Things to do in London this week/end

 With thanks to Country and Town House:

July 03, 2026   |        Dear Reader, We've been having a lot of chats about AI this week, landing on the fact that we now quite often need to tag/explain that we are humans (not robots). Which leads us to wrangle with why we're corralling ourselves into smaller spaces where we can show up as human while letting AI claim larger spaces, dominate narratives, exclude the nuance of what it is to feel, sense, touch and taste – and add hugely to our climate crisis with its mind-bogglingly large, energy- and water-intensive data centres. It feels a bit like the digital plague at the moment (for all its, admittedly, incredible benefits). Perhaps the pressure of it all will engender huge bursts of creativity and togetherness as we seek to hold on to who we are. It is a mirror held up to the best of us and the worst of us. I wonder which side will vanquish. #human Lucy Cleland Editorial Director   Staying In READ: Our New Interiors Guide Today sees the launch of our biggest ever issue of Country & Town House Interiors – a bumper edition of features, inspiration and, of course, our annual list of Britain’s 50 Finest Interior Designers. Following on from last year, we also welcome back our Titans of Design – this time nominated by our 2025 cohort as they spotlight 10 luminaries they felt deserve a place among their ranks. Plus settle in with brilliant pieces from Hatta Byng and Gianluca Longo, a new tastemaker series featuring Beata Heuman, Yinka Ilori and Ben Pentreath, and a raft of inspiration from beautiful places, singular design and wonderfully talented artisans. Pick up your copy here or find it on the newsstand – free with the July/August issue – from Wednesday. We hope you enjoy it!   MAKE: A Jug Of Pimm’s A staple summer drink, the first Pimm’s bar opened at the 1971 Wimbledon tournament, and every year since it has sold over 80,000 pints of Pimm’s cocktail to spectators. And with Wimbledon season upon us, we’re craving a nice cold glass of the stuff. Make your own with this easy recipe below. Serves 6-8 Ingredients: 200ml Pimm’s No. 1 500ml lemonade Fresh mint leaves Sliced cucumber Sliced oranges Sliced strawberries Method: Fill a large pitcher with ice, fruit and garnishes. Pour over the Pimm’s No.1, followed by the lemonade and then stir gently. Transfer the mixture into glasses and add any extra garnishes to serve. Cheers with your friends and take a sip that will guarantee a taste of summer.   CURATE: Your Garden Furniture Set-Up When the sun comes out, there’s only one place to be (aside from the pub) – the garden. And a carefully curated collection of garden furniture ensures you can enjoy the space to the fullest. ‘Whether for a terrace or garden, providing an area to relax, soak up the sunshine or dine al fresco lets the outdoors become a beautiful extension of your living space,’ says Fred Horlock, design director at Neptune. ‘It’s an invitation to connect with nature over coffee in the morning, an afternoon nap on a perfectly placed sun lounger or hosting large gatherings around the table for a BBQ.’ But before you start your hunt for the perfect garden furniture, you need to visualise the space and how you want to use it. ‘In a similar way to how you may design your interior space, consider how you enjoy spending time in the garden and what suits your needs,’ says Fred. For more expert tips on how to style the garden this summer, see our guide here. Going Out BOOK: Chelsea Arts Festival Tickets Don’t sleep on buying your tickets for the second edition of Chelsea Arts Festival, returning for its second year this September. New to the line-up are two of Britain's most celebrated actors, Sir Derek Jacobi and Tamsin Greig, who will take to the stage at Cadogan Hall for A Poem for Every Night of the Year: 10th Anniversary. The evening celebrates a decade of Allie Esiri's best-selling anthology which, along with her other much-loved poetry collections, has sparked an explosion of renewed interest in poetry across the UK. Expect a joyful evening of verse read aloud as it's meant to be heard, with further cast members still to be announced. A Poem For Every Night of the Year takes place on 18 September 2026 at 7pm. Chelsea Arts Festival runs from 17 – 20 September 2026. Book your tickets here. WATCH: Wimbledon (From Afar) Wimbledon is well underway, taking over SW19 until Sunday 12 July 2026 with high-stakes tennis action across singles, doubles, junior and wheelchair tennis. Bringing with it a slew of special menus, pop-ups and installations, however, it’s perhaps more precise to say Wimbledon fever infects the entirety of London. And as the sun continues to pour its beams across the British capital, there’s no better place to watch the drama unfold than at one of the city’s big outdoor screens. Head to Ham Yard Hotel’s courtyard, where you can watch the tennis while you eat (with the option to tune into live commentary with wireless headphones), or set up camp on a deck chair in Eccleston Yards (complete with a pizza from new hotspot Weezie’s). Over at Chelsea Barracks, meanwhile, luxury towels and bedding brand Christy and tennis equipment company Babolat have taken over Garrison Square with a large screen, food and drinks from the Campaner restaurant and a retail store offering personalisation on the 2026 Wimbledon collection. Find more screens here. DINE AT: Kitchen in the Wild We might be in the height of summer