More things to do this week/end in London

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October 23, 2026   |    Weekly 23 October Dear Reader, When I go to my gym, I get to walk through M&S – it's the one on High Street Ken – and it makes a brilliant cut through from the Tube station (particularly handy if it's raining). If I'm a few minutes early, I'll linger a while. There's just so much temptation on the clothes rails nowadays – and it's really lovely to see. In fact, my most stylish friends all have pieces now: a waistcoat here and a transitional jacket there. M&S sits in our national psyche, along with John Lewis and Boots, and you desperately want them to succeed: they're a temperature gauge on how we're doing. And right now, M&S is killing it.  C&TH’s Top Reads Of The Week CULTURE How To See The Hunter’s Moon October’s full moon will rise in the sky this weekend – here’s why it’s symbolic FOOD & DRINK Why Is There A Pumpkin Shortage? How climate change is impacting Halloween CULTURE This City Is Ours Series 2: Everything We Know The BBC’s most popular thriller of 2025 is back CULTURE The Best New Films To Watch In Cinemas This Autumn From Klara And The Sun to Elizabeth Holmes documentary You Can See Everything  STYLE The Price Of Gold Is On The Rise – And Jewellers Are Adapting As gold prices soar, savvy jewellers are thinking outside the box  STYLE Will Mercury Retrograde Actually Ruin Your Life? The famously chaotic period could be even more intense this year STYLE Wrist Warmers Are Having A Moment Again And it’s all thanks to Claudia Winkleman CULTURE Will There Be A Slow Horses Season 7? Following that explosive season 6 finale, we look at the show’s future Spotlight: Can You Biohack Burnout? Olivia Falcon tries a new-age treatment to combat burnout After a rough few weeks (a heavy workload and two viruses in a row), my nerves were jangled when I checked into the new Ila RegenX townhouse on Welbeck Street. Here the focus is on soothing the symptoms of burnout. After an AI-powered body scan that pinpointed that my oxidative stress markers were high, I was set on a personalised Renewal Circuit.  Usually, talk of circuits leaves me cold, but this concept is different. I begin with the Human Regenerator, a quantum frequency bed that uses cold atmospheric plasma that surrounds the body with electrons, negative ions and plasma-generated particles to reboot flagging energy levels. It feels a bit tingly but very calming. Next, I wore a red-light helmet to reduce neuroinflammation in my brain while tucked up under a warm photobiomodulation mat that emits near-infrared rays to reboot circulation. For the finale I rolled onto another treatment bed for a sculpting Rexonage facial, in which the therapist massages the face with vibrating gloves that reduce inflammation deep in the tissues. The whole experience was extraordinary – I felt like I’d gone from circling the drain of burnout to a complete system reboot. From £395 an hour, book at regen-x.co C&TH Partnership: Weatherby’s At Weatherbys, the focus is on you – banking should feel personal, because every individual and every situation is different. Advisors take the time to understand you, shaping advice around your ambitions, your goals and your way of life as the strongest relationships are built on respect, trust and confidence. Private banking is more than a service; it’s a partnership, grounded in clarity. Find out more at weatherbys.bank House Guest Podcast: Sean Symington This week, Carole's House Guest is Toronto-born, Bath-based designer Sean Symington. 'I’m definitely a traditionalist with interior design,’ he says. ‘I love antiques, I love traditional interiors, but I’m definitely – maybe it’s my North American roots – a little bit fresher with fabrics, a little bit punchier with the colour.’ Tune in to hear more about his career, his new studio and which design choice he thinks is ‘quite naff’. Listen here Staying In Forever… Property of the Week One of the French Riviera’s most storied hotels, Le Provençal, has been turned into luxury apartments, and now they’re on the market and being snapped up by lucky buyers. The penthouse suite, titled Penthouse Nacre, has been designed in tribute to its most renowned residents of bygone eras: Winston Churchill, Coco Chanel and the Kennedy family, who made Le Provençal their summer home. On the market for $45 million, leprovencal.com Competitions Win a two-night stay at The Varsity Hotel & Spa, Cambridge Win a £200 Phase Eight gift card Win an escape to The Queen At Chester Hotel – Handwritten Collection Good News New woodlands have been created in Lancashire following a fantastic effort which saw volunteers planting over 109,000 trees last year – the equivalent of 154 football pitches. Lancashire County Councillor Joshua Roberts said the woodlands were ‘supporting wildlife, helping tackle climate change, improving people's wellbeing’. Subscription Offer Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39

