Five things to do in London this week

With thanks to Country and Townhouse, here are five things to do in London this week and more ideas in their latest newsletters:

CULTURE    FOOD & DRINK    TRAVEL    STYLE    INTERIORS    PROPERTY                 Tonight I’m heading to Windsor Castle for the Platinum Jubilee Celebration (thank you, Land Rover). In fact, for the next few weeks, I’m going to squeeze in as much royal pomp and pageantry as I can. These days are history in the making, my friends – a salute to our much-revered, longest-serving monarch, who is gradually ceding power to the next generation. When The Queen has gone, the country will have lost its steadfast hand on the rudder, and we won’t know which way the waves will buffet us. PS: If you didn't fill in our membership survey, please take five minutes out. You could win a £250 John Lewis voucher as a thank you! Have a great week.  Photo: 'Grandiflora Rose' wallpaper design by Designers Guild                   WHAT’S EXCITING ME THIS WEEK       AUGUSTINUS BADER  I met the great man himself this week – a quietly spoken German scientist who, through his work as a doctor, developed one of the most revered skincare brands in the world. And now you can go full immersion with an AB facial at The Bulgari Hotel. Glowing is an understatement…         A NIGHT IN (NOT AT) THE MOULIN ROUGE Now here’s a fun idea - Airbnb is letting three couples have the chance to spend just one night in the iconic Moulin Rouge in Paris for the first time ever. A room in the red windmill has had a Belle Époque makeover for a night you’ll never forget. Booking opens May 17.         OUTDOOR SPEAKERS Crank up the national anthem at your jubilee party with our pick of the best outdoor speakers, for everyone from the aesthete to the sound expert. They make brilliant presents too.         FIVE THINGS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS       Eco-minded chef Sam Buckley is launching Yellowhammer, a bakery, pottery and dining space in Stockport’s old town.          Six-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams makes her first West End appearance in a new production of The Glass Menagerie, launching at The Duke of York’s Theatre this May.       Celebrate this week’s sunny weather at Summer in the Square, Chelsea's pop-up al fresco drinking and dining terrace.         Enter the infamous Upside Down at Fever’s immersive experience, which transports visitors into the weird and wonderful world of Netflix’s Stranger Things.       The first solo London exhibition from New York-based artist Cj Hendry has opened in a dilapidated East London church.          WHAT'S TRENDING ON C&TH       From private island paradises to wildlife wanderlust, Olivia Palamountain picks four dreamy stays in Tanzania     Charlotte Metcalf speaks to Anya Hindmarch about how she built her accessories empire           From London Fields to Homerton, here are the best restaurants in Hackney     Picnic season has well and truly begun – don’t miss our style edit                       Win an Overnight Stay at Cowdray Lodges with No. 3 Gin No. 3 Gin has partnered with Cowdray Park Polo Club to offer one lucky reader the chance to win an overnight stay at Cowdray Lodges, as well as a golf, polo or shooting experience of the winner’s choice.                     Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £19               Copyright © 2021 Country & Town House  Our mailing address is:​ Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios, London, SW6 4QL, United Kingdom

CULTURE    FOOD & DRINK    TRAVEL    STYLE    INTERIORS    PROPERTY       The Jubilee Edition                   It's Jubilee, which inspired me to look back at 1950s interiors when simple, stylish furniture with a Scandi feel was popular. Think Ercol, 100 years old and still going strong, designs that hit the sweet spot between function and form. At the time of our Queen's coronation, lime and olive green, mustard, yellow and brown were today's Elephant's Breath and Skimming Stone. Funny how taste evolves and what sticks. 70 years in charge is worthy of a celebration so to help get into party mode we've gathered together our favourite glassware and china - just add bunting.  Congratulations, Ma'am, you've done us all proud.                 Carole's Top 3 1. We're taking our Royal bunting cue from Graham & Green 2. We're loving Nina Campbell's blue flower embroidered napkin 3. And why not make it memorable with some hand painted Platinum Jubilee Candles? Form an orderly queue at Bable Candles. Check out our Jubilee tablescaping guide for even more tips.          Raise a Glass Dopamine pops of colourful glassware is all the rage for dressing our Jubilee tablescaping this summer. Needing to get the party started? Nina Campbell has brilliantly fruity fresh cocktail recipe by Philippa Davis on her blog. Left to Right: Issy Granger, Narchie, Wonkie Jimmie Juice Glass and Jewel Champagne Flute, both Nina Campbell.         Spill the Tea  It would be rude not to celebrate the Jubilee without having an afternoon tea ritual. Left to Right: Emma Bridgewater, Cornishware, Fortnum & Mason          Royal Memorabilia is Back We're all about peppering an assortment of ‘so-good-its-bad’ Elizabeth II memorabilia plates across the table this Jubilee. The kitschier, the better in our eyes. Left to right: Ebay, Etsy, and centre plate Royal Stafford.                   Sign up for 6 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus supplements and instant access to every digital edition for only £19                   Copyright © 2021 Country & Town House  Our mailing address is:​ Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios, London, SW6 4QL, United Kingdom

