More things to do this week/end in London

With thanks to Country and Town House:

May 08, 2026   |          Dear Reader, Did you know that the UK has its own version of Italy's agriturismo? It might not be as widespread as Italy's but now staying on a farm can be a wildly elevated experience. Yes, boots, mud, livestock and crops are part of it – central to it, in fact – but so are exquisite food, yoga lessons, and beautifully designed accommodation. It's just one reason to consider staying put in the UK this summer. And it's why – in celebration of the launch of our new Great British & Irish Hotels guide – we'll be running a series on why staying home isn't Plan B. Follow us on Instagram where we'll be dropping our Reasons to Stay series, from sexy wellness hotels to incredible things to fill your diary with.   Lucy Cleland Editorial Director   Staying In   WATCH: Legends Period dramas are always intriguing – especially when they draw on a true story. And for lovers of crime dramas, doubly so: delving behind the scenes of the stories you remember making the headlines, with extra salacious drama added in for good measure. That’s why we’re eager to tune into Legends this weekend, a new British crime thriller that has just landed on Netflix, created and written by Neil Forsyth, the man behind BBC heist drama The Gold. This time he whisks us back to the 90s, when Britain’s heroin crisis was reaching fever pitch and the government needed a new tack. Starring Strike’s Tom Burke alongside Steve Coogan, Hayley Squires, Charlotte Ritchie and more, the series’ title draws on the undercover identities of operatives tasked with infiltrating violent, high-powered gangs to root out the illicit drug trade. The only problem? The government workers set on the case were customs officers, with little to no experience on the front line. Six episodes streaming on Netflix GROW: Your Own Peonies Spring has officially sprung. This season’s freshest bloom? Peonies. ‘Often described as the harbinger of spring, peonies are rightly considered one of the main showstoppers of the garden,’ says Rosebie Morton, founder of The Real Flower Company. ‘Depending on the variety, they can flower as early as mid-April through to early July and once established are very undemanding.’ She adds that the key to a successful flower garden is choosing the right peony for your space: ‘If you are strapped for space and thinking of a container on your balcony or patio then it’s best to opt for a compact variety, or alternatively an intersectional peony known as Itoh peonies. There is a wonderful selection of colours as well, ranging from whites, yellows, orange and peach through to bright and deep pinks, and every combination in between.’ For more gardening tips, see Rosebie’s full guide here.   EAT: Emily English’s Red Pepper Pasta Emily English, known by her online moniker @emthenutritionist, has a new cookbook out: So Good Express. Continuing her ethos of nutritious food you actually want to eat, it contains over 80 speedy recipes which will fuel your body and lift your mood in no time. Our top pick? This creamy red pepper blender pasta. Ingredients 50g (5½oz) dried pasta of choice  Olive oil, for cooking  1 large banana shallot, chopped  2 garlic cloves, chopped Cupped handful of cashews 1 tsp smoked paprika  1 tbsp sun-dried tomato paste  1 tbsp tomato purée (paste) 3 roasted red (bell) peppers from a jar, diced  1 heaped tsp white miso paste  2 tbsp water  1 heaped tbsp light crème fraîche  15g (½oz) Parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra to serve  Handful of basil leaves  Salt and black pepper  Method Cook the pasta in boiling, salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving a cup of the cooking water, and set aside.  In a frying pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over a medium heat. Sauté the shallot and garlic with a pinch of salt for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the cashews and toast for 2 minutes. Stir in the smoked paprika, sun-dried tomato paste, tomato purée, roasted red peppers, miso and water. Cook for 2–3 minutes, then remove from the heat.  Transfer to a blender, add the crème fraîche and Parmesan and blend until silky-smooth. Season to taste.  Return the sauce to the pan over a low heat, tear and stir in some of the basil and the cooked pasta, adding splashes of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen if needed.  Serve topped with the remaining basil and Parmesan.  