11 Fun Things To Do This Weekend
We’re focusing on ways to keep warm with this week’s guide, as the temperature has evidently forgotten about Autumn and decided to skip right through to Winter. Thankfully, there are lots of options, whether that be new whisky cocktails, truffle menus, cinema visits or Oktoberfest, there’s no shortage of ways to look ahead to Halloween (or even further ahead to Christmas).
From pumpkin picking to the London Literature Festival, we’ve got your weekend sorted.
Things To Do This Weekend, From Searcys New Champagne Bar To Late Nights At The Science Museum
Sample this delicious new whisky cocktail
One for the Whisky lovers – Lucknam Park has added the Japanese Fashioned Cocktail to their pop-up bookmark menu. Made with Hibiki Japanese Harmony 100th Anniversary Edition from The House of Suntory, homemade Gout Russe, Douchka and Jasmine tea syrup, Yuzu Bitters and a Garnish of Shiso Leaf or Yuzu Peel.
This amber-hued whisky features notes of honey-sweetness, rose, lychee, rosemary, and that mature woodiness on the nose you get with all the best whiskys.
Hop aboard the truffle hype train with Daphne’s new menu
Available now, Daphne’s has welcomed the Autumn season with new and invigorating menu specials centered around truffles. The esteemed restaurant will showcase an innovative culinary approach which is set to both truffle aficionados and those that are new to the whole truffle scene.
Start with the seared rare tuna with citrus dressing and white truffle, move on to italian classics like tagliatelle or risotto – both with white truffle, of course – before moving on to burrata ice cream with salted caramel sauce and white truffle.
Fizz at the ready for Searcys new Battersea Champagne bar
Time to pop the champagne bottles, as Searcys has opened its newest addition – The Searcys Champagne Bar inside the iconic Battersea Power Station from October 18.
Located on Level 1 in the Power Station’s Art Deco Turbine Hall A, near Lift 109, the bar will feature plush, deep velvet seating, polished brass detailing and a striking marble topped bar, while the walls will be adorned with three specially commissioned art pieces with a Searcys’ twist by celebrated artist Kristjana Williams.
It will feature menus of seasonal produce with a choice of seafood delights from Rock and Native oysters to the Searcys Shellfish platter, and will also host a range of masterclasses and experiences as part of Searcys series of ticketed events, ranging from mixology classes to champagne masterclasses, as well as group packages.
Get Christmas ready by booking this 5 year sell-out immersive experience
Look, I hear your complaints. “Talking about Christmas already?” You say. But firstly, December is a mere five weeks away, and secondly, all the best Christmas events will be booked out before October leaves us, so the time to shift into festive mode is now.
One of the absolute must-not-miss events is The Great Christmas Feast – The Lost Estate’s iconic immersive festive experience based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Running from November 7 until January 14, expect a three course meal, winter cocktails and the very best in immersive storytelling all set in a spellbinding Dickensian world, right here in London. Book now before they sell out.
WHEN: 7 NOVEMBER – 14 JANUARY
BOOK TICKETS HERE: THELOSTESTATE.COM
Get inspired at the London Literature Festival
Autumn is the season of literature – just ask John Keats. Aptly, the longest-running celebration of the written and spoken word of its kind in the capital marks its 16th edition, starting from October 18th and running until the 29th.
Taking place in the Southbank Centre, every year its schedule comes packed with prestigious literary names alongside rising stars. The 2023 edition of the London Literature Festival features George the Poet, Yu Miri, Teju Cole, Sir Patrick Stewart, Jada Pinkett Smith, Kerry Washington, Jacqueline Wilson and more.
when: October 18-29
where: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road London, SE1
website: Southbankcentre.com
Go see Killers of the Flower Moon at an Everyman
Yes, the rumours are true: Cinema is back. Barbenheimer single handedly saved the summer season (possible hyperbole included) and has handed the reins to Martin Scorsese to keep the ball rolling in Autumn. Killers of the Flower Moon, the epic historical drama about the Osage murders, is a sure fire Oscar contender.
Screening nationwide from the 20th of October, we think an Everyman is your best bet for such a long film (food and drink served directly to your seat? Yes please). If you just can’t wait, Everyman is putting on a preview screening on Thursday 19th October, where guests will be treated to a complimentary bar of Green and Black’s Smooth Dark Chocolate, paired with the bespoke Ginger Treacle cocktail.
Night at the (Science) Museum
Did you know about the Science Museum Lates, the adult-only, after hours events where you can explore the museum at night? If not, this weekend is a great time to go, as they are putting on Music Lates, in celebration of Turn It Up: The power of music, a new blockbuster exhibition coming to the museum this autumn.
From blues to baroque, pop to punk you’ll hear, make and play music as you explore the science and technology behind melodies, tunes and banging beats. Head to events like Jonathan Scott exploring the technological developments of sound and its impact on our society with broadcaster, DJ and psychotherapist Nemone, or blast out Like A Prayer in their basement karaoke lounge.
when: October 19
Where: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD
Website: sciencemuseum.org.uk
Hit up Oktoberfest
This weekend Munich’s iconic beer festival finally lands in London. This weekend starts three weeks filled with lederhosen-clad waiters, steins of Bavarian beer, and oompah-adoring brass bands all the way from Germany.
The first destination is Walpole Park in Ealing, which kicks off on the October 19th right through the weekend until the 22nd.
when: October 19-22
where: Walpole Park, Ealing, Mattock Ln, London W5 5EQ
website: london-oktoberfest.co.uk
3 things worth travelling for
Visit a pumpkin patch
All across the UK, pumpkin patches are producing these round orange fruit at a rate you wouldn’t believe as we enter spooky season. Get in the Halloween spirit by visiting a farm, an great activity for all the family.
Finding the best one to go to can be tricky, so lucky for you we’ve got a list of 15 of the best in the country.
WHERE: ALL AROUND THE UK
Head to the Scottish International Storytelling Festival
The 2023 Scottish International Storytelling Festival is back, and this year is exploring the topic of our Right To Be Human to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
There will be talks and events going on which celebrate the Celtic oral storytelling tradition, live music and, of course, a final ceilidh.
Visit a Yorkshire Jazz Festival
Who doesn’t love a Jazz Festival? Whether you’re in the Yorkshire area (or just a really big Jazz fan) why not travel to Leyburn, where there will be great live music on all week.
As well as artist in residence Paul Edis, also performing at the festival will be acts including Jacqui Dankworth Quartet, Tony Kofi and the Paul Edis Trio, Alligator Jumbo and much more.