right now, but why not plan ahead and book yourself a treat for the gloomier months? Kitchen In The Wild is an experiential culinary experience, created by chef and food writer Valentine Warner alongside event organiser Clare Isaacs. Guests are invited to incredible remote settings around the world, where they can join in with foraging for wild ingredients before enjoying chef-prepared feasts – with two new destinations recently added to the roster. The first is Coombeshead Farm, a working farm in Cornwall which will host upcoming events with chefs Adam Byatt (12 – 15 November 2026) and Masaki Sugisaki (18 – 21 March 2027). Meanwhile, in Spain’s remote Matarraña region, 15th century estate La Torre Del Viscois will be the setting for guest chef experiences with Phil Howard (22 – 26 April 2027) and Lennox Hastie (23 – 27 September 2027). One to book ahead. kitcheninthewild.org Share This Newsletter With A Friend VIA EMAIL VIA WHATSAPP Staying in Forever… Property Of The Week If there’s anybody who could take a pig-shaped island and transform it into a perfectly curved paradise it’s Brazilian butt lift pioneer Dr Ivo Pitanguy. A plastic surgeon to Hollywood stars, presidents and royalty alike, Pitanguy welcomed everybody from Tom Cruise to Jimmy Carter to the shores of his tropical oasis. Complete with a helipad, airstrip, yacht marina, three private beaches, and James Bond inspired lair, this private isle was Pitanguy’s ultimate aesthetic feat.  On the market for $100m (£76m), beauchampestates.com Competition Time Win an overnight stay for two at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in a Spa Suite  Win a three-night stay for two people in luxury accommodation at The Monteleone, Umbria Win a Japanese Glass Skin Facial (worth £600) from The Lovely Clinic Psssst… Seven London bars have been named among the best in Europe at the prestigious World’s 50 Best Bars awards. Venues to make the list include C&TH favourite Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood London, Mayfair’s Kwānt and the Three Sheets in Soho – but it was the Connaught Bar which scooped up the highest spot, coming in at no. 10. 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

July 02, 2026   |      Staying In Listen To New Podcast Outsiding We have a new podcast for your morning commute: Outsiding, hosted by broadcaster and writer Caitlin Moran and garden designer Adam Frost. A project from Cold Glass Productions (the company behind the much-loved Dish podcast with Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett), the duo will invite a series of celebrity guests to join them outdoors for a chat – with conversations aiming to celebrate the simple joys of nature. First up is comedian Bob Mortimer, who will share memories of his father and rock ‘n’ roll exploits from the Vic & Bob era. Other guests confirmed include singer Charlotte Church, Blur bassist Alex James, comedian Mel Giedroyc and writer Dawn O’Porter. Plus, listen out for snippets of accessible garden advice from Adam and Caitlin. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Going Out Visit Aesop’s Queer Library How are you celebrating Pride this year? Why not pick up an LGBTQ+ book? If you are wondering where to start, here is how to get your hands on a book by a queer writer, totally free of charge. From tomorrow, Australian luxury cosmetics brand Aesop is once again swapping beauty products for books with the return of its Queer Library for the sixth year running. From Friday 3 to Sunday 5 July, Aesop Soho’s shelves will be cleared of products, with a selection of books by and about LGBTQ+ people filling the space instead. Across the weekend, visitors are invited to select a title from the curated list of 33 books, guided by the Aesop team, no purchase necessary. Authors on this year’s list include Kae Tempest, Lee Lai, Jason Okundaye, Brandon Taylor and Yrsa Daley-Ward. Across the city, Aesop Spitalfields will concurrently be home to a dedicated queer Reading Room, hosted by K Bailey Obazee, founder of queer Black book club PRIM.BLACK. Find out more here and at aesop.co.uk Property Of The Day Perched high above LA’s star-studded Mulholland Drive, Chris Evans lived in this meditative mountain retreat for over a decade. The perfect spot for a superhero in the making, it was in this very same home’s gym that he transformed himself into the ultra-buff Captain America.  On the market for $6,395,000, christiesrealestate.com Little Luxury It’s the summer of the polka dot, and Hunza G is getting involved with its latest capsule. For the first time, UPF performance fabrics are combined with The Original Crinkle™, creating a collection which allows wearers to move seamlessly from pool to beach club. With a monochrome colour palette, the range includes mini shorts and midi skirts, plus a bikini and swimsuit (both with removable straps) – but our top pick is the retro halter top, complete with a chic tie-back bow. £125, hunzag.com Competition Time Here’s your chance to win a two-night bed and breakfast stay at The Swan at Streatley, including a three-course dinner and wellness activities hosted by Grace & Gravity and The SUP Life. Plus you’ll receive two VIP tickets to COPPAFEST on 29 August, the annual boutique riverside festival hosted by Coppa Club, featuring live music and entertainment, speciality food and drink and immersive experiences.  Psssst… Planning your next staycation? Check out The Elysium Collection: a new group of British hotels, spas and wellness clubs set to debut in autumn 2026 with Elysium St Mawes. The collection is all about creating beautiful places to switch off – expect openings to follow across Surrey and the Lake District. Whatever You Do, Don’t Neglect your back and chest exercises: new research, published in the journal Radiology, found those with greater muscle density in these areas were less likely to have a heart attack. Good exercises to start with? Add rows, chest presses and flyes to your workouts – or why not learn to do your first press up with our PT-approved guide?   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

