These Are The 14 Weekend Activities You Need To Book Now

Book a table at this hot new opening

One of the most exciting restaurant launches of the season has just landed in Soho, and it’s already shaping up to be the new it-dining destination. Beefbar has opened its UK flagship inside Broadwick Soho, taking over the iconic Dear Jackie space on Broadwick Street.

The London outpost brings exclusive dishes created just for this location alongside globally loved signatures including Japanese Kobe and Australian Wagyu, all set within bespoke new interiors and a redesigned terrace. If you’re planning a special dinner out this autumn, this is the one to book.

Where: Lower Ground, 20 Broadwick St, London W1F 9NE
Website: www.beefbar.com

Tuck into London’s ultimate taco festival

If your idea of a perfect Saturday involves exceptional tacos, frozen margaritas and a live Mariachi band, the London Taco Experience has you covered.

Returning to Riverside East at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for its fourth edition, the one-day festival brings together some of the capital’s finest Mexican street food traders for a full day of authentic tacos, tequila, mezcal and serious good vibes.

Where: Riverside East, Stratford
Book here

Pay a visit to Brick Lane Curry Festival

One of East London’s most beloved annual events is back, with the Brick Lane Curry Festival set to return this Sunday for another celebration of Bangladeshi culinary traditions, culture and community.

Expect street food, chef demonstrations, DJ sets, live performances and special guest appearances across the day, all spilling out across the famous stretch of Brick Lane that has long been the UK’s ultimate curry destination.

Where: Brick Lane
Reserve your spot

Visit Biscuiteers in Notting Hill

September is a special month for Biscuiteers, the beloved hand-iced biscuit brand that has been creating some of the most beautiful edible gifts in London since its founding, and the Notting Hill Icing Café is the place to mark the occasion.

Whether you’re popping in to pick up one of their iconic illustrated tins, booking in for the Great British Afternoon Tea, or simply treating yourself to a beautifully hand-iced biscuit on the way past, it’s one of those shops that never fails to make you smile.

Where: 194 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2ES
Website: www.biscuiteers.com

Book ahead for this chef collaboration

If you’re planning a special October dinner, this one needs to go straight in the diary. On Thursday 15th October, Theo Randall will welcome Jack Stein to Theo Randall Cucina Italiana at the InterContinental London Park Lane for a one-night-only collaborative dining experience that brings together two of Britain’s most celebrated culinary names.

Theo’s Italian cooking has long been considered some of the finest in London, while Jack Stein’s expertise in seafood and coastal cuisine makes for a pairing that you won’t want to miss. Tables are limited, and this is the kind of evening that will sell out well in advance, so book your spot now.

Where: Park Ln, London W1J 7QY
Website: www.theorandall.com

Soak up the last of summer here

If you haven’t yet made it to The Broadcaster’s rooftop in White City, this Saturday’s BBQ Summer Series event is a very good reason to go. The West London pub is welcoming a guest chef to its rooftop for an evening of fire, theatre and all-you-can-eat menus, with exclusive cocktails served in partnership with Windrush 1027 to wash it all down.

Set on one of West London’s most enjoyable rooftop spaces, it’s the kind of evening that combines great food and good vibes in equal measure, and with the last of the warm weather hopefully still holding, there are far worse ways to spend a Saturday evening in September.

Where: 89 Wood Ln, London W12 7FX
Website: www.thebroadcaster.com

Try this limited-edition peach smoothie

If you’re in Marylebone this month, Morena on St Christopher’s Place is the place to stop for what might be September’s best drink offering.

Creator Misha Grimes has teamed up with the neighbourhood café on Peach by Mish, a limited-edition vegan smoothie blending frozen peach, apple, maple syrup, coconut kefir and lion’s mane, finished with peach glaze and vanilla cream. The good news is the drink is available all month long, with 30p from every smoothie sold donated to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Where: 15 St Christopher’s Pl, London W1U 1NJ
Website: www.morena.com

Visit the ultimate foodie pop-up

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a great Japanese egg sandwich so good, this pop-up has the answer. Taking over Covent Garden Piazza for one weekend only, Make The Joy. KEWPIE IT. celebrates the cult-favorite KEWPIE MAYONNAISE – the Japanese mayo that’s become a go-to secret ingredient in so many people’s favourite Tamago Sando. Expect egg sandwich tastings, immersive installations, exclusive merchandise, giveaways, and plenty of photo opportunities, all dedicated to the beloved Japanese mayo behind one of Japan’s most beloved comfort foods.

