More things to do this week in London

With thanks to Country and Town House:

September 04, 2026   |        Dear Reader, While Bayeux Tapestry fever hits Blighty (sign up if you haven't got tickets yet – they're dropping a new tranche on 21 October), I'm staving off any seasonal melancholy by peppering my diary with bright beacons of culture and things to do. Starting this weekend, I'm heading to East Vintage – a huge flea market in The Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, which itself is being brought back to life as a permanent venue for experimental live arts and immersive media (watch this space). I have theatre's hottest tickets to see Tilda Swinton at The Royal Court in Chelsea and James Graham's new play The Standard of Living at Theatre Royal Haymarket. Mostly though this month, you'll find me in the audience at Country & Town House's second-ever Chelsea Arts Festival: Katherine Rundell, Mishal Husain, Celia Imrie... the roll call of talent goes on and on. See you there – we won't let the darker nights get us down. And don’t forget to use the exclusive C&TH discount code CTH15 to get 15% off selected festival tickets (valid until 7 September 2026). Lucy Cleland Editorial Director   Staying In READ: Our New September/October Issue The September/October issue lands today – and it’s a whopper; our biggest to date. Vassi Chamberlain makes her C&TH debut, interviewing cover star Gugu Mbatha-Raw, a British actress choosing roles that speak to her both personally and intellectually. Her latest is in Possession as Claudia, an ambitious biracial lawyer who travels to Jamaica for a case and undergoes a deep cultural reckoning. Powerful women is a thread running through this issue: read our interviews with Katherine Rundell, Charlotte Tilbury and Mishal Husain. Plus Jim Murray learns how to cast-paint in Montana, Carole Bamford’s postcards from Provence and this season’s interior design spoils. Enjoy! Buy your copy here.   MAKE: Brown Butter Madeleines If you’re re-entering your baking era this autumn, we’ve got an easy recipe to whizz up this weekend. Dean Parker, head chef and co-owner of Celentano's in Glasgow, has shared a recipe for brown butter madeleines, made with just six ingredients. Ingredients: 250g butter  30g miso  90g egg whites 190g brown sugar  120g rice flour  20g almond flour  Small handful of basil, chopped flaky sea salt and cracked black pepper Method: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until it foams and turns golden brown, giving off a nutty aroma. Stir in the miso, then remove from the heat and leave to cool.  Whisk the sugar and egg till the mixture forms stiff peaks. Slowly add the butter into the egg mix to emulsify, taking care not to split it. Add in the dry ingredients and combine. To bake, line the mould with baking spray and fill the moulds until flush with the mix. Bake at 180 degrees for 8 minutes.   LISTEN TO: Ellie Goulding’s New Album Need a new soundtrack to your weekend tidy-up? Ellie Goulding’s sixth studio album I Know Too Much is out today. Shifting away from the more impersonal style of her 2023 album Higher Than Heaven, this record promises to be a deeply personal project, exploring the tension between knowledge and uncertainty. And as the pre-release singles ‘Black Prada Dress’, ‘4 Seasons’ and ‘Ravers’ have hinted, this 10-track album will span a range of synth-pop anthems, acoustic-leaning tracks, and club-ready electronic songs. The ‘Burn’ and ‘Love Me Like You Do’ singer explains: ‘Making this album allowed me to bring everything together honestly, like journalling through music, a collection of songs that represent a certain time in my life. I have always loved exploring different sounds and tempo. The album came about from the idea that maybe we can know too much, freedom comes from the ease of not knowing…’ Listen here. Going Out DRINK AT: Georgie’s Bar At Corinthia London The hot new spot to know for cocktails? Georgie’s Bar, the latest opening from Tom Kerridge at Corinthia London – launching just as the chef’s restaurant Kerridge’s gets a refresh. The bar will offer a more relaxed way to enjoy Kerridge’s, with a dedicated bar menu available alongside cocktails, beers, wines and ales. This includes four martinis and classics like the Tommy’s Margarita and French 75, alongside elevated twists on familiar plates like buttermilk fried chicken, cheeseburgers and fish and chips. Meanwhile, Kerridge’s Bar & Grill – which closed for refurbishment this summer – is back with a fresh look and menu. Opens 5 September 2026, corinthia.com GO TO: Queen’s Park Book Festival While you await Chelsea Arts Festival (16 – 20 September), there’s another culture event taking place in the capital this weekend, the ninth and final edition of Queen’s Park Book Festival. And they’re going out with a bang: Sebastian Barry, Jacqueline Wilson, Tuppence Middleton, British Museum director Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE and plenty more will all take to the Queen’s Park Book Festival stage, which takes over the eponymous patch of green this Saturday and Sunday. While you’re there, enjoy fresh pastries from Don’t Tell Dad, the Sunday Farmers’ Market and all the other culinary treats this pocket of London has to offer. 