July 01, 2026   |      Staying In Watch The Legally Blonde Prequel, Elle She got into Harvard, won a murder case, and got her ex-boyfriend begging for her back – all while rocking picture-perfect pink fits and a perfectly quaffed blonde do. What, like it’s hard? If there’s anyone we’d want on our side in a court of law, it’s Legally Blonde’s Elle Woods. Iconic as the original film may be, there’s only so many times we can watch the Reese Witherspoon classic each year – and not even the two sequels and musical can satisfy our cravings for more. Thankfully for fans of the 2000s film, there’s a new Legally Blonde-inspired series to tune into today. Set six years before the original, Elle takes us back to 1995 as a young Elle Woods (played by newcomer Lexi Minetree) is forced to navigate the tumultuous waters of high school, tricky friendships, forbidden romance and seriously questionable fashion choices. Out today on Amazon Prime Going Out Check Out The Design Collective Summer Pop-Up C&TH Partnership Returning for the third year in a row is The Design Collective Summer Pop Up, taking place in Mayfair from 2 – 5 July. The Design Collective was founded by two friends, Binu Wickramasinghe and Shahili Gomes, to share their love for fashion, design, art and travel – initially launching as a physical store in Colombo, Sri Lanka and growing into an e-commerce site. Its four-day London showcase is designed to share the platform more widely, celebrating the creativity, craftsmanship and innovation of South Asian fashion, jewellery and lifestyle brands. Both a shopping experience and an opportunity for young designers to meet one another and collaborate, guests can browse designers including Oga, Yam, Misho Jewellery, Hala, NAD, Pranay and Jodi. 2 July, 1–6pm and 3–5 July, 10am–6pm at 14A, Hay Hill, W1J 8NZ, find out more here Property Of The Day C&TH Partnership Though tucked away in the Cornish countryside, this four-bedroom home sits just moments from the buzzy Southwest Coast Path and the harbour villages of Port Isaac and Port Gaverne – striking the balance between rural calm and coastal living. Inside, the galleried landing and open-plan living space offer the perfect spot for enjoying views of the landscaped gardens. On the market for £1,895,000, johnbrayestates.co.uk Little Luxury Going to a dinner party and not sure what to bring? In 2026, the ultimate gift is a really good extra virgin olive oil, like this one from Tunisian brand Ellouze1870. Made through organic farming principles with cold-pressed olives, the Delicate variety tastes delicious and will jazz up any salad. £32, ellouze1870.com Competition Time With so many serums, ointments and creams to choose from, finding the right skincare routine can often feel overwhelming. But luckily SAINT Jō has the answers. This competition gives you the chance to win a five-step topical skincare system, two-step supplement range and SAINT Jō clutch carry-bag, worth a total of £455. Psssst… Rosslyn, a collection of specialty cafes in the City of London, has been named England’s top coffee shop in a new ranking announced by Europe’s 100 Best Coffee Shops. The ranking means Rosslyn is a finalist in the World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops, due to be announced in March 2027. Whatever You Do, Don’t Water your plants in the middle of the day during a heatwave, says Jude Allen, head grower at Wild Farm in Hertfordshire, as much of the moisture will simply evaporate. ‘Early morning is the best time to water, giving plants a chance to absorb moisture before the day's heat. If that's not possible, water in the evening.’ Find more tips for keeping your garden thriving during hot weather 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

July 01, 2026   |     We believe creativity has the power to bring people together, spark new ideas and support wellbeing. That’s why we’re supporting Create Week 2026: a week-long celebration of creativity led by our charity partner, Create, which is working to enhance wellbeing through the creative arts. From 1–7 July, people across the UK and beyond are invited to take part in seven free artist-led creative activities designed to help people slow down, reconnect and experience the joy of creativity. Whether you spend ten minutes creating at home, organise a crafty evening with friends, bring Create Week into your workplace or attend a special event, every moment of creativity counts. No experience needed – just a little curiosity. This year’s Create Week theme is all about connection. The initiative aims to help us connect with ourselves through quiet moments of reflection, but also with others by sharing creative experiences. Find out how to get involved below. Staying In Try A Creative Activity At Home Want to get crafty but not sure where to start? A team of professional artists