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October 22, 2026   |    Daily 22 October Staying In… Watch Nobody Wants This S3 Kristen Bell and Adam Brody are returning to our screens for a third instalment of Netflix romcom Nobody Wants This, which explores the role of faith and religion in a romantic relationship. Bell plays agnostic sex podcaster Joanne, while Brody stars as progressive rabbi Noah, and the series charts their growing romance and differing beliefs – while also following the lives of their families, including the unspoken attraction between Joanne’s sister Morgan (Justine Lupe) and Noah’s brother Sasha (Timothy Simons). Season two ended with Joanne and Noah deciding to recommit to one another, and season three will pick up where they left off – now ready to move into their new home together, with Joanne taking the leap to convert to Judaism. New faces to watch out for include Sarah Silverman as Rabbi Eden and Girls star Andrew Rannells as Sebastien, Joanne’s nemesis in conversion class. Streaming now on Netflix Going Out… Book New Hotel The Webster Covent Garden The most memorable experiences come from being truly present – an increasingly difficult feat in today’s digital world. The Webster hotel in Covent Garden is offering a considered alternative, driven by curiosity, sociability and a strong sense of place. Overlooking the historic Lincoln Inn Fields, this lifestyle hotel draws inspiration from the literature, conversation and character of its iconic location. Dining unfolds across three distinct spaces, including an Italian-inspired restaurant and speakeasy, each inspired to capture a different moment in the day. The hotel’s ever-evolving programme of cultural experiences invites its guests to slow down, reconnect and lean in to analogue pleasures. Rooms start from £350 per night, thewebsterhotel.com Staying In Forever Property of the Day One of the most sought-after homes on Airbnb, this space-age property looks part submarine, part UFO and part caravan. Overlooking the Sound of Mull in rural-most Scotland, the sale includes two other buildings, the pencil-sharpener shaped PilotHouse and a converted chapel known as the Captain’s Cabin.  On the market for £750,000, search.savills.com Little Luxury The Bible of interior design is back for its 30th edition. Andrew Martin’s coveted catalogue – a key source of inspiration for design professionals and aspiring creatives – celebrates three decades this year, with a special anniversary edition featuring works from the world’s top 100 interior designers of 2026. (And we’re pleased to reveal that a Brit nabbed this year’s top gong.) Grab your copy for a daily dose of design inspiration. £69.95, andrewmartin.co.uk Competition Yearning for a sun-drenched escape that promises avant-garde design, electric social energy, and a contemporary take on Portuguese hospitality? Here is your chance to win a two-night bed and breakfast stay for two at the effortlessly chic W Algarve, complete with dinner on one evening. Pssst… The clocks turn back on Sunday morning, meaning we will all get an extra hour in bed. This happens twice a year to make better use of the daylight during the winter months, so you can expect brighter mornings during the darker season. The practice in the UK dates back to 1907, when William Willett published a pamphlet titled ‘The Waste of Daylight’ – but we wouldn’t implement his ideas until 1916, along with many other nations involved in WWI, the first being Germany. Whatever You Do, Don’t… Leave it until the last minute to source your Halloween pumpkin: the UK is facing a shortage due to the very hot, dry summer. But where does the carving tradition come from? Subscription Offer Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39

© 2026 Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios 115 Harwood Road, London SW6 4QL, United Kingdom

October 21, 2026   |    Daily 21 October Staying In… Watch The Slow Horses Finale Slow Horses fans, the show’s explosive sixth season comes to an end tonight (if you’re not up to date, stop reading now to avoid spoilers). It’s been a particularly bloody season for the Slough House team, with several current and former agents killed as Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) continues to put lives in danger with her dodgy decisions. Last week’s episode left us with River Cartwright (Jack Lowden, rumoured as a frontrunner for the new Bond) and Sid Baker (Olivia Cooke) on the run, but will Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) finally close in on the people behind the whole mess? Apple’s description for tonight’s episode, titled Judgement Day, tells us Lamb and Taverner will finally join forces after coming up with a plan to save both Taverner’s job and the lives of Lamb’s agents, with everything culminating at Taverner’s safe house. ‘It’s like a sort of gathering storm,’ teases co-producer Gaby Chiappe. ‘Everything is coming to bear on where everybody is gathered in that one house and all hell is coming for them.’ Tune in tonight at 9pm on Apple TV. Going Out… Go To The London Literature Festival Mega-popstar and keen reader Dua Lipa has curated the line-up for this year’s London Literature Festival, a celebration of the power of spoken and written word. Lipa launched her Service95 Book Club in 2023, choosing a book each month and interviewing its author for the accompanying podcast, and now, her festival programme brings those literary interests to the stage, with events across the fortnight. ‘I’m thrilled to indulge one of my greatest obsessions: books and the brilliant minds behind them,’ says the songstress. Lipa herself will lead conversations with White Teeth author Zadie Smith, punk legend Patti Smith and singer Mustafa – known for collaborations with the likes of Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes. Elsewhere, the line-up includes talks with names like V. E. Schwab, Caleb Azuma Nelson, Kae Tempest and Jaqueline Crooks, while Malorie Blackman will celebrate 25 years of Noughts & Crosses and Hisham Matar will host a writing workshop. Staying In Forever Property of the Day This 16th century farmhouse in North Norfolk boasts all of the dream home must-haves: eight bedrooms, a courtyard, a party-barn-slash-cinema-room, an office, library, swimming pool, and plenty of period charm.  On the market for £4,000,000, sowerbys.com Little Luxury C&TH Partnership Combining retro appeal with contemporary design, the Leto in Stone & Denim by Sans Matin is an elevated take on the everyday trainer. Its aesthetic draws on the duality of utility and expression, capturing the relaxed confidence of late ’90s and early ’00s street style. A sleek stone leather upper is offset by a taupe suede swoop toe cap and dark denim nubuck detailing at the label and heel, with a gum rubber outsole and signature embossed Greek lettering adding considered detail. Finished with a cushioned footbed, it brings effortless style and comfort to everyday dressing. £170, sansmatin.co.uk Competition Party season is fast approaching. And to celebrate the launch of Phase Eight’s partywear collection, here’s your chance to win a £200 Phase Eight gift card. Pssst… We’ve done some digging to find out what goes on behind the scenes of Bake Off. For instance, why do the bakers wear the same clothes every episode? What happens to the leftover bakes? And are the technical challenges tested first? Find out here. Whatever You Do, Don’t… Miss the Orionid meteor shower, a celestial spectacle of shooting stars which peaks in the early hours of tomorrow morning. For the best chance of a clear view, find a dark spot with wide open skies and allow your eyes to adjust to the night sky for 20 minutes. Subscription Offer Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39