	WHAT’S EXCITING ME THIS WEEK
	THE MAY/JUNE ISSUE Our shiny new issue is out now – featuring Laura Haddock on the cover, who’s joined the cast of Downton Abbey. There’s also our second ever Aesthetic Guide, with the doctors you need on speed dial to help you turn back the years. Buy your copy here.

 

CLEANING UP YOUR BEAUTY TRASH I’m so embarrassed by the amount of beauty products that line every surface of my bathroom, and spill over to my dressing table – all in their glossy plastic bottles. But there are ways to cut down if we’re all a little more conscious. Thanks, Charlie, for helping me clean up my act.

 

THE METAVERSE LANDGRAB Personally, if I can’t dig my hands in the soil, I'm not interested but people and brands are causing a property goldrush in the metaverse. To find out about it far more eloquently than I can tell you, read Chris Stokel-Walker’s illuminating article.

 

	FIVE THINGS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS
	The second edition of art fair Eye of the Collector is coming to historic London mansion Two Temple Place this May. (Image courtesy of Eye of the Collector)

 

	Botanical-inspired hotel The Mandrake is launching an al fresco brunch series on its Jurema Terrace – think South African dishes, summer cocktails and rosé.
	Photo London returns to Somerset House from 12 – 15 May, with a key exhibition from fashion photographer Nick Knight.

 

	Food festival season kicks off with Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park, with the first stint taking place in Marlow this month.
	London’s newest members’ club is The Twenty Two, set within an Edwardian Manor on Grosvenor Square.

 

	WHAT'S TRENDING ON C&TH
	Planning a Jubilee street party? Don’t miss our tablescaping tips	From Peruvian to French, these are the must-visit restaurants in Covent Garden

 

	11 activity ideas to make your family camping trip go smoothly	You’ll be the wedding guest of honour in our pick of outfit ideas

 

Win an All-Inclusive Week-Long Stay at Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic Fancy a bit of sun? Enter for a chance to win an all-inclusive week-long holiday at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic.

	WHAT’S EXCITING ME THIS WEEK
	KEEPING UKRAINE FRONT OF MIND There’s always the danger of news fatigue setting in when there is really no change in a terrible and relentless situation, but the Ukrainians have no such luxury. Keep them front of mind with these fundraising events which are super easy to support.

 

THE FRINGING TREND To bang or not to bang? Actually we’re not talking hair but clothes. For a subtle nod to the trend, think bags and shoes (Chloé always does good fringe), or a fab Rixo dress. I think I'm beyond them anywhere else, but whatever floats your fashion boat. (Image: Alberta Ferretti)

 

LIFE IN THE GREEN LANE As we transition from petrol and diesel to electric, our car columnist Jeremy Taylor has started a weekly electric car column, which will cover everything from reviews to the latest EV news. Let your range anxiety be quelled…

 

	FIVE THINGS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS
	Hackney chef’s table The Sea The Sea is launching a seafood-focused cookery school, with a focus on sustainability – from zero-waste cooking to utilising under-used species.

 

	Works from the French artistic duo known collectively as Les Lalanne are on show as part of a new exhibition spread across Ben Brown Fine Arts and Claridge’s ArtSpace.
	London’s hottest new terrace has launched at The Maine in Mayfair, located just off Hanover Square and designed in collaboration with BradyWilliams.

 

	A new writing course run by author Kamin Mohammadi and editor Faiza Khan is designed to help writers cultivate a broader perspective. Email ownyourwriting@yahoo.com for details & to book
	Pick your exercise of choice and get involved with The Lady Garden Challenge, which is all about raising awareness for women’s gynaecological health.