Going Out   BOOK: Wraxall Vineyard Shepherd’s Huts After a long day of wine tasting, the last thing you want to think about is how you’ll get home. Thankfully, Wraxall Vineyard is giving guests the option to avoid the tipsy taxi – with a sleepover in its new shepherd’s huts. An elevated take on the classic glamping experience, the two huts provide a fully-fitted handmade kitchen, an en-suite shower room, a king-size bed and a garden complete with a fire pit. Located on the very top of its most recently planted vineyard plot, the huts enjoy stunning views that stretch up to 20 miles across the Somerset Levels. One of Somerset’s oldest vineyards, visitors to Wraxall Vineyard can also enjoy a guided tour of the vines, plus wine tastings and a Somerset grazing table (think local cheese, charcuterie, salads, chutneys and breads) on the rooftop terrace. wraxallvineyard.co.uk VISIT: New Restaurant Ornella Last year, actor Theo James (The White Lotus) made his first foray into the world of hospitality with Lupa: a Highbury trattoria opened alongside Carousel co-founder Ed Templeton and chef Naz Hassan. And now he’s back with a follow-up, Ornella, launching on Wilton Way in Hackney this May. The eatery will serve Milanese food inspired by Hassan’s childhood in the Italian city: think mondeghili meatballs, penne alla vodka and vitello tonnato, followed by desserts like zuppa ingelse (Italian trifle). ornella.restaurant SEE: Andy Earl’s Exhibition Beloved British broadcaster Sir David Attenborough turns 100 years old today. And while you could celebrate by watching one of his very best documentaries, here’s a way to celebrate the naturalist out and about (aside from visiting his preferred London spot, the Natural History Museum). An exhibition from acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Andy Earl arrives at Bankside Yards this weekend, celebrating his four-decade career in visual culture. Working across everything from Pink Floyd's surrealist album covers Madonna, Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones, Earl has played a crucial role in shaping the visual language of popular culture across his career. One of his most iconic portraits? Blue Planet, a cinematic shot of Attenborough wading through the sea, captured in a water tank in 2003. Hosted in a historic Victorian railway arch – open to the public for the first time in 150 years – the exhibition features 39 more pieces spanning portraiture, landscape and commissioned imagery. It opens here in London, before embarking on an international tour. Open Wednesday to Sunday until 8 August at Arch 10, Bankside Yards, 250 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 9AX. Free tickets available on Eventbrite. Share This Newsletter With A Friend VIA EMAIL VIA WHATSAPP Staying in Forever… Property Of The Week Probably best recognised from the HBO Max cooking show Selena + Chef, Selena Gomez’s LA home is officially on the market. Alongside the kitchen where Jamie Oliver once rustled up a Sunday roast, the mansion offers up a gym, a massage room, a glam room, a home cinema, a pool, a hot tub and a recording studio. On the market for $6,495,000, thebeverlyhillsestates.com   Competition Time Win a midweek stay for two at THE PIG-in the wall  Win a Celestial Overnight Experience at Fairmont St Andrews Win a LIAVELLA AVAIA bag worth £799 Psssst… Actors Nicole Kidman and Riley Keough, alongside Hamnet director Chloé Zhao, are among the celebrities training to become death doulas. But what does the role actually involve? Subscription Offer Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39

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May 07, 2026   |        Staying In Read Elizabeth Strout’s New Book One of this year’s most anticipated new books is out now, Elizabeth Strout’s The Things We Never Say – and it doesn’t disappoint, says our book reviewer Belinda Bamber. ‘It tells the story of Artie Dam, an inspirational teacher in small-town America whose family life has been rocked by tragedy and whose geniality conceals an existential crisis. When his adult son Rob reveals a terrible secret, Artie realises he's been living a life of lies yet the story is ultimately uplifting as he gains a better understanding of himself and his marriage. Readers familiar with Strout's work should know that this book introduces us to a new set of characters, but Artie's generous spirit and nagging self-doubt make him as endearing a literary figure as Lucy Barton or Olive K. You won't want to put it down.’ Out now (Penguin) Going Out See The Sistine Chapel In London Can’t get to Rome? No problem: Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is coming to London this summer (well, kind of). An immersive exhibition is bringing one of the world’s greatest masterpieces to 1 America Square by reproducing all 34 frescoes at full scale – allowing the chance to see intricate details that are tricky to spot from the Vatican’s chapel ceiling. Educational storytelling throughout, meanwhile, will offer insight into the artist’s techniques and symbolism. ‘The Sistine Chapel is one of the most important artistic achievements in human history,’ says Martin Biallas, CEO of SEE® Global Entertainment (the company behind the show), ‘and this exhibition gives audiences the chance to experience it in an intimate and accessible way, while still capturing the scale and emotional impact of the original.’ Tickets from £14, book now on chapelsistine.com Property Of The Day While Emily in Paris has since relocated to Rome, and will be soon heading to Greece, it is the City of Light that will always have her heart. Now’s your chance to buy-up an apartment in the very same building where the series was filmed. Très chic! On the market for €3.5 million (£3 million), forbesglobalproperties.com Little Luxury Mayfair is arguably London’s priciest district – but a new happy hour is softening the blow a little. Head to Bar Below, tucked away within Michelin-starred restaurant HIDE, to try £10 cocktails like the Aphrodite: rose vermouth with Tapatio tequila, rhubarb brut and hibiscus tonic. The menu will change regularly, but it will always include a martini. hide.co.uk Competition Time Fancy a trip to Wales? Win a two-night spa break for two in one of the new Junior Suites at The Quay Hotel & Spa, complete with two spa treatments, dinner for two at Ebb & Flow on both evenings, and breakfast each morning.  Psssst… If you’re looking for a top-tier facial or tweakment from a trusted aesthetic doctor, find an expert from our vetted list of aesthetic wizards who specialise in everything from non-surgical facial lifting to subtle skin enhancements. Whatever You Do, Don’t Book the country branch of a members’ club (Soho Farmhouse, we’re looking at you) if you’re plotting a dirty weekend away, writes Rowan Pelling in our new Great British & Irish Hotels Guide (too many familiar faces). Her top spot for a romantic tryst? Galway’s remote Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, while friends recommend a sexy city spot like Batty Langley’s in London or a decadent hotel such as The Witchery in Edinburgh, ‘with its seductive four-posters, velvet and candlelight.’   Subscription Offer Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39

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May 06, 2026   |        Staying In Watch New Amandaland After Motherland wrapped its three glorious series of school-gate chaos, fans were left bereft. Enter Amandaland, the BBC spin-off that follows Lucy Punch’s self-absorbed Amanda as she decamps to ‘SoHa’ (South Harlesden), launches lifestyle brand Senuous and tries to keep her chaotic family afloat. The first series was an instant hit, and now series 2 is finally here, with all episodes now streaming on BBC iPlayer. What’s in store? ‘Things in SoHa are pretty much the same as how we left them at the end of series 1,’ hints Philippa Dunne, who stars as Amanda’s plate-spinning school-gate friend Anne. ‘The parents are still attending football practice. Amanda is continuing to expand Senuous, Fi is trying new jobs, Della is busy working to pay off their debt, Felicity is thinking of moving in with Amanda, Mal and JJ do some lovely bonding, and we have the wonderful Harriet Webb joining us as Abs, Mal’s ex.’ Behind the scenes? ‘We had some absolutely beautiful dogs on set that stole all our hearts,’ Philippa says. Read the full interview here. All episodes are streaming now on BBC iPlayer. Going Out Try New Restaurant MA/NA Los Mochis fans rejoice: its owners, who are also responsible for JUNO, LUNA Omakase and Sale e Pepe, have just opened a new Japanese dining concept in Mayfair. With a menu from executive chef Leo Tanyag and cocktails by bar director Pietro Collina (Viajante87), expect a contemporary take on Japan’s rich culinary tradition. The menu traverses land and sea – the must order is its dramatic M5 Wagyu, seared on a Himalayan salt stone with garlic-soy, ponzu, and mixed Asian leaves. Or plump for the seasonal fish of the day. At night – per the rise and rise of London’s listening bars – take a nightcap alongside a rotation of resident DJs. The space is impressive, too, with a dragon-shaped banquette as its key, uber-Instagrammable flourish. Open now at 30 Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, manarestaurants.com Property Of The Day Though nicknamed Wallaby Island, this 100-acre private isle is far from the shores of Oz. Currently owned by Soho House founder Nick Jones, it was Inchconnachan’s previous inhabitant – the powerboat racing Countess of Arran – who introduced the marsupials. Available as a standalone, or with a new-build dreamt-up by Jones, this is one impressive offering.  On the market for £3m (island alone) or £10m (island with property), sothebysrealty.co.uk Little Luxury C&TH Partnership Considering the switch to a refillable deodorant? B Corp company Wild is the name to know. Designed to reduce plastic waste while also being kinder to skin by using 98 percent natural origin ingredients, the products come in a whole host of fun cases and are rigorously tested to ensure 24-hour freshness. From £10.97 for a pack, wearewild.com Competition Time Win a four-night bed and breakfast stay at Calabash Hotel in Grenada, plus one return flight voucher (up to the cost of £800) from London to Grenada, courtesy of Grenada Tourism Authority. Psssst… A new species of wasp has been named after Sir David Attenborough in honour of his 100th birthday on 8 May. Originally from Chile and identified from a specimen housed at the Natural History Museum, scientists have called the group of wasps Attenboroughnculus tau (with tau referring to a striking T shape on the insect’s abdomen). Whatever You Do, Don’t Assume workouts need to be exhausting to be effective. A new study has found slow, controlled, ‘lowering’ movements known as eccentric exercises can boost strength more efficiently than their concentric counterparts – the part you might think of as the ‘lift’.   Subscription Offer Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39