© 2026 Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios 115 Harwood Road, London SW6 4QL, United Kingdom

October 20, 2026   |    Daily 20 October Staying In… Try An Online Somatic Movement Class In today’s wellness culture, it’s easy to get overly obsessed with stats. (Did a run even happen if you didn’t track it on Strava?) Yet, ironically, this often leads to a disconnect between body and mind – all the focus on tracking and numbers can make us forget to observe how exercise actually makes our bodies feel. Perhaps this is why somatic movement is gaining traction right now: the mindful method is all about moving with full-body awareness, focusing on internal sensations rather than external appearance or performance goals. ‘When we pay attention to our internal sensations, we can become better at noticing things such as unnecessary muscular tension, breath-holding, habitual patterns of movement or the difference between necessary effort and excessive effort,’ says movement specialist and recovery coach Vanessa Michielon, ‘Over time, this can help us develop a richer movement vocabulary and find ways of moving that feel more comfortable and efficient.’ Plus, like all types of mindful movement, somatic movement can help support the nervous system – over time helping us respond better to stress. We’re seeing more and more classes pop up in studios across London, but you can also get involved from home by tuning into one of Michielon’s online somatic pilates classes. Going Out… See Ronnie Scott’s Jazz At Seabird This autumn, jazz institution Ronnie Scott’s will be taking over Seabird – the rooftop restaurant at The Hoxton, Southwark. Launched on 18 October and running until 6 December, each Sunday will bring dining and DJs from 12-4pm, followed by a headline live performance at 5pm courtesy of some of jazz music’s greats. Drink your way through the evening with the exclusive menu (designed in collaboration with GREY GOOSE Vodka), featuring everything from classic martinis to the deliciously dirty Bergamot Martini cocktail, with bergamot cordial, charcoaled lobster oil, saline, and an oyster on the side. To accompany the cocktails, the four-course set menu offers Seabird’s signature Iberian flavours alongside seafood-centric dishes. Book at thehoxton.com Staying In Forever Property of the Day Before Jackson Pollock found his fame and fortune, he lived and worked in a small West Village apartment that he shared with his brother and sister-in-law. The painting – not a Pollock, but inspired by his work – is available through separate negotiation. On the market for $1,990,000, compass.com Little Luxury C&TH Partnership Party season is fast approaching, and this year we’re turning to Phase Eight for its chic outfits. Think velvet in forest green and burgundy, satin with a cinnamon sheen, diamanté that catches the candlelight and sequins that sparkle under party lights. For black tie events, we’re loving the Evette Maxi Dress (£169), while the Destiny Sequin Floral Mini Dress (£159) is a winner for Christmas parties. Find the full collection at phaseeight.com Competition This competition gives you the chance to win your choice of Abode boiling water tap and create a wash zone that’s designed around you. Whether you’re making a morning coffee, filling a pan, preparing food or tackling the washing up, instant filtered boiling water is always on hand.  Pssst… From California’s South Lake Tahoe to the Japanese city of Hyogo and the paradisical island of Holbox in Mexico, Expedia has revealed the top trending destinations for 2027 based on increased search data year-on-year. Whatever You Do, Don’t… Get swept up by ingredient hype that runs ahead of the evidence when it comes to beauty trends, says Dr Sam Bunting. ‘Topical PDRN is the current example: the marketing is well ahead of the science,’ she adds. Subscription Offer Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39