5–6 September, queensparkbookfestival.co.uk SHOP: The Art Car Boot Fair More than 100 artists will be returning to Coal Drops Yard this Saturday for the 2026 edition of the Art Car Boot Fair. As the name suggests, visitors can expect a blend of art fair and car boot sale, with the opportunity to shop artworks from both famous names and up-and-coming artists. While a prime event for avid collectors, it’s also one of the most accessible art fairs in London – tasking artists with creating exclusive pieces for just £100 each. So, who’s on the bill this year? Look out for cult illustrator Mr Bingo, photographer Amelia Troubridge, craft activist Carrie Reichhardt, comedy icon Vic Reeves and internationally renowned photographer Rankin, who will also be taking portraits of fair-goers on the day. 5 September from 12pm – 6pm, kingscross.co.uk Share This Newsletter With A Friend VIA EMAIL VIA WHATSAPP Staying in Forever… Property Of The Week Originally built in 1916, this Hollywood Hills home boasts a host of famous former owners. First there was Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, then there was The O.C. star Adam Brody, and today it’s Amanda Seyfried with her name on the deed. Extending to 2,700 sqft, the three-bedroom property features a heated swimming pool, spa and gym. On the market for $3,195,000, knightfrank.co.uk Competition Time Win a luxurious Chelsea Arts Festival prize package worth over £1,000  Win a one-night stay for two in a Deluxe Garden Room at The Zetter Bloomsbury  Win a four-night stay for two people at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives  Psssst… Eagle-eyed viewers who have already binged season two of The Gentlemen may have spotted the mirror-lined interiors of a much-Instagrammed London restaurant – click here to find out which one it is, plus all the other filming spots 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

September 03, 2026   |      Staying In Watch The Gentlemen Season 2 After the stonking success of season 1 (which premiered in March 2024), Netflix renewed The Gentlemen for a second season just a few months later. The wait is finally over: season 2 is streaming now on Netflix, and there are plenty more lucrative pies for Eddie (Theo James) to stick his fingers into after entering an equal partnership with criminal lynchpin Bobby Glass (Ray Winstone) and his daughter Susie (Kaya Scodelario) at the end of season 1. One year on, as the trio drive to increase their empire, Eddie and Susie realise the decisions Bobby is making are increasingly unsound. With new players flooding the market, they’re left to decide whether to take action, or risk losing everything. Out now on Netflix Going Out Feast At Meatopia Festival Veggies, look away. Meatopia is the UK’s top festival for meat lovers, bringing together some of the hottest chefs in fire cooking for a food festival at Tobacco Dock. This year’s London event will star Welsh duo Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn of Hangfire BBQ, Bristol Fire School founder Genevieve Taylor, and Budgie Montoya, who helped put Filipino cuisine on London’s map with restaurants like Sarap, Apoy and Cafe Kowloon. Each chef will cook a bespoke dish over live fire, with a focus on ethically sourced meat and seafood sizzled on sustainably produced wood and charcoal. 