More things to do in London and Ireland

 With thanks to Country and Townhouse, the Southbank Centre and Wilderness Ireland:

Dear, Who doesn’t love a diamond? But the environmental impact of their extraction is not always so palatable. It’s exciting then when an industry is revolutionised, turned on its head, and presented back to us in a completely non-damaging and sustainable way. The story of Skydiamond is a fable for our times: an approach that takes carbon from the sky and converts it into something precious, collectible and everlasting, using technological innovation all with renewable energy, feels like a beautiful future we can all aspire to. We just need to set our imaginations free. Which is why we’re even more excited that Skydiamond is the sponsor of this year’s Journey to Zero. Come and spend a glittering day with us, them and Raymond Blanc at the gorgeous Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons on 15 November. Buy your tickets now! Have a great week. Photo: 'Grandiflora Rose' wallpaper design by Designers Guild             WHAT’S EXCITING ME THIS WEEK       GOOD MANNERS We’re all about good manners at C&TH, but even I learnt something from expert William Hanson – who’s made his bread and butter telling folk how to position their umbrellas. And whatever you do, never announce to a group that you’re going to the loo… Find out more faux pas here.         GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK In opposition to Black Friday’s race to the bottom of retail in November (which apparently sees 80 percent of products bought end up in landfill, by the way), Green Friday aims to raise awareness of our shopping habits. Stop, breathe and think before you add to basket.           PUT DOWN THE PHONE We all notice it and we probably all do it, but I’m still blown away on the Tube when I see everyone with a phone in their hand like a permanent appendage (I’m sure one day it will be). Here’s how to break up with your phone (at least for a bit).         FIVE THINGS NOT TO MISS       Celebrate the capital’s ever-buzzing drinks scene at London Cocktail Week, with bar takeovers, parties and masterclasses taking place all over the city. Until 22 October               1 Hotel Mayfair has launched its brand-new Bamford spa, which offers signature 30-minute express treatments – perfect for some lunch break R&R.   Looking for a classy way to celebrate Halloween? Book a spot at Dinner Ladies’ Sinner Supper Club, featuring seven courses inspired by the deadly sins. 31 October         Artists including Maggi Hambling, Sophie Tea and Sir Quentin Blake have donated works to an online auction for Horatio’s Garden, a charity which creates gardens in NHS spinal injury centres. Until 29 October       Embrace autumn and stay cosy indoors with Apple TV’s new adaptation of bestselling book Lessons In Chemistry, starring Brie Larson.         WHAT'S TRENDING ON C&TH       The best Bake Off moments ever     Overdone costumes to avoid this Halloween [Image courtesy of Netflix © 2022]           London’s outdoor ice rinks are returning [Image: David Jensen]   What is leaf peeping?                         Win A Luxurious Spa Treatment in Harrods & Iconic Skincare from Chantecaille In the mood for some pampering? You’re in the right place: we’ve partnered with luxury beauty brand Chantecaille to offer one lucky reader the chance to win its high-performance, botanical skincare products plus a spa treatment at Harrods, worth £842.                        Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39               Copyright © 2023 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       Magical Winter Escapes               Dear, A wise man once said ‘it’s the most wonderful time of the year’ – and we couldn’t agree more. The sun may have made an unseasonable reappearance as of late, but now the Pumpkin Spice Lattes have landed in cafes and shops are brimming with knitwear, we can’t tear our daydreams away from frosty mornings, hot cocoa and the smell of fresh pine. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean Christmas; after a scorching summer and a muggy autumn, we’re ready to embrace any and every aspect of winter with open arms. If your hometown isn’t quite cutting it, we come with an array of magical winter holiday ideas to spruce up the season. With its unparalleled vistas, super-cool outfits and penchant for apres, skiing is always a classic choice – especially for adventure-seeking families – and Ski Solutions is the one-stop shop to secure your dream trip. Here are eight winter holiday ideas to dream about – and book. Enjoy,                   Magical Winter Escapes To Book Now Alberta, Canada With its spectacular scenery and world-class resorts, Alberta is an