© 2026 Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios 115 Harwood Road, London SW6 4QL, United Kingdom

October 19, 2026   |    Daily 19 October Staying In… Keep Up Your Sober October Momentum Giving Sober October a go this year? If so, hats off to you – you’re over halfway through. But how to push through the last couple of weeks? First of all, write down your reasons for taking part in the challenge, says Louise Avery, founder of kombucha brand L.A Brewery. ‘It’s always helpful to have your own personal motivations at the forefront,’ she says. ‘Getting fit for a sports event? Looking for brighter skin? Want to be more productive at work or give your business a boost? Write your motives down now and they’ll help you to stay on track.’ It’s also worth downloading an app like Try Dry to track your progress, which records the calories and money you save by cutting out alcohol. And why not treat yourself with all the money you’ve saved? This is also a great time to try your hand at making some non-alcoholic cocktails – online platform La Maison Wellness offers lots of recipes. Founder Camille Vidal notes: ‘What makes a cocktail special has very little to do with the amount of alcohol that goes in the glass. It’s about the flavours, the experience and the moment shared. Non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic cocktails can offer all these things.’ Find more ideas (plus all the health benefits you’re reaping) here. Going Out… Book An Autumnal Trip Crunching over leaves in thick-soled boots, warm oranges and reds filling the trees, layered clothes and winter coats re-entering your wardrobe as that familiar chill appears in the air: autumn is sublime season. But where to go to make the most of it? We’ve compiled a guide to the best places to visit in the UK in autumn. How about a trip to one of Glen Gack’s cabins in the Scottish Highlands? Found on Perthshire’s Atholl Estates and inspired by the traditional ‘bothy’, these woodland hideaways leave no comfort neglected; from the scene-stealing decks to the deep baths and the roaring fire to return to after a day adventuring the area’s many spectacular trails. Over in Chippenham, Wiltshire’s Lucknam Park is a sight to behold this season: the famed country house hotel is offering special autumnal menus, seasonal apple experiences and ‘Golden Season’ spa days. Or, if you’re a literature buff, get into the real spirit of Keats’ Ode to Autumn by literally following in his footsteps on the easy two-mile walk he took while staying in Winchester, Hampshire as summer slipped into autumn in 1819 – inspiring his ode to the season’s harvest.  Staying In Forever Property of the Day It was while renting this Mediterranean Revival-style villa in the Hollywood Hills that Barbarella star Jane Fonda was being monitored by the FBI and CIA for her anti-Vietnam War activism. Now up for sale, the home comes complete with a swimming pool, spa, private balcony, canyon views, and (thankfully) untapped phone lines.  On the market for $1,995,000, elliman.com  Little Luxury Two anniversaries collide as M&S celebrates 100 Years of Fashion and Coco de Mer marks its 25th, and to celebrate the brands have joined forces on a limited-edition lingerie line. The 24-piece collection features satin, delicate lace and Art Deco-inspired embroidery in emerald green, crimson, midnight blue and classic black. Pieces include plunge bras, bodies and basques, with shapes never previously offered by M&S. Designed for everyday wearability, the collection spans sizes 30-42, A-H and XS-XL, with prices from £15 to £55. marksandspencer.com Competition Here’s your chance to win a one-night stay for two at Lime Wood, including a three-course dinner with wine at Hartnett Holder & Co, breakfast, full use of the Herb House spa facilities and a 60-minute spa treatment each. Pssst… There are more whispers about the possibility of Mamma Mia 3, with Christine Baranski – who plays Tanya in the films – revealing that producer Judy Craymer is working on the next instalment of the ABBA-inspired franchise. Speaking on the Table Manners podcast, she said: ‘Judy is working on it. I’ve always been reluctant to say anything because it goes viral and it spreads like brush fire […] I don’t know if it’s happening, but Donna Langley, who is, you know, the head of Universal Studios, she greenlights projects. She actually was on a red carpet saying, “Yes, there will be a Mamma Mia 3.”’ Whatever You Do, Don’t… Take medicinal mushroom gummies, says nutritionist Kim Pearson. ‘As a nutritionist of nearly 20 years, I have never recommended gummy supplements,’ she tells us. ‘I have yet to come across one that contains useful levels of active ingredients and is not primarily made up of sugar.’ Here are the mushroom supplements actually worth taking. Subscription Offer Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39

© 2026 Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios 115 Harwood Road, London SW6 4QL, United Kingdom