3 – 6 September 2026, meatopia.co.uk Property Of The Day A blend of old and new, this property combines a Grade II* listed country house with a modern, open-plan wing that won a Sussex Heritage Trust award. Outside sits a parterre garden, a large pond and bridge, a lightly wooded meadow, paddock, orchards and kitchen garden. On the market for £3,000,000, knightfrank.co.uk Little Luxury If your coffee table has been making do with a scented candle and a pile of junk mail, this is your time to turn over a new leaf. TASCHEN's biannual sale runs from 3 to 6 September with up to 75 percent off across art, photography, fashion, architecture titles and more – and it's the best possible excuse to start a proper collection. We asked TASCHEN editor Nora Dohrmann for her pick of the bunch, and she told us: ‘Lo–TEK: Design by Radical Indigenism by Julia Watson offers a glimpse into the past and future of technology at the same time’. You can check out our edit here. Sale runs from 3-6 September. TASCHEN London is on Duke of York Square in Chelsea, if you want to do it properly, or shop the sale here. Competition Time Experience the very best of Sussex with the chance to win an unforgettable escape combining Goodwood Art Foundation, estate-to-plate dining at 24, and an exclusive wine experience at Rathfinny Wine Estate. Enter here. Psssst… Uber has become the first company to launch a self-driving taxi. So far, just 15 have been licensed for use in London – and they’ll still come with a human driver in the front seat, ready to step in if any safety concerns arise. Whatever You Do, Don’t Forget to plant your spring bulbs. Now’s the time to plan out your garden for the seasons ahead, says The Real Flower Company founder Rosebie Morton. ‘Many bulbs can be planted now either directly into borders or pots. The advantage of early planting is that the soil is still warm so the roots can establish themselves before winter.’ Read her September gardening guide in full 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

September 02, 2026   |      Staying In Get Back Into Baking Autumn days are just around the corner (the astronomical calendar sets 23 September as the date, although according to the meteorological calendar the new season began yesterday), which means it’s nearly time to get cosy. And what better way than with a spot of baking? Get inspired with Francesca Huntingdon’s new book, The Sugar and Spice Cookbook: a collection of over 170 autumnal recipes. Our top pick is these rocky road clusters, below. Recipe: Rocky Road Clusters Makes: 24 Prep time: 40 minutes, plus setting Cook time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 150g (5 oz) mixed whole nuts (such as cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios) 300g (10 oz) plain dark chocolate, broken into pieces 15g (½ oz) unsalted butter 2 tablespoons icing (confectioners’) sugar 2 tablespoons double (heavy) cream Method:  Put the nuts on a piece of foil on a baking sheet, then toast under a preheated hot grill (broiler) for 3–4 minutes until golden. Allow to cool slightly, then chop roughly. Melt 75g (3 oz) of the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of gently simmering water. Stir the butter, sugar and cream into the melted chocolate until smooth and glossy, then mix in all but 2 tablespoons of the chopped nuts. Drop teaspoons of the mixture on to a baking sheet lined with nonstick baking paper. Chill for 2–3 hours until the mixture is firm. Line 2 x 12-hole muffin tins with petit four cases. Melt the remaining chocolate as before. Coat the nut clusters in the melted chocolate by holding them on a fork, one at a time, over the bowl of chocolate and spooning some of it over the top with a teaspoon. When the excess chocolate has dripped away, place the cluster in one of the petit-four cases. Repeat with the remainder. Put the chocolates in a cool place and leave to set for at least 1 hour, then sprinkle with the reserved nuts. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The Sugar and Spice Cookbook is out now, £22.00. Published by Hamlyn. bookshop.org Going Out Book Totally Thames Festival Totally Thames Festival's Great River Race takes place on 12 September © Ray Little Described as ‘the cultural voice of the river’, Totally Thames festival is a month-long season of river and river-related events along 43 miles of London riverfront – from Hampton Court Bridge in the west to the Dartford Crossing in the east. With a major art installation on the River Thames as its centerpiece – this year Turning The Tide by Turner Prize-nominated artist Catherine Yass – the festival works collaboratively with artists, local communities, river interest organisations and businesses to increase the appreciation of rivers and their importance to us all. This year will see everything from a performance of Shakespeare’s Tempest upon the Golden Hinde and River Recital concert to a guided mudlarking tour and Great River Race. 1-30 September 2026, discover the full programme of events here. Property Of The Day This impressive Grade II* listed home looks over Charterhouse School in Surrey. Designed by the celebrated Arts and Crafts architect Sir Edwin Lutyens for the Reverend Henry James Evans (a retired assistant master and honorary chaplain of