 

	WHAT'S TRENDING ON C&TH
	12 slip skirts to buy for the spring/summer season	This week's Break Out Culture guest is the legendary playwright Sir David Hare

 

Hunting for your next caffeine hit? Head to one of London’s best independent coffee shops

Europe boasts some of the best beaches in the world – here are our winners

CULTURE    FOOD & DRINK    TRAVEL    STYLE    INTERIORS    PROPERTY                 Was it me, or did Valentine's Day feel even bigger on Instagram this year? Whether it's proposals, weddings or pregnancy announcements, there's mounting pressure with every relationship milestone to become a moment that's flawlessly captured and repackaged online.  So in an age where every app is luring you to post a piece of your private life, indulging in a proposal under wraps is the chicest way to play it these days. For our proposal edit, we're looking for places under the radar. Think Irish hideaways, crenellated and cobble-stonned cities, and 10th Century Umbrian castles.  Enjoy,             The Call of Ireland Reading Sally Rooney's novels – whether it's Beautiful World, Where Are You Now or Normal People – has us all wanting to escape to the untamed beauty of rural Ireland.  And there's only one hotel we're thinking of that can do that dream justice, A Gothic Revival architectural delight, Culloden Estate & Spa, is that superlative blend of historic wonder balanced with all the swish contemporary comforts that warrant its five-star status. Seek respite in the hotel's nordic chic spa where you'll slowly feel your shoulders drop and jaw unclench. Whether it's at their sauna, gorgeous pool, or their new Sequoi Treatment room (yes, they do couple massages, I hear you), you'll let the anxieties of day to day life drop off soon enough.  Feel like upping the momentum? Blow the cobwebs away with a blustery walk on the North Down coastal path, and bikes are too on hand to let you explore the Estate's sprawling grounds. Plus Belfast is only a mere few miles away to get your city fix if you so desire. cullodenestateandspa.com           Romantic Hotels to Know No.1 by GuestHouse, York Crenellations, towers, and cobbled streets await you in the Medieval city of York. In this Regency-era townhouse hotel, expect superlative spa treatments, libraries to luxuriate in, and heritage bedrooms that boast leafy views. guesthousehotels.co.uk         Paragon 700, Puglia  Becoming the haunt of romantics seeking escape in the throes of collonaded gardens, and frescos in an 18th-Century Mansion, Paragon 700 is the choice for beautiful seclusion. paragon700.com         Lundies House, Scottish Highlands Ensconced between Scotland's most famous mountains, Lundies House is for ruralists seeking stillness amongst the wilderness. Adorned with impossibly gorgeous art, murals, and antique Scottish furniture, Lundies is an aesthete's delight. lundies.scot         Hotel Castello di Reschio, Umbria This 10th Century restored castle poised on the foothills of Umbria in a sprawling 3,700-acre estate is a hazy medieval dream. Clad with curios and antiques of local artisans, the hotel doesn't skimp on modern indulgences either featuring saunas, plunge pools, and open-air bathing. reschio.com         At The Chapel, Somerset Originally a 17th Century Congregational chapel, the rooms still wink at their heritage with stoney gabled windows that overlook the river Brue. Croissants are brought up in the morning from the bakery, and after, we suggest walking it off with a march up to Bruton's romantic craggy dovecote. atthechapel.co.uk         The Rose, Deal One of the more affordable hotels, The Rose is brimming with eclectic contemporary prints, vinyl records to play, and beautifully bold headboards in each bedroom. You'll want to hire their vintage bikes to explore the nearby coast too. therosedeal.com         The Double Red Duke, Cotswolds Hunker down in what's understood to be the Cotswolds' most coveted 17th Century pub for locals and weekenders alike. With open fireplaces, beautiful bathtubs, and an atmospherically lit restaurant, The Double Red Duke is an easy choice. countrycreatures.com         Hampton Manor, West Midlands A firm favourite for foodies, Hampton Manor, features a Michelin-starred restaurant and a newly opened walled garden, Grace & Saviour that promises immersive dining experiences en plein air. The hotel isn't exactly a wallflower either, lined with spectacular William Morris wallpaper. hamptonmanor.com         The Pig, South Downs The newest member of the litter, The Pig in South Downs is one for the amblers with rolling hills, woodland walks and 50 miles of coastline. That's if you're able to peel yourself away from the house's roll-top baths and cosseted interiors. thepighotel.com         Hotel Tresanton, Cornwall Poised on the hill of St Mawes harbour village in Cornwall, as soon as you enter the far-flung county you'll feel the frantic pace of life wash away. Explore the botanical lake-lined church of St Just, grab a bite at Portscatho's hidden hut, and sip on a glass of white at the hotel's vista right on the rocks. tresanton.com                   OUT & ABOUT     The Most Romantic Rooms in the UK   The Best Spas in the UK   At-Home Date Night Ideas   Hot New Hotels to Know                     WIN! A Two Night Stay at the Culloden Estate & Spa Fancy a treat? We've partnered with Hastings Hotels to offer one winner a two-night stay at the Culloden Estate & Spa on a B&B basis with dinner and a spa treatment included. Enter our competition here.                    Sign up for 6 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus supplements and instant access to every digital edition for only £19                   Copyright © 2021 Country & Town House Our mailing address is:​ Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios, London, SW6 4QL, United Kingdom