have offered a helping hand by designing seven creative activities you can download and try at home. Sign up here and you’ll receive an email link to the activities, which include mindfulness zines, drawing with intention, flower origami and pop-up bouquets. Why not host a craft evening for a group of family or friends? Don’t forget to share your creations on social media using the hashtag #CreateWeek. Going Out  Attend A Craft Event Alternatively, check out one of the events taking place across London during Create Week. On 2 July, Fulham Pavilion is hosting the Crafternoon Club for a relaxed summer evening of tote bag embroidery: guests will be taught some simple stitches and creative techniques, all while enjoying a glass of wine or two (6 – 8pm, book here). There’s also a ceramic delftware tray and plate making workshop taking place at Roots N Shoots London on 4 July, where you’ll learn skills including how to mould a plate with a slab. Your very own piece will then be bisque fired and finished with transparent glaze, ready for you to pick up a few weeks later (book here). Psssst… According to a study from 2024, creative activities are as beneficial to life satisfaction as having a job. Scientists at Anglia Ruskin University explored the impact of taking part in creative activities using data from a national survey, finding those who participated in arts and crafts were happier – and that creativity had a greater influence on wellbeing than factors like age and health. Competition: Win Art Supplies Download the activities and tick ‘enter the draw’ for your chance to win one of five creative gift bags from London Graphic Centre worth £100.  T&Cs apply. UK residents only. Five winners available. ENTER 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

June 30, 2026   |      Staying In The Hottest Books To Read This Summer The sweltering summer humidity is starting to ease, but we can’t help thinking it would all be a bit nicer with a sea breeze, a glass of something icy cold, and a good book. Well, at least we can handle the latter. A zeitgeisty book is the ultimate summer accessory – but which will be the next book du jour? This year, we have the debut novel Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke at the top of our list – a circa 400-page high-concept thriller in which an Instagram tradwife wakes up in what appears to be the actual pioneer days. There’s also The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, the touching epistolary that just scooped up the Women’s Prize for Fiction. In non-fiction, BBC broadcaster Lyse Doucet’s The Finest Hotel in Kabul came out tops and is certain to be spotted beside sun loungers this summer. With new releases from Maggie O’Farrell, Douglas Stewart, Bella Mackie and more, we are certainly being spoilt this summer. Find the full C&TH summer reading list here. Going Out Go To Henley Regatta This could be the chicest event in the summer sporting calendar. Well, it’s certainly the splashiest. Attracting thousands of spectators to one short stretch of idyllic Henley-on-Thames, Henley Royal Regatta boasts six days of high-octane excitement as rowers – from Olympic-level to school teams – take to the water across more than 300 races. It’s as much a social affair as it is a sporting one: ex-rowers, life-long enthusiasts and newbies alike can dress up, grab a picnic, sip a cocktail and shout ‘well rowed!’ at the passing boats, all without knowing a single rule of the river. Looking for somewhere to stay afterwards? Combine your Henley adventure with a trip to the capital, which is just less than an hour away on the train. There’s no better place to stay than Knightsbridge’s The Capital Hotel, which epitomises English elegance on your very English trip. Its 73 rooms, suites and apartments balance the tranquility of a residential street with the bustling city location right beside Harrods and Harvey Nichols. 30 June – 5 July 2026, hrr.co.uk Property Of The Day This Victorian townhouse may not look like your average eco home, but its credentials are greener than they seem. With 24 solar panels, a Tesla Powerwall and an EV charging point, plus planning permission for a solar-powered annexe and aircon throughout, for such a large and historic home its EPC rating of B is certainly something to be applauded. £3.5m, chestertons.co.uk Little Luxury C&TH Partnership Boost your skin, hair, nails, bones and joints all at once with Arella Collagen, an award-winning vegan liquid supplement powered by innovative VeCollal® technology. It delivers plant-based amino acids to support the body’s natural collagen production, enriched with retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and vegan vitamin D3. From £32.99 for a one time purchase, arella-beauty.co.uk Competition Time Looking for the perfect base for your next dinner party or family catch-up? Now’s your chance to win a three-course dinner with drinks for six at LARDON, a chic new restaurant in the Cotswolds.  Psssst… Princess Kate has become the first member of the royal family to complete the Three Peaks Challenge, a notoriously tough endeavour which involves climbing three of the UK’s highest mountains in 24 hours. Whatever You Do, Don’t Move during a point at Wimbledon, if you’ve been lucky enough to nab show court tickets. Nobody enters or leaves while a game is in progress – wait for a changeover, which lasts for approximately 90 seconds.   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