the school) the 12-bedroom property features gardens designed by renowned horticulturalist Gertrude Jekyll. On the market for £1,350,000, knightfrank.com Little Luxury Award-winning B Corp accessories label Troubadour has launched a new backpack collection designed around the female form. Typically unisex, backpacks generally fail to account for female proportions, often making them uncomfortable to wear. Enter The Arc and The Contour, two new iterations that are as stylish as they are practical. Inspired by Bauhaus principles and the result of two years of dedicated research and development, they include a CrashPad Cocoon laptop compartment, ergonomic shoulder straps, water bottle pockets, AirTag storage and luggage sleeves for travel, and intelligently organised interiors. Performance and polish, indeed. £159, troubadourgoods.com Competition Time Set in the North Malé Atoll, just 30 minutes from Velana International Airport by speedboat, Kuda Villingili Resort is a vibrant Maldivian escape where barefoot relaxation meets an impressive array of experiences. And now’s your chance to win a four-night stay. Psssst… Jo Malone London has just released its very first dog shampoo, in collaboration with petcare label WildWash. It comes approved by French bulldog Blue, and his rather famous dad Tom Hardy. Catch a glimpse of the pair putting the brands’ Orange & Cedarwood Dog Shampoo to the test here. Whatever You Do, Don’t Forget your layers if you’re heading to a wedding this season. ‘Layers start to be crucial as we slide into autumn,’ says stylist and fashion writer Alice Hare. Think coats, jackets and sleeves, as well as unseen layers like slips and thermals. Find more wedding guest fashion do’s and don’ts 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

September 01, 2026   |      Staying In Watch Some Cosy Crime September has landed, bringing cosy season with it (just don’t check the weather forecast…). With Bookish back for season 2, Vigil back for season 3 and Blue Lights series 4 on the horizon, stellar telly is back. But if you are after something easy, let us introduce you to cosy crime. It may sound like an oxymoron, but this is a burgeoning genre thanks in part to Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club. Think amateur sleuths cracking intricate puzzles with intellect rather than grit, all backdropped by an often bucolic, tight-knit community home to nosy busybodies, retired academics and eccentric outsiders who band together to outsmart the police. Midsomer Murders is a classic example, while Death Valley, Ludwig and Patience have all made waves in recent years. Find more of our favourites here. Going Out Book Tickets To Cornbury House Horse Trials C&TH Partnership Oxfordshire’s Cornbury House Horse Trials takes eventing to a whole new level. Backdropped by the beautiful Cornbury House and the ancient Wychwood Forest, the equestrian event originally ran from 1993 to 2000 but was relaunched in 2020 by entrepreneur, philanthropist and regenerative agriculture enthusiast David Howden. Returning from 9 – 12 September 2026, it’s a chance to see some of the finest young horses and riders in the country competing in dressage, cross country and show jumping. Alongside this, visitors can expect plenty of locally sourced food and drink, underscoring the estate’s commitment to sustainability, premium hospitality and supporting neighbouring farms. Secure your tickets now at cornburyhousehorsetrials.co.uk  Property Of The Day This Italianate Victorian villa is the former home of the late singer-songwriter and record producer Lynsey de Paul, who entertained various music, TV and film stars within these walls. Originally built in the early 1850s, and more recently updated by award-winning interior designer Shalini Misra, this four-storey home features stone quoins, high ceilings, off-street and a south-west facing garden complete with a studio space. On the market for £4,850,000, astonchase.com Little Luxury It’s a great British interiors collab. Artisan tile store Ca’Pietra and Sanderson – known for its beautiful wallpaper, fabrics and paints – have joined forces for a special collection. This sees Sanderson’s quintessentially English designs reimagined by Ca’Pietra in tile form: the Classic Collection includes porcelain tiles suitable for walls and floors, while The Studio Collection comprises a series of decorative wall tiles crafted on a ceramic base. Launching today, check out the full collection at capietra.com Competition Time Win a night in the Cotswolds with Arlington & Row, staying at the magnificent Kingscote House, a Grade II listed