underrated destination for British and European skiers – but that’s about to change. Wondering where best to start? We’ve teamed up with Ski Solutions to share the best skiing destinations in Alberta, from the incredible natural beauty of Banff to the untouched slopes of Jasper – click here to read all about it. With the ski season fast approaching, book now with Ski Solutions to secure the best early bird deals. skisolutions.com         Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross Cosy by the fire in one of Atholl Estates’ luxurious Glen Glack cabins, after a day of reconnecting with nature. Inspired by traditional Scottish bothies, offering refuge for walkers, expect off-grid nature immersion elevated with plush comforts like state-of-the-art kitchens, luxurious bedrooms and lavish bathrooms. Perched on the edge of Cally Loch, breathtaking views come as standard, complementing the unique design, crackling wood-burning stove and private verandah. atholl-estates.co.uk         Umeå, Sweden A snowball’s throw from the Arctic Circle, this remote Swedish city is home to around 120,000 people, and is an off-the-beaten-track answer to Lapland. Reindeer roam freely in surrounding woods and snow blankets the buildings, while there’s a thriving art, music and foodie scene in the city itself.         Edinburgh Everyone visits for the Fringe, but Edinburgh is also home to one of our favourite Christmas markets. Running this year from 17 November right up until 6 January 2024, there’s plenty of time to enjoy this most beautiful of cities with a wintery twist. For a unique stay, check into Fingal, Scotland’s first luxurious floating hotel, revitalising a decommissioned vessel that once carried supplies to Scotland's most inaccessible and remote lighthouses. fingal.co.uk         Vienna, Austria For a dose of festive cheer on the continent opt for Vienna, where the pretty city adopts a mystical hue with special lights, classical music, and delicious baked treats galore. This year, the festive markets run from 11 November up until Christmas day, but there's plenty to see throughout the city, too, from incredible architecture to iconic artworks to the Sigmund Freud museum.         Gdansk, Poland Or for fewer crowds, lower temperatures and a stronger focus on the Christmas market itself, head to Gdansk. This colourful port city is brimming with character, but its the Christmas market that has attracted a legion of fans through the years.         Dolomites, Italy It’s all about the off-season in Italy, when crowds disperse and adventure prevails. Head to Granbaita Hotel in the Dolomites for a luxurious and stylish stay with prime positioning beside the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage site – perfect for snowy explorations. Plus, why not extend your trip with a train ride to Venice?         London Why complicate it? London is recurrently voted the best city in the world – and this doesn't change come winter. In fact, the Christmas festivities transform the city into a wonderland of lights, cosy pop-ups and thrilling theatre. Here are the best festive things to do in London this year.       JOURNEY TO ZERO IS BACK     Get your tickets now for Journey to Zero 2023, our exclusive reader event taking place at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel. A celebration of luxury and sustainability, it will feature delicious food and a talk from Raymond Blanc himself, as well as a cookery demonstration, a private garden tour and more. There are just 40 spaces available, so act fast before they sell out.   OUT & ABOUT   London Shows To Catch This Christmas   Prettiest Pumpkin Patches Near London   The Ultimate Guide To Winter   London Restaurants Open On Christmas                     WIN A Two-Night Festive Break For Two In Kensington Fancy a fabulous festive escape? We’ve teamed up with Opportunity Kensington to offer one reader the chance to win a two-night stay in a spacious deluxe room at The Milestone Hotel & Residences – complete with breakfast, afternoon tea, luxury Floris toiletries, room service, plush slippers and bathrobes. Enter here. Good luck!                   Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39                   Copyright © 2022 Country & Town House   Our mailing address is:​ Country & Town House Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios, London, SW6 4QL, United Kingdom