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May 05, 2026   |        Staying In Reset Your Appetite Staying in this week? Use the time to read up on (and action) an appetite reset, which Dr Federica Amati writes about in our latest issue. ‘For many people trying to eat well, appetite feels like the enemy – hunger appears unpredictable, cravings relentless. But the science tells a different story, and what really determines whether appetite works for or against you is satiety. This biological process is not a single signal but a coordinated conversation between the gut, brain, hormones, microbiome, and even the physical structure of the food you eat. When these signals function properly, hunger rises naturally when you need energy and fades once your body has what it needs.’ While for hundreds of years this intricate system worked well, she notes, today foods are engineered to be eaten quickly and easily – so how can we give our appetite a reset? ‘Research consistently shows that diets built around whole, fibre-rich foods help restore the body’s natural appetite regulation. Fibre slows digestion, supports the microbiome and strengthens satiety signals. Plant diversity also matters, and many of the world's healthiest diets are plant-forward. Vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds and fruit provide fibre, micronutrients and bioactive compounds.’ Read the full piece here. Going Out Watch Our Land At The Cinema Head to cinemas to watch new feature documentary Our Land, which follows the battle between campaigners and landowners over the British countryside. England is home to some of the world’s most spectacular countryside landscapes and waterways – but did you know 92 percent of land and 97 percent of rivers are not legally accessible to the public? That’s why activists at Right to Roam are pushing for increased public access. The movie is being screened for free in cinemas across the UK – part of Escapes, a nationwide initiative on a mission to bring film to all by hosting more than 100 free screenings each month. For director Orban Wallace, the subject is deeply personal. ‘I grew up in the Dorset countryside in a rented cottage deep in the forest of a private estate,’ he says. ‘Even though we lived in the woods we were not allowed in them as they were private. I regularly had run-ins with the gamekeeper who would tell us to get out. So, I was a trespasser by necessity from a very young age.’ Catch it at select cinemas on 5 and 6 May 2026. escapes.cinematik.app Property Of The Day The former home of music legend Sting, this Manhattan penthouse offers up views across Central Park. Complete with a lift, a sauna, a media room, and a bright red bathroom, this home truly is fit for a star.  On the market for $45m, elliman.com Little Luxury Is your reusable water bottle looking a little tired? Upgrade with new brand Beau, which is launching three colourways for its stylish inaugural bottle: Paris (deep brown), Celine (creamy beige) and Alice (baby blue). With a sculptural silhouette, the bottle is created to feel like a design-forward collectible – hydration, but make it art. beaubottle.com Competition Time Enter this competition now for your chance to win a two-night bed and breakfast stay at Dunalastair Hotel Suites in the wilds of Scotland, including dinner, lunch and a highland experience.  Psssst… This weekend, Stripe & Stare and its Buy Women Built initiative is hosting a treasure trail designed to celebrate female-founded brands. Businesses along the King’s Road in Chelsea will be offering in-store promotions including free gifts, complimentary matcha and exclusive discounts, with participating brands including RIXO, Astrid & Miyu, Aspiga and Trinny London. 9 and 10 May 2026 Whatever You Do, Don’t Use harsh skincare products if you’re prone to flushed skin. ‘Anything skin barrier-stripping is out: alcohol (often hiding in toners and serums), fragrance (including essential oils), and sulphates in foaming cleansers,’ says Pamela Marshall, clinical aesthetician and co-founder of Mortar & Milk. For advanced, bumpy rosacea, cut out face oils as well. Potent cell turnover-boosting ingredients such as AHA exfoliants, retinoids and ascorbic acid will aggravate skin, risking deeper, not softer, wrinkles. Find our full guide to skin pigmentation here.   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