country house within the Matara Estate near Tetbury. Psssst… The Met Gala’s spring exhibition has been cancelled. John Galliano: Horizons was meant to open at the Metropolitan Museum of Art next May, but following a wave of public backlash – in response to the designer’s history of antisemitic, racist, and anti-Asian conduct – organisers have decided to put a stop to the exhibition altogether. But fear not, the museum has confirmed that a new theme is on the way. Here’s what we know so far. Whatever You Do, Don’t Miss your horoscope for the month ahead. ‘September is the last full month before Mercury and Venus both turn retrograde,’ reveals Aiten Musaieva, an astrologer and spiritual advisor at Nebula. ‘That period starts in October and runs through the autumn, and it’s a stretch when plans often need revisiting, so this is a useful window for shopping, making arrangements, launching new projects, and finally moving on long-planned ideas.’ Read your full September horoscope 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

August 31, 2026   |      Staying In Shop For Antiques (From Home) There’s a wealth of reasons to opt for a well-worn and loved antique over a new piece. Firstly, buying vintage, antique and second hand salvages pieces that might otherwise end up in landfill – and secondly, it supports the many antiques sellers who are preserving pieces with history and personality which can be owned and loved for many years to come. Don’t have an antique shop nearby? Not to worry – there are plenty of high-end sellers who now offer their services online. You can browse Jamb’s assembly of vintage stone fireplaces, far-flung porcelain from Indigo Oriental Antiques and quirky home finds from The Old Cinema, all from the comfort of your (soon-to-be-traded-in) couch. Find our top pick of the best online antique and vintage homeware stores here. Going Out Try The Ritz’s New Ocean Menu Got a special occasion coming up? Treat yourself to a meal at The Ritz Restaurant, which has launched its first ever menu dedicated to the ocean. The two-Michelin-starred dining room – crowned the UK’s best at the 2025 National Restaurant Awards – will explore the art of wild seafood with dishes like Orkney scallops with datterini tomato, native lobster with spiced carrot puree, and sea bass with saffron, with a coconut mousseline served with pineapple and white rum for dessert. Helmed by chef John Williams MBE, The Ritz Restaurant is currently located in the Arlington Street Wing while the hotel’s restoration continues. Alongside the fine dining feast, a meal here is a chance to marvel at the grand settings, and experience the French-inspired commitment to the arts de la table – think exquisite tableware and impeccable service. theritzlondon.com Property Of The Day The former home of Bernardo O’Higgins, the Liberator of Chile, this Blue Plaque property sits on the sought-after Vineyard road in Richmond. Inside, the Grade II* listed home features an indoor swimming pool, gym and climate-controlled wine cellar – plus a guest cottage. On the market for £19,500,000, knightfrank.com Little Luxury If you’re a new parent – or know someone who is – we’ve got the collab for you. British heritage design brand Morris & Co. has teamed up with baby brand Tommee Tippee on a new limited-edition collection. Designed for babies from 0-18 months, the range includes bottles, bibs and silicone soothers, decked out in two of William Morris’ most celebrated designs: Strawberry Thief and Acanthus. Newborn essentials, but make them chic. From £9.99, tommeetippee.com Competition Time Win a one-night bed and breakfast stay for two at Welsh country hotel Grove of Narberth, including a five-course tasting menu experience in its fine dining restaurant, Fernery, with a sommelier’s choice bottle of wine.  Psssst… Dolly Parton, who sadly passed away last week aged 80, secretly recorded new music which has been sealed inside a time capsule. The track is titled ‘My Place in History’ – but we won’t be able to hear it until 19 January 2046, on what would have been her 100th birthday. Whatever You Do, Don’t Play it safe when it comes to sofa beds – you can treat them with the same creative freedom as you would with your main sofa, say experts. ‘Sofa beds come in so many designs now that you can find and style a sofa bed to fit your home,’ notes John, founder of Darlings of Chelsea, ‘from mid-century to traditional button-back sofas.’ So, rather than fall into the trappings of pure practicality, it’s best to have a balance of style and substance. Find our top picks 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