London Literature Festival is almost here.       What's on at the Southbank Centre FIND OUT MORE   Take our word(s) for it Beloved authors, tantalising debuts and imaginative family-friendly events: London Literature Festival begins next week and brings you all this, plus a collaboration with Black British Book Festival for a series of exclusive, free events. Looking ahead, you won't want to miss the return of Winter Festival across our site, bringing together shows, art, music and delicious, warming food. On the blog, hear from London Literature Festival guests Patrick Stewart and Bryan Washington, and find out about pianist Benjamin Grosvenor's pre-concert routine.   Just announced     Winter Festival SAT 28 OCT – SUN 7 JAN Our Winter Festival returns, sprinkling magic across our site. Come together for spellbinding shows, glorious music and choirs, luminous art, festive family fun and our wondrous Winter Market and pop-ups.     Roger Eno + NYX Choir SUN 25 FEB   Jesse Cook FRI 17 MAY    find tickets here →   Book it in     Debut London Literature WED 18 OCT   Bryan Washington: Family Meal FRI 20 OCT     Douglas Adams: 42 SAT 21 OCT A panel including John Lloyd, Caitlin Moran and Kevin Jon Davies, plus Neil Gaiman joining virtually, gather to celebrate Adams and a new book of his personal artefacts. This event is Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT).     Writing for the People: Black Joy Revisited SAT 21 OCT   Adam Thirlwell: The Future Future SAT 21 OCT       Sandra Newman: Julia SAT 21 OCT   Yu Miri: The End of August SUN 22 OCT     Fred and the Fantastic Tub-Tub SUN 22 OCT The magical, musical adventure for children is brought to life at this London premiere, presented by the Orpheus Sinfonia with Zeb Soanes narrating. This event is Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT).   more London Literature Festival →   Poetry in motion     George the Poet Presents FRI 20 OCT Drawing on his new anthology, Part of a Story That Started Before Me, George the Poet curates a night of music and spoken word. This event is British Sign Language interpreted (BSL).     Julian Littman’s Goblin Market WED 18 OCT   Poetry London Autumn Readings SAT 21 OCT   more literature & poetry →   Freeze frame     Hiroshi Sugimoto WED 11 OCT – SUN 7 JAN In this short video interview, Sugimoto considers the impact of the invention of the camera and explains how his own photography draws on the camera’s ability to distort linear time. Hiroshi Sugimoto is now open in the Hayward Gallery, and features key works from all of the artist’s major photographic series.   book now →     CLASSICAL MUSIC   Benjamin Grosvenor: Bach, Chopin, Gubaidulina & Liszt WED 18 OCT A recital embracing Chopin’s high romanticism, the pianistic heroism of Liszt and the wizardry of Sofia Gubaidulina, united by an intense, atmospheric take on Bach.   GIGS   Brian Eno & Baltic Sea Philharmonic MON 30 OCT Ships is a new live concert with Brian Eno, Baltic Sea Philharmonic and Kristjan Järvi, commissioned by La Biennale di Venezia.     GIGS   Tawiah & Friends SAT 11 NOV Tawiah invites friends and collaborators for a night where friendship and artistry unite. The line-up includes special guests Julianknxx, Karim Kamar, Ego Ella May, Sheila (KOKOROKO), The Vernon Spring and Terri Walker.       SHOP   Welcome to our Hiroshi Sugimoto shop collection Get your hands on the exhibition catalogue and browse our curated range of exclusive and design-led products inspired by Hiroshi Sugimoto.   BLOG       Patrick Stewart: ‘When will someone cast me as Falstaff?!’ The distinguished actor talks to us about his career, his new memoir and the role that continues to elude him.   read now →   BLOG       Bryan Washington on Family Meal, inspiration and asking questions Get an insight into the Memorial author’s new novel ahead of its launch at our London Literature Festival.   read now →   BLOG       Benjamin Grosvenor: 6 things... that become habits for a concert pianist The concert pianist gives an insight into how he prepares for each performance.   read now →   FROM OUR FRIENDS   30 Years of Trainspotting: Irvine Welsh in Conversation with John Niven THU 19 OCT | EARTH THEATRE In 1993, Irvine Welsh’s debut novel burst onto the literary scene and changed the face of British fiction. Thirty years on, Vintage Classics is bringing out an anniversary edition of the book. To celebrate, fans can hear more about the undeniable cult classic from the author himself at this live event.   FROM OUR FRIENDS   Pygmalion UNTIL SAT 28 OCT | THE OLD VIC Don't miss your chance to see the 'fabulous pairing' (Sunday Times) of Bertie Carvel and Patsy Ferran in Pygmalion at The Old Vic this month. Taking on the iconic characters of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins, this production of Pygmalion ‘packs a mighty modern punch’ (The i).     WHAT'S ON      VISIT      MEMBERSHIP & SUPPORT     Southbank Centre is a charity registered in England and Wales No.298909. Registered office: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

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