicy” trend, this olive-brine-spiked cocktail is taking centre stage all month long across six bespoke ‘Negroni Lounges’ in London, including Lardo in Hackney and Bar Brasso in Clapton.
Cocktail lovers can explore vibrant DJ sets, hands-on pasta masterclasses, and exclusive supper clubs, or pick up a Flagship Stamp Passport to collect stamps across the lounges for a free sixth Negroni. Be sure to drop into hero spots like Café 1001 or Soho’s The Shaston Arms to enjoy £5 Negronis served with complimentary Perelló olives all month long!
Where: venues across London
Website: www.campari.com
Tuck into a fiery sandwich pop-up
East London foodies are in for a serious treat as Bethnal Green’s Rogue Sarnies hosts a two-night collaboration with Hackney Wick favourite Hon’s BBQ.
The main event comes tucked inside Rogue Sarnies’ signature crispy rolls, with a choice between Hon’s famous Hong Kong-inspired smoked ox cheek or ginger black vinegar-glazed pork belly. Friday offers a ticketed evening complete with a back-to-back vinyl set from jungle and hip-hop DJs, while Saturday runs on a first-come, first-served walk-in basis.
Where: 263 Poyser St, London E2 9RF
Website: www.honsbbq.com
Tuck into Bengali cuisine
Leyton’s favourite dumpling residency at The Coach and Horses, Eat Momo, is kicking off an exciting autumn guest chef series, commencing this Friday.
First to take over the kitchen is Sohini Banerjee, founder of the acclaimed zero-waste Bengali supper club Smoke and Lime. The evening promises three exclusive, flavour-packed dishes designed to champion authentic Bengali cuisine alongside Eat Momo’s classic menu. It’s a one-night-only feast for East London foodies, so be sure to secure your table before seats sell out!
Where: Arch 229, 1 Bank End, London SE1 9FJ
Website: www.eatmomo.com
Book a table at MA/NA’s brand new weekend lunch
One of Mayfair’s most acclaimed Japanese restaurants has just opened for weekend lunch for the very first time, and the new daytime menu is well worth booking ahead for.
MA/NA is now welcoming guests on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm, with Executive Chef Leo Tanyag’s ingredient-led tasting menu offering the same precision and elegance the restaurant is known for, just in a new light. Highlights include O-Toro Tartare with avocado, truffle soy and fresh wasabi, Hamachi Carpaccio with citrus ponzu and yuzukosho, and Gyu Wasabi featuring grilled rib eye with ginger, garlic and fresh wasabi.
Where: 30 Upper Grosvenor St, London W1K 7PH
Website: www.manarestaurants.com
What to do
Check out this wellness weekender
Marylebone Village is hosting its first-ever wellness weekender this week and it isn’t one to miss.
Among the programme’s highlights are two headline panel discussions. The first will be a Metabolism Masterclass with ZOE’s Dr Federica Amati and Artah founder Rhian Stephenson, followed by a Nervous System Reset with hormone expert Dr Louise Newson later on in the week. Both will be chaired by FT HTSI wellness journalist Rebecca Newman and ticketed at £15, with all proceeds going to Allkind mental health charity. Across the five days, expect free run clubs from Lululemon and Sealskinz, a complimentary week’s membership at AMP, yoga and breathwork at Third Space, wellness menus at local restaurants and a string of expert talks and treatments across the village.
Where: Marylebone
Website: www.marylebonevillage.com
Explore this sustainable fashion pop-up
For this weekend’s shopping fix, head straight to King’s Cross for Siftag’s first-ever physical pop-up takeover, The Natural Fibre Edit.
Held at Fabrica X, the event showcases a curated selection of independent UK and European brands dedicated exclusively to natural materials like linen, silk, wool, and cotton. Visitors can shop sustainable fashion, meet brand founders, and enjoy speciality coffee alongside live music throughout the venue. Make sure to arrive early, as the first 50 attendees each day will snag free merchandise and goodies!
Where: Fabrica X, The Mills Fabrica, 36–40 York Way, London N1 9AB
Book here
Be among the first to see this new fashion exhibition
Fashion lovers are in for a treat this autumn as the V&A South Kensington partners with Burberry to present The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon.
Opening this week in the Prince Consort Gallery to mark the house’s 170th anniversary, the free display traces the garment’s evolution from 19th-century military outerwear to a modern luxury staple. Visitors can explore rarely-seen archive objects, examine the intricate tailoring behind signature details like the House Check lining, and view 19 standout runway looks spanning 25 years. Entry is completely free with no booking required, making it the perfect stylish pitstop for your cultural weekend stroll.
Where: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
Website: www.vam.com
Start your Friday morning right with this power walk
If you’re looking for a way to kick off the weekend on a high, this Friday morning’s Protein Power Walk with nutritionist Emily English and Plenish is the one to sign up for.
Starting at atis on North Audley Street at 8am, the free community event celebrates the launch of Plenish’s new Clean Protein Oat Drink, with the first 100 guests to arrive receiving a complimentary Plenish x atis protein smoothie made with the new launch. Emily will be leading the walk and sharing her tips on simple ways to boost protein intake without overhauling your routine, and with all fitness levels welcome and tickets completely free, there’s very little reason not to set the alarm a little earlier this Friday.
Where: atis, 29 North Audley Street, Mayfair, W1K 6WY
Book here
Immerse yourself in this fragrance pop-up
Valentino Beauty has taken over Westfield London until September 27th for a striking immersive experience celebrating its new Vendetta fragrance collection. In partnership with The Fragrance Shop, visitors can grab a set of keys, step inside the iconic Vendetta car, and star in their own photo moment alongside the campaign film featuring Dakota Johnson and Alexander Skarsgård.
Head over to the sensory discovery table to sample the new Vendetta Donna and Uomo scents firsthand. Plus, anyone making a qualifying purchase will walk away with an exclusive complimentary Valentino Beauty pouch.
Where: Westfield Shopping Centre
Website: www.thefragranceshop.com
Things to do outside of London
Escape north for an autumn weekend in Edinburgh
With autumn creeping in, now marks the perfect time to escape London for a weekend and catch the train up to Edinburgh.
Spend your morning weaving through the historic cobbles of the Royal Mile before making the scenic climb up Arthur’s Seat for sweeping, panoramic views across the Firth of Forth. Art lovers can duck into the Scottish National Gallery to warm up alongside world-class masterpieces, while foodies should head straight to Stockbridge to browse its Sunday artisan market and cosy up in neighbourhood bistros.
Check out our insider’s guide to Edinburgh here
Take in coastal art and sea breeze here
Combine fresh sea air with cutting-edge art by heading down to the Sussex coast for Hastings Contemporary’s new exhibition, Edge: Where the Land Meets the Sea.
Bringing together over 40 works from celebrated artists like Wolfgang Tillmans, Cornelia Parker, and Andy Goldsworthy, the show examines the delicate, vital relationship between land and ocean through photography, sculpture, and film. Afterwards, stroll past the historic fishing net huts along the Stade and grab fresh seafood right off the beach.
Where: Rock-a-Nore Rd, Hastings TN34 3DW
Website: www.hastingscontemporary.com