Whether you’re already a KEWPIE Mayo devotee or simply curious to see what all the fuss is about, it’s a fun (and free) stop while you’re exploring Covent Garden.

When: 19 September (11am–8pm) & 20 September (11am–6pm)
Where: Covent Garden Piazza

For more information about KEWPIE MAYONNAISE, visit www.kewpie.com

Join PerfectTed’s giant free birthday party

PerfectTed is turning five, and to celebrate it is throwing a free birthday party at Observation Point on the South Bank today. From 12pm to 6pm, visitors can enjoy free Lola’s cakes, freshly whisked Birthday Cake Matcha and PerfectTed goodie bags, all set around a giant birthday cake installation overlooking the Thames.

The first 400 guests receive a free Lola’s and PerfectTed goodie bag including a pouch of the brand’s new Birthday Cake Matcha. Free, no booking required and on the South Bank — there really is no excuse not to go.

Where: The South Bank
Website: www.perfectted.com

Discover YSL’s Parisian Pâtisserie pop-up

If you’re heading to Selfridges this weekend, make time for YSL Beauté’s Parisian Pâtisserie pop-up, which is currently taking over the store. Built around the launch of the new Make Me Blush Cream, the immersive space reimagines the codes of a Parisian pâtisserie through YSL’s signature bold aesthetic.

Visitors can book a personalised shade consultation, capture their look within the space and play for a selection of YSL Beauté gifts following a Make Me Blush Cream purchase.

Where: 400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB
Website: www.selfridges.com

Spend your Saturday making ceramics

If you’re looking to switch it up a little this weekend, Los Mochis Notting Hill has just launched Clay and Culture, a new monthly Mexican ceramics masterclass that is the perfect billing.

The morning kicks off with a welcome coffee before guests spend 90 minutes with London ceramicist Lydia Lepere, hand-building their own Mexican-inspired face pot using traditional pinching and coiling techniques, before sitting down to a shared lunch of Los Mochis signatures.

Where: 2-4 Farmer St, London W8 7SN
Website: www.losmochis.com

Treat yourself to a city staycation

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to splash out on a London hotel stay, Flemings Mayfair has just made it very easy.

To celebrate its 175th anniversary, the iconic Mayfair hotel is offering a special package that includes a two-night stay, daily continental breakfast and a £175 Selfridges gift card, making it the ideal base for a proper London shopping weekend. For every booking made, £1.75 is also donated to CEO Sleepout, the charity supporting people experiencing homelessness across the UK, so it’s a stay that gives a little something back too.

Where: 7-12 Half Moon St, London W1J 7BH
Website: www.flemingsmayfair.com

Head to Bath for the Jane Austen Festival

Calling all Jane Austen lovers. This week Bath is celebrating its annual Jane Austen Festival. The ten-day-long programme invites visitors to enjoy events inspired by that acclaimed author’s timeless works, including guided walks, costumed balls, theatrical performances and talks.

This year’s festival is also particularly special as it falls just a week before the latest adaptation of Sense and Sensibility is set to land in cinemas, making this a very timely and worthwhile trip to make.

Where: Bath
Website: www.janeausten.com

Discover this hike just an hour outside of London

Ending on a more personal recommendation, last weekend, I made the trip to Eastbourne to take on The Seven Sisters hike, and I would strongly encourage everyone to follow suit. Just an hour’s train ride out of London, it’s easy enough to get to and can be completed in roughly four hours. Add on a pint and maybe a roast dinner at The Beachy Head pub at the end, and in my opinion, you have yourself a pretty perfect weekend activity.

Where: Eastbourne, East Sussex